ZuidtrAnt engages citizens through hands-on energy sessions across the region

Throughout October and November, ZuidtrAnt, one of the Citizen-led Renovation Phase II pilots, actively engaged residents in Mortsel, Kontich and Boechout through a series of practical, on-site visits and information sessions designed to empower households in their energy transition.

District heating visit in Mortsel draws strong interest

At the beginning of October, ZuidtrAnt organised a guided visit to the district heating network in Mortsel, inviting residents from nearby streets who are currently exploring the option of connecting to the system.
Around 25 participants from the Minervesite joined the evening tour, where they were able to see the distribution centre up close and learn how the existing heating network works, what benefits it offers in terms of comfort and climate impact, and what connecting would mean for their homes. The visit provided a tangible and accessible way for citizens to understand the technology behind collective heating solutions.

Neighbourhood renovation session in Kontich

On 9 October, ZuidtrAnt and the municipality of Kontich co-hosted an information session as part of a planned ‘wijkrenovatie’ – a large-scale neighbourhood renovation initiative.
The event gathered about 20 residents, who received insights into renovation options, collective approaches, and how working together can reduce costs while increasing energy performance across the entire area. The session marked the start of a broader community process that will help households make informed decisions about future-proofing their homes.

November sessions on home batteries and heating technologies

In November, ZuidtrAnt continued its outreach with two additional public events, each focusing on practical solutions for household-level energy improvement:

• “The Power of the Home Battery” – an interactive information session in Boechout, helping residents understand how home batteries can optimise self-consumption of solar energy and increase grid flexibility.
• “From District Heating to Heat Pump” – held in Mortsel, exploring sustainable heating pathways and helping citizens compare different technologies based on their housing situation.

Both events attracted motivated residents eager to learn more about affordable, efficient and low-carbon energy solutions.