Project cooperation
Collective systems for multi-household buildings
Smart, integrated energy solutions for apartment buildings, combining PV, charging, batteries, and heating.
Author
Steven Decat
CEO ECoOB (Energy Cooperative)
ECoOB cv
Leuven, Belgium
25 profile visitsParticipant
Energy Cooperative with citizen capital targetting climate impact, fair pricing, citizen-led initiatives, and local products. In return free advise + dividend.
My organisation
Since 2023, ECoOB has been working closely with the City of Leuven on heat networks, currently focussing on (1) De Boomgaard, a microgrid connecting 10 households with a new housing project for 40 people with a care need based on geothermal heat pumps; (2) Meunierstraat, a heatnetwork in a dense neighborhood with geothermal drillings on public domain; (3) Ecowerf, study on residual heat.
We advise households in their transition to renewable energy and offer them collective purchase programs. With the Zonnebouwers+ project, ECoOB lower the threshold as much as possible to give people in energy poverty access to renewable energy.
ECoOB delivers turnkey renewable energy solutions for schools, companies, non-profit and the public sector (sun, heat or wind): comprehensive technical and financial dossiers, conclusive agreements, with advise, design, financing of the installation (installation, maintenance and insurance) and sometimes in an ESCO-setup. Related techniques are also discussed: batteries, charging stations, heat pumps,... ECoOB currently has 10,000 solar panels installed for 4.120 kWp across 100 projects. ECoOB has invested in collective installations (PV, EV-charging, heating) in multi-households buildings and has set-up different energy communities around their projects with sharing electricity.
About me
Steven brings over 20 years of experience as a manager in international logistics, where he honed his skills in operations and leadership. In 2017, he transitioned into the field of sustainable energy as an independent consultant, leveraging his expertise to address global energy challenges. He brings international management techniques to cooperative leadership.
In 2018, Steven co-founded ECoOB, an energy cooperative aimed at driving the energy transition in Oost-Brabant. By 2021, he was appointed CEO, leading a dedicated team of eight employees. Under his leadership, ECoOB grew to 1,300 members and €4M citizen capital within 4 years, establishing itself as a key player in the region’s energy transition by fostering innovation and community engagement.
Steven possesses deep expertise in renewable energy, energy markets, program management, and the development of viable business cases. He is committed to ensuring that the energy transition is not only environmentally impactful but also financially sustainable and socially equitable. His passion lies in transforming innovative ideas into actionable solutions, bridging the gap between vision and implementation.
Marketplace (4)
Project cooperation
Establishing energy communities
Design and implement user-centred solutions, provide tools and frameworks for energy democracy, participation, and fair benefit-sharing.
AuthorProject cooperation
Set up a pilot project on district heating, innovative renewable sources such as aquathermy or closed-loop borefields in public spaces.
AuthorProject cooperation
Energy management for flexibility
Develop energy management systems increasing value rooftop PV installations by integrating storage, flexibility, and smart control.
Author