Pilot West-Vlaamse Intercommunale
West-Vlaamse Intercommunale (WVI) is an intermunicipal association representing 52 municipalities in West Flanders, Belgium. As an officially recognized Energy House, WVI provides energy renovation advice, offers financial support for vulnerable households and conducts home visits to help residents reduce their energy consumption. With 15% of the region’s population affected by energy poverty, a number that continues to rise, WVI aims to improve knowledge and awareness about home renovation and financing solutions among those most in need.
The pilots' core: local engagement
To better reach and support vulnerable communities, WVI is launching an energy Van. This is a mobile information hub where residents can receive free advice on energy-saving measures and home renovation. Additionally, drone technology will be used to scan condominiums and row houses, housing types where energy poverty is particularly prevalent, providing clear insights into energy efficiency challenges.
WVI’s pilot project is based on direct, local engagement and innovative outreach methods:
- Deploying the Energy Van: Bringing energy advice directly to residents of vulnerable neighborhoods, lowering the barriers to access support.
- Using drone thermography: Live-streaming thermal images of buildings to visually demonstrate heat loss and energy inefficiencies, encouraging homeowners to take action.
- Expanding best practices: Building on lessons from previous projects (e.g., See2Do) and learning from other partners to refine outreach and activation strategies.
Expected impact
By bringing energy-saving solutions directly to communities, WVI aims to remove barriers and increase engagement among vulnerable households. The expected results include:
✔ More residents reached through the mobile Energy Van ✔ Improved awareness and understanding of energy-saving measures ✔ Higher participation in home renovation initiatives ✔ A replicable model for local energy advice using innovative outreach tools
Get in touch & share knowledge
While bringing significant expertise to SCEPA, WVI also seeks to gain valuable practices from partners to further strengthen its approach to reducing energy poverty through innovation, collaboration, and community-centered solutions. Are you interested in learning more about this pilot project or sharing your own insights? Please contact us. Your experience and knowledge could contribute to developing even more effective strategies to combat energy poverty in our communities.
Bruno Pluvier
Working as an Energy Policy Officer at WVI in West Flanders, Bruno Pluvier bridges the gap between energy policy goals and local implementation realities. He brings this perspective on practical policy application to the SCEPA project. He looks forward to engaging with partners to effectively tackle energy poverty across regions.
Jeroen Verbeke
Jeroen is a seasoned energy expert driving WVI's pilot within SCEPA. He facilitates the work of a dynamic team of energy coaches aboard the Energy Van, supporting vulnerable households. He coordinates innovative outreach activities leveraging a thermal drone.
