DuCoop

Offer:
We currently have no vacancies and do not have a waiting list on which you can be placed.

From 2017, a new construction project will be built in the port of Ghent as part of the "De Nieuwe Dokken" urban development project, which will comprise around 400 apartments once it is completed (2028).

- 20 % social housing
- 20 % affordable housing
- 60 % commercial housing

Sustainability criteria were also in demand, with DuCoop's concept winning over the jury.

DuCoop has entered into an agreement with the city of Ghent for the construction and operation of a heating network, water treatment and other technologies. The deed of incorporation stipulates that DuCoop provides services for all residents.They conclude a contract with DuCoop that guarantees the heat supply and ensures the proper functioning of the technology.They are not only customers, but also cooperation partners of DuCoop. DuCoop supplies 400 apartments, a school and commercial spaces, such as a café and a bicycle repair shop.

DuCoop was founded by the project developer Schipperskaai Development, the water company Farys and the innovator Clean Energy Innovative Projects. Other companies were added during the implementation phase and, since 2019, residents have also been able to acquire shares in the cooperative and thus participate in the proceeds.

DuCoop was founded as a cooperative by entrepreneurs and employees. Cleanenergyinvest provided the cooperative with capital. All heat and energy consumers - i.e. all resident households and companies - must join the cooperative. The board currently consists of founders and employees and is elected by the general assembly of all members. Residents are invited to take an active role in shaping the cooperative. They must understand the technical concept in its basic features and participate in its implementation in everyday life.

Tasks:
- Planning, tendering and construction of the facilities
- Operation and maintenance of the systems
- Heat generation and supply to residents
- Generating electricity through PV and supplying residents via smart grid

Roles:
- Board: to date consists of representatives of the founding companies, no residents
- Members: Residents

Status at the beginning of 2025:

- Investment costs: € 5,000 per apartment
- Energy costs: 10 cents per kWh
- In addition, approx. € 400 flat rate per apartment per year (approx. € 1 per square meter per month).

Cooperative members can purchase two types of cooperative shares: A-shares and B-shares. Every person who buys or rents an apartment in "De Nieuwe Dokken" must join the cooperative and receives an A-share with a nominal value of €10. If the cooperative makes more than 6% profit, the general assembly can decide to distribute this profit to the A-share owners in the form of a discount on their energy bill. Furthermore, tenants and owners from De Nieuwe Dokken can purchase B-shares for €250 each and thus contribute to the financing of the project. As a recognized cooperative, DuCoop is allowed to pay out a maximum of 6% return on the contributed capital as a dividend to the cooperative members. A maximum of 20 shares (€5,000) may be purchased.

Heating: All houses are connected to a heating network.This means that the residents do not have an individual heating system, but each apartment has a heat exchanger that extracts heat from a collector pipe.The heat is 100% sustainable and consists of residual heat from industry and heat extracted from the district's wastewater. Process water with spread 55°C/35°C -> waste heat from the factory increases 35°C->45°C => rest with 15kW heat pump water-water (process water) in apartments: only small heat exchanger for space heating (panel heating in all apartments, floor) and hot water
- PV systems and 230kW battery as storage -> software anticipates electricity price and always feeds in when electricity price is highest during the day => electricity cost savings for all
- Water: The waste water is collected and purified in the district.After purification, it is given a second life as process water at the neighboring company Christeyns. Vacuum toilet flushing at -0.6 bar using pumps
- Waste: Separate waste processing is the norm in Nieuwe Dokken.DuCoop processes kitchen waste into biogas and a fertilizer product that is reused on site.
- Mobility: DuCoop promotes sustainable mobility by offering a network of electric charging stations for cars and bicycles.
- Smart District: All these sustainable techniques contribute to closing the cycles of water, energy and nutrients as much as possible.In combination with intelligent control of all processes and the buffering of energy (heat and electricity), we are creating an environmentally friendly residential area.
- Biogas process for organic waste and residual materials from water treatment

kWh: see https://ducoop.be/en/

Form of energy: Heat, electricity

Location of the plant: The energy generation plants and the plants for wastewater treatment and methane production are located in the residential complex.

Connection: The heating network draws waste heat from a nearby soap factory; conversely, this factory draws industrial water in the form of treated wastewater.

Ownership structure: The systems and the heating network are owned by DuCoop. All purchasers of heat and electricity must join the cooperative.