Dr. Janka Vanschoenwinkel obtained in 2013 with her Master in Business Engineering at Hasselt University and received in 2018 her PhD in applied economics in 2018. Since 2018, she works as an R&D researcher at EnergyVille / VITO, Belgium on energy markets. She collaborated intensively with experts in thermal energy systems when working on H2020 projects such as TEMPO and STORM that specifically focus on innovations in DHC systems. More recently, she is also involved in the Interreg project D2Grids and she is following up the implementation of a DHC grid at the business area where EnergyVille is located.

Abstract:

When developing business models, it is important to understand that each business model needs to be adapted to the specific needs of each unique district heating and cooling grid. Within the TEMPO project, we evaluated existing business models and made an overview of the most important business model components (financing, revenue streams, ownership structures). We then mapped these components with respect to the different circumstances to which they have to be adapted (network age and generation, type of buildings, energy sources, urban versus rural environment, market maturity and regulation). Depending on the different circumstances, the business model components have to be filled indifferently. In the end, different business model components can be filled in in different ways, as long as one understands the influence of different characteristics on the effectiveness of the business model.