Financial feasibility of a CooPPA
In Belgium, there are currently 39 citizen cooperatives for renewable energy who want to harvest part of the ambient energy for their own use. They joined one of the federations RESCoop Flanders or RESCoop Wallonia to have their interests represented. The tender process in the Princess Elisabeth zone, which is also the subject of this assignment, is seen as an opportunity for these cooperative energy suppliers in Belgium to have them participate as suppliers in wind farm development on a large scale. To this end, these energy cooperatives united under an umbrella cooperative investment vehicle called Seacoop, which intends to apply to participate in the tendering process.
The Einstein Telescope
The Einstein Telescope is an ambitious and innovative European “Big Science” project that will provide groundbreaking research and discoveries. It is a large underground infrastructure to detect gravitational waves and will be built 200-300 meters underground in the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides of 10 km each. Laser beams in the arms will measure tiny changes (much smaller than the size of an atomic nucleus) through a central photodetector. One of the possible sites in Europe is near the border of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Einstein Telescope is the world’s first telescope that allows us to explore the universe up to the Big Bang, allowing us to answer fundamental questions within physics and cosmology about dark matter, the Big Bang and the creation of the universe. This European project has many similarities to the CERN project in Geneva.
Econopolis Strategy was selected to assess the “return on investment” for Flanders. Based on this document, Flanders will make an investment decision in 2026. Download the complete report below!
Econodata
Ortelius has an in-house software tool, Econodata, which allows users to quickly and clearly access aggregated financial data on Belgian companies. The database was originally developed by the Finactum team and was acquired by Ortelius in June 2022, after which it has been further developed. The data source includes filed annual accounts at the National Bank and publications in the Belgian Official Gazette, among other data sources. The tool will be further developed in the future to map economic ecosystems in Belgium. Please contact us for more information.
The sustainable vision for Smart Delta Resources for 2030 and 2050
Smart Delta Resources (SDR) is a cluster of energy- and resource-intensive companies located in the Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Delta region, encompassing Ghent, Vlissingen, and Terneuzen. Our recent study focused on how this industrial ecosystem can transition toward climate neutrality and circularity by 2050.
Circular Transition Pathway
By order of North Sea Port, a merger between the ports of Ghent, Terneuzen and Flushing, Ortelius calculated the climate plan for the Ghent Canal Zone. Ortelius carried out this study in consultation with, among others, the city of Ghent and the province of East Flanders. In the study, the assets that the Canal Zone has to offer in terms of energy transition are translated into added value for economic activity. By broaching innovative themes such as CCUS, the use of circular waste streams and the development of climate-neutral infrastructure, the aim of the study was to draw up a quantified and rigorous plan, create support and raise awareness among the population and policymakers.
Flemish airport vision
Ortelius developed the vision and strategy for Flemish regional airports. This was a follow-up study to a previous study that Ortelius conducted for VOKA Antwerp-Waasland, which focused specifically on a vision for Antwerp Airport.
Future of the chemical sector in Belgium
Belgium owes a large part of its added value to the chemical sector. The sector creates employment, accounts for a significant portion of Belgian exports, and contributes to our national R&D-capital. However, the sector is under pressure due to the global climate transition. An initial response might be to phase out the chemical industry in Belgium to reduce national carbon emissions. However, this could lead to a substantial loss of welfare for Belgium and likely would not solve global warming, as emissions would simply be relocated elsewhere.
The future of the Belgian industry
Ortelius authored a study for UNIZO examining the future of Belgian industry. The study explores the relevance of industry within the socio-economic system and compares the strengths and weaknesses of the Belgian industry with other major industrial clusters in the world. Finally, the study presents 10 policy recommendations that still remain very relevant today.