WeSmart Pilots in Brussels: Pioneering Building Energy Flexibility

Transforming Tour & Taxis and Greenbizz into smart energy flexibility assets

WeSmart is leading the pilot in Brussels, Belgium, showcasing how energy communities can unlock unprecedented levels of building energy optimization.

Two Pioneering Demonstration Sites

Tour & Taxis: The Mixed-Use Energy Hub

The historic Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis represents one of Europe's most ambitious sustainable transformation projects. This former railway freight station now houses a positive energy commercial and artistic hub, powered by 10,000 solar panels generating 3,000 MWh annually.

The innovative setup demonstrates virtual energy sharing at scale:

• 3 MWp solar installation on the Gare Maritime roof
• Approximately 50% self-consumption within the building
• 40 residential participants in the neighboring Park Lane buildings
• Virtual energy sharing across different buildings through the Citizens Energy Community (CEC)

Greenbizz: The Sustainable Business Incubator

Greenbizz serves as Brussels' premier sustainable business incubator, designed to passive building standards and hosting green economy startups. This 6,500 m² facility combines:

• 240 kWp solar panels providing renewable energy
• 50 kW / 120 kWh battery storage system (operated by Octave Energy)
• 10 SME participants including workshops focused on sustainable solutions
• Same-building energy sharing model with separate smart meters

Advancing BLUEBIRD's Vision

WeSmart's contribution to BlueBird directly addresses the project's core mission: enabling buildings to function as competitive energy flexibility assets.

Our Brussels pilots demonstrate three critical objectives:

1. Real-Time Testing & Integration
   • Interconnect DSO Interface deployment for real-time data acquisition
   • Direct connection with Sibelga (Brussels DSO) for enhanced grid flexibility
   • 15-minute interval data collection from all community members
   • Near real-time monitoring through the upgraded partnership agreement
2. Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) Improvement. The project aims to dramatically improve building intelligence by:
   • Targeting SRI improvement from below 10 to 65-80 range
   • Deploying real-time demand response communications via the WeSmart platform
   • Behavioral prediction algorithms to optimize energy consumption patterns
   • End-user engagement through personalized energy recommendations
3. Economic Viability & Market Integration
   • Preferential tariffs for energy sharing participants
   • Tangible bill reductions through optimized consumption practices
   • Day-ahead price integration from Belpex/Epex for market responsiveness
   • Collective peak reduction strategies targeting over 100 kWp flexibility potential

Technology Innovation in Action

The WeSmart Energy Management System (EMS) serves as the central intelligence platform, integrating:

• Multi-source data streams: Historic validated data, D+1 non-validated data, and near real-time consumption
• AI-powered recommendations: Personalized flexibility advice based on behavioral predictions
• Community visualization: User-friendly dashboards showing energy flows and sharing patterns
• Grid interface: Direct communication with Sibelga's DSO systems for flexibility services

Stakeholder Ecosystem

The Brussels demonstration brings together a comprehensive stakeholder network:

• End-users: 50 participants across residential and commercial sectors
• Asset owners: Nextensa (Tour & Taxis) and Greenbizz management
• Technology partners: WeSmart (platform), Octave (battery solutions)
• Grid integration: Sibelga (DSO) for infrastructure and data
• Regulatory framework: Brugel (Brussels energy regulator)

Real-World Impact & Scalability

Early results demonstrate the transformative potential of building-integrated flexibility:

• Operational energy communities with proven energy sharing mechanisms
• Regulatory compliance within Brussels' progressive energy framework
• Replicable models for both mixed-use and commercial building applications
• Multi-stakeholder engagement across the energy value chain

Looking Ahead: The Future of Building Flexibility

As the BlueBird project progresses toward its early 2026 service deployment, the Brussels pilots will continue expanding their flexibility capabilities:

• Enhanced battery integration for optimized community-scale storage
• Advanced prediction algorithms for demand response optimization
• Expanded participant networks to demonstrate scalability
• Policy development support for regulatory framework evolution

The WeSmart-led demonstrations in Brussels represent more than pilot projects — they embody the future of how European buildings will actively contribute to grid stability, renewable energy integration, and community-scale sustainability.