Warmingup

What Warmingup does

WarmingUp is a Dutch innovation consortium (non-profit) that ran from 2020 to 2023 with 38-60 participants spanning the entire Dutch heat chain, including energy companies (Vattenfall, Eneco, HVC, Engie, Shell), municipalities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag, Almere, Nijmegen, Breda), research institutes (TNO, Deltares, KWR), and universities (TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, Erasmus, Utrecht). The consortium, led by TNO as administrative lead (penvoerder), established a knowledge base for sustainable collective heating systems (warmtenetten) to replace natural gas heating in the Netherlands, targeting 750,000 additional home connections by 2030.

The consortium's core product is the WarmingUP Design Toolkit, a beta software package that combines GIS-based drag-and-drop heat network design, scenario simulation, cost-optimization algorithms, and KPI dashboards. Complementary tools include ThermoGIS (geothermal potential mapping with machine learning-enhanced subsurface characterization), WINDOW potential maps (underground heat storage feasibility), and AquathermieViewer (surface water thermal energy mapping). The Design Toolkit is distinctively described as the only integrated platform combining these capabilities, with plans to reach version 1.0 under the follow-up NieuweWarmteNu programme.

WarmingUp operates as a community-led consortium rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue derives from consortium membership contributions and government subsidies, primarily through RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) and the Nationaal Groeifonds. The original program received approximately EUR 75 million in funding (2020-2023), with EUR 200 million follow-on funding for NieuweWarmteNu. The only direct commercial revenue is the EUR 2,000 Design Toolkit basic course offered through Deltares Academy. After the main program concluded in 2023, follow-up programs WarmingUP GOO (geothermal acceleration) and NieuweWarmteNu continue the consortium's work, with the consortium itself maintaining operating status across the Dutch heat transition ecosystem.

Name

Warmingup

Legal name

WarmingUp

Website

https://warmingup.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WarmingUp is a Dutch innovation consortium (38-60 participants) led by TNO that develops knowledge, software tools, and research for sustainable collective heat networks to replace natural gas in the Netherlands, serving municipalities, heat companies, and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

District Heating Network Design Software

NAICS

Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (22133), Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (221330), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Waste Heat Recovery & Heat Integration (HRSG/ORC, Pinch Analysis, Heat Exchangers) (EUABAJAF)

Keywords

• District heating networks
• Heat network design software
• Geothermal potential mapping
• Aquathermie assessment
• Underground heat storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Consortium membership contributions: Participants (companies, governments, research organisations) contribute financially to the consortium and/or deploy experts for joint knowledge development. The Privacy Statement notes TNO is the lead organisation (penvoerder) of WarmingUP.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Warmingup is a Dutch innovation consortium that develops and disseminates knowledge, software tools, and methods for sustainable collective heat networks (warmtenetten). The core product is the WarmingUP Design Toolkit, a GIS-based software platform for planning and designing future-proof district heating networks, complemented by specialised tools (ThermoGIS, AquathermieViewer, WINDOW) for geothermal, aquathermie, and underground heat storage assessment. Participants include energy companies, municipalities, universities, and research organisations collaborating on joint knowledge development.

Product overview

WarmingUp is an innovation program (2020-2023) where 38 participants from the entire heat chain collaborated on sustainable collective heating systems. The core product offering is the WarmingUP Design Toolkit, a beta software package that helps designers create future-proof district heating networks using state-of-the-art models, solvers, and optimizers. This toolkit integrates with specialized analysis tools including ThermoGIS (for geothermal potential mapping, now extended with HTO module for high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage), the Aquathermie Viewer (for thermal energy from surface water, wastewater, and drinking water), and WINDOW Potential Maps (for underground heat storage suitability). The consortium also offers educational services through Design Toolkit training courses. The program continues through follow-up projects including WarmingUP*GOO* (Geothermie & Opslag en Opschaling) and Nieuwe Warmte Nu.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WarmingUP GOO: Geothermie & Opslag en Opschaling - Follow-up program focused on accelerating geothermal energy and underground heat storage (HTO) in the Netherlands with 15 partners.
• Design Toolkit
• WINDOW

Products and services

• WarmingUP Design Toolkit Software package that helps designers of district heating networks create future-proof heat networks that are affordable, sustainable, and flexible. Combines GIS-based drag-and-drop design, simulation of heat transition scenarios, cost-optimisation algorithms, and KPI dashboards for stakeholder analysis.
• ThermoGIS Public web-based system that supports governments, heat consumers, and advisors in developing geothermal energy from the Dutch subsurface. Uses machine learning for subsurface characterisation and includes an HTO module for high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage potential assessment.
• Aquathermie Viewer Interactive map showing the potential of thermal energy from surface water (TEO), wastewater (TEA), and drinking water (TED) for district heating networks, helping municipalities and energy strategists with sustainability decisions.
• WINDOW Potentieelkaarten Potential maps showing areas suitable for underground heat storage (HTO), helping project developers, municipalities, and stakeholders assess subsurface suitability for large-scale heat storage.
• Design Toolkit Basic Course Two-day training course (EUR 2,000 excluding VAT) taught by TNO and Deltares instructors, teaching engineers and designers how to use the WarmingUP Design Toolkit for creating future-proof heat networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750,000 extra homes connected to sustainable collective heat networks by 2030
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

50 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Stichting WarmtenetwerkminorOthersSpecialist partner providing specific expertise or materials for one of the projects or helping with knowledge sharing. Stichting Warmtenetwerk is a foundation focused on heat networks in the Netherlands.
• Netwerk AquathermieminorOthersSpecialist partner providing expertise and knowledge sharing on aquathermy (thermal energy from water systems).
• Platform GeothermieminorOthersSpecialist partner providing expertise and knowledge sharing on geothermy in the Netherlands.
• HeijmanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction and infrastructure company providing expertise on heat pipe installation, trenchless installation methods (NanoDrill), and practical construction knowledge for heat network deployment.
• ThermaflexminorOthersPartner supplying flexible pre-insulated pipe systems for heat networks, contributing to Theme 2 on cost-effective heat network construction.
• Visser & Smit HanabminorOthersPipeline construction and maintenance specialist contributing to heat network construction research and practical knowledge within the consortium.
• B-WAREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organisation (B-WARE Academic Research Centre) providing expertise in water and energy systems research, contributing to subsurface heat storage and underground energy storage research.
• CE DelftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent research consultancy providing economic and environmental analysis for sustainable energy transition, contributing to cost-benefit analyses within WarmingUP.
• IF TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory firm specialising in energy from the subsurface, contributing expertise to WINDOW project (underground heat storage) and the legal decision-making framework for HTO permits.
• r+ k Consulting EngineersminorOthersEngineering consultancy contributing to research on heat network installation methods, specifically on the applicability of trenchless installation techniques.
• Rotterdam EngineeringminorOthersEngineering consultancy partner participating in the beta testing and validation of WarmingUP Design Toolkits for heat network design.
• TauwcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental and engineering consultancy providing expertise on underground heat storage, geothermy, and environmental effects assessment for the WarmingUP programme.
• FeenstracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstallation and maintenance company contributing to Theme 2 research on acceptable reduced supply temperatures, providing measurement data from existing installations and participating in the 220-home measurement campaign.
• Provincie LimburgminorOthersProvincial government in the Netherlands serving as a specialist partner contributing to underground heat storage potential studies and policy development.
• Techniplan adviseurs bvminorOthersEngineering consultancy providing expertise on heat network planning and design within the WarmingUP consortium.
• Kouwenberg Infra BVminorOthersInfrastructure company contributing to Theme 2B research on smart installation methods, specifically on trenchless pipe installation techniques for heat networks.
• HerrenknechtminorOthersGerman tunnel construction and drilling technology company providing expertise on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for heat network pipe installation.
• Provincie Noord-HollandminorOthersProvincial government partner contributing to the WarmingUP consortium, with specific interest in underground heat storage potential and geothermy.
• ECW EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company contributing to underground heat storage (HTO) projects, including practical HTO project data used in WarmingUP research on chemical and microbiological effects.
• Well Engineering Partners - WEPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy with 15 years of experience developing and realising deep geothermy in the Netherlands, providing well engineering expertise to the WarmingUP GOO programme.
• VattenfallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor heat company and participant in the WarmingUP consortium. Vattenfall is a founding member contributing financial resources and operational expertise to the joint knowledge development on sustainable heat networks.
• TNOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner (penvoerder) of WarmingUP and website administrator. TNO coordinates the consortium, develops core technologies (ThermoGIS, Design Toolkit, WINDOW), and manages knowledge dissemination. TNO is the data controller for personal data processed through the WarmingUP website.
• DeltarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in WarmingUP, responsible for key research on low-temperature heating, heat network design, aquathermy, underground heat storage modelling, and the Design Toolkit. Deltares Academy also provides the Design Toolkit basic course.
• KWRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater research institute contributing to Theme 5 (underground heat storage, WINDOW), Theme 6 (social acceptance research), and the WarmingUP GOO programme with expertise in geohydrology and water governance.
• GreenvisminorOthersEngineering consultancy participating in the beta testing and validation of WarmingUP Design Toolkits for heat network planning.
• EBN ( Energie Beheer Nederland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-owned energy company participating in WarmingUP and contributing to heat network planning and geothermy development in the Netherlands.
• EnpulscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeat network development company (subsidiary of Stedin/Energie Nederland) contributing to WarmingUP research on heat network costs and social acceptance.
• FiranminorOthersHeat network operator contributing to Theme 2C research on heat network construction costs with practical data from existing operations.
• NetVerderminorOthersHeat network innovation company contributing to WarmingUP consortium with expertise in heat network development.
• CapturamminorOthersEnergy company participant in the WarmingUP consortium.
• SVP (Stadsverwarming Purmerend)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeat network operator in Purmerend; chair of the WarmingUP Steering Committee (Gijs de Man, Director of SVP, is chair of the WarmingUP Steering Committee).
• HVCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeat company and waste processing organisation contributing to WarmingUP as a heat network operator and sustainable energy provider.
• EnecocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Dutch energy company and heat network operator contributing to WarmingUP; uses the Design Toolkit to model the Rotterdam heat network and investigate high-temperature storage value.
• EngiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational energy company participating in the WarmingUP consortium and contributing to sustainable heat network knowledge development.
• EnnatuurlijkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional heat company in the Netherlands contributing to WarmingUP consortium as a heat network operator and sustainable energy provider.
• RijkswaterstaatcoreOthersDirectorate-General for Public Works and Water Management of the Netherlands, contributing to WarmingUP as a government body involved in water management and its intersection with heat networks and aquathermy.
• STOWAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation for Applied Water Research contributing to Theme 3 (aquathermy) and Theme 6 research, particularly on ecological effects and monitoring of heat extraction from water systems.
• Unie van WaterschappenminorOthersAssociation of Dutch water boards contributing to WarmingUP on topics related to water management and heat extraction from water systems.
• BodemenergieNLminorOthersDutch industry association for ground energy contributing to the WarmingUP consortium with expertise on underground heat storage and ground energy systems.
• ShellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational energy company participating in the WarmingUP consortium and contributing to geothermy and underground heat storage knowledge development.
• Huisman EquipmentminorOthersEquipment and drilling technology company contributing to the WarmingUP consortium with expertise relevant to geothermy well construction.
• Coöperatie Duurzame VruchtenbuurtminorOthersLocal energy cooperative in The Hague contributing to WarmingUP as a community-based sustainable energy initiative.
• EftelingminorOthersTheme park and leisure resort in Kaatsheuvel participating in the WarmingUP consortium, potentially as an end-user of sustainable heat solutions.
• The Green VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation campus on the TU Delft campus contributing to WarmingUP as a living lab for sustainable energy innovations including heat network technologies.
• Erasmus Universiteit RotterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity contributing to Theme 6 (social acceptance, demand steering) and the WarmingUP GOO programme with expertise in governance, public administration, and behavioural science.
• Technische Universiteit Delft (TU Delft)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university contributing to Theme 4 (geothermy, reservoir characterisation), Theme 5 (underground heat storage), and the Design Toolkit development. The TU Delft campus also serves as a location for geothermy drilling research.
• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university contributing to the WarmingUP consortium with research expertise relevant to sustainable energy systems and heat networks.
• Universiteit UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity contributing to Theme 6 (local arrangements, governance of heat networks) with expertise in market governance of energy networks.
• Saxion HogescholencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences contributing to Theme 6 (social acceptance, demand steering in heat networks) and the Design Toolkit beta testing with expertise in sustainable energy systems.
• NieuweWarmteNu (NWN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollow-up programme to WarmingUP, funded by the National Growth Fund (EUR 200 million) targeting 26,000 homes and 800 hectares of greenhouse to disconnect from natural gas. The Design Toolkit is being further developed to version 1.0 under NWN.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Deltares: Dutch applied research institute on water and subsurface, lead partner in WarmingUP and developer of the Design Toolkit, WANDA/CHESS/Heatmatcher models. Comparable as a larger research organisation whose work overlaps heavily with WarmingUP but spans many domains beyond heat.
• CE Delft: Independent Dutch research and consultancy organisation for sustainability, and a core WarmingUP partner delivering cost-benefit analyses. Comparable as a broader sustainability/energy research player that overlaps on heat-transition economic analysis.

Direct peers

• Netwerk Aquathermie: Dutch network organisation on aquathermy (thermal energy from water systems), a WarmingUP specialist partner. Closely comparable as a Dutch knowledge network for one of WarmingUP's core themes.
• BodemenergieNL: Dutch industry association for ground energy (bodemenergie), participating in WarmingUP. Comparable as a sector association for underground heat storage and ground energy systems.
• TKI Urban Energy: Topconsortium voor Kennis en Innovatie Urban Energy - a Dutch multi-stakeholder innovation programme for urban energy transition. Closely comparable as a multi-stakeholder TKI-style consortium structure funded to accelerate Dutch energy innovation.
• Platform Geothermie: Dutch industry platform for geothermy, a WarmingUP specialist partner. Highly comparable as a consortium-style knowledge and lobbying organisation focused on the same Dutch geothermal domain.
• Stichting Warmtenetwerk: Dutch foundation dedicated to heat networks in the Netherlands, listed as a WarmingUP specialist partner. Directly comparable as a knowledge/networking organisation for the Dutch warmtenetten sector.

Others

• European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC): European industry association promoting geothermal energy. Comparable thematically as a pan-European geothermal advocacy and knowledge body, though WarmingUP is national and broader in scope (district heating, not just geothermy).
• IEA District Heating and Cooling (DHC) Collaboration: International Energy Agency technology collaboration programme on district heating and cooling. Thematically adjacent as a global R&D coordination platform for the same sector WarmingUP serves at the national level.
• Euroheat & Power: European association for district heating, district cooling and combined heat and power. Thematically adjacent as the European-level trade and knowledge body for district energy, the same category WarmingUP's heat-network work targets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=xrPCmpUxEAI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/warmingup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Warmingup