“Let’s Make the East of Europe Heat the Best, How to achieve 100% renewable heating and cooling in Central & Eastern European countries?”

On May 21st, the webinar “Let’s Make the East of Europe Heat the Best” convened a diverse group of energy experts and stakeholders to explore the pathway toward 100% renewable heating and cooling in Central and Eastern Europe. Hosted by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) and Solar Heat Europe (SHE) under the European Technology and Innovation Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC ETIP project), the event showcased cutting-edge technologies, evolving policy frameworks, and strategic tools shaping the region’s clean energy future.
The session was expertly moderated by Giulia Conforto, Senior Researcher at e-think energy research, who also introduced two innovative digital platforms designed to support local heating and cooling planning: the SAPHEA Project Tool and the Cool Life Project Tool. These GIS-based solutions provide open-access data, scenario modeling, and economic assessments, empowering policymakers and planners to unlock geothermal potential and address the growing need for sustainable cooling amid climate change.
The event opened with Elisabetta Tillier, EU Projects Officer at EHPA and Lucia Torlai, Junior EU Projects Officer at SHE, from the RHC ETIP Secretariat, who outlined the platform’s mission to promote renewable heating and cooling across Europe. They highlighted key resources such as the EU Projects Database, the video interview campaign sharing inspiring stories and best practices, and updates on the evolving policy landscape. Their message was clear: collaboration, visibility, and strong policy support are essential drivers of Europe’s energy transition.
The first speaker, Pál Kiss, President of the Hungarian Heat Pump Association (Mahösz) and member of EHPA, revealed how wastewater heat can be harnessed efficiently through water-to-water heat pumps for heating and cooling. “Wastewater is not waste—it’s a renewable energy goldmine beneath our cities,” Kiss stated. He cited Budapest’s 1.7 MW system heating public buildings as a prime example of this transformative approach in action. Enhanced by an AI-driven tool that maps heat potential ten times faster than traditional methods, this solution is scalable, effective, and capable of delivering substantial impact without relying on subsidies.
Next, Janusz Starościk, President of the Polish Association of Producers and Importers of Heating Appliances, challenged traditional perspectives: “We need a mindset shift—capturing local resources, combining renewables synergistically, and adopting hybrid systems to create resilient, cost-effective solutions. There’s no one-size-fits-all; success depends on a tailored mix for each location.” He stressed that integrating solar thermal, heat pumps, and green gases into hybrid systems is key to achieving flexible, affordable, and robust energy strategies.
Walter Haslinger, CEO of BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH, then emphasized biomass’s crucial role in the EU’s renewable heating mix, especially across Eastern Europe. “While heat pumps are gaining ground, biomass remains the backbone of renewable heat in the EU. Thanks to advancing technologies and hybrid systems, sustainable biomass will provide cleaner, smarter, and more efficient heating well into the future,” he affirmed. Haslinger highlighted how continuous innovation will ensure biomass’s ongoing contribution to heating decarbonization.
Following this, Bartłomiej Ciapała, Scientist at AGH University of Krakow, spotlighted the resurgence of geothermal energy in Central Europe, with Poland leading the way. “Poland is driving the geothermal revival, supported by EU funding and historic infrastructure. However, to overcome current challenges and fully realize this resource’s potential, stronger European cooperation and increased private investment are essential,” Ciapała noted. He pointed out the pressing need to modernize infrastructure and address skilled labor shortages to guarantee sustainable growth in the geothermal sector.
The lively panel discussion that followed reflected strong public engagement and interest in accelerating the clean energy transition. The event gathered around 55 registered participants, underscoring a growing appetite among stakeholders for innovative solutions and collaborative approaches to heat decarbonization in Eastern Europe.
In closing, Giulia Conforto emphasized, “The future of heating and cooling in Eastern Europe depends on embracing data-driven planning, hybrid systems, and collaborative policies. Together, we can transform our energy landscape into one that is sustainable, affordable, and resilient.”
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If you’re interested in participating in the video interview campaign, send an email to elisabetta.tillier@ehpa.org & to info@rhc-platform.org.
You can watch the recording of the webinar here and access the presentations here.
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