Transformation Pathways for Clean District Heating & Cooling
6 countries. 10 DHC systems. 10 decarbonisation pathways. What can Europe learn from their transformation journeys?
District heating and cooling systems are at the heart of Europe’s clean energy transition. To meet climate targets and the requirements of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive, DHC operators need clear transformation pathways that connect long-term strategies with concrete investment decisions.
The event “Transformation Pathways for Clean District Heating & Cooling”, organised within the framework of the SupportDHC project, will will explore the current state and future direction of the European DHC market, from policy frameworks and investment needs to practical implementation pathways. The event will showcase the experience gained through the Support DHC project, which has supported 10 DHC operators across 6 European countries in developing transformation and investment plans for the integration of low-grade renewable energy sources and waste heat.
The first session, “The Future of District Heating in Europe: From Policy to Investment,” will set the scene with an overview of the current European DHC market and the policy and investment challenges shaping its future. It will then introduce the experiences of the SupportDHC frontrunner cases, highlighting the different starting points, system contexts and approaches that DHC operators face when planning their transition.
The event will then take a closer look at selected transformation pathways, showcasing practical experiences from three DHC operators, such as:
- Poland – Recovering energy through flue-gas condensation: demonstrating opportunities to improve system efficiency and recover additional heat from existing infrastructure. E.ON will also share its decarbonisation strategy, drawing on lessons from the Skarżysko-Kamienna and Chojnice projects and its broader Coal Exit Poland programme.
- Italy – Decarbonisation planning for three Italian DHC systems: sharing experiences from the development of transformation and investment plans across different Italian district heating systems.
- And others.
The event will conclude with a high-level panel discussion, “What can Europe learn from SupportDHC?”, bringing together DHC operators and project experts to reflect on the lessons from the different transformation pathways. The discussion will explore what makes a transformation process successful, how different starting conditions influence investment choices, and how the experience of frontrunner operators can be replicated and adapted across European heating markets.
Through the SupportDHC project, 10 DHC operators across 6 European countries have been supported in developing transformation and investment plans for the integration of low-grade renewable energy sources and waste heat. Their experiences provide practical insights into the opportunities, challenges and decisions involved in transforming existing district heating systems.
By connecting European policy and market developments with concrete operator experiences, the event will highlight practical approaches to moving from strategy to implementation and explore how cooperation between operators, cities, policymakers and technology providers can accelerate the decarbonisation of district heating and cooling across Europe.
Check out the programme and register here.
