Let’s make the south of Europe heat the best: How to achieve 100% renewable heating and cooling in Southern European countries?

The European Technology and Innovation Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC-ETIP) hosted the Southern Europe Regional Roundtable on December 10th, 2024, addressing the pressing question: "How can Southern European countries achieve 100% renewable heating and cooling?".

This roundtable brought together key stakeholders from Southern European countries and speakers from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia to explore technological, economic, and social strategies to accelerate the adoption of renewable heating and cooling (RHC) solutions.

The webinar was successfully held with the participation of 68 attendees from Southern Europe and beyond. You can find the presentations here and video recording here.

Exploring Diverse Perspectives and Solutions

The event moderated by Riccardo Battisti, Senior Project Manager at Ambiente Italia, featured a rich agenda that combined expert presentations, discussions, and collaborative pathways:

• Solar Thermal and Seasonal Heat Storage: Bojan Bogdanovic from EBRD showcased innovative regional projects, including those in Novi Sad and Pristina, demonstrating the potential of seasonal thermal energy storage and solar thermal systems.
• Biomass and Bioenergy Pathways: Panagiotis Grammelis from CERTH highlighted sustainable biomass solutions, emphasizing regional trends and successful projects in Southeast Europe, especially in Greece.
• Geothermal: Javier Urchueguia from UPV provided insights into geothermal energy as a powerful, untapped resource for heating and cooling. He highlighted recent developments in shallow geothermal applications, particularly in Spain, and the potential of this energy source in diverse climates and geological conditions.
• Heat Pump Applications: Nuno Roque from APIRAC discussed the role of heat pumps in enhancing energy efficiency. He underscored their capacity to replace traditional gas boilers, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and support the EU's 2030 and 2050 climate goals through their adaptability and cost efficiency.
• District Heating and Cooling: Anes Kazagic from JP Elektroprivreda BiH outlined strategies for building resilient systems, with case studies from Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He emphasised the integration of renewable energy sources, modular heat plants, and innovative storage solutions to ensure sustainable urban heating.
• Social Sciences in Energy Transition: Associate Professor Luca Cioccolanti addressed the social dimensions of energy transition, stressing the importance of public acceptance, workforce reskilling, and community engagement and provided success cases on the topic.

Panel Discussion: Collaborative Pathways for Sustainable Heating Solutions

After the presentations, a lively panel discussion took place, during which moderator Riccardo Battisti and the audience directed questions to the speakers. The discussion focused on synergies and challenges in achieving renewable heating and cooling goals. The engaging session provided valuable insights and actionable ideas, empowering participants to drive sustainable change in their regions.

Collaboration and Funding Opportunities

Laura Junasová from Euroheat & Power introduced the RHC Accelerator, a platform available on the RHC-ETIP website. It provides essential resources for project developers, including a repository of public and private funding schemes, policy insights, and success stories from renewable heating and cooling projects. The accelerator aims to bridge the gap between mature RHC projects and potential investors, facilitating market acceleration and knowledge sharing.
Olgu Birgi from WIP Renewable Energies presented an overview of ongoing public schemes supporting renewable heating and cooling in Southern EU countries. She detailed country-specific opportunities, including funding instruments and incentives aimed at fostering the adoption of innovative solutions across the region.