ENABLE-DHC is an EU-funded project under the LIFE programme that supports the transformation of district heating and cooling systems towards climate neutrality. The focus is on developing concrete investment strategies and practical solutions for decarbonizing existing systems in several European countries.
Factsheet#
| Short name | ENABLE-DHC |
| Title | Enabling strategies and investment plans for efficient, multi-energy and digitalized DHC |
| Duration | 09.01.2024 – 31.08.2027 |
| Partners | 12 (show all) |
| Project type | Co-funded research project |
| Consortium lead | Riccardo BATTISTI (Ambiente Italia srl) |
| Project lead AIT | Iná Maia-Novak |
Overview#
The project ENABLE-DHC aims to support the decarbonization of district heating and cooling systems across Europe. Within the framework of the EU LIFE programme, investment plans for existing DHC systems are developed in several countries to improve their efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy sources and waste heat.
A particular focus lies on developing practical strategies and business models that support system operators in transforming their energy systems. Through case studies in different European regions and close collaboration with local stakeholders, concrete solutions to technical, economic, and regulatory challenges are developed.
The project contributes to establishing sustainable and economically viable district heating solutions and accelerates the large-scale implementation of decarbonization measures.
Findings#
Development of investment strategies for DHC systems#
The project shows that tailored investment plans are essential for efficiently decarbonizing existing district heating and cooling systems. By considering local conditions, practical and implementable solutions can be developed.
Integration of renewable energy and waste heat as key enablers#
The use of renewable energy sources and industrial waste heat plays a central role in transforming DHC systems. Their integration enables a significant reduction in CO2 emissions while increasing security of supply.
Scalability through case studies and best practices#
The solutions developed within the project are tested and validated in several case studies. This results in transferable models and best practices that can be applied in other regions.
Further information#
Publications#
Project partners#
- Ambiente Italia srl (Project coordination)
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
- AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien
- AGFW-PROJEKTGESELLSCHAFT FÜR RATIONALISIERUNG, INFORMATION UND STANDARDISIERUNG MBH
- ENERGO D.O.O. ZA PROIZVODNJU I DISTRIBUCIJU TOPLINSKE ENERGIJE I PLINA
- ENVIRODUAL, trajnostno okoljsko in energetsko upravljanje, raziskave in izobraževanje, d.o.o.
- Euroheat & Power
- Irish District Energy Association CLG
- City Institut
- OPTIT srl
- Rīgas enerģētikas aģentūra
- WIRTSCHAFT UND INFRASTRUKTUR GMBH & CO PLANUNGS KG