Duration:

April 2024 - March 2027

Description:

ENABLE DHC aims at fostering the switch of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks towards efficient DHC as defined in the Energy Efficiency Directive, by developing 9 case studies of investment plans in 7 countries (AT, HR, IE, IT, LV, SI, UA) with very different framework conditions. The plans will be developed in close cooperation with the DHC utilities with a focus, as distinguishing features, on digitalisation, assessment of investment risks and sector coupling. Through a Case Study Assembly, the EU-added value of the cooperation among the DHC operators is ensured.

Furthermore, the impact of the activities will be enhanced through concrete support to 18 follower case studies in the project countries and thanks to an ambitious replication plan including 7 national workshops, 3 Pan-European webinars, 1 mid-term policy workshop and 1 final event, targeting DHC stakeholders also beyond the project boundaries. An intense policy work will be also carried out, leading to the development of 7 policy roadmaps for the project countries, endorsed by public authorities, and of a ‘Blueprint for action’. Stakeholders will be directly involved also through 9 DHC Working Groups connected to the case studies and their interest is witnessed by the 50 letters of support received.

Expected outcomes:

Given the overall objective to develop an enabling framework for the diffusion of low-carbon, efficient, resilient and sustainable DHC systems, the following outcomes are foreseen:

Enhancing knowledge of the reference contexts and assessing the current technical status of the DHC case studies.
Improving dialogue and cooperation between DHC operators, PAs and relevant stakeholders at the local and supra-local levels.
Developing effective mid-term efficient DHC decarbonisation plans.
Fostering dialogue, interaction and cooperation among case studies.
Enhancing the enabling framework for efficient DHC.
Triggering replication of results outside the consortium and after the end of the project.

Case Studies:

ENABLE DHC case studies span across Europe, encompassing diverse scenarios with contrasting characteristics. This approach ensures that stakeholders gain a comprehensive understanding of the varied contexts in which district heating systems can operate. The ultimate goal is to develop replicable plans that enable the creation of adaptable, flexible, and fit-for-purpose district heating solutions tailored to the unique needs of each local setting. Find below the case studies chart with the consortium members, city/country of the case, and the partner local DHC operator.