A2A is currently the largest Italian multi-utility company, a leader in the energy, environment, heat and networks sectors. It is the second-largest domestic producer of energy, as well as the second largest operator in the distribution networks for electricity and one of the largest in gas and water cycle networks.
Aalborg University (AAU) offers education and research within the fields of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, technical and health sciences. The reasearch and teaching of the Department of Development and Planning reaches from the social science aspects of development (technological, environmental, international and administrative aspects) to physical planning, sector planning, land management, and to technical subjects such as road engineering, road safety, surveying and mapping. In the field of energy, the Sustainable Energy Planning Research Group works with an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable energy planning. The subject of study is energy planning in gerneral and focus is on technical and geographical aspects, such as energy system analysis, economic and institutional aspects, such as feasability studies and public regulation seen in the light of technological change.
AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) is an Austrian research institute based in Gleisdorf. It currently employs about 84 people from 11 different countries. It is one of the leading institutes in the field of applied research. The institute is involved in multiple projects concerning district heating and has its work focus on spatial energy planning, integration of large-scale thermal storage, absorption heat pumps and solar collectors, development of low-temperature DH systems and concepts, optimizing of existing DH systems and holistic approaches for sustainable heating and cooling supply concepts.
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria’s largest non-university research institute, with a staff of 1100 employees, takes a leading position in the Austrian innovation system in the areas of energy, mobility, health and environment as well as safety and security in Austria, and a key role in Europe focusing on the infrastructure topics of the future. The Energy Department is specialised in developing sustainable energy systems based on cutting edge research. It favours a holistic approach to the environmentally-friendly electricty supply, heating and climate control of the buildings and cities of tomorrow. Using sophisticated measurement technology and innovative simutation tools, its interdisciplinary research teams combine decentralised energy producers, storages, efficient distribution networks and smart buildings with efficient heating and cooling technologies to form a single, sustainable energy system. The Department’s main priority is to encourage innovation in the energy sector through targetted research and development, thereby helping to shape the energy system of tomorrow. It covers the research areas Integrated Energy Systems and Energy Infrastructure, and employs more than 140 people.
Alperia is an Energy Utility based in Bolzano, Northern Italy, counting 1000 collaborators and a turnover of 1,5 billion € . Its main fields of activity are: renewable energy production (mainly hydropower 4,5 TWh), energy distribution (8 km of electricity grid), customer care and energy trading (225.000 costumers), district heating and energy services. Alperia group includes several district energy companies and manages 6 district heating systems in the province of Southtyrol.
Ambiente italia S.r.l (AMBIT) is a research and consulting institute working in the field of environmental and territorial planning and analysis. Established in 1995, AI has merged some of the first environmental planning and analysis experiences developped in Italy since the 70s. AI works in nine main research areas: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Urban Land Planning, Natural Resources Planning and Management, Strategic Assessment / Policies Audit, Local Sustainability Planning / Agenda 21, Energy Resources Planning and Suistainable Management, Waste Planning and Sustainable Management, Product Policies, Business Management / Environmental Management Systems / Business Environmental Reporting.
The above listed research areas are divided into research units, each one directed by a senior researcher. The staff is made up of senior and junior researchers and research assistants with different vocational training and expertise. Since its establishment, AI developped Energy Planning studies for 2 regions, 14 provinces and 28 municipalities; 60 energy audits in public buildings, 30 training courses and 40 EU projects in the energy field, where it participated as coordinator, WP leader or simple partner. AI carried out studies and research on behalf of different European Union Directorates, Italian Ministries and Agencies, of more than 40 research institutes and Italian and foreign universities, of more than 100 local authorities (municipalities, provinces and regions), of a number of different private enterprises.
France
| EHP - Partner Company | DHC+ | Start-up Company
BSB Europe is a highly specialized supplier of absorption heat pumps and chillers. Our absorption technology provides sustainable district heating and cooling for utilities throughout Europe. Our product range covers chillers and heat pumps from 200 kW up to 11 MW per unit. Typical applications are flue gas cooling, CHP, waste heat recovery, biomass, thermal solar and district cooling.
CIRCE Foundation (Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption) was established in 1993 as an independent Research Centre to create and develop innovative solutions and scientific / technical knowledge and to transfer them to the business sector in the field of energy. CIRCE’s mission is to drive forward improvements in energy efficiency and to spread the use of renewable energy by means of the development of the R+D+I activities and formative actions, thereby contributing to a sustainable development.
Over 190 professionals with a broad variety of profiles compose the team of people working at CIRCE. Since 1993, CIRCE has conducted more than 2,500 R+D+I projects at national and international level and has trained more than 1,850 professionals from 47 countries within the postgraduate courses CIRCE promotes. The main research topics in CIRCE are: energy efficiency, wind and solar power, natural resources, bioenergy, electrical substations, smart-grids and storage, thermal power systems and emissions reduction, sustainable mobility and energy socioeconomics. CIRCE carries out R&D+I activities with the ultimate aim of ensuring the energy efficiency of products, processes and services that contribute to reducing energy demand without compromising supply comfort and safety. The concept of energy efficiency ranges from the search for better technology on thermal and electric systems in a broad scope of sectors, to changes in behaviour regarding energy usage, encouraging a wiser more sustainable consumption.
CIRCE is also a very active actor in the R&D and Renewable Energy integration projects at Spanish and European level. As proof of its experience in international projects, CIRCE has participated in over 80 European projects. CIRCE is currently involved in 8 FP7 projects and almost 30 H2020, being coordinator of 12 of them.
Comsof is a supplier of software and services for GIS based planning and dimensioning of utility networks with focus on automation and optimization based on intelligent algorithms. Our product portfolio includes planning software for District Heating & Cooling Networks and planning software for Optical Fibre Networks.
Dalkia provides the expertise needed to help clients develop, deliver and manage energy solutions more ecologically and economically sustainable. The moto of this French utility company is: producing energy efficiency.
Denmark
| EHP - Active Company | DHC+ | Association / Company
Danfoss engineers technologies that empower the world of tomorrow to build a better future. Energy efficient technologies empower smart communities and industries to create healthier and more comfortable climates in our buildings and homes.
With long tradition and profound knowledge of district energy industry, Danfoss is taking an end to end system optimization approach, connecting energy plants, networks, buildings and homes. From intelligent control components to advanced software solutions for end to end operation optimization, Danfoss delivers solutions that help utilities and energy companies operate cost-effectively and meet the growing demands to transparency, accessibility, convenience and climate-friendliness.
Denmark
| EHP - Active National Association | DHC+ | Association
Danish District Heating Association (Dansk Fjernvarme) was founded in 1957 with the aim of organising Danish district heating companies; facilitate cooperation between these members and to promote their interests towards authorities and other organisations. The Association has more than 400 members all over Denmark. 55 are municipally owned district heating companies, which deliver around two thirds of all district heating, and the others are predominantly consumer owned cooperatives.
Within the DHC+ Technology Platform, Dansk Fjernvarme is represented by Grøn Energi.
”E.ON is an international, privately owned energy supplier based in Essen, Germany and has around 43,000 employees. E.ON’s strategy focuses our company systematically on the new energy world of empowered and proactive customers, distributed energy, energy efficiency, local energy systems, sustainable cities and district solutions, the increasing electrification of energy consumption, and digital solutions. By seizing the initiative, E.ON can—for the benefit of customers, employees, business partners, shareholders, and society in general—take advantage of the significant opportunities created by the transformation of the energy world. We aim to add value in all our businesses by delivering an outstanding performance in all areas and by putting customers at the center of everything we do. Examples include continual innovation, an unambiguous commitment to sustainability, the expansion of digital architecture across the organisation, and a strong brand. E.ON aims to become the partner of choice for energy and customer solutions.”
Efficacity is the urban transition institution, established in 2014 under the auspices of the investments for the future programme (PIA) sponsored by the French government.