Heating and Cooling in the European Energy Transition

Between 25 and 27 February 2015, the European Commission hosted in Brussels the first series of high level events exclusively dedicated to heating and cooling. This initiative came as a recognition that the heating and cooling sector in general, and District Heating in particular, can and must play a key role in driving the European energy transition.

On the afternoon of 25 February, the same day of the publication of the Energy Union communication2, six side events were organised by various stakeholders showcasing heating and cooling solutions from across the European industry. Euroheat & Power together with the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) hosted the session “Sustainable Local Thermal Energy Systems: The case of large Heat Pumps and District Heating”. The event focused on the combination of large heat pumps and District Heating grids as the most effective means of bringing renewable heating into densely populated areas. Euroheat & Power President Frédéric Hug welcomed the fact that the heating and cooling sector is finally getting the attention it deserves at the centre of the EU energy policy debate.

Euroheat & Power together with eight partner organisations within the Heat Coalition hosted a Welcome Cocktail at the Bibliothèque Solvay in the evening of 25 February. Director General for Energy, Dominique Ristori made a short address explaining the European Commission’s reasoning and underlining its intention to define an appropriate framework for heating and cooling as a key component of the Energy Union.

The highlight of the week was a 2-day high level conference, organised by the European Commission on 26-27 February and opened by Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete. Mr. Cañete reiterated the European Commission’s plans to publish a heating and cooling strategy before the end of 2015.

Euroheat & Power Managing Director Paul Voss was among the high level speakers of the opening plenary session. He argued: “a fundamental transformation of the way we heat and cool our buildings is absolutely essential if Europe’s broader climate and energy objectives are to be achieved; District Energy networks can play a starring role in making that transformation a reality.”

The event continued with various workshops looking at a future vision for heating and cooling, financing opportunities, challenges for industry, buildings and related heating and cooling technologies, as well as best practices on building heat markets. A recurring theme throughout the sessions was the central role that District Heating and Cooling can and should play in any ambitious future scenario aimed at decarbonising heat and reinforcing energy security.

The recorded sessions, presentations and photos from the events are available on the main conference website. A live account of main messages during the event, as well as the continuation of the debate online, are available under the Twitter hashtag #HeatingEU.

“It was great to hear such positive and high-profile messages about the future of our industry, and even better to see so many smiles on the faces of Euroheat & Power members” said Paul Voss. “Now begins the difficult but exciting work of moving from principle to practice. We can’t wait to get started!”

Download the press release.