On 3 April 2025, the Smart Cities Marketplace and its Focus Group on Renewable Heating & Cooling hosted a webinar on "Future-Proof District Energy: Digital, Efficient & Renewable DHC Networks," moderated by Julen Imana.
During the session, we had insightful interventions from the following speakers:
- Paolo Cresci (Arup) on the transition to 5th generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC)
- Giulia Spirito (POLIMI) on integrating renewable energy and waste heat into DHC systems
- Lewis McNamee (CSE) on the power of digitalisation, showcasing tools like THERMOS to plan smarter, more efficient networks
A lively discussion with the audience followed, diving into the distinctions between 4th and 5th-generation networks, country-specific approaches to waste heat integration, and the transformative benefits of digital tools in heating and cooling.
The webinar reinforced a key message: DHC networks are essential for building sustainable and efficient urban energy systems. As we move toward decarbonisation, embracing digital tools, renewable sources, and innovative approaches is essential.
Watch the recording here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q_zOyQqIS3y86xTvn6MPCetCgDidQXUR/view?usp=drive_link