Overcoming Barriers and Pathways to 4DHC Transition

The HeatNet Project

Europe faces significant challenges, including fighting global warming. The goal of the Interreg NWE program is to facilitate low-carbon energy and climate protection strategies to reduce GHG emissions in Northwest Europe. Within the Interreg NWE program, the HeatNet project aims to increase the installed heating capacity of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks by accelerating the transition to 4th generation district heating and cooling (4DHC) in urban areas. This approach contributes to GHG emission reductions and empowers stakeholders.

4th Generation DHC

4DHC is defined as a technological and institutional concept that supports the development of sustainable energy systems. It integrates low-temperature heat sources with smart energy systems and involves a framework to facilitate suitable cost and motivation structures. The HeatNet project promotes 4DHC as best practice in Europe.

Barriers and Solutions

The focus of HeatNet is to identify and overcome financial, regulatory, and organizational barriers preventing DHC development in NWE. The project aims to narrow disparities in DHC development between NWE regions and the rest of the EU. The Evaluation Work Package aimed to analyze barriers and solutions in pilot projects, linking these barriers to stakeholders. It provided transnational learning about the transition to 4DHC, using methods such as stakeholder identification, interviews, and workshops.

The evaluation research was based on 2 assignments: facilitating action research with partners and evaluating the progress of 4DHC development in pilots. This research identified barriers, compared findings across six cities, and implemented solutions.

Authors

• Reneé Heller
• Egbert-Jan van Dijck
• Frank Suurenbroek