Building Capacity for Sustainable Thermal Communities: ConnectHeat Webinar Series

The ConnectHeat project recently hosted a series of three EU-level capacity-building webinars to enhance understanding of community energy in the Heating and Cooling sector and inspire replication of project activities across Europe. These events offered valuable insights into fostering sustainable, inclusive, and innovative thermal energy communities.

Session 1: Thermal Communities and Citizen-Led Initiatives for Sustainable Buildings

On September 24, ConnectHeat, in collaboration with BUILD UP, launched the series with a focus on thermal communities and their role in sustainable buildings. The session explored EU policy frameworks, community models, and ConnectHeat’s efforts to establish seven pilot cases aligned with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III).

The agenda included:

• Riccardo Battisti (Ambiente Italia): Introduction to ConnectHeat and its strategic goals.
• Aurore Dudka (University of Trento): Transitioning district heating systems to fossil-free models.
• Magdalena Berberich and Asma Sohail (Solites): Case studies from Germany and Stuttgart, highlighting renewable energy and inclusivity.

An interactive Q&A session underscored the importance of citizen engagement and inclusion in thermal community initiatives.

Session 2: The Social Aspect in Heating Communities

On October 31, the second webinar, hosted by Euroheat & Power with support from FEDARENE and Ambiente Italia, focused on strategies for community engagement and inclusivity. Moderated by Martin Stroleny (Euroheat & Power), the session delved into governance, financing, and fostering trust within communities.

The agenda included:

• Per Alex Sørensen (PlanEnergi): Denmark’s cooperative, non-profit district heating model.
• Gabbriel Lopez-Martinez Fortun (ITC Canarias): Decarbonising tourism through Gran Canaria’s first thermal community.
• Nicolas Lepin (ERE43): Addressing challenges in France, from governance to local trust-building.

The Q&A session explored practical strategies for involving low-income households in sustainable heating projects.

Session 3: Innovative Financing and Business Models

The final webinar on November 13, moderated by Riccardo Battisti (Ambiente Italia), centered on financial and business strategies for thermal communities. Organized by Euroheat & Power with the support of FEDARENE and Ambiente Italia, the session showcased innovative approaches to overcoming funding challenges and unlocking community energy potential.

The agenda included:

• Felix Kriedemann (REScoop.eu): Insights into financing models for energy cooperatives.
• Els Ghyselen (Leiedal): Belgium’s ConnectHeat case featuring 5th-generation district heating.
• Roger Hackstock (Austria Solar): Public participation in solar district heating projects.

The webinar concluded with a dynamic Q&A, exploring topics like local investments and financing accessibility for small-scale projects.

Continuing the Journey Toward Sustainable Thermal Communities

The ConnectHeat capacity-building webinar series has provided practical tools, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to empower participants in advancing their own thermal energy communities. While the series has ended, the commitment to creating inclusive, innovative, and sustainable thermal solutions continues.