19th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling

This 19th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling is organised by VITO and EnergyVille under the umbrella of IEA DHC, in Genk, Belgium. It aims to explore the development opportunities and issues in the district heating and cooling (DHC) industry, to share innovative research results, and to promote international technical exchanges to achieve green, efficient and smart development of the global DHC industry.

About the Symposium

The International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling is a global biannual research conference focused on District Heating and Cooling (DHC) research. Over the years, it has developed into one of the most reputed events worldwide for communication on academic research in the field of DHC. 

The first International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling in the row took place in Lund, Sweden back in 1987 and was initiated by the board of a Nordic District Heating Research Programme established in 1985. This Nordic District Heating Research Programme was financially supported by the Nordic Energy Research Institution, which itself was financed by the Energy Ministries of the Nordic countries. 

In the first years, until 2004, the Nordic countries took turns when it came to the actual organisation of the Symposium. By 2004, however, the number of Symposium participants had grown significantly, and the Symposium increasingly drew delegates from other European countries – and from countries far beyond Europe. 

That is why, in 2006, the Symposium –  for the first time –  was organised outside of the Nordic countries. That year, the University of Hannover was the organiser, cooperating with the German District Heating Association AGFW. Four years later, in 2010, the Symposium was again organised outside of the Nordic countries ,when Tallinn Technical University took on the responsibility. 

From 2016 onwards, the Symposium has been managed under the wings of the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on District Heating & Cooling (IEA DHC) with its Executive Committee (ExCo) as the formal steering body of the Symposium. And that same year, in 2016, the Symposium became truly global when its 15^th edition was organised in Asia for the very first time, with the Korean District Heating Corporation (KDHC) as the responsible hosting body. 

The latest edition of the series was the 18^th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling in Beijing, China on September 6- 9,  2023. 

Prices

Participation fees for the Symposium (VAT exclusive):

• General Participation: 550 euro, early bird 450 euro (until 30 June)
• Presenter: 450 euro, early bird 350 euro (until 30 June)
• Student: 350 euro, early bird 250 euro (until 30 June)

Optional:

• Conference dinner: 150 euro
• Beer tasting & tour: 25 euro
• Welcome and closing reception: free of charge