Renewable electricity in 5GDHC webinar

The Heating & Cooling sector represents 50% of the EU’s total energy consumption for the building & industry sector. Facing the current geopolitical and climate crisis, 5th generation district heating and cooling grids (5GDHC) and local renewable energies have a key role to play in the energy transition. Considering that 5GDHC grids mostly rely on heat recovery, renewables, and local energy sources, this webinar will explore deeper synergies between renewable electricity and innovative DHC grids. This event is co-organised by Celsius Initiative and D2Grids project and will be held on Wednesday, November 02 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm (CET).

More specifically, we will explore the technical, legal, economic, and organisational relevance of integrating local renewable electricity and heat production with local needs for heating, cooling, and electricity (from buildings and urban structures to charging stations for electric vehicles). Furthermore, we will learn from the experience of the pioneers developing the Paris, Brunssum, and Glasgow D2Grids pilot sites which are developing self-consumption electricity from solar panels.

Preliminary agenda

– Introduction to the NWE Interreg project D2Grids & the Celsius Initiative

– 5th generation district energy and sector integration

• What are 5GDHC grids
• Integrating solar in thermal energy systems

– Round table with representatives of the 3 pilot sites of D2Grids: Paris-Saclay (FR), Brunssum (NL), and Glasgow (UK)

• Presentation of the technical aspect of their project
• Comparison of the legal constraints and opportunities for the self-production of electricity by district heating networks operators
• Benefits and challenges they have encountered
• Q&A

– Discussion and conclusions

About the D2Grids project:

The European D2GRIDS project, which aims to develop 5th-generation local energy loops, has been extended following the 2nd Interreg NWE capitalisation call in 2021. Since then, a specific D2Grids consortium has worked on combining best practices in 5GDHC networks with best practices in local renewable electricity generation, distribution, storage, and management. 

About the Celsius Initiative:

Celsius is a demand-driven collaboration hub for efficient, integrated heating and cooling solutions supporting cities in their energy transition to carbon-neutral systems. Focusing on cities’ needs, it connects its members to exchange on climate and environmental policies and foster innovation, leading to solutions that accelerate sustainable development in Europe and across the world.

Registration