ConnectHeat / Context & Challenges
The ConnectHeat project will develop an enabling policy framework for the development of community energy initiatives, aiming at decarbonising the heating and cooling (H&C) sector in 7 target areas located within a wide geographical spread.
Illustration : Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay
Addressing very challenging context
Heating & cooling account for roughly 50% of EU energy consumption from which more than 75% come from fossil fuels.
Renewable and clean heating and cooling is a key enabler for green transition and energy autonomy in the current energy crisis but its decarbonisation is lagging behind.
Heating & cooling provides a broad platform for the integration of various renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures.
Harvesting these sources and using proven solutions to increase energy efficiency and sustainability of this sector is necessary to achieve the ambitious EU targets, the most prominent one being climate neutrality by 2050.
Though Community Energy is a proved and effective approach, its potential remains untapped in the Heating & Cooling sector
Heating & cooling depend on local conditions requiring solutions adapted to very specific local environments.
Decarbonisation strategies must be planned locally as they require an integrated bottom-up approach building synergies between all relevant stakeholders in the energy chains and integrating locally available energy sources.
Local and regional public authorities and governments should thus show leadership to trigger, shape and drive the energy transitions in Europe.
ConnectHeat brings Heating & Cooling Communities – an effective inclusive solution to foster the green transition
ConnectHeat is the first European initiative to develop heating and cooling communities in Europe, putting public authorities and citizens at the heart of energy transitions.
It will create an enabling policy and strategic framework and build the capacities of public authorities to trigger innovative community energy initiatives through local participative and cooperative processes leading to increased share of renewables in and higher energy efficiency of heating and cooling across Europe.
Furthermore, it will develop real pilot cases in seven different European regions addressing different socio-economic, environmental and political contexts.
ConnectHeat will generate sustainable impacts and offer inspiring activities and tools…
 | Empowering cooperation between public authorities, local communities and relevant stakeholders – 7 Stakeholder Advisory Groups set up in target areas to support H&C community development |
 | Enhancing knowledge of the local energy systems and of local sector H&C trends – 7 surveys to explore local H&C dynamics and define baselines for H&C community development |
 | Increasing expertise and know-how on feasibility and sustainability of community energy initiatives – 6 train the trainer sessions building up capacity within the consortium – 28 local training sessions for key stakeholders to prepare the ground for H&C communities |
 | Co-creating local strategies for wide-scale H&C community energy concept replication – 7 H&C community energy policy roadmaps – A H&C Community Energy Developer’s Blueprint for further replication – A position paper with key recommendations to improve the current policy framework |
 | Concrete implementation of H&C community energy projects in seven EU regions – 7 local Community Energy Boards acting as working groups – 7 pilot H&C community energy projects with a large coverage of sectors, solutions and renewable sources |
 | Dissemination of key outcomes to foster EU-wide replication – 1 International Stakeholder Advisory Group – 7 pilot replicators identified and involved – 16+ EU-wide workshops and events for all |
…connecting key stakeholders and various renewable heat sources and technologies in long-lasting communities to decarbonise European Heating & Cooling
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Funded under project number 101076258.