Drawing on extensive Danish expertise, Europe is moving toward an energy system where sectors work together to reduce CO₂ emissions, improve efficiency, and strengthen security of supply.
Traditionally, electricity, gas, and heating in Europe have been developed as separate systems, each operating largely on its own. This fragmented approach is increasingly incompatible with today’s demands.
As European companies and authorities pursue ambitious climate targets, higher energy efficiency, reliable supply, and reduced dependence on Russian gas, cross-sector integration has become essential. This transition extends beyond the energy sector itself and includes industry, waste management, agriculture, construction, and transport.
Achieving effective system integration requires more than technical solutions. It depends on strong cooperation, active knowledge sharing, alignment among market actors, and clear economic benefits. Only under these conditions can future-proof energy systems be successfully developed.
Danish initiative helps shape the European framework
Against this background, the European standardisation leadership for district heating and cooling decided in 2024 to launch formal work on system integration. The objective is to support national efforts to expand district heating and cooling as part of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and to strengthen Europe’s energy independence.
Progress to date was presented at a plenary meeting in September 2025, where a Danish-led proposal for developing shared European guidelines on system integration was put forward and approved by all participating countries. The Danish delegation was led by Jesper Koch, Head of Analysis at Dansk Fjernvarme, representative of the Brundtland Think Tank, and project manager for the European working group on district heating and cooling.
“With the mandate now in place, we can move ahead with building an interconnected and economically sound energy system that links the full value chain,” says Jesper Koch.
The forthcoming guidelines are intended to:
- supplement Article 25 of the Energy Efficiency Directive
- give municipalities tools to collaborate with other sectors
- ensure a green transition with a focus on security of supply and competitive prices
- increase security by connecting district heating to the electricity grid.ective
The guidelines are expected to be finalised by the end of 2026 and may subsequently form the basis for new European standards.
“The decision to anchor this work within the European standardisation system is a major milestone,” says Henryk Stawicki, Senior Consultant at Danish Standards and secretary of the technical committee for district heating and cooling. “Dansk Fjernvarme brings substantial experience to the process, which will benefit the development of future energy solutions across Europe.”
Danish expertise feeding into European standards
As one of the driving forces behind the initiative, Denmark brings extensive hands-on experience from its highly developed district heating sector into the European standardisation process. This includes proven solutions for linking electricity and heat through large-scale heat pumps, electric boilers, thermal storage, and the use of surplus heat. These practical insights now inform the development of common European frameworks.
By contributing early and actively, Danish stakeholders gain influence over how future standards are shaped. This strengthens the international competitiveness of Danish technologies and supports the export potential of the district energy industry.
Understanding system integration
System integration refers to the coordinated interaction between district heating and other sectors such as electricity, gas, cooling, industry, agriculture, and Power-to-X. The aim is to create a more flexible and efficient energy system where resources are shared across sectors to maximise overall value.
Common standards for data, interfaces, and technical processes are essential to ensure interoperability. This enables lower emissions, more effective use of excess heat, and greater deployment of renewable energy.
Key benefits of system integration include:
- improved efficiency and operational flexibility through better resource use
- stronger coupling between renewable electricity and other energy sectors
- reduced greenhouse gas emissions, including pathways to net-zero or net-negative solutions
- enhanced security of supply and reduced reliance on imported gas
- increased storage options for surplus energy in the form of heat, hydrogen, or synthetic fuels
- advanced digital control enabling real-time balancing of supply and demand
- lower system costs by reducing the need for backup capacity and grid expansion
- accelerated innovation through new technologies and cross-sector business models
FACT BOX
The Danish Secretariat for District Heating and Cooling, CEN/TC 107, is sponsored by several representatives from the Danish industry such as Danfoss, Dansk Fjernvarme, Grundfos, Hofor, Isoplus Kingspan/Logstor, and Skanego.
Danish Standards has the secretariat for the CEN/TC 107/WG 15 working group, which comprises representatives from the Swiss enterprise Brugg, the Swedish enterprise Energyneering, the Danish enterprise Danfoss, the Brundtland Think Tank, the Danish District Heating Association, and Rambøll, also from Denmark.
Danish Standards is a member of CEN, the European standardization organization. CEN is responsible for the development of all European standards with the exception of the electrotechnical field and telecommunications.
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