May 20 @ 8:00 am – May 21 @ 5:00 pm
High-level delegation from the University of California (UC) to study Danish District Heating.
DBDH and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs host a strategic visit focused on the green transition of energy infrastructure. The visit will explore how large campus energy systems can transition from traditional steam-based infrastructure to low-temperature hot water networks.
From 18–21 May, DBDH, in cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will welcome a high-level delegation from the University of California (UC) to Denmark. The delegation will study Denmark’s world-leading district heating sector and gain knowledge and inspiration from Danish district heating solutions, which are internationally recognised as a key tool in the green transition.
One of the world’s largest university systems
The University of California is a public university system in California and is considered one of the largest and most prestigious in the world. In 2025, UC had around 299,000 students across 11 campuses, including approximately 236,000 undergraduates and 63,000 graduate and PhD students. Around 150,000 students live on campus.
Major investments in energy modernisation
The delegation’s visit comes at a strategically important time, as UC is facing major investments of USD 6–10 billion in the modernisation and transition of its energy infrastructure. In this context, the Danish district heating sector is particularly relevant as an international reference point for energy-efficient, scalable, and climate-friendly heat supply.
Sharing Danish experience and building cooperation
The program in Denmark will give the delegation direct insight into Denmark’s experience in planning, operating, and developing district heating. It will also create a basis for dialogue on future cooperation between Danish stakeholders and the Californian university system.
The delegation is expected to include campus utility leaders, engineers, sustainability teams, and decision-makers from across the UC system. Through workshops, site visits, and technical discussions, the program will focus on practical solutions that can support the decarbonization of U.S. university campuses while maintaining reliability in live operating environments.
Why this visit matters
Many large U.S. campuses operate aging central steam networks and are now facing a critical transition point. Infrastructure renewal must be aligned with ambitious decarbonization targets, long-term capital planning, and operational reliability.
Denmark offers relevant experience in this field. Danish utilities and campuses have worked for decades on low-temperature district heating, large-scale heat pumps, thermal energy storage, surplus-heat integration, and long-term system planning. These experiences are highly relevant for universities seeking proven approaches to phased steam-to-hot-water conversion.
Program highlights
- Executive workshop at DBDH on the Danish energy system context, governance models, and steam-to-hot-water conversion cases
- Utility case and site visit in Frederiksberg focusing on heat pumps and low-temperature network implementation
- Campus site visit at DTU in Lyngby with focus on campus-owned energy infrastructure and operational experience
- Full-day technical visits covering large electric heat pumps, thermal energy storage, surplus heat integration, and digital optimization
- Implementation workshop on financing, phasing, governance, and next steps for U.S. campus programs
Who is this relevant for?
This visit is relevant for professionals working with district heating and cooling, campus and portfolio energy systems, and large-scale decarbonization programs, including:
- Utility executives, planners, and operations teams
- Energy engineers and project managers
- Sustainability and climate strategy leads
- Technology providers working with heat pumps, storage, controls, and heat recovery
- Researchers and practitioners focused on thermal decarbonization
Practical information
- Arrival on 19 May 2026 | Program activities take place from 20–21 May 2026
- Location: Copenhagen and selected Danish utility and campus sites
- Hosted by: DBDH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, together with utilities and campuses
- Registration: Contact Lars Hummelmose at lh@dbdh.dk or +45 2990 0080
Please note that the detailed program and site visits may be adjusted as final confirmations are received.