MOMENTUM IS BUILDING FOR DH AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESS HEAT

That district heating (DH) can reuse industrial surplus heat is well known. And now the understanding that DH can also deliver heat to the process industry (PI) is growing. At DBDH, we have been pushing for this development, and our journey is now changing as our first two DH & PI projects are almost complete. It is time to celebrate and to think about interesting paths ahead.

DBDH check-list for moving DH & PI forward

Find good examples of industrial companies using DH for process heat

Demonstrate that model-based analyses can support investment decisions for both industry and district heating

Find the perfect icon or illustration to represent industrial process heat based on district heating (we are not even close)

Engage with industrial organisations and have them advocate the importance of DH

Inspire energy agencies to be curious about this topic

Position Denmark and DBDH as good collaboration partners

Create and inspire applications for international R&D funds.

Better models for better investment decisions

The RAPIDH project developed software and methods for model-based analyses to improve investment decisions for both the process industry (PI) and district heating (DH) side. Our partners in this EUDP-funded project are Artelia, EMD, Energy Cluster Denmark, and NRW.Energy4Climate. 

Building awareness across Europe

INTREPIDH increased awareness through collaboration with French industrial clusters, German authorities at the local, state, and federal levels, NIRAS, and the international research organisation SDEWES. The project has raised awareness through workshops, a webinar series, publications, and stakeholder interactions. The stories behind 12 pioneering cases in Europe are a good place to start; once you’re convinced of the huge potential, take a look at the recommendations.

Sharing the story through Hot|Cool

Obviously, the Hot|Cool magazine is part of our efforts to spread the word. In the 3rd edition, 2026, we flew in a helicopter, introduced the topic, and painted the overall picture. In the upcoming edition, we give readers a chance to understand the analyses behind investment decisions at the case level.

The next step: DH4PI

Next step for DBDH will be the DH4PI project in collaboration with Aalborg University and the French partners Cerema and Efficacity. DH4PI is funded by the International Energy Agency’s DHC platform to develop a methodological framework for incorporating industrial process heat demand into DH planning. The project supports the ability to model PI-DH integration in any type of energy system modelling tool. This opens the door to national screenings, feasibility analyses for business cases, and local heating and cooling plans.

We welcome all collaboration to advance this topic in Denmark and internationally.