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Power Up District Heating
District heating is no longer preparing for the green transition – it is delivering it.
This issue showcases how proven technologies are already cutting costs and CO₂ at scale. Electrification, large heat pumps, storage, and smarter system integration are becoming standard, while flexible demand and low-temperature networks strengthen efficiency and flexibility across entire energy systems.
The conclusion is clear: the technology is ready. What remains are political and structural barriers.
Across seven articles, we present a sector moving faster – and further – than many realize.
Editorial | Europe has chosen – now deliver
By Elsebeth Arendt, Chairperson at DBDH
In her editorial, Elsebeth Arendt elaborates on what it actually takes to turn political ambition into heat in people’s homes. Experience shows that district heating is not a technology challenge – it is a governance challenge.
The lesson for Europe is simple: set stable frameworks, remove barriers, and act decisively. District heating will follow. Read the editorial now →
Electrification, Flexibility, and Thermal Storage
By Morten Stobbe, IngeniørHuse and Jens Enevoldsen, Billund Utility
Billund District Heating proves that electrification is not just green – it is good business. By combining large heat pumps, electric boilers, and thermal storage, the utility has cut heat prices by 25%, reduced CO₂ emissions, and gained new flexibility in the electricity market. A practical, scalable model for cities ready to replace fossil heat with smarter, cheaper solutions Read the analysis here →
How building substations can reduce the DH return temperature
By Jan Eric Thorsen, Oddgeir Gudmundsson, and Marek Brand, all from Danfoss
This article shows how smarter, cascaded substation designs can cut return temperatures by up to 9.5°C – boosting system efficiency, lowering losses, and unlocking the full potential of 4th-generation district heating. Simulations across four European climates, backed by field tests, confirm that simple design changes can deliver measurable results. A practical, future-proof upgrade with immediate impact. Explore the data from the Danfoss team →
Large-scale heat pumps:
The ABC of electrified district heating
By Karen Grønning Mikkelsen, Danish District Heating Association and Morten Jordt Duedahl, DBDH
Large-scale heat pumps are moving from niche to normal in modern district heating. Why? Because they turn cheap, renewable electricity and low-temperature heat sources into reliable, low-carbon heat – hour by hour.
This article breaks down the basics: how heat pumps work, where they fit best, and why they must be combined with boilers and storage for true flexibility. Find a full guide to heat pumps here →
Dynamic Heat Pricing:
A smart way for decarbonizing district heating
By Reza Mokhtari and Rongling Li, both from the Technical University of Denmark
What if heat demand followed the system – not the other way around?
This article shows how dynamic heat pricing can unlock hidden flexibility in buildings and turn residents into active players in the energy system. By shifting demand away from peak hours, utilities can cut fossil backup, lower costs, and reduce congestion. Simulations in Denmark show up to 46% lower heat bills and 84% peak-load reduction. A simple price signal with system-wide impact. Read the article →
Barriers for district heating – and how to deal with them
By Dr. Daniel Møller Sneum, Energy Modelling Lab, and Dr. Anna Billerbeck, Fraunhofer ISI
Technology isn’t the main obstacle to district heating growth. Policy, finance, and governance are. This article maps 173 barriers to district heating deployment – from regulation and capital costs to social acceptance and permitting – and ranks which ones matter most. The conclusion is blunt: political and economic frameworks are the toughest “nuts to crack.” For cities and policymakers, the study offers a practical checklist to prioritise action and turn stalled projects into real networks.
Read the article by Dr. Daniel Møller Sneum and Dr. Anna Billerbeck →
Electrification that pays off
For INOPOWER, electrification is not about chasing technology trends – it is about making district heating work better in practice and on the balance sheet. By combining electrode boilers, large heat pumps, and thermal storage, utilities gain flexibility, lower CO₂ emissions, and new revenue from power markets. The result is hybrid plants that strengthen security of supply while delivering a solid, business case. Read the Member Company Profile now →
We hope these insights spark new ideas, collaborations, and actions. The tools are here – now it’s time to implement.
Tag Your Peers
Tag your colleagues, share it with your network, and let’s build a community dedicated to sustainable energy practices.
The HOT|COOL district energy magazine is not just a passport for staying informed; it’s an invitation to share, discuss, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Thank you for being a part of this exciting journey!