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Articles in this issue
This issue spotlights practical, people‑centred ways to accelerate district energy. From pragmatic pathways to 100% renewable heat, to why democratic ownership models matter, to tapping the sea for low‑carbon heat, to embedding social sustainability, and how to evaluate system efficiency holistically – every article keeps one principle in focus: deliver better outcomes for end‑users while decarbonising faster.
EDITORIAL – CHILL: a pragmatic way to get to 100% renewable heat – faster
By Morten Jordt Duedahl, DBDH
A clear‑eyed case for CHILL: using transitional fuels (like natural gas and sustainably sourced biomass) as stepping stones – not destinations – to replace coal and oil now while scaling the real winners: large heat pumps, geothermal, surplus heat, and storage. Keep a cool head, move off the worst path today, and speed the transition for tomorrow. Read the editorial →
Ownership matters for district heating
By Magnus Skovrind Pedersen, CEO and Lasse Skou Lindstad, Analyst, Think Tank Brundtland
Scaling district heating at the speed climate and energy security demand requires the right ownership models. Drawing on lessons shared at the International District Heating Summit, the authors show why democratic ownership influences both public trust and long‑term investment—two levers that determine whether DH scales or stalls. Read the article →
Marine energy for low‑carbon district heating
By Per Skafte, CEO, Brugg Pipes
Want low‑carbon heat without sacrificing land use or air quality? Look to the sea. Les Sables d’Olonne’s thalassothermy project combines seawater‑source heat pumps with ultra‑low‑loss piping, revealing a scalable European pathway to clean, secure urban heat. Read the article →
PODCAST: Embedding social sustainability in the district energy business model
With Kristina Lygnerud (Lund University) and Johanna Aurault (Vienna University of Economics and Business). Moderated by Hanne Kortegaard Støchkel, DBDH.
Social sustainability is often overshadowed by economics and environmental metrics—yet it’s vital for resilient, inclusive systems. This episode explores how utilities and municipalities can build equity, affordability, and engagement into DH strategies to boost acceptance and long‑term success. Listen to the podcast →
A holistic approach to correctly evaluate energy efficiency in district heating systems
By Oddgeir Gudmundsson and Jan Eric Thorsen, Danfoss A/S, Climate Solutions
Traditional investment appraisals miss critical system‑wide benefits in low‑temperature DH – from emissions cuts and primary energy savings to resilience. The authors propose an end-to-end evaluation framework that aligns project decisions with long-term efficiency and decarbonisation goals. Read the article →
We hope these insights spark new ideas, collaborations, and actions. The tools are here – now it’s time to implement.
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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!