THE MARCH EDITION OF HOT|COOL IS OUT

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Juggling Heat Sources

District heating is no longer just about stable heat supply. It is becoming an active driver of the energy transition. In this issue of Hot Cool, we explore why flexibility is now the foundation of resilient, competitive, and future-proof district heating systems. From electrification, thermal storage, and smart heat meters to democratic ownership, green transition in Poland, and new geothermal solutions, the articles show that the future of district heating demands more than technology alone. It requires the courage to invest, the ability to think in systems, and the willingness to choose solutions that deliver in practice.

Editorial | Flexibility is not optional – it is the new foundation of district heating

By Morten Stobbe, Ingeniør Huse A/S and DBDH Board Member, and Morten Jordt Duedahl, DBDH
District heating’s future depends on one thing: flexibility. By combining diverse heat sources, smart storage, and real time operation, systems become more resilient, affordable, and ready for a renewable driven power sector. This article explains why overcapacity isn’t waste—but the key to long term stability. Read the editorial now →

Flexibility by electrification of district heating

By Shervin Balali, Dr. Jana Bosse, Dr. Rita Ehrig, and Dr. Tim Mennel, German Energy Agency (dena)
District heating is stepping onto the center stage of the energy transition. This Hot Cool article shows how power to heat technologies and thermal storage turn heat networks into agile players in the electricity market—balancing renewables, stabilizing grids, and creating new revenue streams. With Denmark already charging ahead and Germany accelerating its electrification plans, the piece delivers a sharp, timely look at how flexibility is fast becoming district heating’s new superpower. Read the analysis here →

From billing tools to network brains: Unlocking the hidden value in your heat meters

By Peter Friis Østergaard and Thomas Schrøder Daugbjerg, Danish Technological Institute
District heating’s biggest upgrade may already be in your basements. When smart heat meters are co calibrated, they act as a network of sensors—pinpointing heat losing pipes, revealing meter drift, and informing smarter refurbishments for safer, more efficient, lower cost systems. Explore the analysis from the Danish Technological Institute→

Democratic ownership is needed to scale up district heating

By Magnus Skovrind Pedersen and Lasse Skou Lindstad, Think Tank Brundtland
Europe needs to expand district heating fast—but commercial investors won’t fund the scale-up because returns are too low. This article shows why democratic ownership—municipal and consumer owned utilities—offers a realistic path to deliver the investments Europe urgently needs. With lower financing costs and the ability to prioritize societal benefits, democratic ownership can unlock the heat transition where markets fall short.
Read the article from the Think Tank Brundtland →

MPEC Ostróda, Poland – Going green

By Wojciech Zalewski, CEO MPEC Ostróda, Lars Gullev, CEO Gullev DH Advisory, and Mathias Vestergaard Steenstrup, Project Manager – DH Specialist, Artelia
When energy prices surged, and old systems reached their limit, MPEC Ostróda chose not just to adapt but to leap forward. This Hot Cool article tells the story of how the Polish utility is rapidly reshaping its district heating system through bold investments, including a new 4.6 MW biomass boiler and a 10 MW gas boiler, marking its first major steps away from coal. These upgrades, paired with new contracting strategies and strengthened partnerships, have already helped lower heat prices by 18% while securing a more resilient and sustainable supply for residents. With political backing, consumer engagement, and a clear path toward renewables, Ostróda is emerging as a compelling example of fast-tracked DH transformation in Central Europe. Read the article →

Deep geothermal energy for direct use in district heating

By Kim Gunn Maver, Camille Hanna, Mads Sylvest Eegholm, and Nikolaj Holmer Nissen, Green Therma
A new closed-loop geothermal technology from Green Therma makes it possible to deliver clean, reliable district heating almost anywhere, independent of geology and without exploration risk. By using a vacuumized pipe-in-pipe design and long horizontal well sections, the system achieves a COP of 30–50 and delivers heat directly to the grid with minimal surface footprint. A full-scale 7 km demonstration well in Aalborg, supported by €11.5 million from EUDP, marks a major step toward scalable, multi-well geothermal projects for Europe’s energy transition.
Read the article by the Green Therma team →

Member Company Profile: JPH

How to cut natural gas in district heating and reduce heating production cost in volatile markets

JPH Energi A/S brings decades of expertise in modernizing and future-proofing district heating and biogas plants, combining deep technological insight with strong financial know-how to deliver bankable, high-impact solutions. Their recent work at Bramming District Heating showcases how a smart portfolio of CO₂ heat pumps, electric boilers, thermal storage, and advanced CHP units can replace natural gas entirely while boosting system flexibility and economic resilience in volatile power markets.
The result is a real-world demonstration of efficient electrification, lower marginal heat costs, increased flexibility revenues, and a documented reduction in carbon intensity – setting a compelling example for urban utilities navigating the green transition. 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.