This week, the WaterWarmth project partners came together in Lund and Malmö, Sweden (17–19 June 2025), for a dynamic three-day meeting filled with knowledge exchange, collaboration, and site visits.
DBDH is proud to participate in the project, contributing by leading dissemination activities – from sharing updates on our channels to producing a podcast series and publishing in our HotCool magazine.
Hosted by LUCSUS (Lund University), the meeting brings together insights from all project partners as we reflect on progress and prepare for next steps. The program includes in-depth discussions of pilot updates, communication strategies, and future visioning. We have also explored real-world applications of aquathermal energy through site visits, including Brunnshög, a climate-smart district built around research infrastructure and innovative heating solutions, and the Ribersborg public bath facility in Malmö, which utilizes aquathermal energy in practice.
All the WaterWarmth pilot sites are currently under development, representing a range of climate zones, technical designs, and urban settings. Each pilot explores how aquathermal energy — the heat stored in surface water — can be tapped to support the decarbonization of district heating systems. You can explore all pilot cases here: WaterWarmth Pilots
Aquathermal energy offers exciting opportunities:
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- It’s local and renewable
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- It supports circular urban energy systems
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- It has the potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels
However, it also presents real challenges, such as:
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- Technical complexity of heat extraction and integration
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- Seasonal variation and performance predictability
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- Regulatory uncertainties and a need for clearer permitting frameworks
These are precisely the topics the WaterWarmth project is tackling — by combining technical research, municipal collaboration, and transnational exchange.
Let’s continue to turn water into warmth – and knowledge into climate action.