Brussels, 27 November 2024

To address Europe’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels for nearly half of its total energy needs, the EU-funded Act!onHeat project - in which ICLEI Europe is a key partner - has concluded, offering a suite of useful resources and strategies for municipalities to accelerate the decarbonisation of their heating and cooling (H&C) systems. These tools and methodologies align with the EU’s 2025 climate goals, empowering cities to implement sustainable energy transition.

The project delivered 10 case studies showcasing practical solutions across Europe:

Zelzate, Belgium: Authorities used the THERMOS tool to assess the viability of extending the existing heat network. The project leveraged waste heat from ArcelorMittal steel works to serve public institutions and residential areas, creating a roadmap for future expansion.

Croatia: The regional energy agency (REGEA) used the Hotmaps tool to model district heating potential and heat demand projection. This approach enabled public authorities with limited data to model heating solutions efficiently, meeting EU Energy Efficiency Directive requirements.

The findings of the above case study project activities have been distilled into actionable recommendations for public authorities on city planning, project implementation, financing and policy, including:

• Start Small but Strategically: Municipalities should identify synergies with existing projects or policies to integrate H&C planning seamlessly. Early stakeholder engagement is essential for building local buy-in.
• Use Open-Source Tools: Platforms like Hotmaps and THERMOS empower cities to address data gaps and explore viable solutions cost-effectively.
• Innovate in Financing: Creative funding models, including public-private partnerships and green bonds, can attract the necessary investment to implement ambitious H&C projects.
• Prioritise Digitalisation: Data and digital tools are critical enablers, providing insights that help streamline planning and decision-making processes.

A Local Replication Roadmap is now available to municipalities. It provides step-by-step guidance on strategic planning, data utilisation, and project implementation, helping municipalities navigate their transition to sustainable H&C systems.

The project's final conference, Make Your Digital Sprint: Heating and Cooling, held in Brussels brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners, who highlighted the transformative role of digitalisation, amongst other key topics, in advancing low-carbon heating and cooling (H&C) systems in Europe.

Leszek Drogosz, Director of Infrastructure for ICLEI member city Warsaw, highlighted the broader implications of AI-based technologies: “Digital transformation is key to achieving faster decarbonisation and energy efficiency. By integrating AI-based technologies, passive building models, and innovative heating solutions, cities like Warsaw are setting the standard for reducing energy consumption through sustainable urban energy systems.”

Visit Act!onHeat's website to explore the Local Replication Roadmap, access tools like Hotmaps and THERMOS, and read more about the inspiring case studies.

See attached, suggested picture by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash