IEA DHC Current Project Highlights

This is an overview of selected IEA DHC projects. It is an excerpt from the complete project overview, intended to simplify access.

Most project pages contain links to downloads such as summaries, final reports and presentations.

Benefits, Analysis and Evaluation of DHC

1. Can a sustainable district heating business model be decisive for future competitiveness?, 2026
2. Thermal Networks: Empowering the Smart Transition to Net Zero, 2025
3. Thermal Networks Case Studies: Impact Factsheets and Success Stories, 2025
4. GHG Emissions and Resource Exergy Savings from District Heating in Europe and China, 2022, 2025

District cooling

1. Sustainable District Cooling Guidelines, 2019

Guidebooks, Tools and Guidelines for DHC

1. The district heating business model 2050, 2023
2. Plan4DE: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by optimizing urban form for district energy, 2017

Policy and DHC

1. Financial frameworks’ impact on district heating, 2026
2. District heating scheme for carbon neutrality in Asia, 2023
3. Structured for success: Governance models and strategic decision-making processes for deploying thermal grids, 2017

Potential assessment

1. MEMPHIS 2.0: Advanced algorithm for spatial identification, evaluation of temporary availability and economic assessment of waste heat sources and their local representation, 2023

Renewable energy and DH

1. RE-PEAK – How to cover peak heat loads in DH networks with renewables?, 2026 

2. Annex TS5: Integration of Renewable Energy Sources into existing District Heating and Cooling Systems, 2024