Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-10-08

Description

Description (EN):

Central Europe is in general highly dependent on fossil fuels (also true for DH systems) and deep transformation of its energy system is needed including significant improvement of energy efficiency. Heating and cooling accounts for around 50% of final energy consumption in Europe. DH systems are facing big challenges deriving from their dependency on Russian gas (especially Central Europe until recently) and longer-term demands for their efficiency set by Revised Energy Efficiency Directive. A new generation of DH systems is on its way, integrating many different heat sources, making them far more complex and decentralised. On the other hand, different specific solutions were developed until now, like heat maps, waste heat maps, assessments of different energy potentials (geothermal, biomass etc.) but comprehensive approach is missing to take DH systems through tailored process of activities and supporting tools. Answering these challenges, HEAT 35 will involve DH systems into the process to become sustainable and efficient systems using at least 50% RES and waste heat as energy source by 2035 (main objective). Area of Central Europe has high demands for heating and cooling with well-developed district heating heat supply model, very high dependency on fossil fuels, and very similar potential as regards integration of low-temperature RES or waste heat into DH grids (geothermal, hydro, biomass etc.). HEAT 35 partners (DH systems and expert organisations) from Central Europe will co-design transformation solutions for involved DH systems, which will be adopted by governing bodies of DH systems and expert partners. Expert partners joint in a HEAT 35 Task force will design a HEAT 35 Kit as comprehensive approach where guidelines, and tools will be provided to DH operators to implement solution in their systems, supported by quality management system for DH systems to ensure emission standards are respected also after adding biomass into the fuel-mix. Local governance and strategic environment will be also addressed to place DH systems at the core of community climate transformation process. DH operators will go through the learning process, provided by HEAT 35 Learning Lab where capacities for managing new, more complex DH systems will be built. The project is up-scaling an Interreg Central Europe projects CE-HEAT (Toolbox for waste heat utilisation) where waste heat sources and utilisation viability calculator were developed and ENTRAIN project where quality standards for biomass plants were designed. Representative organisations of DH operators associations/networks) are joining as associated partners and will play important role at knowledge transfer (trainings, study visits etc.) and at replication of HEAT 35 approach by other DH systems. Territories of Central Europe also have very similar tradition of district heating business models, knowledge, technologies etc, so joint transnational action is bringing better solutions by joining knowledge and experiences of different partners, regions and pilot cases. Mutual learning is also needed as there is an Austrian model working on RES already in place providing a showcase to be respected. By delivering transformation solutions for involved DH systems and accompanying capacity building actions, HEAT 35 is fully supporting the scope of the call by replacing fossil fuels with RES and waste heat and by increasing energy efficiency (EE) of DH systems as important providers of heating and cooling in Central Europe. Investments in RES and EE, designed through HEAT 35 activities, will be largely financed from private financial sources.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The project activities have been progressing according to time plan as presented in AF. All the outputs and results planed for the first year of the project have been partly reached (Output 1.1 HEAT 35 partnership cooperating transnationally, and related Result 2, RCR84_2.1: Organizations cooperating across borders after project completion-partnership agreement has been signed by all 10 partners) and all deliverables prepared and finalized as planned (detailed description in each WP section. The project outputs have been published on the project's official website. The Monitoring and Communication plan have been developed and presented to project partners. The project communication activities included live (in person presentation) project presentation and project has been presented throughout website and social media with group effort from all project partners. We have engaged in the first of year of the project 92 different stakeholders in our project implementation, including forming a Task force, presentations, and questionnaires (for more details see Target groups). Also, the project HEAT 35 was presented on the 23rd of May 2025 in the C4E Forum in Cavtat, Croatia, on the 13th of June 2024 in the joint conference for HeatMineDH and SET_HEAT projects, held in Zagreb, Croatia, and on 25.4.2025 in a job market for students called ‘Meet your employer’ in Cracow.

Project outputs: HEAT 35 partnership cooperating transnationally (EN)
Transnational strategy for transformation of Central European DH systems (EN)
Pilot testing of the adapted quality management for DH systems(EN)
Quality Management for DH systems(EN)
HEAT 35 pilot projects implemented(EN)
HEAT 35 Kit (EN)

Thematic information

Construction and renovation Energy efficiency

Priority: (VI-B_CE_2) Cooperating for a greener central Europe

Priority specific objective: RSO2.1. Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 054 High efficiency co-generation, district heating and cooling

Partners (10)

Lead Partner: Energetski institut Hrvoje Požar

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999570063

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR43980170614

Department: Department for Energy Efficiency

Address: Savska cesta , 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Savska cesta , 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://eihp.hr

Total budget: EUR 247 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 197 760.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 49 440.00

Comune di Maniago

Name: Comune di Maniago

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT00199780933

Address: Piazza Italia, 33085 Maniago, Italy

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.maniago.it

Total budget: EUR 172 017.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 137 613.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 403.40

Agenzia per l’energia del Friuli Venezia Giulia

Name: Agenzia per l’energia del Friuli Venezia Giulia

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 930203520

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT02517490302

Address: Via Santa Lucia, 33013 Gemona del Friuli, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.ape.fvg.it

Total budget: EUR 243 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 194 880.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 720.00

Mestna občina Velenje

Name: Mestna občina Velenje

Department: Economic Development and Transition Office

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935281470

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI49082884

Address: Titov trg, 3320 Velenje, Slovenia

Department address: Titov trg, 3320 Velenje, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.velenje.si

Total budget: EUR 170 154.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 136 123.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 030.80

Contractors:

Name: Envirodual d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI60492015
Name: Geološki zavod Slovenije
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI23064145

E-zavod, Zavod za celovite razvojne rešitve

Name: E-zavod, Zavod za celovite razvojne rešitve

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 965338472

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI46683518

Address: Čučkova ulica, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ezavod.si

Total budget: EUR 225 300.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 180 240.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 060.00

MIEJSKIE PRZEDSIĘBIORSTWO ENERGETYKI CIEPLNEJ S.A.

Name: MIEJSKIE PRZEDSIĘBIORSTWO ENERGETYKI CIEPLNEJ S.A.

Department: Department of Innovation

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL6750001202

Address: ul. Aleja Pokoju, 31-564 KRAKÓW, Poland

Department address: ul. Aleja Pokoju , 31-564 KRAKÓW, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://mpec.krakow.pl

Total budget: EUR 194 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 155 680.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 920.00

Thüringer Energie- und GreenTech-Agentur GmbH

Name: Thüringer Energie- und GreenTech-Agentur GmbH

Department: Energy- and District Strategies

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE304810126

Address: Mainzerhofstraße , 99084 Erfurt, Germany

Department address: Mainzerhofstraße , 99084 Erfurt, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.thega.de

Total budget: EUR 217 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 173 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 43 400.00

Teplo Chodov

Name: Teplo Chodov

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ05777003

Address: U Porcelánky, 35735 Chodov, Czech Republic

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://www.teplochodov.cz

Total budget: EUR 119 700.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 95 760.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 23 940.00

AEE - Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien

Name: AEE - Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien

Department: Cities and Networks

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ZVR436345929 | 997235370 (EN)

Address: Feldgasse, 8200 Gleisdorf, Austria

Department address: Feldgasse, 8200 Gleisdorf, Austria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.aee-intec.at

Total budget: EUR 287 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 229 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 57 400.00

TEHNOSTAN d.o.o. proizvodnja, distribucija I opskrba toplinskom energijom

Name: TEHNOSTAN d.o.o. proizvodnja, distribucija I opskrba toplinskom energijom

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR91347134540

Address: DR. FRANJE TUĐMANA, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.tehnostan-vukovar.hr

Total budget: EUR 173 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 138 880.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 720.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

City of Maniago

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Energy Management Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Velenje

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

E-institute, Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Cracow District Heating Company

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Thuringian Energy and GreenTech Agency

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Heating Chodov

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Tehnostan d.o.o. the production, distribution and supply of thermal energy

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Partners and Projects info

Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar

Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Project acronym: HEAT 35

Project ID: CE0200535

Project start date: 2024-05-01

Project end date: 2026-10-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

LIFE4HeatRecovery (LIFE) (EN) | HEAT 35 is complementary with LIFE4HeatRecovery project which is ending in mid 2023 (www.life4heatrecovery.eu) . It is developing and demonstrating solutions of fourth generation of DH systems – smart heating and cooling decentralized systems using low-temperature heat sources. We expect a pool of solutions and experiences with demonstration sites in northern Europe, which is more advanced in DH solutions. We intend to participate at closing events of LIFE4HeatRecovery and host their representatives at HEAT 35 kick-off, trainings and uptake best cases. (EN), REWARDHeat (Horizon 2020) (EN) | HEAT 35 is complementary with REWARDHeat project which is ending in September 2023 (www.rewardheat.eu). The overall objective of REWARDHeat is to demonstrate a new generation of low-temperature district heating and cooling networks that will be able to recover renewable and waste heat at low temperature. These networks will be able to increase production and distribution efficiency by recovery, renewable and waste heat available at low temperature. HEAT 35 Task force will use lessons learned at REWARDHeat demonstration of integrating low-grade RES and waste heat into DH systems, in particular technological and digital solutions and business models. (EN), SEENERGIES (Horizon 2020) (EN) | Despite the project SEENERGIES (https://www.seenergies.eu) already ended in 2022, it provided a set of analysis and solutions presenting bigger picture of energy efficiency policies and measures in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Energy systems were looked at from a holistic perspective. It’s also addressing the issue of dependency of Russian gas and is providing a roadmap of steps to be taken in this context. This is highly relevant for HEAT 35 project, since Central Europe is highly dependent on Russian gas which also reflects in high dependency of its DH systems. HEAT 35 will use their results at designing transnational strategy. Representatives of the project will be invited to take part at on-line consultations and share their experiences. (EN), klimaaktiv (EN) | klimaaktiv QM Heizwerke (ongoing) is an Austria-wide quality management programme, that aims to increase the technical quality and efficiency of biomass heating plants and local heating networks. AEE INTEC is responsible for the programme management of QM Heizwerke in the framework of klimaaktiv Heizwerke und Wärmenetze (ongoing) by order of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Methods and tools of QM Heizwerke (QM for Biomass DH Plants) will be applied in defining the transformation methods in HEAT 35. (EN), ENTRAIN (Interreg Central Europe) (EN) | The ENTRAIN project developed a system for ensuring quality management of biomass power plants, which will be used and adapted at HEAT 35 to enable DH operators to assess the quality management of biomass heat sources when introducing them into fuel-mix. (EN), IEA DHC TS5 (EN) | The task is led by AEE INTEC. Case studies, examples, and tools for the integration of renewable energy sources into existing district heating and cooling systems are developed in the IEA task TS5. They will be investigated and where possible used. (EN), Interreg Danube REHEATEAST (EN) | The synergy with similar project Interreg Danube REHEATEAST is foreseen and planned actions include mutual meetings every 6-10 month in order to exchange gained knowledge and experiences during project implementation. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 050 171.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 640 136.80

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 640 136.80. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Assessment of strategic environment and DH sector in Central Europe
DH transformation task force set-up report
Transnational strategy for transformation of Central European DH systems
Local action plans communication report
Policy and strategy recommendation report
HEAT 35 Kit
HEAT 35 Energy sources assessment calculation tool
Adapted Waste Heat web platform
Quality Management for DH systems
Evaluation of the Quality Management for DH systems testing results
Manual for applying Quality Management for DH systems
Adoption of solution for Quality Management for DH systems
Capacity building action plan
Implementation of learning process
Joint transnational pilot project framework
Pilot implementation roadmaps
Pilot project implementation report
Communicating HEAT 35 pilot project
HEAT 35 Kit - final edition
HEAT 35 Kit uptake
Transnational pilot replication action plan
Transnational pilot replication activity report

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal Transforming of DH systems into efficient will also introduce the circular economy principles into utilization of low-temperature heat sources. Low-temperature heat is usually available as waste heat of other processes and its reuse is representing circular model which represents an important pillar of Green Deal through Circular Economy Action Plan. HEAT 35 will directly contribute by integrating waste heat sources into DH systems.
Other REPowerEU - HEAT 35 is supporting EU plan REPowerEU, which main objective is to end the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Many DH systems in Central Europe are entirely depending on Russian fossil fuels (mainly gas) so decreasing the use of fossil fuels by minimum 50% by DH systems in following years, will directly contribute to the REPowerEU mission.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion EUSDR target is to "promote energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in buildings and heating systems including district heating and cooling and combined heat and power facilities" which is directly supported by HEAT 35 activities and outputs. HEAT 35 will provide solutions and showcases through pilots within the territory of EUSDR, since many partners are located in EUSDR territory.
Other EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities - Another EU instrument HEAT 35 is directly supporting is EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which is aiming at achieving climate neutrality of the cities by 2050. Reducing fossil fuel consumption of DH systems by minimum 50% will directly contribute to the objective of climate neutrality of cities since all involved DH systems are located in cities.
Other Revised Energy Efficiency Directive - requires district heating and cooling systems to become efficient by setting gradual achievement of 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. In line with its mid-term objective which requires that from "1 January 2035, a system using at least 50% renewable energy and waste heat, where the share of renewable energy is at least 20%";, HEAT 35 will contribute to it directly since its main objective is matching it fully.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 20.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-10-08

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

100 / 100 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 013 / 1 011 (100.2%)

Notes on the data

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Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035

Description

Thematic information

Partners (10)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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