The 12^th edition of the DHC+ Summer School, focused on "Industrial urban symbiosis as an enabler for climate-neutral district heating", took place between 25-31 August 2024 in Linz, Austria. This year's edition brought together 40 participants from 21 countries and 33 different organisations.

During this immersive week, participants deepened their understanding of the district heating and cooling sector, had an opportunity to network with peers and learn from esteemed industry professionals and academics. The programme was designed to foster collaboration and innovation, with lectures and workshops led by experts from DHC+ Platform member organisations and Austrian partners.

A key highlight of the programme was the hands-on experience provided by two technical site visits:

Linz-Mitte CHP Plant: participants explored the largest district heating network in Upper Austria, operated by Linz AG. This excursion offered an in-depth look at various technologies used in district heating, including waste heat recovery, biomass and gas-fired CHP plants, all situated within a major industrial area. One of the highlights of the site visit will certainly be the 65 meter high thermal storage, one of the largest in Europe, providing additional security of supply to the network.
District cooling facilities in Linz: the second visit focused on the city’s advanced district cooling infrastructure. Participants learned about the operation of electric chillers and the process of converting heat into cold using absorption chillers, emphasising the energy-saving potential and environmental benefits of these technologies.

As a novelty, this year's summer school introduced the REWARDHeat Hackathon, encouraging participants to collaborate across disciplines, think creatively and develop key soft skills. Teams worked on real-world challenges related to the REWARDHeat EU-funded project on low-temperature district heating and waste heat recovery. Groups showcased their innovative projects and the best team received as a prize a 50% discount to the Euroheat & Power Congress 2025 in Prague and significant media attention.

We extend our gratitude to our host, Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, and our sponsor, LINZ AG, for their support in making this edition a success. A big thank you also goes to all participants and lecturers who contributed to another memorable DHC+ Summer School!

12th international DHC+ summer school in Linz