This year’s summer school focused on the evolution from 3rd to 4th generation DHC networks including lectures from the best professionals and academics in the sector:

Prof. Sven Werner (Halmstad University) – Introduction to DHC
Jan Eric Thorsen (Danfoss District Energy) – Consumer applications
Prof. Dirk Saelens (KU Leuven) – Role of building stock
Prof. Stefan Holler (HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts) – Heat production technologies
Christian Johansson and Jens Brage (NODA Intelligent Systems) – Digitalisation in DHC
Prof. Henrik Lund (Aalborg University) – Insights from the 4DH Research Centre
Ben Laenen (VITO) – Geothermal DHC

These diverse lectures were combined with guided site visits to real installations, such as the newly developed district heating network Nieuw-Zuid Antwerp, the highly advanced 4th generation network Mijnwater in Heerlen, and the first deep geothermal well in Mol. The week in Belgium also comprised networking activities such as sightseeing, dinners, participants’ presentations and group work and allowed to create connections between participants, facilitate exchange of knowledge and explore business opportunities for the future.

The DHC challenge was hosted by Mr. Ralf-Roman Schmidt (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology) and required participants to work together in small groups to conduct feasibility studies for district heating in or nearby Genk. Under the guidance of district energy experts from EnergyVille, representatives from the city of Genk and the province of Limburg, participants with different backgrounds shared their knowledge and came up with great ideas for the transition towards a more sustainable heating and cooling future in Flanders.

Check some of the group presentations:

Case study for district heating in Genk area
G-DH
Sunny MINE concept
The first DHN in the city of Genk

If your organisation is interested in hosting the next edition of the summer school in 2018 – please check the call for hosts and let us know before 1 November 2017.

With a big thank you to this year’s sponsors and supporters:

5th international DHC+ summer school in Genk