Sustainable heating & cooling in practice: Competitive and future-ready district energy system
Swedish district heating companies operate in a highly competitive energy market with limited policy support, regulation, or subsidies. Following the phase-out of fossil fuels after the 1970s oil crises (“Transition 1.0”), the district heating market now competes mainly with heat pumps rather than oil and gas. This has driven continuous innovation in efficiency, customer integration, and system optimisation.
The Study Tour explores how Swedish utilities are addressing “Transition 2.0” — the move toward circular, integrated, and low-temperature energy systems. Key topics include surplus heat recovery, low-temperature district heating (4GDH & 5GDHC), electrification, digitalisation, thermal storage, predictive maintenance, and customer flexibility. Participants will also learn about strategies for extending infrastructure lifetime, upgrading CHP plants, and developing new business models and revenue streams.
Special attention will be given to the growing integration between district heating and heat pumps, as well as the transition toward circular and resilient energy systems.
Located in southern Sweden and connected through a regional district heating network, Lund and Helsingborg provide a unique opportunity to experience advanced district energy solutions in practice.
