DHC+ at the IDEA 2023 conference

Together with nearly 850 attendees from 20 countries, DHC+ members joined the 2023 IDEA (International District Energy Association) conference in the windy city – Chicago, USA on 5-8 June.

The theme of this year’s conference “Empowering the Next Generation” was present throughout the programme, starting with the District Energy 101 Symposium with Young Professionals Group, where our Director of Knowledge Transfer, Aksana Krasatsenka presented European experiences in Education & Training. Aksana reiterated the message on the importance of educating the next generation of DHC experts, as well as empowering local authorities and city representatives during the Global Leaders Panel, which she shared with Werner Lutsch (AGFW, DE).

DHC+ Vice-chairman, Matteo Pozzi (Optit, IT) presented Digital and Analytics Innovation Study for the NYC Steam System during the System Optimisation Strategies session. During the session focusing on Future Fuels, Valentin Gavan (ENGIE, FR) presented Valorisation of Waste Heat from Hydrogen Production in District Thermal Systems. Dirk Vanhoudt (VITO/EnergyVille, BE) shared Results of Smart controller Tests in the Heat Network of Brescia during the session on Controls, Metering & Energy Management.

Europe is leading the district heating market in terms of innovation, share of waste heat and renewable energy sources, lower DH temperatures, as well as digital solutions, where our members have a lot of expertise to share with the international community. At the same time, when it comes to district cooling, the market is more mature in the Middle East and Northern America, with the remarkable acceleration in Latin America. An area, which will have an increased attention during the upcoming first International District Energy Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (more information here) and the COP28 United Nations Climate Change conference. Stay tuned and consider attending!