Project Focus
REWARDHeat focused on developing and demonstrating a new generation of district heating and cooling networks, aimed to recover renewable and waste heat available at low temperatures, improving energy efficiency in urban environments. The project sought to decarbonize the European district heating and cooling sector by making use of multiple renewable energy sources and waste heat.
We created innovative planning tools to streamline the integration of diverse low-temperature renewable and waste energy sources into district heating and cooling systems.
Additionally, we designed prefabricated, heat pump-based substations that were both standardized and easy to install, minimizing errors and cutting down installation time.
Our partners also developed cutting-edge control strategies to optimize energy management and enhance the interaction between thermal and electric systems.
By championing the concept of "heat as a service," we unlocked new financial models that attracted significant public and private investments.
The project showcased its innovative solutions across 11 European cities, covering substantial amounts of energy demand in as many district heating and cooling systems by tapping into local renewable and waste heat sources, thus paving the way for broader adoption in other urban areas.
REWARDHeat offered clear recommendations, practical guidelines, and impact scenarios to help cities across Europe implement these energy-efficient systems.
To engage stakeholders, the project developed an interactive business game that illustrated how to apply REWARDHeat models in real-world scenarios.
Through REWARDHeat results:
Technology providers and energy utilities can gain insight into the economic viability and operational improvements achievable in district heating and cooling systems.
Investors can find increased transparency and green-focused financial models.
Policy makers in European cities can find guidance and tools to support the decarbonization and efficiency improvements of urban heating and cooling systems.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N. 857811.
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