ENABLE DHC – Enabling strategies and investment plans for efficient, multi-energy and digitalized DHC

The ENABLE DHC project aims to promote the transition of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks towards efficient systems, as defined by the Energy Efficiency Directive. This will be achieved by developing nine case studies in seven countries (AT, HR, IE, IT, LV, SI, and UA), each with diverse framework conditions. These plans will be created in close collaboration with DHC utilities, focusing on key elements such as digitalization, assessment of investment risks, and sector coupling. Through a Case Study Assembly, the EU-added value of the cooperation among the DHC operators is ensured.

Furthermore, the impact of the activities will be enhanced through a concrete support to 18 additional case studies within the project countries. An ambitious replication strategy will be implemented, featuring seven national workshops, three Pan-European webinars, a mid-term policy workshop, and a final event. These activities aim to engage DHC stakeholders beyond the immediate project scope. Intensive policy work will also be carried out, resulting in the development of seven policy roadmaps for the participating countries, endorsed by public authorities, along with a ‘Blueprint for Action.’ Stakeholders will be involved directly in nine DHC Working Groups linked to the case studies.

Given the overall objective to develop an enabling framework for the diffusion of low-carbon, efficient, resilient and sustainable DHC systems, the following outcomes are foreseen:

1. Enhancing knowledge of the reference contexts and assessing the current technical status for the DHC case studies.
2. Improving dialogue and cooperation between DHC operators, PAs and relevant stakeholders at the local and supra-local levels.
3. Developing effective mid-term efficient DHC decarbonisation plans.
4. Fostering dialogue, interaction and cooperation among case studies.
5. Enhancing the enabling framework for efficient DHC.
6. Triggering replication of results outside the consortium and after the end of the project.