The working meeting reinforces strategic alignment for the implementation of five municipal investment plans in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and the deployment of fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) networks.
Aiguasol, as coordinator of the European project IncentEU (funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme), recently held a key working meeting with the Catalan Energy Institute (ICAEN). The main objective of the meeting was to share our roadmap, align methodologies, and coordinate efforts to accelerate the deployment of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks across Catalonia.
Five municipal investment plans to foster 5GDHC networks
During the meeting, we presented the main deliverable currently being developed within IncentEU: the definition of five investment plans for district heating and cooling (DHC) networks in municipalities across the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB). These plans will encompass demand and resource assessments, conceptual system design, and technical, environmental, and financial feasibility studies.
In line with the European Efficient District Heating and Cooling strategy, the proposed projects will prioritise the integration of low-temperature renewable energy sources and waste heat, with a particular focus on fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) networks. These systems reduce thermal losses while maximising the use of renewable and locally available energy sources, such as shallow geothermal energy and industrial and urban waste heat.
A shared strategy to accelerate the thermal energy transition
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review successful district heating and cooling projects in Catalonia and their associated business models, with the aim of facilitating their replication across other municipalities. In addition, discussions focused on the development of a shared database of technology costs and a pre-feasibility assessment methodology that will enable municipalities to rapidly evaluate the viability of future DHC projects.
Strengthening and consolidating initiatives such as our Community of Practice (CoP)—which brings together stakeholders from across the entire district heating and cooling value chain, including municipalities, energy service companies (ESCOs), utilities, policymakers, and financial institutions—remains one of the most effective ways to overcome market knowledge barriers and accelerate an efficient thermal energy transition in our cities.
The IncentEU project is supported by the European Union’s LIFE Programme through the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
🔗 Discover the latest project updates on the official IncentEU website: https://www.sefaeu.org/incenteu
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of Aiguasol only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
