HEAT 35

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HEAT 35

Communication of the activities, results and outputs of the project HEAT 35. Many district heating systems in central Europe still rely heavily on fossil fuels.

New approaches utilize various heat sources but are complex to implement. The HEAT 35 project supports eight regions and cities in the transition process to run their district heating systems on 50% of renewables and waste heat by 2035. The partners involve district heating operators and experts to design new solutions. They also prepare guidelines and tools for the operators to implement these solutions, supported by a quality management system that helps to ensure that emission standards are respected. More info: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/heat-35/

02/11/2026

🌱 Presenting Pilot Results: Vukovar Plans Its Transition Towards a More Sustainable District Heating System!

As part of the project, the City of Vukovar is working towards a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable district heating system.
Currently, almost 96% of the city's heating energy comes from natural gas. To reduce this dependence, the project focuses on modernising the two main heating systems, Borovo Naselje and Olajnica, and exploring locally available renewable energy sources.

🔎 What are the key plans for 2035?
🔹 Increase the share of renewable energy and recovered waste heat to at least 50%.
🔹 Introduce new heat pumps, including one that will recover heat from the local wastewater treatment plant.
🔹 Expand the use of solar thermal energy and introduce heat storage solutions.
🔹 Modernise and expand the heating network to connect more buildings and improve energy efficiency.

Looking ahead to 2050, Vukovar plans to further develop its heating network and explore the use of geothermal energy to support a more reliable and low-carbon heating future.

🔗 Read more about the pilot results: https://www.interreg-central.eu/news/presenting-heat35-pilot-results-vukovar-plans-its-transition-towards-a-more-sustainable-and-efficient-district-heating-system/

20/10/2026

Presenting Pilot Results: Kraków, Poland!

As part of the project, Kraków is exploring innovative solutions to support the decarbonisation of its district heating system and increase the use of renewable energy sources and recovered waste heat.

Kraków's district heating network extends over approximately 960 km, supplying heat to more than 65% of the city's residents. Although the infrastructure is well-developed and currently maintains its energy-efficient status, fossil fuels remain the dominant energy source.

♻️ What has been explored?
The pilot activities focus on the potential deployment of hybrid heat distribution units, combining heat pumps with locally available heat sources. The analysis identified several opportunities, including:

🔹 Recovery of low-temperature waste heat from data centres.
🔹 Use of geothermal energy through ground-source heat exchangers and groundwater resources.
🔹 Integration of heat pumps and photovoltaic installations to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

🎯 Looking towards 2035 and beyond
Kraków's action plan aims to gradually increase the number of hybrid heat distribution units across the city, depending on technical and economic feasibility. Raising awareness and engaging local stakeholders, particularly housing associations and cooperatives, will be essential to their successful implementation. The next steps include identifying suitable locations, conducting technical and economic feasibility assessments, and preparing documentation for future investments. By 2050, these efforts are expected to contribute to a more diversified, renewable and low-carbon district heating system.

More information about the pilot: https://www.interreg-central.eu/news/presenting-heat35-pilot-results-krakow-explores-innovative-solutions-for-a-cleaner-and-more-sustainable-district-heating-system/

01/10/2026

Presenting the results from our pilot area in Chodov, Czech Republic!

Within , the Czech pilot area of Chodov is exploring solutions for a cleaner and more efficient district heating system, currently supplying around 5,000 households and 10 public facilities.

The pilot analysed several renewable and alternative energy sources, including solar PV, heat pumps, geothermal energy, wastewater heat, biomass and wind energy. Rooftop PV and industrial heat pumps emerged as particularly promising solutions.

Based on these findings, Chodov’s action plan aims to achieve at least a 50% share of renewable energy and waste heat by 2035, combining the modernisation of heat exchange stations with PV, heat pumps, energy storage and regional cooperation on the decarbonisation of the main heat source.
The long-term goal: a fully decarbonised municipal heating sector by 2050. 🌍

More information: https://www.interreg-central.eu/news/chodov-plans-its-pathway-towards-a-cleaner-and-more-efficient-district-heating-system/

Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme

24/06/2026

On 17 June, during the Smart Urban Heating Forum in Kraków, MPEC held a dissemination event for its pilot project.

The session showcased innovative solutions for the district heating sector, focusing on MPEC’s hybrid heat distribution units. Discussions covered the utilisation of waste heat from the AGH University server room, the integration of heat pump technology with district heating networks, and the role of photovoltaics in supporting network energy balance.

The event brought together representatives of district heating companies, public authorities, academia, heat producers, and technology providers from Poland and abroad, creating a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on sustainable urban heating solutions.

More information: https://lnkd.in/dXJ6UXkF

Interreg Central Europe

18/06/2026

On 16 June, the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar team presented the HEAT35 project and several of its pilot activities at the Smart Urban Heating Forum in Kraków, Poland.

The conference brought together key stakeholders from across Central and Northern Europe, as well as representatives from the University of New Delhi and the U.S. Consulate in Poland, to discuss the future of sustainable district heating.

The event provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest developments and emerging technologies in the district heating sector, exchange experiences with international experts, and explore innovative approaches being implemented across different countries.

EIHP was proud to showcase the Central European perspective through the HEAT35 project, highlighting the integration of renewable energy sources and waste heat in the project's pilot sites. The presentation sparked valuable discussions on the role of low-carbon heating solutions in accelerating the energy transition and achieving climate goals.

👉 More about the HEAT35 project: https://lnkd.in/dB6QRVG3

21/05/2026

📢 HEAT35 Project Partners Meet in Historic Augustinerkloster in Erfurt!

project partners gathered yesterday in the historic Augustinerkloster, located in the heart of Erfurt. The meeting took place in the former monastery closely connected to the life of the famous reformer Martin Luther, who lived there as a monk during the early 16th century.

The consortium meeting brought together project partners to review the progress of the pilot activities and to discuss the next steps as the project enters its final phase. 📊

The meeting provided an important opportunity for exchanging experiences and ensuring a coordinated approach toward the successful completion of the project. 🤝

More information: https://lnkd.in/dX6q9U_9

24/04/2026

Heating and cooling account for around half of Europe’s total energy consumption - yet many systems still rely heavily on fossil fuels.
That’s where the project comes in.

By supporting cities and regions across Central Europe, is driving the transition towards sustainable district heating systems - aiming for at least 50% renewable energy and waste heat by #2035.

Through collaboration with energy providers, public authorities, and experts, the project is developing practical tools, strategies, and a comprehensive Kit to help modernise heating systems, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions.

This Earth Day, we highlight the importance of:

🟢 decarbonising heating and cooling systems
🟢 integrating renewable energy and waste heat
🟢 strengthening energy resilience and security
🟢 enabling a just and sustainable energy transition

Because transforming how we heat our homes and cities is essential for protecting our planet.

🌍 Happy Earth Day!

16/04/2026

📢 HEAT35 Kit

Discover the newly available Kit - a comprehensive toolkit designed to support district heating (DH) operators and stakeholders in planning and implementing transformation processes toward sustainable energy systems.

Developed within the project, the Kit brings together a range of existing tools, methodologies, and practical solutions into one integrated framework. It supports the transition of district heating systems towards increased use of renewable energy sources and waste heat.

The toolkit provides guidance across key transformation steps, including:
✅ development of transformation plans
✅mapping of renewable energy and waste heat sources
✅techno-economic assessment and business model support
✅stakeholder identification and engagement
✅access to supporting tools, best practices, and external resources

By consolidating knowledge and tools in one place, the Kit simplifies complex transformation processes and helps DH operators make informed, strategic decisions.

The Kit will continue to evolve, with ongoing updates and improvements provided by project partners to reflect new insights, tools, and best practices.

You can check out the HEAT35 Kit on https://green-heat.net/

08/04/2026

On 26 March 2026, an online webinar titled “District Heating Company as an Investor in Small-scale RES” was held as part of the project.
Hosted by the Cracow District Heating Company and delivered by Prof. Przemyslaw Markiewicz-Zahorski from the Cracow University of Technology, the session explored the evolving role of district heating companies in the energy transition.

🔎 Key topics included:

• Small-scale renewable energy technologies for end users
• Innovative investment and business models
• Benefits for district heating companies and customers
• Risks and implementation challenges

👉 A key takeaway:

Buildings are no longer passive consumers, they are becoming active energy hubs that generate, store, and optimize energy.

Driven by the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2024) and the Zero-Emission Building (ZEB) standard, district heating companies must shift from heat suppliers to integrated energy service providers and investors.

Pilot projects and collaboration will be key to accelerating this transition.

More information: https://lnkd.in/dCQdRD6E

31/03/2026

🔹 Workshop in Maribor 🔹

On 12 March 2026, the workshop took place at Energetika Maribor, bringing together district heating operators, experts, and stakeholders to discuss quality management and strategic planning for system transformation.

The programme featured insights on district heating transformation, Quality Management (QM) systems, KPIs, and practical implementation experiences, followed by an engaging discussion among participants.

🤝 The event highlighted the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration in advancing sustainable and efficient district heating systems.

More information: https://lnkd.in/diiEieau

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https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/heat-35/

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