HeatMineDH aims to support district energy utilities and municipalities in achieving the efficient DH targets along the next 10 years by building upon the capacity and skills of a consortium made of universities, research centres, businesses and associations

The analysis will be carried out according to 4 key steps:

- Assessing the existing situation, based on the analysis of available data.
- Mapping the availability of low-grade renewable and waste heat sources.
- Planning an optimal roadmap for the integration of the most affordable sources able to ensure compliance with efficient DH targets.
- Developing business models and draft contracts for the actual implementation of a 10-year-long investment plan.

​​​​​​​

The analysis will be carried out considering local, national, and European regulations and policies. The utility and the local municipality will be provided with a classification of the possible sources in accordance with European directives (EED and RES) as well as with the still evolving taxonomy regulation.

Moreover, the project will foster stakeholder interaction, promoting the organization of focused meetings based on previously shared information and facilitating negotiation. This will be crucial to prepare draft contracts and collect all the needed information to make utilities ready for tendering. Contacts with investors will be prepared, e.g., for project finance opportunities.

A network of cities and relevant stakeholders will be contacted to maximize its exploitation and replication potential in addition to creating a virtuous circuit of reciprocal support among utilities and municipalities. Dedicated workshops and dissemination activities will support this interaction, including specific training moments to showcase previous projects and best practice solutions.

HeatMineDH seeks to overcome barriers related to source/load mapping, policy incentives, technical know-how, and perceived high investment costs associated to making district energy networks more sustainable. The project's comprehensive approach includes assessing, mapping, analysing, and planning for feasibility studies and investment plans to greener, smarter, and more resilient energy systems. The project's impact is anticipated not only in achieving sustainability goals but also in contributing to the broader European energy transition and Net-zero carbon economy targets.