Press Release
In the last decade, EU Member States have significantly reduced dependence on fossil fuels and increased energy efficiency. Despite these advances, fossil fuels continue to dominate, accounting for around 70% of the gross energy available in the EU [1], while heating and cooling account for half of the final energy consumption in the Union [2]. Their decarbonisation therefore remains a key challenge.
Throughout the Baltic Sea region, cities and municipalities are looking for new ways to make system heating more sustainable and climate-friendly. Launched in July 2024, the DecarbonDHS project is now in the middle of its 36-month implementation, which aims to identify possible transition paths. The project combines experts, scientists and energy companies to identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to effectively integrate renewable energy sources (RES) into heating networks.
Cooperation and innovation in the centre of DecarbonDHS
– The decarbonisation of system heating is not only a technical challenge — it is a question of cooperation, local innovation and the creation of systems that will serve communities in a sustainable way for decades," emphasises Prof. Adam Cenian of IMP PAN, coordinator of the DecarbonDHS project. He adds: "Thanks to cross-border cooperation, we show that practical solutions for cleaner, smarter and more resistant heating are within reach throughout the Baltic Sea region.
Photo 1 Group photo of DecarbonDHS partners in Stadtwerke Rostock (Source: IMP PAN)
Sharing knowledge and first results
In recent months, DecarbonDHS has organised and co-organised key events, including. Baltic District Heating Innovation Forum in Gdańsk, workshops in Poland and Lithuania, a study visit to Stadtwerke Rostock AG in Germany (Fig. 1) and participated in the annual event Interreg South Baltic in Rønne on Bornholm (Fig. 2). The meetings brought together more than 250 participants from municipalities, energy companies and research institutions, allowing for the exchange of knowledge, the presentation of best practices and getting to know the latest technologies in the field of heating digitization, waste heat use and the integration of renewable energy sources.
Photo 2 Participants Events Interreg South Baltic in Rønne (Source: Interreg South Baltic Programme)
By the end of 2025, the consortium of the DecarbonDHS project will produce two reports:
- Assessment of existing system heating infrastructure, energy mix, efficiency and CO emissions2 – a report prepared by IWEN and IMP PAN, presenting a comprehensive picture of current systems in the region.
- Potential for integration of renewable energy sources in heating networks – development by IWEN and project partners, analysing possibilities of increasing RES participation and reducing carbon footprint.
Project consortium: cross-border partnership
The consortium shall comprise eight partners with: Poland (Institute of Flow Machines PAS – project leader and OPEC Sp. z o.o.), Germany (IWEN — Energy Transformation Institute), Lithuania (Lithuanian Institute of Energy, Enterprise of Warm Energy of Kretynga District and Kretynga District), Denmark (Bornholms Energy & Forsyning) and Sweden (Linnaeus University).
By combining research institutions, heating system operators and local government units, the partnership enables the development of cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange and the implementation of innovative solutions for decarbonisation of district heating in the Baltic Sea region. The project also cooperates with affiliate partners, including Energy Agency Southern Sweden, the Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Poland Euroregion Baltic, Lessebo District Heating Company and Stadtwerke Rostock AG.
Stay in touch
To learn more about the DecarbonDHS project and learn about the results and project activities, visit the website www.decarbondhs.eu News, events and publications also follow LinkedIn: DecarbonDHS project.
DecarbonDHS is co-financed from the Interreg Southern Baltic Programme 2021–2027 by the European Regional Development Fund. (Project: DecarbonDHS, STHB.02.01-IP.01-0009/23)
Contact:
Prof. Adam Cenian
Institute of Flow Machines PAS
DecarbonDHS Project Coordinator
[ukryty email]
+48 58 5225 276
[1] European Environment Agency / en / europe-environment-2025, ”Europe′s environment and climate: knowledge for sustainability, prosperity and sustainability, Europe's environment 2025 (EEA)
[2] EEA 2023, https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/decarbonising-heating-and-cooling
