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Developing community-led heating and cooling

May 5 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
European Energy Communities Forum

On 5 May,  MUSE DHC will explore how national and EU frameworks can support community-led initiatives

How can we accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s heating and cooling sector? 

While progress depends on strong regulatory frameworks, enabling measures, and political leadership, experience shows that community-led approaches can significantly speed up the transition of Europe’s heating and cooling sector. To help unlock this potential, energy communities across Europe are increasingly exploring and installing innovative thermal energy systems.

On Tuesday, 5 May, The MUSE DHC’s partners  REScoop.eu, the European federation of energy communities, and Energie Samen, the Dutch federation of energy communities,  will facilitate the session Developing community-led heating and cooling in Jūrmala, Latvia. Co-organised with the Interreg NWE AquaCOM project, this session will explore how national and EU frameworks can become supportive of community-led initiatives, as well as the technologies, financing schemes and engagement strategies making them a reality.

Understanding the framework and aquathermal potential

The 90-minute session will kick off with setting the stage for community-led heating and cooling initiatives. REScoop.eu will open the discussion with an exploration of the EU Heating and Cooling Strategy and the Guidelines on Community Heating and Cooling.  Understanding this policy landscape is vital, especially considering that the heating and cooling sector represents over 50% of Europe’s final energy consumption and is responsible for a major share of emissions.

Inspiring case studies: real-world solutions

Participants will discover practical examples of communities taking charge through inspiring real-world case studies from Belgium and the Netherlands. Speakers Ilonka Marselis and Dirk Vansintjan will present three inspiring aquathermal projects: Warmte uit de sloot (heat from the ditch, Warmte uit de gracht (heat from the canal), and Van de Dijle tot de douche (From the Dijle to the shower).

Thriving communities for a renewable energy future

Developing community-led heating and cooling is organised within the European Energy Communities Forum, happening from 5 to 7 May in Jūrmala, Latvia. Inspired by the resilience and creativity of rural communities, and grounded in the work of the Latvian Rural Forum, the three-day event will bring people together to grow the energy democracy movement and unlock its full potential.

Details

  • Date & Time: Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 16:00—17:30
  • Location: Room ASPAZIJA, Jūrmala, Latvia
  • Organisers: Co-organised by the Interreg NWE funded project “AquaCOM” and the LIFE funded project “MUSE-DHC”
  • More information: https://www.energycommunitiesforum.eu/

Details