The event was organized within the framework of several EU projects, including REHEATEAST, Enefirst Plus, GreetGeo, HEAT 35, USES4HEAT, and DHC SwEEtch, bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from the energy sector.
In light of ambitious EU climate and energy targets, and the growing need to decarbonize the heating and cooling sector, national legislative and regulatory frameworks are undergoing significant changes. The new Energy Efficiency Act introduces additional obligations for public authorities, including an annual reduction in final energy consumption of at least 1.9% and the renovation of buildings to high energy performance standards.
With heating and cooling accounting for approximately 50% of total energy consumption, the sector is recognized as one of the most critical areas for achieving climate neutrality.
The conference program focused on:
- recent legislative and regulatory developments
- implementation of EU policies
- modernization of district heating systems
- utilization of waste heat and geothermal energy
- available financing opportunities
One of the key highlights of the conference was a presentation by Ilja Drmač on “Decarbonisation of District Heating – Pilot Project in Vukovar,” carried out within the HEAT 35 project.
The presentation showcased a concrete example of transitioning an existing district heating system towards low-carbon and sustainable solutions. The Vukovar pilot project demonstrates how innovative approaches and integrated planning can support the decarbonisation of local heating systems, contributing to broader national and European climate goals.