Webinar Series on Funding and Financing: Decarbonising District Heating Systems - A Case Study on Financial Modeling using Low-Grade Renewable Energy Sources (LGRES)

By harnessing digital technology, data analytics, and connectivity, local governments can optimise resource use, enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and foster sustainable practices. Smart infrastructure, from energy-efficient buildings to efficient transportation networks, enables local administrations to meet their green goals.  

A Smart City empowers local governments to use data-driven decision-making, engage citizens through co-creation processes, comprehend financial needs for implementing innovative financing models, nurture a collaborative stakeholders' ecosystem, and include vulnerable groups and deprived areas to align with EU sustainability goals. In this context, financial insights are indispensable within the local administration, playing a vital role in transforming cities into sustainable, green hubs of the future. It represents a wholehearted commitment to the journey towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.  

The webinar will focus on decarbonising district heating systems by integrating Low-Grade Renewable Energy Sources (LGRES) and waste heat, with inspiring examples from cities and insights into financial strategies for sustainable retrofitting.

Agenda

• 9:00 - 9:05: Introduction of the Scalable Cities and Smart Cities and Communities projects.
  • Paula Ferrando, GNE Finance.
• 9:05 – 9:15: Introduction of the European Covenant of Mayors and the Cities Heat Detox Campaign.
  • Allison Le Corre, EU Covenant of Mayors office.
• 9:15 – 9:30: Low2High EU Project Overview: A pathway to decarbonize district heating systems in Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia by integrating Low-Grade Renewable Energy Sources (LGRES) and waste heat into district heating networks.
  • David Perez, CREARA
• 9:30 – 10:00: Inspiring examples: CoM Cities detoxifying their Heating and cooling infrastructures
  • Mélanie Lanthelme, Head of Renewable Energy Division – City of Marseille (France): “seawater for cooling and heating”
  • Kaire Kuldpere, Head of Environment and Sustainability, Utilitas - Tallinn (Estonia): Tallinn's journey to carbon neutrality
• 10:00 - 10:15: Key Steps to Decarbonize a District Heating System and Integrate Low-Grade Renewable Sources (LGRES) for Developing a Financial Plan
  • Insights from the L2H Experience Paula Ferrando, GNE Finance.
• 10:15 - 10:30: Case Study Presentation: A district heating (DH) system currently operating with non-renewable sources will be presented, along with a proposed retrofit to integrate potential locally generated renewable energy sources (LGRES).
  • The case will include key economic data such as OPEX, CAPEX, energy prices, and available funding options. Understanding the debt capacity of the site will be crucial to determine which LGRES can realistically be integrated, and how to structure the capital investment in a way that ensures long-term financial sustainability - Giovanni Lazzeri, GNE Ventures.
• 10:30 – 10:45: Q&A on the Financial model and objectives of the discussion
• 10:45– 11:15: Breakout Session Activity: LGRES Retrofit Decision-Making
  • Participants will evaluate the feasibility of retrofitting a district heating system by selecting suitable LGRES technologies and designing a sustainable financing strategy based on the case study presented.
• 11:15 – 11:30: Summary of discussions from each group, highlighting common points and differences.
• 11:30 – 12:00: Q&A and open discussion