Danfoss Highlights The Role Of District Energy In Decarbonizing Cities At The Euroheat And Power Congress 2023

Danfoss is pleased to announce its participation in this year’s Euroheat and Power Congress, which is taking place in Torino, Italy, from May 22 to May 24, 2023.

The Euroheat and Power Congress 2023 theme, ‘District Energy: The Local Solution to Global Challenges’, will focus on how district heating and cooling (DHC) networks can enable local energy transitions and help cities decarbonize.

Theme highlights a key Danfoss focus area

For Danfoss, the congress theme harmonizes well with the company’s dedication to engineering end-to-end district energy solutions.

We believe this is a key step in building greener cities that create the highest degree of comfort"

“District energy has never been more relevant,” says Saška Rihtaršič, the Vice President - District Energy at Danfoss, adding “It is key to ensuring the efficient use of local resources, such as excess heat from industrial processes and power generation; lowering CO2 emissions; and providing comfort and safe drinking water for people around the world. That’s why Danfoss is introducing HydronicS Intelligence, a new division that will use the strength of our District Energy and Building Solutions business units to optimize hydronics in residential and commercial buildings.”

Saška Rihtaršič adds, “We believe this is a key step in building greener cities that create the highest degree of comfort, while ensuring the lowest possible energy consumption. We look forward to meeting with industry and policymakers from across Europe to see how this and other initiatives can accelerate the energy transition and decarbonize our cities.”

Focus on the world’s largest untapped energy source

On May 23rd, 2023, Anton Koller, the Divisional President - Hydronics at Danfoss Climate Solutions, will participate in the opening session, ‘A new era for District Heating and Cooling (DHC) solutions’. The session will examine how the on-going energy uncertainty has accelerated the need for clean heating technologies that can reduce the reliance on natural gas.

Panelists will also address what the industry and policymakers can do to unlock the potential of DHC networks. As Danfoss’ representative on the panel, Anton Koller will focus on how excess heat – the world’s largest untapped energy source – can help pave a greener, safer route out of the energy crisis.

Heat transition - key pillar in Europe’s carbon neutral goal

Europe has set an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030"

Anton Koller said, “Europe has set an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and to become carbon neutral in 2050. The heat transition is a key pillar to achieve this goal, as heating and cooling represent half of the block’s total final energy consumption. That’s also why district heating and its gradual decarbonization play a particularly important role in the new Energy Efficiency Directive.”

He adds, “Decision makers must act – from an environmental perspective and in the interests of increasing energy security and making us independent of gas imports. We see countries taking reactive emergency measures, such as firing up old coal-fired power stations and signing new nuclear and liquefied natural gas (LNG) leases.”

Anton Koller continues, “Regrettably, decision makers often overlook that there is a readily available, greener, cheaper and safer alternative, namely, smarter use of the energy we already have. One way to do that is by using the vast amounts of energy that are currently wasted across sectors.”

Learning from municipalities on the road to net zero 

On May 24th, 2023, the Head of Global Public Affairs and Communication at Danfoss Climate Solutions, Andrea Voigt, will moderate a Danfoss’ side event, ‘The power of local: smart solutions for smart cities’.

The event will offer first-hand insights from European cities that have already started their journey towards a carbon-neutral future. Panelists will discuss practical solutions based on real-life examples, the power of artificial intelligence and digitalization.

Decarbonizing neighborhoods and cities across Europe

“It’s inspiring to see the progress that’s already been made in decarbonizing neighborhoods and cities across Europe,” said Andrea Voigt, adding “By presenting these real-world examples to Congress delegates, our goal is to further drive the energy transition by showcasing the technology and solutions that are already available and demonstrating how they can help the world get more out of less.”