About
© Linz Tourismus / Johann Steininger
About the Symposium
The International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling is a biennial international conference dedicated to research, innovation and practical experience in district heating and cooling (DHC). Over the years, it has developed into one of the most renowned events for scientific exchange in the field of DHC.
From a Nordic Initiative to an International Symposium
The first International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling was held in Lund, Sweden, in 1987. It was initiated by the Nordic District Heating Research Programme, which had been established two years earlier with the financial support of the Nordic Energy Research Institution. In its first decades, the symposium was hosted by different Nordic countries. As the event grew, it increasingly attracted participants from across Europe and other parts of the world.
In 2006, the symposium was held outside the Nordic region for the first time. The University of Hannover organised the event in cooperation with the German District Heating Association AGFW. A further milestone followed in 2016, when the symposium was organised in Asia for the first time and hosted by the Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC). Since then, the symposium has been held under the auspices of IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on District Heating and Cooling (IEA DHC), with its Executive Committee (ExCo) serving as the formal steering body.
The most recent edition, the 19th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling, took place in Genk, Belgium. Hosted by VITO and EnergyVille under the auspices of IEA DHC, the event brought together researchers, industry representatives and practitioners from across the DHC sector.
© VITO/EnergyVille
Next edition
The 20th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling will take place from 5 to 8 September 2027 in Linz, Austria. It will be hosted by the Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz under the auspices of IEA DHC.
Overview of all editions
About the local organiser
Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
The Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz is a non-university research institute working on the transition towards a sustainable, resilient and affordable energy system. Each year, the institute contributes to around 100 national and international research and development projects. Its work focuses on how the energy transition can strengthen economic development, improve environmental performance and reduce dependence on fossil energy sources.
A defining feature of the Energieinstitut is the close cooperation between its three departments: Energy Economics, Energy Law and Energy Technology. This interdisciplinary structure makes it possible to assess energy-related questions from technical, economic, regulatory and societal perspectives.
Heat and Cooperation
District heating, industrial excess heat and the transformation of urban energy systems are key areas of research at the Energieinstitut. The institute combines technical, economic and regulatory perspectives to develop practical solutions for more sustainable heating and cooling systems.
Industrial Heat Integration
Industrial & Urban Symbiosis
Process heat and industrial excess heat
Cooperation between industry, utilities and cities
District Heating & Storage
Transformation Pathways
Heat networks and thermal energy storage
Long-term strategies for sustainable energy systems
Selected Projects
The Energieinstitut is involved in a wide range of projects supporting the transformation of heating and cooling systems. The following examples highlight research on industrial excess heat, district heating, thermal energy storage and cooperation between industries, utilities and cities.
Future Heat Highway
TREASURE
HEATROCK
About IEA DHC
IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on District Heating and Cooling
IEA DHC supports international research and cooperation in the field of district heating and cooling. Established in 1983, the programme brings countries and research organisations together to address challenges that benefit from international collaboration. By combining expertise, data and research resources, participants can develop and share knowledge that would often be difficult to generate through national activities alone.
Its research covers a wide range of topics related to the planning, development and operation of district heating and cooling systems. Through its international research projects, the programme supports the exchange of knowledge and the development of more efficient and resilient heating and cooling systems.
IEA DHC currently has 16 full members: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The International District Energy Association (IDEA) is a sponsor of the programme.