On October 31, ConnectHeat hosted its second webinar in the series, The Social Aspect in Heating Communities: Getting People Onboard. Organized by Euroheat & Power with support from FEDARENE and Ambiente Italia, this event was part of EU-wide efforts to build capacity and replicate successful models in thermal energy communities. Moderated by Martin Stroleny, Innovation Manager at Euroheat & Power, the session centered on strategies for community engagement and inclusivity in sustainable heating.
The webinar opened with Per Alex Sørensen from PlanEnergi, presenting Denmark’s cooperative district heating model, a community-driven, non-profit approach.
Gabbriel Lopez-Martinez Fortun from ITC Canarias followed with insights into Gran Canaria’s first thermal community, aimed at decarbonising the tourism sector.
Nicolas Lepin from ERE43 shared experiences from France, discussing challenges around governance, financing, and building local trust.
An interactive Q&A closed the session, exploring strategies to involve low-income households in thermal communities.
Click on each link to download specific presentations:
- Cooperative district heating in Denmark: How to engage citizens? – Per Alex Sørensen, PlanEnergi
- Decarbonising the hotel industry through thermal communities – the Gran Canaria case, Gabriel Lopez-Martinez Fortun, ITC Canarias
- Social aspects in heating communities: feedback from France – Nicolas Lepin, ERE43
Watch the recording below:
