The PlanHeat project was presented at the Euroheat & Power Congress 2026, held in Kraków, Poland, one of Europe's key events dedicated to district heating and cooling. The Congress brought together more than 530 participants from over 300 organisations, alongside more than 90 speakers, over 40 exhibitors, and local authority representatives from across Europe, creating a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration within the heating and cooling sector.
As part of the Project Poster Zone, the PlanHeat project was showcased alongside other European initiatives contributing to the development of sustainable and future-oriented heating systems. During the session the representatives of the Association of Municipalities Polish Network „Energie Cités” (PlanHeat partner) offered an overview of the project's objectives, key activities and expected outcomes, highlighting its contribution to supporting municipalities in the development of Local Heat Plans and the transition towards more sustainable and resilient heating systems.
In addition to the Project Poster Zone, the Congress programme explored a wide range of topics shaping the future of district heating and cooling in Europe. The event opened with discussions on accelerating the heat transition and included sessions dedicated to market trends, innovation, competitiveness, and the role of district heating and cooling in achieving Europe's climate and energy objectives.
A particularly relevant element of the programme was the dedicated “Crash Course for Cities”, which focused on practical aspects of planning and implementing the heat transition at the municipal level. Sessions addressed issues such as transition planning, district heating network upgrades, and financing future investments. These topics closely reflect the challenges faced by municipalities preparing Local Heat Plans and implementing long-term heating transformation strategies.
Across the two main Congress days, participants had the opportunity to follow discussions on a broad range of technological, organisational, and financial issues. Topics included low-temperature district heating systems, district cooling, retrofitting and modernisation of existing networks, the use of data and digital tools for system optimisation, thermal energy storage, geothermal energy, sector coupling through power-to-heat solutions, and the evolving role of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies.
The topics discussed throughout the Congress closely corresponded with the broader objectives of the PlanHeat project, particularly in the areas of local heat planning, stakeholder engagement, and the development of long-term strategies supporting the transition towards sustainable and climate-neutral heating systems. Participation in the Congress provided an opportunity to share PlanHeat solutions, gain insights into current developments in the sector and exchange experiences with experts and practitioners working on the future of heating and cooling across Europe.
