5. Other training materials
5.1. Practical tools and applied exercises
Creating Technical Zones and Scenarios with Online Tools
This video presentation explores technical zones and scenarios using online tools like Hotmaps and THERMOS. It covers their functionality, user utilization, practical scenarios and the role of solar energy in heating and cooling planning.
5.2. Specific technologies and case studies
Solar Heat for Cities Towns and Energy Communities
This presentation discusses efficient solar district heating systems, covering solar heat functioning, operator models for energy communities, the match of solar heat and biomass in heating planning, and storing solar energy. It also includes case study examples.
Zoning scenario creation and renewable energy potential identification with Hotmaps – a practical exercise
This presentation explores zoning, scenario creation, and renewable energy potential identification using the Hotmaps tool. It presents strategic heating and cooling planning, the Hotmaps database, and toolbox, along with a demonstration.
Identification of areas interesting for district heating developments with the Hotmaps toolbox
This presentation covers identifying areas of interest for district heating developments using the toolbox. It addresses Act!ion Heat integrated methodology, data extraction from THERMOS, demand projection, economic potential areas, and limitations of the analysis.
The THERMOS software for optimized thermal network planning
This presentation details the optimization of thermal network planning using the THERMOS tool. It covers the reasoning behind the software selection, describes the toolbox, and includes a brief demonstration.
The integrated use of the free online tools Hotmaps and THERMOS
This presentation outlines the integrated use of Hotmaps and THERMOS. It covers methodology definition and scope, integrated use process step-incluiding heat demand estimation, identification of suitable district heating and cooling areas, and feasibility analysis-data alignment, and recommended bibliography in the field.
Analysis of heat/cold demands and renewable potentials with the free online tool Hotmaps
This presentation analyzes heat and cold demands and renewable potentials using the Hotmaps tool. It covers strategic heating and cooling planning, provides an overview of the Hotmaps database and toolbox with a live demonstration, and introduces an exercise involving Hotmaps for the Act!ion Heat training session.
5.3. Other webinars
Guidance documents developed for group support
This document outlines the content of the nine webinars conducted as part of the Act!onHeat project within Support Facility 1 (SF1). Detailed notes for each webinar are provided below the respective presentation slides, offering explanations and context for the material presented.
Data for municipal heating and cooling planning
The webinar addressed data accessibility challenges in H&C planning, focusing on identifying, acquiring, processing, and utilizing data—along with leveraging the Hotmaps platform—to support integrated strategic policy development and implementation.
Development of a data inventory for heat planning
The webinar focused on the development of dynamic data inventories and heat atlases for H&C planning, addressing data resolution, geospatial visualization, validation methods, and strategies to overcome data inconsistencies, while enabling participants to identify data gaps, prioritize planning zones, and prepare for implementation phases.
The use of Hotmaps for strategic heat planning
The webinar introduced the Hotmaps platform as a free, open-source tool designed to support H&C strategy development by enabling data analysis, resource mapping, and scenario planning, while demonstrating its functionality, use cases, and limitations for achieving energy and climate objectives.
Use of Industrial Excess Heat in District Heating
The webinar focused on the potential reuse of industrial excess heat for district H&C, discussing types of industries producing excess heat, regional projects mapping these sources, tools for identifying and planning distribution, and applications like Hotmaps to support cost calculations and infrastructure planning for stakeholders and policymakers.
Using excess heat from data centers for heating buildings
The webinar explored data centers as sources of EH for district heating, highlighting trends toward urban locations to lower heat recovery costs and the role of heat pumps in utilizing low-temperature waste heat through existing European district heating networks.
The use of excess heat from wastewater treatment plants
The webinar focused on using low-temperature wastewater, enhanced by heat pumps, for sustainable and cost-effective district H&C, showcasing its environmental and economic benefits for municipalities.
Scenarios to integrate Geothermal into District Heating and Cooling Networks
The presentation showcased geothermal energy as a low-emission solution for sustainable DHC systems, highlighting flexibility, storage, and the importance of region-specific planning.
Space cooling – demands, potential reduction, and sustainable supply opportunities
The presentation addressed the growing cooling demand in Europe, focusing on passive and active energy reduction measures, the efficiency of centralized and decentralized systems, and the impact of EU policies in driving sustainable cooling strategies to support decarbonization goals.
Existing heat planning policies in Europe - Overview and selected examples
The presentation outlines Europe's heat planning policies under the EED, stressing efficient, CO₂-neutral systems, strategic zoning, public engagement, and tailored approaches to align municipal plans with decarbonization goals.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101033706. The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies with the Act!onHeat project and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.