Programme
The preliminary programme is shown below:
The detailed programme will be published here in the weeks leading up to the 19th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling.
In the meantime, however, the organisation welcomes initiatives for setting up special sessions, provided they align with the conference’s scope and are practically feasible. For those special sessions, the initiators are responsible for selecting the presentations, independent of the general selection procedure of the conference.
For more information on the organisation of these special sessions, please contact the organisation on IEADHCSymposium2025@energyville.be
Keynote speakers offering a unique global perspective
We’re especially proud to present a strong line-up of keynote speakers, representing Europe, Asia, and North America. Together, their talks will offer a unique global perspective on DHC innovations, challenges, and realisations across continents:
Europe
Robin Wiltshire (IEA DHC and Heatmatters Ltd)
With 30 years’ experience in the Energy Sector, Robin now divides his time between work on Heat Networks and teaching duties where he strives to integrate his experience with the curriculum for the next generation. He is currently Chair of the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on District Heating and Cooling.
Asia
Jianjun Xia (Tsinghua University)Professor Jianjun Xia is currently Associate Professor in the Building energy research center, school of Architecture, Tsinghua University. Prof. Jianjun Xia’s areas of expertise include energy planning, utilization of industrial waste heat for space heating, and building energy systems. He is currently principle (co-)investigator for several 15th and 14th five-year national science and technology supporting projects, which involving key research of improving energy efficiency for district heating system in Northern China, industrial surplus heat application, and high-performance HVAC equipment. He is the deputy director of the Tsinghua building energy research center, and member of the Executive Committee (ExCo) and representative for China of IEA District Heating and Cooling TCP (IEA DHC). He is also the deputy director of Scientific Committee of China District Heating Association. He serves as associate editor for international journal “Building Simulation”, and he is author or co-author of five books and more than 150 scientific papers.
North-America
Michael Ahern (Ever-Green Energy LLC)
Michael Ahern has over 30 years of experience in leading development, engineering, construction, operation, and management of industrial and energy systems. This includes operational oversight of businesses in the industrial and energy fields, with a specific focus on district systems over the last fifteen years. At Ever-Green, he leads the development and advancement of mission-based campus and community energy and utility systems. Ahern holds a BS in Business Finance from the University of Notre Dame, with an International Business Minor. Michael is currently on the Board of the International District Energy Association (IDEA).
David Woodson (University of Washington)
David Woodson is the Executive Director of Campus, Energy, Utilities, and Operations at the University of Washington where he is leading the effort to upgrade the utility infrastructure, decarbonize the district heating system, and make the energy systems more resilient, at the flagship Seattle campus. David previously had a similar role at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and now is enjoying the opportunity to apply the lessons learned from UBC at UW. David is a UW Alum (Aero and Astro ‘91) and has his MBA ‘06 from UBC. David is the current Chair of the International District Energy Association (IDEA).
This is a rare opportunity to hear from leading voices in the global DHC community.
Sunday, 7 September 2025
19.00-20.30: Welcome reception at M-Hotel, Genk
Monday, 8 September 2025 & Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Two full days of technical and scientific presentations, poster sessions and discussions at Thor Central, Genk
- Conference dinner (Monday 8 September 2025, 19.00 - 23.00h): Barenzaal Genk, C-MINE, Evence Coppéelaan 91, 3600 Genk, Belgium.
- Closing reception (Tuesday 9 September 2025, 17.00 - 18.00h): Thor Terrazza, Thor Park 8000, 3600 Genk, Belgium.
- Beer tasting (Tuesday 9 September 2025, 19.00 - 21.00h): BRAUW, Molenstraat 37/1, 3600 Genk, Belgium
Wednesday 10 September 2025
Site visits (09.00-16.00):
- Genk: Visit the Open Thor Living Lab and enjoy a walk with a ranger
- Mol - Antwerp: Visit the geothermal site and the heating netwerk in Antwerp. People leaving Belgium after this event can easily connect to Brussels Airport of Brussels South train station after the visit.
- Genk: Discover C-Mine and visit the Open Thor Living Lab