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Programme

The preliminary programme is shown below:

Session 1    Digitalisation of DHC: optimal control 1        
Session 2    Sustainabilty of DHC and user engagement        
Session 3    Cost optimal design strategies 1        
Session 4    Thermal source networks        
Session 5    Modeling and data handling        
Session 6    Planning of DHC networks 1        
Session 7    Cost optimal design strategies 2        
Session 8    Planning of DHC networks 2        
Session 9    Efficiency improvements, modernisation and RES integration 1        
Session 10    Digitalisation of DHC: optimal control 2        
Session 11    Efficiency improvements, modernisation and RES integration 2        
Session 12    Geothermal DHC        
Session 13    DHC+ Student Award presentations        
Session 14    Digitalisation of DHC: fault detection and diagnosis        
Session 15    Technological advances for new and existing networks        

 

For more information on the organisation of the 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 WiltshireRobin 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

Professor Jianjun XiaJianjun 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 AhernMichael 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
Monday 8 September
Tuesday 9 September
Wednesday 10 September
7 September 2025 at 19:00 — 7 September 2025 at 23:00
Welcome reception at M-Hotel, Genk
8 September 2025 at 09:30 — 8 September 2025 at 10:30
Opening Ceremony
8 September 2025 at 10:30 — 8 September 2025 at 11:00
Coffee break
8 September 2025 at 11:00 — 8 September 2025 at 12:30
Keynote Speeches
Europe Robin Wiltshire (IEA DHC and Heatmatters Ltd)
Asia Jianjun Xia (Tsinghua University)
North-America Michael Ahern (Ever-Green Energy LLC)
David Woodson (University of Washington)

 

8 September 2025 at 12:30 — 8 September 2025 at 14:00
Lunch
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Session 1: Digitalisation of DHC: optimal control 1
  • Numerical Analysis of a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Substations in Low-Temperature District Heating from a German Living Lab Project
    Rahul Mohandasan Karuvingal (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)
  • Optimising integration of high-temperature underground thermal energy storage in district heating systems via co-simulation and control
    Tijs Van Oevelen (VITO/EnergyVille, Belgium)
  • A bi-level strategy for optimal control of heat distribution in meshed District Heating Networks including multiple production units
    Mohamed Tahar Mabrouk (IMT Atlantique, France)
  • Digital Twin modelling to optimise District Heating inlet temperature control
    Pascal Sander (University of Bremen, Germany)
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Session 2: Sustainabilty of DHC and user engagement
  • New method for welding steel district heating and cooling pipes
    Erik Tønjum, Snapwelder AS, The Netherlands
  • Environmental advantages and recycling potential of temporarily flowable backfill as bedding material for district heating pipes
    Florian Spirkl, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Germany
  • Field tests and retrofit attempts on the operational electricity consumption of Chinese district heating network
    Menghan Wan, Tsinghua University, China
  • Evaluating the potential of gamification in District Heating Systems: Insights from stakeholder and user surveys on motivational tariffs and behaviour change
    Nermina Abdurahmanovic, Fraunhofer IEE, Germany
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Session 3 - Cost optimal design strategies 1
  • Optimizing DH Supply for Positive Energy Districts
    Nirav Patel, TU Wien, Austria
  • Optimizing a Multi-Vector Energy Community with Geothermal-Powered District Heating
    Natalia Kozlowska, University of Liège, Belgium
  • Impact of Demand Simultaneity on Optimal District Heating Network Design
    Amadeo Ceruti, Technical University of Munich, Germany
  • Decarbonisation of the Linz district heating system - determining the cost-minimising generation portfolio through optimisation and the role of seasonal thermal storages
    Ralf-Roman Schmidt, AIT Austrian Institute for Technology, Austria
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Special Session TS8
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Special Session TS5
8 September 2025 at 15:30 — 8 September 2025 at 16:00
Coffee break
8 September 2025 at 16:00 — 8 September 2025 at 17:30
Session 4 - Thermal source networks
  • Decarbonization existing urban fabric through 5th Generation District Heating and Cooling
    Arthur Ackermans, Ingenium nv, Belgium
  • Performance of a prototype substation for 5th generation district heating and cooling networks
    Gianni Martinazzoli, A2A Calore e Servizi & Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italy
  • A 5th generation district heating and cooling network (5GDHC) driven by shallow geothermal, economic analysis and geohydrological modelling for comparison with an individual system
    Hoes, Hans, Terra Energy, Belgium
  • CollecThor: technical realisation of a low temperature thermal network
    Gert Moermans, VITO/EnergyVille, Belgium
8 September 2025 at 16:00 — 8 September 2025 at 17:30
Session 5 - Modeling and data handling
  • Integrating High-Temperature ATES into District Heating Networks: FMI-Based Co-Simulation with Modelica and FEFLOW
    Max Ohagen, Technical University Darmstadt, Germany
  • Generation of Large DH System Models Using Open-Source Data and Tools: An Exemplary Workflow
    André Xhonneux, Forchungszentrum Jülich, Germany
  • Modeling with the 223P ontology and adaptation for optimized DHC operation
    Steffen Wallner, Fraunhofer IOSB, Germany
  • Optimizing Thermal Energy Storage Models: Enhancing Accuracy through Variable Layer Calibration
    Jonas Cleiren, University of Antwerp, Belgium
8 September 2025 at 16:00 — 8 September 2025 at 17:30
Session 6 - Planning of DHC networks 1
  • Presentation of the Italian Atlas of potential District Heating networks to recover industrial waste heat
    Alice Dénarié, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
  • Economic evaluation of a heat highway between existing district heating networks
    Katharina Rusch, Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz, Austria
  • Feasibility Assessment Tool for District Heating and Cooling (FAST DHC): a simple decision support tool for the techno-economic evaluation of DHC networks
    Henrique Lagoeiro, London South Bank University, United Kingdom
  • Modelling Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Sustainable District Heating Development
    Luis Sánchez García, Högskolan i Halmstad, Sweden
8 September 2025 at 16:00 — 8 September 2025 at 17:30
Special Session TS6
8 September 2025 at 16:00 — 8 September 2025 at 17:30
Special Session TS9
8 September 2025 at 19:00 — 8 September 2025 at 23:00
Conference dinner

Barenzaal Genk, C-MINE, Evence Coppéelaan 91, 3600 Genk, Belgium.

8 September 2025 at 09:00 — 8 September 2025 at 10:30
Session 7 - Cost optimal design strategies 2
  • Synergies Between District Cooling Expansion and Carbon-Neutral District Heating
    Gerhard Totschnig, AIT Austrian Institute for Technology, Austria
  • Hydraulic integration of large-scale seasonal thermal energy storage with heat pumps in district heating systems
    Abdulrahman Dahash, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria
  • A Linear Heat Dispatch Model Considering Temperature and Pressure Losses in District Heating Networks
    Jerry Lambert, Technical University of Munich, Germany
  • Multi-scenario design optimization of district heating networks with thermal-hydraulic validation
    Yacine Gaoua, CEA, France
8 September 2025 at 09:00 — 8 September 2025 at 10:30
Session 8 - Planning of DHC networks 2
  • Achieving efficient district heating targets in a Croatian network: heat source mapping and techno-economic scenarios analysis
    Daniele Anania, Eurac Research, Italy
  • Review of Tools and Methods to identify excess heat potentials in district heating
    Rasmus Magni Johannsen, Aalborg University, Denmark
  • Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Sustainable District Heating Development
    Daniel Møller Sneum, Energy Modelling Lab/Lund University, Denmark/Sweden
  • Transitioning from High-Temperature to Low-Temperature District Heating: The Evolution of the Energy Master Plan at UZ Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg
    Joris Dedecker, Ingenium nv, Belgium
8 September 2025 at 09:00 — 8 September 2025 at 10:30
Session 9 - Efficiency improvements, modernisation and RES integration 1
  • Natural circulation and other measures to ensure heating supply to buildings connected to district heating in the event of electrical grid blackout
    Merilin Nurme, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
  • Optimizing Low-Grade Waste Heat Recovery for District Heating: A Case Study of a Steel Plant in China
    Zanyu Yang, Tsinghua University, China
  • Integration of Decentralized Renewable Energy Sources into DHC Systems: Technical Challenges and Experimental Solutions
    Mohd Basit Wani, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
  • Deterministic optimisation of district heating network retrofit to reduce supply temperature
    Anne-Geneviève Lemelle, CEA, France
8 September 2025 at 09:00 — 8 September 2025 at 10:30
Special Session design
8 September 2025 at 09:00 — 8 September 2025 at 10:30
Special Session DENSE
8 September 2025 at 10:30 — 8 September 2025 at 11:00
Coffee break
8 September 2025 at 11:00 — 8 September 2025 at 12:30
Session 10 - Digitalisation of DHC: optimal control 2
  • Demand side management for peak shaving in district heating systems using model predictive control at substation level
    Antoine Piguet, CEA, France
  • Demonstration of peak shaving through combined demand response and supply temperature control
    Tijs Van Oevelen, VITO/EnergyVille, Belgium
  • Data-Driven Cooling Demand Forecasting for District Cooling Operation
    Hjörleifur Guðbjörn Bergsteinsson, Danfoss, Denmark
  • Using machine learning to optimize district heating operations
    Dietrich Schmidt, Fraunhofer IEE, Germany
8 September 2025 at 11:00 — 8 September 2025 at 12:30
Session 11 - Efficiency improvements, modernisation and RES integration 2
  • Hydraulic and thermal effects of different building refurbishment strategies in district heating networks
    Dmitry Romanov, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany
  • Improved District Heating Return Temperatures by Cascading Concepts
    Jan Eric Thorsen, Danfoss, Denmark
  • Mitigating the hidden cost of electrifying heat: A case study using solar and thermal storage to achieve a zero-emission campus while minimizing electric grid demand impact
    Raymond Boulter, National Resources Canada, Canada
  • Innovative Methodology for Profiling Foam Density: Non-Destructive X-ray Microscopy (XRM) Approach
    Pakdad Langroudi, HafenCity Universität Hamburg, Germany
8 September 2025 at 11:00 — 8 September 2025 at 12:30
Session 12 - Geothermal DHC
  • Status of the VITO deep geothermal project in Mol – Donk (northern Belgium)
    Ben Laenen, VITO, Belgium
  • Enhancing waste heat integration into district heating through geothermal storage and heat pumps: risk and techno-economic assessment
    Amir M. Jodeiri, Eurac Research, Italy
  • Design of closed-loop geothermal single wells for heating applications
    Justin Pogacnik, VITO, Belgium
  • Borehole Heat Exchanger Field Layout Optimization for Sustainable District Heating and Cooling Networks
    Kai Droste, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
8 September 2025 at 11:00 — 8 September 2025 at 12:30
Special Session CH&C
8 September 2025 at 11:00 — 8 September 2025 at 12:30
Special Session DENSE
8 September 2025 at 12:30 — 8 September 2025 at 14:00
Lunch
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Session 13: DHC+ Student Award Presentations
  • Performance of a prototype substation for 5th generation district heating and cooling networks
    Gianni Martinazzoli, Universita degli Studi di Brescia, Italy 
  • Data-driven approach for diagnosing inefficiencies and optimizing district heating networks
    Sajedeh Roustaei, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
  • Systematic Assessment of Scientific Case Studies on Optimization Measures – A Value-Added Approach for District Heating Operators?
    Anna Vannahme,  TU Munich & Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences, Germany
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Session 14 - Digitalisation of DHC: fault detection and diagnosis
  • Exploiting Synergies of Data-Driven and Model-Based Approaches for Leakage Localization in District Heating Networks: Application of improved Approaches
    Dennis Pierl, University of Bremen, Germany
  • From Time Series to Images: Exploring Convolutional and Vision Transformers for Fault Detection in District Heating
    Jonne van Dreven, Blekinge Institute of Technology/VITO, Sweden/Belgium
  • Data-Driven Fault Detection and Diagnosis in District Heating Substations and the Impact of Return Temperature Reduction
    Vera Alieva, Technical University of Dresden, Germany
  • Automatic fault detection in DHC systems using hybrid modelling
    Pieter Jan Houben, University of Antwerp, Belgium
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Session 15 - Technological advances for new and existing networks
  • TFSB as bedding material in district heating pipe construction - scientifically proven long-term experience
    Bernd Wagner, AGFW, Germany
  • Data Pre-process Methods Enhancing HCA Measurement Usability
    Michele Tunzi, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
  • Experimental Investigation on the Thermal Conductivity of Alternative Bedding Materials for District Heating Networks
    Stefan Dollhopf, HafenCity University Hamburg, Germany
  • Optimizing the Next Generation of District Heating and Cooling Systems While Ensuring Reliable Domestic Hot Water Supply
    Mohammad-Reza Kolahi, University of Geneva, Switzerland
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Geothermal workshop
8 September 2025 at 14:00 — 8 September 2025 at 15:30
Special Session TS7
8 September 2025 at 15:30 — 8 September 2025 at 16:00
Coffee break
8 September 2025 at 16:00 — 8 September 2025 at 17:00
Awards and closing session
8 September 2025 at 17:00 — 8 September 2025 at 19:00
Closing Reception

Thor Terrazza, Thor Park 8000, 3600 Genk, Belgium.

8 September 2025 at 19:00 — 8 September 2025 at 21:00
Optional: Brewery visit BRAUW

Beer tasting BRAUW, Molenstraat 37/1, 3600 Genk, Belgium

10 September 2025 at 09:00 — 10 September 2025 at 16:00
Site visits