INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT HEATING SUMMIT 2025
• SUMMIT
• SITE VISITS
• EXPO
29-30 October, 2025
Join us in Denmark for two impactful days of learning, exchange, and action—right in the heart of the world’s leading district heating nation.
Taking place alongside of the Danish District Heating Association’s Annual Meeting, the summit brings together 2,400 partcipants.
Gathering industry leaders, utilities, experts and innovators to explore how to deliver scalable, sustainable, secure, and affordable heating—at a time when energy systems are facing increased pressure and growing demands.
This is more than a summit! It’s your chance to experience how Denmark is putting sustainable, secure, and scalable heating systems into practice.
We look forward to welcoming you to Denmark in October 2025
What to expect
- High-level summit with keynotes, expert panels, and case studies
- Exclusive site visits to Denmark’s most advanced district heating systems. Explore full site visit programme here.
- Interactive Q&A sessions sessions and off-stage dialogue with peers.
- Large exhibition area featuring Danish solutions and breakthrough technologies.
- Strategic networking with utility leaders, industry experts, and innovators.
- Evening networking dinners in a relaxed, professional setting.
Programme
30 October 2025
7.00: Private bus transfer from Copenhagen Central Station
9.00-9.30: Arrival and Registration
9.30-9.45: Welcome and Opening Keynote
Magnus Skovrind Pedersen, Co-host, Managing Director, Think Tank Brundtland
Peter Christian Baggesgaard Hansen, Deputy Director General, The Danish Energy Agency
9.45–11.00: From Vision to Reality: Financing the Clean Energy Transition
Accelerating the shift to sustainable district heating is essential for reaching the EU’s energy and climate goals — but financing remains a key barrier. Through concrete cases, speakers explore examples of how utilities and stakeholders are navigating the financial challenges and emerging opportunities in financing district heating across Europe.
Moderated by Magnus Skovrind Pedersen, CEO, Think Tank Brundtland.
Nina Lepsius, Advisor, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany
Caspar Boendemaker, Business Development Specialist, BNG Bank, The Netherlands
Daniel Møller Sneum, Researcher, Lund University, Sweden and Energy Modelling Lab, Denmark
Giulia Conforto, Senior Researcher, e-think, Austria
Tobias Schmidt, Senior Legal Counsel, KommuneKredit, Denmark
11.00 – 11.30: Break
11.30– 13.00: Energy Pioneers: Stories of Heating Europe
In this panel-driven session, solution providers and utility companies will present real-world district heating case studies. Each case will explore the challanges faced, the solutions implemented and key lessons learned.
Moderated by Birger Lauersen, Manager of International Affairs, Danish District Heating Association.
Case I: Large-Scale Thermal Storage to Enable a Flexible Energy System
Presented by Mushe Norestani, Head of Planning and Projects, Høje Taastrup Fjernvarme and Christian Bjerrum Jørgensen, Head of Department, PlanEnergi
Case II: 70 MW from the Sea: Lessons from Esbjerg’s Heat Pump Megaproject, DK
Presented by Claus A. Nielsen, Business Development Director, DIN Forsyning, Esbjerg
Case III: Securing Utility Income with Smart Prepayment solution, UK
Presented by Gareth Copland, Operations Director, Metropolitan, UK, Jan Hansen, Director, SAV Systems, UK, Bjørn Uldum Clemensen, Head of Product Management, Kamstrup
Off-stage Q&A with all case presenters
13.00 – 14.30: Lunch
14.30– 15:30 Living within Planetary Boundaries by Dr. Katherine Richardson
Dr. Katherine Richardson, internationally recognized earth system scientist and co-developer of the Planetary Boundaries framework, will outline the state of the Earth system and show how this framework can guide Europe’s heating and energy transition. With inspiring scientific insights and practical cases, Dr. Richardson will highlight pathways for electrification, renewable energy, and system innovation – pointing to how Europe can strengthen both climate action and energy security while driving the transformation within safe planetary boundaries.
15.30 – 15.45: Break
15:45 – 15.55: Towards a Stronger Europe: Cooperation, Unity, and Resilience
In this address, Mr. Konstantiantyn Kovalchuk, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories of Ukraine, reflects on Europe’s shared path toward greater unity and resilience. Drawing on Ukraine’s experience, he will highlight the importance of cooperation, reconstruction, and collective strength in shaping a secure and sustainable European future.
15.55 – 16.40: A New Reality: Utilities Under Pressure
From cyberattacks to fuel supply shocks, Europe’s district heating operators are facing a new era of operational risk. This segment explores how digital vulnerabilities and changing supply realities are reshaping day-to-day planning and long term decision-making.
Moderated by Maria Lind Arlaud, State of Green
Juha Wallius, Prepareness Specialist, Finlands National Emergency Supply Agency
Mads Elmkvist Hansen, Head of IT, Kalundborg Utility, Denmark
16.40 – 17.05: Heating and Resilience: The IEA Perspective on the Green Heat Transition
In an era defined by geopolitical shifts, technological breakthroughs, and urgent climate goals, Europe’s heating and energy systems are evolving at unprecedented speed.
Dr. Ilkka Hannula, Senior Energy Analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA) will, in conversation with Nikolaj Sveistrup, Head of Development at Think Tank Brundtland, share key insights from the Agency’s recent work on renewable energy in heating and provide a forward-looking perspective on upcoming IEA research and global outlooks.
17.05 – 17.15: Final Reflections
By Magnus Skovrind Pedersen, Managing Director, Think Tank Brundtland
17.15-18.00: Relax and Connect
Ennjoy 45 minutes before dinner! Visit the lounge area in Exhibition Hall C to unwind, get a drink and connect with collegues.
18.00-20.30: Dinner at Brasserie Fionie
20.45: Bus transfer to Copenhagen Central
Estimated time of arrival in Copenhagen is 22.45.
Highlights
29 October 2025
Experience a full day of site visits showcasing real-world applications and innovations in district heating.
- Two site tracks to choose between.
- Group departure by bus from Copenhagen Central Station included.
- Lunch and dinner included.
- See site program.
30 October 2025
Explore a full day of engaging summit sessions at Odense Congress Center.
- Early departure from Copenhagen Central Station by private bus transfer
- Get insights from high level keynote speakers, to technical expert panels, case-driven discussions and plenty of network opportunities.
- A spacious 6,300 m² exhibition area remains open all day.
- Group departure by bus from/to Copenhagen Central Station.
- Lunch and formal dinner is included.
- Transfer to Copenhagen by bus
31 October 2025
Individual departures from Copenhagen.
As both days begins with a group departure from Copenhagen Central Station, we recommend to book accomodation in Copenhagen near Copenhagen Central Station.
Find hotel and flight recommendations and exclusive discount codes here
Price & Practical Info
Full Summit Pass: €795 incl. VAT
Your pass includes:
- Access to all summit sessions
- Participation in site visits
- Lunch and dinner both days
- Local transportation during the event
Please note:
Flights, hotel accommodation,
and breakfast are not included.
A €95 discount is available for
participants who choose not to
join the site visits.
Late registration
As the summit is almost soldout with only a few seats left – we have decided to extend the deadline to 13. October. Secure your spot now!
Register here
Cancellations are free of charge until 14. October 2025 – after this date, the full participation fee will apply, and no refunds can be issued.
Inquiries
Organizer:
Think Tank Brundtland, Jette Vinther: jvi@brundtland.dk
Partners:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Trade Council, Kathrin Lemke: katlem@um.dk
Danish Board of District Heating, Lars Hummelmose, lh@dbdh.dk
Brought to you by
The International District Heating Summit 2025 is brought to you by a unique collaboration – fostered by the Danish District Heating Association – between leading Danish institutions committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Together, these organizations unite expertise from policy, industry, and innovation to create a platform for global knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and action in the district heating sector.
Organizers
Danish District Heating Association (DDHA) is the professional organization representing Denmark’s district heating sector. DDHA advocates toward the government, parliament, industry partners, and international stakeholders. With over 350 members nationwide, DDHA plays a vital role in supplying 69% of Danish households with sustainable district heating solutions.
Think Tank Brundtland is a knowledge-based think tank dedicated to the democratic utility sectors: water, heating, and waste management. Brundtland bridges the utility sector, industry players, advisors, labor organizations, and the research community, promoting sustainable development, strengthening sector-wide innovation, and fostering knowledge-sharing across the supply industries.
Partners
The Trade Council is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, specializing in supporting companies with export, innovation, internationalisation and investment promotion. Through its global network, the Trade Council helps Danish businesses grow internationally and strengthens Denmark’s position in global markets.
The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) is an agency under the Ministry of Climate, Energy & Utilities and responsible for an ambitious green energy transition with a high share of renewable energy, an efficient energy consumption, a high security of supply and affordable energy prices. Furthermore, the agency is engaged in a broad range of efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases internationally.
Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH) is a private organization representing leading companies and stakeholders within Denmark’s district energy sector. DBDH promotes Danish expertise globally by organizing conferences, seminars, site visits and exhibitions, sharing consolidated industry experience worldwide.
State of Green State of Green is a Danish public-private partnership that connects international stakeholders with green know-how from Denmark. Bringing together government, business, and research, State of Green showcases sustainable solutions within energy, water, cities, and the circular economy.