Author: Instytut Maszyn Przepływowych im. Roberta Szewalskiego (IMP PAN)

The conference “Energy Efficient Cities” (17-18 October in Gdynia, PL) is looking into the frame that the Paris agreement has set: a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change. The aim is to limit global warming to well below 2 °C. This goal can only be achieved when plans and concepts for increasing energy efficiency will be put into action. Many Baltic and European cities and regions have already developed such “Sustainable Energy Action Plans” (SEAPs). Previous activities of municipalities for climate protection were more or less voluntary. In the future, however, there will also be legal obligations for municipalities to contribute to climate protection by enhancing energy efficiency at local level.

The challenge is to implement the existing strategies and SEAPs and to apply measures which fulfil the requirements of the directive. These measures include old building renovation towards more energy efficient systems and new smart energy buildings both using innovative heating technologies (e.g. low temperature district heating systems) and energy management systems. These topics will be discussed during the conference “Energy Efficient Cities”, which is based on the two Interreg projects Act Now! and LowTEMP.

LowTEMP addresses municipal representatives responsible for urban and energy issues, heat suppliers, planners, engineers and energy agencies. District heating systems are widespread around the Baltic Sea but are often outdated. Future-oriented energy supply includes low temperature district heating systems that lose less heat and use renewable energy and waste as heat sources. The project provides actors with knowledge on technical, organizational and financial strategies to increase energy efficiency in district heating by implementation of low temperature district heating systems.

Photo credits: Instytut Maszyn Przepływowych im. Roberta Szewalskiego (IMP PAN)