ALPHA aims to accelerate the proliferation of 5th-Generation District Heating and Cooling (5GDHC) networks in Alpine Space, curbing GHG emissions and increasing RES use in the Heating and Cooling (H&C) sector. Through a jointly developed and piloted model planning approach for decarbonizing H&C systems of pilot territories in IT, FR, DE, AT, SI, ALPHA will directly benefit policymakers, H&C operators (public and private), energy/urban planners, RES producers, energy communities, and prosumers.
Challenge and opportunity
Buildings consume 42% of EU energy, with H&C needs representing 79% of it [1]; correspondingly, Alpine countries, in line with EC initiatives [2], have set ambitious net-zero H&C targets, to combat climate change in a particularly vulnerable macro-region [3]. 5GDHC, as low-temperature networks based on RES, waste heat, and heat pumps, are the optimal solution for low-carbon and energy secure H&C. However, heat pump and RES integration is lagging in Alpine Space [4], due to lack of dedicated financing and policy measures. Additionally, network operators, planners, and stakeholders lack: a) know-how for selecting optimal retrofitting pathways for older infrastructure, and b) an approach streamlining planning phases, from energy source to business model selection.
Issues Tackled
ALPHA will enhance partners and target groups’ capacities to:
- Coordinate energy, RES, and spatial planning on 5GDHC, improving decarbonisation governance and implementation through replication cases.
- Design flagship pathways for decarbonising Alpine H&C and building stock, offering transalpine 5GDHC network designs and planning tools.
- Propose new territorial policies and financing measures for facilitating investments in 5DGHC networks, RES, and heat pumps, to pave the way for further business development (end-uses) and achieve economies of scale.
[1]-EEA Briefing no.27/2022
[2]-REPowerEU Plan
[3]-Interreg Alpine Space Programme 2021-27,p11
[4]-EEA Report No 10/2022,p12
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