The International District Heating Summit 2026 serves as a key platform for advancing district heating systems amid energy security challenges, geopolitical risks, and climate pressures. Organized by the Danish District Heating Association (DBDH), a non-profit founded in 1948 that promotes district energy worldwide through conferences, study tours, workshops, and exhibitions, the event emphasizes practical delivery over long-term goals. It targets decision-makers in cities, utilities, industry leaders, and investors who handle the transition from policy to operational infrastructure.
Held over three days, the summit addresses how resilient heat systems are planned, built, and run under real-world constraints. Key topics include bridging city decisions with operating assets, aligning policy ambitions with utility operations, and achieving near-term impacts. Day 1 features site visits in Northern Jutland to large- and small-scale district heating systems, exploring trade-offs in scale, flexibility, and resilience. Day 2 focuses on utilities as central actors, with input from cities on shared decisions and risks. Day 3 offers expo tours and B2B matchmaking, supported by the Danish Trade Council and State of Green, to evaluate solution maturity and scalability.
Expected outcomes include enhanced knowledge exchange, actionable insights for energy independence, and strengthened networks for implementing sustainable heating. Pre-registration is open, with full program and speaker details forthcoming. Contact: Charlotte Mejlshede (cm@dbdh.dk).