The International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling 2025
The 19th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling (DHC) – organised by EnergyVille/VITO– aims to explore the development opportunities and issues in the DHC industry, to share innovative research results, and to promote international technical exchanges to achieve green, efficient and smart development of the global DHC industry.
Up to 300 global experts, scholars, industry practitioners and policy researchers gather at EnergyVille to share knowledge, gain new insights, and shape the future of DHC.
A worldwide reputed Symposium in Belgium
The International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling is a global biannual research conference focused on District Heating and Cooling (DHC) research. The first edition took place in Lund, Sweden back in 1987 and was initiated by the board of a Nordic District Heating Research Programme established in 1985.
Until 2004, the Nordic countries took turns when it came to the organisation of the Symposium. By then, the number of participants had grown significantly, with an ever-increasing number of delegates from other countries within and far beyond Europe. That is why, in 2006, for the first time, the Symposium took place outside of the Nordic countries.
Over the years, the biannual symposium has developed into one of the most reputed events worldwide for communication on academic research in the field of DHC. From 2016 onwards, the Symposium has been managed under the wings of the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on District Heating & Cooling. That same year, in 2016, the Symposium became truly global when its 15th edition was organised in Asia for the very first time.
And now, in September 2025, EnergyVille/VITO brings the Symposium to Belgium.
Details
7 -10 September 2025
Thor Central, Thor Park 8000, 3600 Genk, Belgium
Program Highlights:
- 7 September: Opening Reception
- 8–9 September: Technical and scientific presentations
- 10 September: Technical tours of leading DHC sites
- Plus, abundant networking opportunities
Venue:
Thor Central is a state-of-the-art venue blending cutting-edge innovation with the rich heritage of a former mining site.
An initiative from IEA DHC
Partners
