REHEATEAST survey launched

A survey of experts, users, and consumers involved in district heating and cooling systems launched in May 2024

REHEATEAST: Towards Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

The REHEATEAST project, supported by the Danube Region Programme and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, aims to reduce the demand for fossil energy in district heating and cooling (DHC) systems through various incentives, measures, and adaptive solutions, knowledge sharing, awareness raising and increased cooperation between actors in the field of district heating and cooling systems (DHC). The project aims to promote a holistic approach rather than sectoral thinking that addresses closely related issues separately. To this end, it intends to act in the following areas: energy efficiency, waste heat, thermal storage, geothermal energy, billing practices, etc.

The first specific objective (SO1) is to map district heating systems’ technical, regulatory, social, and financial conditions, focusing on challenges and good practices in the REHEATEAST region. Achieving this objective requires the involvement of a wide range of actors. SO1 communication target groups include district heating suppliers, municipalities, construction companies, financial institutions, and district heating consumers.

The REHEATEAST consortium identified the relevant actors and communication methods in the stakeholder identification and communication plan. The methodology document for the survey is built on this plan. A common methodology for stakeholder assessment and analysis has been developed in the joint stakeholder survey and analysis methodology. This includes templates and survey concepts for different groups of actors.

This important document standardizes the survey methodology, facilitating reliable data collection and analysis, which supports strategic decision-making. A standardized methodology increases the reliability and relevance of survey results, maximizing the impact of the project. To collect comprehensive information from stakeholders in the different sectors of district heating and cooling, the partners developed detailed questionnaires. These were designed to ensure consistency in data collection and thus facilitate further analysis and comparison of results.

These templates cover a wide range of topics relevant to DHC systems, including current challenges, expected developments, the use of renewable energy sources, the application of new technologies, key changes needed for developments, and much more. The survey questions are structured to elicit concrete and actionable responses from stakeholders, providing valuable data for analysis.

In the Košice Region, Slovakia, the survey is carried out by Via Carpatia EGTC as one of the partners of the project. The results are expected to be available in autumn 2024.