The winners of the 4th Global District Energy Climate Awards were announced at a ceremony during the Euroheat & Power Congress in Tallinn, Estonia on 27 April.

The winner in the New Scheme category, which recognises vision in the development of highly energy-efficient district energy systems, was the Hungerkamp System (Braunschweig, Germany), a flexible CHP system demonstrating District Heating at a community scale using locally-available renewable resources.

In the Modernisation category, which aimed to award the district energy system with the most positive impact in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, the winner was Lodi District Heating System (Lodi, Italy). The Lodi project demonstrated an integrated approach that has secured an all-round increase in system efficiency and reliability.

Combined District Heating and Cooling System (Helsinki, Finland) was declared the winner in the Expansion category. This category awards district energy systems that have expanded to a new area or sector with excellence. In the Finnish system, renewable sources include seawater for both heating and cooling, sewage and even the buildings themselves as effective solar collectors.

A special award - recognising significant innovation in the district energy sector - went to Deep Geothermal Energy System (Kirchweidach, Germany). This project harnesses heat and power from deep geothermal energy for growing vegetables that would otherwise be imported, while at the same time supplying residents with renewable heat and electricity.

Launched in 2009 by Euroheat & Power together with the International Energy Agency and the International District Energy Association, the Global District Energy Climate Awards aim at recognising cities and communities across the globe that demonstrate leadership in providing clean and sustainable district energy solutions. They aim to recognise projects that provide a global benchmark for environmental excellence, or that offer a platform for sharing successful ideas and efforts, thereby encouraging further interest in district energy.

For more information
http://www.districtenergy.org/blog/2015/04/27/2015-global-district-energy-climate-awards-announced/