From 4 to 5 December, the ALPHA project meeting took place at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), hosted by the Chair of Energy Systems. The meeting marked two intensive and highly productive days of exchange and collaboration. It opened with an overview of the work achieved so far within the project, followed by lively and constructive discussions on ongoing activities and the next key steps within the main work package and the project as a whole.
The discussions focused on current activities, including the finalisation of open-source tools for the planning and decarbonisation benchmarking of up-to-date heating and cooling (H&C) networks; the establishment of local working groups; the identification of pilot sites along with their respective heating and cooling profiles; and the definition of the structure and objectives of the planned workshop in Lyon, aimed at developing flagship decarbonisation pathways.
An important focus was also placed on how to scale up the pilot approach across project territories by integrating spatial and urban planning considerations, in particular by identifying the key elements that a strategic plan must include to ensure the project’s intended impact.
The programme was complemented by a technical tour of TUM’s facilities. Participants visited the “Booster”, a 200 kW thermal biomass entrained-flow gasifier, as well as a reversible 10 kW_el Organic Rankine Cycle system and a reversible absorption chiller. The reversible Organic Rankine Cycle and absorption chiller were highlighted as potentially vital components of future district heating and cooling systems, thanks to their ability to enhance system flexibility.
The meeting also included a social programme, with a joint visit to the Christmas market, a short walk through the city, and a traditional Bavarian dinner, providing an informal setting for further exchange among participants.