ALPHA 
Advancing 5th-Generation District Heating and Cooling Networks in Alpine Space
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Outcomes

Overview

Buildings consume 42% of EU energy, with heating and cooling accounting for a major portion. Alpine countries have set ambitious net-zero targets for heating and cooling to combat climate change in our particularly vulnerable macro-region. However, the adoption of optimal solutions, such as heat pumps and renewable energy systems, is lagging in the Alpine Space. ALPHA addresses this issue by enhancing implementation capacities. The project designs pathways for decarbonising the Alpine heating, cooling, and building sectors. It also paves the way for an enabling policy and financing framework for the Alpine macro-region.

Factsheet

  • 2021 – 2027
  • Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region
  • SO 2.1 - Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
    • 2.064.456 EUR
    • 1.548.342 EUR

    Partners

    Lombardy Foundation for the Environment (Lead partner)
    • Lead partner
    • Italy
    • Lombardia (ITC4)
    • Milano
    Liguria Region
    • Italy
    • Liguria (ITC3)
    • Genova
    Eurac Research
    • Italy
    • Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen (ITH1)
    • Bolzano
    National Institute of Applied Science – Lyon
    • France
    • Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
    • Villeurbanne
    Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nice Côte d’Azur
    • France
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (FRL0)
    • Nice
    Technical University of Munich
    • Germany
    • Oberbayern (DE21)
    • Munich
    Austrian Society for Environment and Technology
    • Austria
    • Wien (AT13)
    • Vienna
    European Center for Renewable Energy Güssing Ltd.
    • Austria
    • Burgenland (AT11)
    • Güssing
    Municipality of Trebnje
    • Slovenia
    • Vzhodna Slovenija (SI03)
    • Trebnje
    • 45.4892079.1936874
    • 44.40385118.9355393
    • 46.494530211.3472734
    • 45.78309054.8759893530497695
    • 43.704157.275177637275622
    • 48.1490727511.567444920339295
    • 48.216381416.3773499
    • 47.05876516.3243364
    • 45.907988115.007742049598125

    Outcomes


    • Joint planning and decision-making framework for an accelerated transalpine roll-out and adoption of up-to-date H&C/5GDHC networks in ALPHA territories and beyond

      The framework (encapsulating WP1 know-how, tools & resources) will function as an instrument for improving decision-making for up-to-date H&C/5GDHC networks roll-out, through the specification of planning requirements, practical steps and transnational resource optimisation synergies. As such, it serves as a prerequisite and resource for the planning and implementation of the pilot actions (WP2, especially Activities 2.1 and 2.2), thus paving the way for up-to-date H&C network configuration.

    • Blueprint with common roll-out pathways for up-to-date H&C/5GDHC networks, to spearhead the decarbonisation of H&C networks across Alpine Space

      The pilots will result in a blueprint for up-to-date H&C/5GDHC networks proliferation in Alpine Space, i.e., a tested and replication-ready decarbonisation model for decision-makers and stakeholders. It comprises the a) clustered H&C improvement plans, b) corresponding infrastructure improvement routes including waste heat synergies, RES and heat pump adoption applicable across Alpine territories, and c) action plans for sector coupling and integrating energy with urban/spatial and RES planning.

    • Replication toolbox for the uptake and/or upscaling of the ALPHA approach to decarbonise the H&C sector

      The toolbox comprises WP3’s policy and financing resources as well as the transnational coordination helpdesk and online platform (3.1: policy strategy, 3.2: financing and business development guide, 3.3: transalpine decision-making helpdesk and online knowledge resources, 3.4: replication masterplan). It will guide and support stakeholders beyond ALPHA organisations and partnership territories to uptake project outputs and expand upon the project approach, in collaboration with ALPHA partners.