The International District Energy Climate Awards
This is the second global award competition, the first was held in Copenhagen in November 2009. Any community, city or campus that has embraced district heating and/or district cooling as a vital part of their sustainable future may enter the competition. The District Energy Climate Awards recognize the achievements of cities and communities across the globe who demonstrates local leadership by providing clean, sustainable energy solutions.
In context:
Energy is vital to the functioning of our societies. We need solutions that make it possible to combine sound economic growth with little environmental impact and customer convenience. District heating and cooling is the key to sustainability. Its infrastructure enables the biggest carbon footprint reductions by allowing cities to harvest the potential renewable energies and surplus heat that otherwise would be wasted and thereby substituting fossil fuels.
For this purpose, representative organizations of the district energy sector, decided to join forces in leading the way to the COP 15 which was taking place in Copenhagen in December 2009. Together, these organsiations enjoy worldwide membership and focus their our efforts into mobilizing members, customers, NGOs, municipal, regional and central governments and politicians for adequate climate action.
The event was also the occasion where outstanding innovative projects were awarded with the inaugural District Energy Climate Award .
2011 marks the second year of the competition, and the focus remains on
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Identifying and recognizing systems that illustrate the overall importance of district energy (heating & cooling) in providing sustainable energy solutions.
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Providing a global benchmark for environmental excellence.
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Offering a platform for sharing successful ideas and efforts and encourage further interest in district energy.
Why District Energy?
More than half the energy we use for heating and cooling is wasted. The fundamental idea of district energy is simple; reusing/recycling surplus energy that otherwise would be wasted.
District energy systems are therefore essential to reducing CO2 emissions and increasing energy efficiency in our cities, communities and campuses.
The environmental, economic and social benefits of harnessing surplus heat and using local renewable energy sources make district heating and district cooling the sensible choice for communities seeking to promote economic growth while minimizing the environmental consequences.
