1 Introduction

2 Overview of current EU policies with respect to energy and especially heating and cooling and CHP

2.1 Renewable Energy Directive (RED)

2.1.1 Heating and Cooling

2.1.2 CHP

2.2 Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)

2.2.1 Heating and Cooling

2.2.2 CHP

2.3 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

2.3.1 Heating and Cooling

2.3.2 CHP

3 Role for local and regional authorities

3.1 Promoting renewable energy (RED)

3.2 Promoting energy efficiency (EED)

3.3 Promoting energy efficiency in buildings (EPBD)

4 Overview of main types of EU supported projects with respect to heating and cooling and CHP focusing on LRAs

4.1 Intelligent Energy Europe and Horizon 2020 programmes

4.2 ESIFs: European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund

4.3 European Energy Efficiency Fund

5 Most relevant projects for LRAs

5.1 Heating and cooling

5.2 District heating

5.3 CHP

6 Conclusions current EU policies and supported projects

6.1 Current EU policies

6.2 EU supported projects

7 Key highlights and conclusions of good practice examples

7.1 Methodology

7.2 Case analysis of Stadsverwarming Purmerend: the most sustainable district heating company of the Netherlands

7.2.1 Economic and financial aspects

7.2.2 Achievements and results

7.2.3 Replication potential

7.2.4 Conclusions

7.3 Case analysis of Milan: Enhancing and integrating district heating grids and developing district cooling through a successful public-private partnership mode

7.3.1 Economic and financial aspects

7.3.2 Achievements and results

7.3.3 Replication potential

7.3.4 Conclusions

7.4 Case analysis of Miskolc: Utilising local renewable potential to sustain district heating and create regional value chains

7.4.1 Economic and financial aspects

7.4.2 Achievements and results

7.4.3 Replication potential

7.4.4 Conclusions

7.5 Case analysis of Vienna: Sustainable District Heating and Cooling in Vienna – a big challenge

7.5.1 Economic and financial aspects

7.5.2 Achievements and results

7.5.3 Replication potential

7.5.4 Conclusions

8 Strategies and problems in financing and funding

8.1 Business models for district energy systems

8.2 Policy interventions to leverage finance

8.3 Assessment of case studies

8.4 Conclusions

9 Policy recommendations for future initiatives focused on innovative heating and cooling as well as CHP projects

9.1 Suitable policy and regulatory framework conditions at the EU level

9.2 Suitable policy and regulatory framework conditions at the national, regional and local level

9.3 Adapted (local) energy market conditions

9.4 Focused and integrated (urban) planning

9.5 Enhanced knowledge and information sharing

9.6 Support technology / specific projects

9.7 Enabling and empowering consumer / stakeholder involvement

References