PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
MUSE DHC aims at fostering the diffusion of new efficient DHC networks, exploiting RES and waste heat in local chains and maximizing socio-economic and environmental benefits for communities. This objective will be achieved through the development of investment plans (IPS) for 9 new DHC networks (case studies) in 5 countries (ES, FR, IE, IT, NL) fully based on a strong community-led approach. IPs address different territorial contexts and involve existing buildings in different sectors (residential, industrial, tertiary) with a wide range of supply solutions (RES and waste heat) and enabling technologies (storage, heat pumps). They will include financial plans and governance models for community-led DHC systems, proposing hybrid forms of collective ownership. 9 local working groups (Living Labs), gathering citizens, RES/waste heat suppliers and other actors from the DHC value chain, will be activated to support the IPs development and future implementation. A Lab Assembly will ensure strong cooperation among them. An intense work targets cooperatives, energy communities and local authorities through a Working Table and a Community of Practice, leading to the development of a Blueprint for Action, Strategic Guidelines and a Position Paper. MUSE DHC impact will be enhanced by supporting 9 follower case studies and by 5 national workshops, 2 EU workshops, 2 Pan-EU workshops, 3 EU webinars and 1 final event, targeting stakeholders also beyond the project boundaries. 53 Letters of Support were received, reflecting strong interest towards the project. The consortium of 10 partners includes: 3 technical partners providing the know-how for developing the IPs, 4 local partners with a strong experience in cooperative processes, directly representing the case studies, and 3 partners experts on multilevel policies and dissemination. Within the project time frame, a RES generation of 83 GWh/year and 80 MEUR of investments in sustainable energy will be triggered.