On 11–12 February 2026, the DecarbonDHS project actively participated in the ‘Sustainable Built Environment and Energy Transition Conference’ (SBEET2026) in Växjö, Sweden (Fig. 1). Hosted by Linnaeus University, the conference gathered experts and stakeholders from academia, district heating companies, municipalities, industry, and policy to exchange knowledge and shape the future of sustainable urban energy systems.
Contributing to the Energy Transition Dialogue
Theme 1: “Energy Transition and Decarbonization” session was chaired by prof. Leteng Lin from Linnaeus University, a valued partner in the DecarbonDHS project. The session highlighted innovative pathways towards decarbonising district heating systems and the built environment.Key messages from the session included:
- Decarbonising urban energy systems is essential to achieve climate neutrality and sustainable development.
- While improving building efficiency remains fundamental, the challenge extends beyond individual buildings to entire districts and cities.
- District heating networks, as critical urban infrastructure, must transition towards renewable and low-carbon sources such as biomass, geothermal, solar thermal, and waste heat recovery.
- The built environment requires integrated solutions that address technological, societal, environmental, policy, and business dimensions.
- Despite strong momentum from European initiatives such as the EU Renovation Wave and Fit for 55, significant barriers remain.
The session explored strategies and innovative approaches to accelerate sustainable urban transitions. During the workshop, three presentations were delivered by DecarbonDHS partners, showcasing project progress and research results (Fig. 2A).
SBEET2026 proved to be an excellent networking platform, fostering valuable discussions and connections among stakeholders committed to decarbonising district heating systems across Europe (Fig. 2B).
Study Visit to Växjö Energi AB
Following the conference, DecarbonDHS partners participated in a study visit to Växjö Energi AB on 12 February (Fig. 3). The company plays a central role in delivering energy and communication services in the region. The visit included a tour of the Sandviksverket plant — a biofuel-based cogeneration facility producing both district heating and renewable electricity. This model stands out for several reasons: heat is produced using leftover forest products, renewable electricity is generated simultaneously, the district heating network is continuously expanding, and significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions are achieved through long-term biofuel investments.
The site visit provided valuable practical insights and inspiration for advancing decarbonisation pathways in district heating systems across the South Baltic region (Fig. 4).
Mid-Term Partner Meeting in Växjö & cross-project networking
Last but not least, on 11 February 2026, DecarbonDHS also held its Mid-Term Partner Meeting in Växjö — an important milestone in the project’s implementation. The meeting focused on reviewing progress, assessing deliverables, and defining the next steps for the months ahead (Fig. 5A).
Furthermore, it also created space for exchange and collaboration beyond the project itself.
DecarbonDHS Partners were pleased to welcome Göran Gustavsson from Energikontor Syd (Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden), an associated partner of DecarbonDHS. Thanks to his participation, DecarbonDHS Partners gained insights into the PlanHeat project (Interreg Baltic Sea Region), which supports municipalities in developing local heating plans and achieving ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets (Fig. 5B).
This exchange once again demonstrated how cross-project cooperation and knowledge sharing can accelerate the transition toward low-carbon district heating systems.
Through active engagement at SBEET2026, hands-on learning during the study visit, and strategic discussions at the Mid-Term Meeting, DecarbonDHS continues to strengthen collaboration and advance sustainable district heating solutions across the South Baltic region.
More info:
Sustainable Built Environment and Energy Transition (SBEET) | lnu.se
SBEET Conference Proceedings: https://open.lnu.se/index.php/sbut/issue/view/305
