From 6–8 October 2026, BES project representatives joined an international study tour in Lund and Helsingborg, Sweden, to explore practical approaches to more sustainable, competitive and resilient district heating and cooling (Fig. 1). The visit also provided an opportunity for a BES partner meeting in Helsingborg on 8 October. The event, “Sustainable Heating & Cooling in Practice: Competitive and Future-Ready District Energy System”, was organised by the Swedish Energy Agency and Sustainable Heating & Cooling by Sweden (SHC by Sweden), in collaboration with SweHeat & Cooling and Business Sweden. It brought together more than 130 participants from across Europe, combining expert discussions with visits to operating energy systems (Fig. 1)
Sharing BES expertise
The opening day in Lund included a presentation by Professor Adam Cenian from the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences (IMP PAN), Gdańsk, on district heating challenges and insights from the Baltic Energy Shift project (Fig. 2). He introduced BES and its focus on supporting the transition towards more sustainable, competitive and resilient heating systems.
Seeing integrated heating and cooling in practice
On October 7, study visits in Lund demonstrated different approaches to recovering and sharing energy. The programme included:
- MAX IV Laboratory’s energy centre, showcasing integrated heating and cooling and its connection to low-temperature district heating in Brunnshög (Fig. 3, 4)
Fig. 3, 4 Field visit at the MAX IV Laboratory’s energy centre (Source: Tomasz Przybyliński, IMP PAN).
- Motel L’s energy centre in Brunnshög, illustrating district heating and cooling solutions within a developing urban area (Fig. 4, 5)
Fig. 4,5 Study visit at the Motel L’s energy centre in Brunnshög (Source: Tomasz Przybyliński, IMP PAN).
- E.ON’s ectogrid system[1] at Medicon Village, demonstrating local energy sharing through heat recovery, combined heating and cooling, and thermal storage (Fig. 5, 6).
The 150 m³ water balance tank at Medicon Village in Lund, Sweden, is a central component of E.ON’s innovative ectogrid™ system. Acting as a thermal battery, it helps balance heating and cooling flows between buildings, reducing the need for externally supplied energy. Its LED façade changes colour according to the water temperature — blue for cold and red for warm.
Fig. 5,6 Study visit in Medicon Village. Fig. 5 (Left) The illuminated 150 m³ water balance tank at Medicon Village in Lund — the heart of E.ON’s ectogrid™ system, and Fig. 6 Group visiting the Medicon Village’ offices, including also BES Partners (Source: Tomasz Przybyliński, IMP PAN)
Afternoon discussions addressed, among others, electrification, large heat pumps, surplus heat recovery and new opportunities for district heating operators (Fig. 7)
Extending the lifetime of district heating networks
The final day in Helsingborg focused on infrastructure durability. Magnus Ohlsson from Öresundskraft presented approaches to achieving a 100-year service life for district heating pipe networks. An underground visit to existing district heating ducts complemented discussions on condition monitoring, leak detection, network management and pipe relining.
- Underground Study Visit to Öresundskraft’s old District Heating ducts, with Predictive Condition Monitoring (Fig. 8,9)
Fig. 8,9 Underground Study Visit to Öresundskraft’s old District Heating ducts (Source: Tomasz Przybyliński, IMP PAN).
Last but not least, BES partners also held a project meeting in Helsingborg on 8 October, bringing the consortium together alongside the international study programme (Fig. 10).
Fig. 10, 11 Partner Meeting in Helsingborg (Source: Tomasz Przybyliński, IMP PAN)
The visit offered practical examples and valuable exchanges for BES: from recovering surplus heat and improving operational flexibility to maintaining reliable infrastructure. These experiences provide inspiration for the project’s work towards a more sustainable district heating sector in the South Baltic region.
Our thanks go to the Swedish Energy Agency, Sustainable Heating & Cooling by Sweden, SweHeat & Cooling, Business Sweden and the host organizations for an inspiring study visit and the opportunity to learn first-hand from Swedish experience.
More info about event:
