Raise your profile! Get recognised! Sharing best practices!
Eligible applicants include owners, operators, communities and organizations served by a District Energy system. Finalists are selected from those who best articulate their ambition and aspirations for District Energy performance improvements.
Awards Categories
The award categories have been defined by the Chairman (Dr. Robin Wiltshire) and have been approved by the evaluation panel.
Applicants could submit their entries to one of the following categories:
New Scheme
Description
Reflects the ambition and aspiration of a new District Energy system and those organisations that have an exciting vision, and which have achieved a high level of energy efficiency through a District Energy system.
Eligibility
This category is available to systems which are in operation for a maximum of three (3) years and which are demonstrably operational and have the potential to demonstrate a positive energy performance over at least the next 10 years.
Modernisation and/or Expansion
Description
Recognises the District Energy system that had the most positive impact in terms of effectiveness and efficiency after implementing the modernisation and/or expansion. Aspects of modernisation may be technical, managerial, or operational. Expansion can target a new area or sector.
Eligibility
Available to systems which have been in operation for at least five (5) years. Start of operation will be determined by the date of continuous service to the first customer or facility. The modernisation/expansion must have been initiated within the last three (3) years and be in operation for at least six (6) months.
Sector Coupling
Description
Projects that demonstrate the technical integration and the synergies achieved between thermal energy systems and electricity systems may be recognized under the “Sector Coupling” category.
Eligibility
The system being preferably in operation or at least under construction with a set commercial operation date.
Emerging District Energy market
Description
Highlights the successful implementation of a District Energy system in a country that does not yet have an established District Energy market.
Eligibility
The system must be demonstrably operational and based in an emerging District Energy market. An emerging DE market refers to a country or region that is experiencing rapid district heating and/or cooling growth and development, transitioning from low shares to higher shares of district energy in the energy mix.
District Energy in Developing Countries
Description
This category is specifically for district energy systems that have been successfully implemented in developing countries which have no established district energy market, where both pressure on finance and environmental issues can be acute.
Eligibility
The system must be demonstrably operational and based in an emerging economy. Developing economies refer to nations that are in the process of economic growth and transition, typically characterized by lower income levels, less industrialization, and limited infrastructure compared to advanced or developed economies.
There will be one (1) award in each of the categories that gathers at least 3 (three) eligible applications.
Application Procedure
Applicants
Eligible applicants include owners, operators, communities and organisations served by a District Energy system. Finalists will be selected from those who best articulate their ambition and aspirations for District Energy performance improvements.
Applications can be submitted within one of the above mentioned categories.
The award serves to:
- Identify and recognize systems that illustrate the overall importance of district energy (heating & cooling) in providing sustainable energy solutions.
- Provide a global benchmark for environmental excellence.
- Offer a platform for sharing successful ideas and efforts and encourage further interest in district energy.
Benefits to winners:
- International accolade and recognition at an awards ceremony.
- A letter/certificate from the International Energy Agency informing the community’s mayor, president or city council or university or other designated individuals about the award.
- An attractive award dated and inscribed with the supporters and organisers logos, for display.
- Positive media attention and global press release highlighting the benefits of the system to the local community, as well as the prestige of the award.
- A presentation featuring all highly rated submittals and award recipients in a dedicated section on the award website, plus coverage and inclusion in a feature article in Euroheat & Power.
Submissions
Applications can be submitted by owners, operators, or communities served by the system. Candidate systems shall submit their entries via the online tool Judgify.
The evaluation panel reserves the right to change the entry category if in their view there is a more appropriate one.
To view the Word file indicating the exact questions asked in the application process click here.
If you don’t have an account on the Judgify platform, you will be asked to register first. Your contact information will only be used for the purposes of the Global District Energy Climate Awards.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
a. Concept, weight 15%: The WHY. The winning district energy system should be a best-in-class example in its category. Applicants should focus on highlighting elements of originality that will drive change towards the clean energy transition.
b. Implementation, weight 20%: The HOW. Applicants should elaborate on how the concept is translated into action. All actions and technical details of the system should be clearly described and show the feasibility of implementation. Applications should specify the needed investment. In addition to technical strategies to facilitate implementation, the jury will also assess innovative financing or contract agreements that might encourage implementation and accelerated deployment.
c. Impact, weight 20%: WHAT was achieved. The winning system should have a significant and measurable decarbonisation impact. The relevant impacts will be assessed in relation to the size of your project/system and to the evidence you provide.
d. Innovation, weight 20%: What makes your system outstanding and innovative. Either technical, operational or business practice.
e. Replicability, weight 15%: How easy would it be to adapt the project in another region.
f. Additional information, weight 10%: The overall structure of the application and completeness of the information provided, etc.
By submitting the application, candidate authorises the organising team to copy, publish, post, publicise, promote and use all the information and materials provided without restriction and with full copyright.
How to apply
Applications for #25GDECA run from beginning of January to mid-May 2025.