MUSE DHC
coMmUnity-led actionS for Efficient District Heating & Cooling
About
Energy Cities staff involved
Simona Aronica
Communications
Nicolas Raimondi
EU Policy and Project Management
Funding program
LIFE
Duration
2025 - 2028
Coordinator
Partners
Energie Samen, OPTIT SRL , RESCOOP.EU , SUNO Enginyeria de Serveis Energètics, OSONA ENERGIA SCCL, Claremorris Energy Coop, EnGreen Srl, BOIS ENERGIE RENOUVELABLEThe MUSE DHC project (coMmUnity-led actionS for Efficient District Heating & Cooling), funded by the LIFE programme, aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s heating and cooling (H&C) sector — which accounts for over 50% of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
With a strong community-led approach, the project will support the development of nine new efficient district heating and cooling (DHC) networks across five countries (Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands), leveraging local renewable energy sources and waste heat. The networks will 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, etc.).The project strives to bring social, economic, and environmental benefits, such as lower energy costs, improved air quality, and greater citizen empowerment.
Citizens will be actively involved through Living Labs, energy communities, and innovative governance and financing models like cooperatives and crowdfunding. The project also includes support for nine follower cases, knowledge-sharing through a community of practice, and the creation of strategic outputs like a Blueprint for Action, ensuring a broader and lasting impact.
