HEATEXPO is Messe Dortmund brand new forum for dialogue on the move to renewable heating. Under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development & Construction (BMWSB), decision-makers in the energy supply sector, municipal utilities, local authorities and the worlds of political decision-making, science and industry are meeting in Dortmund between 21 and 23 November 2023. HEATEXPO offers the opportunity to discover more on new trends, technologies and solutions for tomorrow's heating supplies. A high-quality expert supporting programme and a large number of renowned exhibitors are helping make this event a resounding success. The show is also benefiting from the active involvement of its partners, which include highly respected organisations such as conceptual sponsor the Municipal Enterprises Association (VKU), the German Urban Municipalities' Convention, the German Local Government Confederation (DStGB) and the Association for the Economical Use of Energy and Water (ASEW).

Dortmund, 21 November 2023 – HEATEXPO in Dortmund is the new European trade show forum for all matters related to the move to renewable heating. Trade visitors will be able to discuss key topics relating to heat generation and supply, infrastructure and transportation grids, heating services, digitalisation of heating, and also development and capital investment matters. There will also be the opportunity to experience the latest technologies and engage with players in the industry to discuss new solutions to the many challenges associated with the green heating transition. These include efficient heating systems such as heat pumps, solar thermal and geothermal energy, new technologies for heat storage, digital solutions for controlling and optimising the provision of heat and models for financing and capital investment as well as consulting and other services covering the entire value chain.

Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue, is convinced the new show will provide a good foundation for driving the move to renewable heating: “The know-how and expertise of our partners have been a great help in developing the HEATEXPO concept. With the support of subject-matter experts, we've created a show where the challenging next steps towards tomorrow's net zero heating paradigm can be discussed, and preparations made. Our new European trade show showcases innovative technologies that can be experienced hands-on.”

Widespread support for the inaugural show

The German Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development & Construction (BMWSB) has assumed the patronage of HEATEXPO. In addition, Permanent Secretary Dr Rolf Bösinger will be taking part in the opening panel discussion 'Wärmewende konkret' which will get down to brass tacks on the heating transition, and will give the first keynote address in the supporting programme. In addition to the Ministry, the Municipal Enterprises Association (VKU) is the show's conceptual sponsor, and the German Urban Municipalities' Convention, the German Local Government Confederation (DStGB) and the Association for the Economical Use of Energy and Water (ASEW) are also involved as technical partners to the inaugural show. These organisations have also contributed to the development of the comprehensive top-class supporting programme and are also involved in the panel discussions and keynote talks.

Solutions for the green energy transition: around 100 exhibitors in Dortmund

Around 100 exhibitors will be present as the new show gets off the ground. Businesses from 12 countries are presenting their solutions and technologies – including Sweden, Finland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and the US.

These include, by way of example, Danish company Danfoss Climate Solutions and energy supplier GP Joule. RheinEnergie AG will also be there, a company pursuing the goal of fully decarbonising all energy supplies by 2035 and providing net-zero electricity and heat. E.ON Business Solutions is showcasing products and solutions on a wide range of topics, including intelligent its grid control system, heat pumps of various shapes and sizes, solar and geothermal energy and decentralised heating systems.

Also at HEATEXPO is Uniper Energy Sales, part of global energy company Uniper which develops bespoke energy supply concepts. Local energy and water supplier Dortmunder Energie- und Wasserversorgung (DEW21) is one of the largest municipal producers of renewable energy in North Rhine Westphalia and is also represented as a point of contact for municipal heat planning solutions through to local and district heating. Other exciting exhibitors include ENGIE Refrigeration, Energieanlagen Greifswald, district heating equipment supplier isoplus Fernwärmetechnik, HEXONIC Deutschland, pipework supplier BRUGG Rohrsysteme, DigiKoo and Atlas Copco Kompressoren und Drucklufttechnik.

Chief show organiser Sabine Loos is delighted with the great response from exhibitors: “The interest shown by exhibitors in our show is a strong indication of the importance attached to the move towards renewable heating. We are convinced the event is going to provide important impetus for the future of heating.  Working together directly at the venue, the industry has the opportunity to actively drive the green energy transition and make sustainable heating a living reality.”

In addition to the broad range of exhibitors, HEATEXPO is also offering a wide-ranging supporting programme, with specialist experts giving talks and participating in workshops and panel discussions addressing current matters of interest. An overview of all talks, speakers and times can be found on the HEATEXPO website.

Supporting programme featuring experts from politics, business and science

Following the welcome address by Thomas Westphal, Mayor of Dortmund and a member of the Standing Committee of the German Urban Municipalities' Convention, the first day of the show will continue with an informative programme. Dr Rolf Bösinger, Permanent Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development & Construction will open the first day of the show with a keynote address. He will then be in conversation with Ingbert Liebing, Chief Executive of the Municipal Enterprises Association (VKU), Dr Gerd Landsberg, Chief Executive of the German Local Government Confederation (DStGB), and Fritz Jaeckel, Chief Executive of the North Rhine Westphalian Chamber of Trade & Industry, at the opening discussion panel entitled 'Wärmewende konkret' which will get into specifics about the move to renewable heating. Finally, on Tuesday, Brian Seeberg, CEO of ProjectZero, will present his experience of the model city of Sønderborg in a keynote talk entitled 'Project Zero Sønderborg – a Danish city on its way to becoming net zero'. The southern Danish municipality aims to be fully climate and carbon-neutral by 2029 and could thus become a role model for other cities.

On Wednesday 22 November, the overarching theme will be 'District heating – decarbonisation and transformation'. Olaf Kruse, Project Manager, Local Heating at REHAU Industries SE & Co KG, will provide information on practical examples and technical solutions for the expansion of heating grids in his presentation entitled 'Modern RE heating grids | Transformation of heating using ISLAND, SECONDARY and HYBRID GRIDS. Artificial intelligence, which is becoming increasingly important, also has a part to play. Nicolas Sommer, CCO and co-founder of Urbio, will show how decarbonisation of existing buildings can be accelerated in a presentation entitled 'Using AI-assisted generative design to accelerate the green heating transition'. The programme line-up also addresses heat pumps, recently much-discussed items – for example in the presentation on 'Large heat pumps in practice – project study & technical basics” to be given by engineer Jörg Taube, Key Account Manager, Heat Pumps at TRANE Germany.

Finally, the last day of the show is packed with other exciting topics. For example, Dr Stefan Röder, Managing Proprietor of SME Management / AVAT, will shed light on the complex ongoing task of planning municipal heating in his talk entitled 'From municipal heat planning to implementation of heating grids'. Sinja Rabenau, Project Manager, Heat Management at vilisto, will provide information on 'Myths and facts: the roadmap to making the heating transition happen through digitalisation and automation', and Christian Huhn, Managing Director of Hexonic, will introduce his specialist audience to the use, among other things, of geothermal energy as part of 'System solutions for the green energy transition'.

Workshops and round tables at HEATEXPO: expert knowledge at first hand



Another highlight is the range of workshops and round tables on Day 2 of the show in the London conference room. Here is an overview of the events for which registration is required. You can register here online.

10:30 to 11:15 hrs: Workshop 'Municipal heat planning: the key to greenhouse gas neutrality'

11:30 to 11:45 hrs: Keynote 'Heating grids with a future: large heat pumps as the key to sustainable heating using a real-life example'

11:45 to 12:30 hrs: Round table 'Municipal heat planning in smaller municipalities and districts'

12:40 to 13:25 hrs: Round table 'Planning climate protection in the Ruhr conurbation – agile, collaborative and data-driven'

13:35 to 14:20 hrs: Workshop 'Requirements of municipal heat planning for digitalisation processes in public administration'

14:30 to 15:00 hrs: Keynote + round table 'Municipal heat planning: involving major consumers using the example of Vonovia'