Introducing Our Projects – RISE DHC
RISE DHC — Resilient Investment Plans to Support Efficient New District Heating and Cooling Systems
The project, involving eleven full partners and five associated partners, is led by the Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute in Zagreb. The project aims to support local efforts to build new district heating and cooling systems that will be entirely based on renewable energy sources. Through a system of learning, mentoring, and strengthening the knowledge and competencies of local communities, we will jointly develop feasible investment plans for eight pilot areas in seven countries. GeoZS is responsible for assessing the geothermal energy potential in several pilot areas. We will focus on deep geothermal energy in Dobrovnik, where the Municipality of Dobrovnik is an associate partner, and in Bjelovar (HR). We will also assess the potential for shallow geothermal energy in Valdagno (IT), Guimarães (PT), and Kungsbacka (SE). The total project value is 2,104,658 EUR, with the EU providing 95% of the funding through the LIFE-2025-CET program.
We held the kick-off project meeting on September 8 and 9, 2026, in Zagreb, which included a site visit to the new Wellovar swimming pool complex in Bjelovar, which will make efficient use of geothermal energy.