District heating networks are becoming increasingly important for urban energy supply
Researchers at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) are working on the development of thermal networks. In the face of global warming, these are becoming increasingly important for cooling densely built-up cities. In this context, the university held a seminar with participants from across the region.
Researchers at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) are working on the development of seasonal thermal energy storage systems. In an era of global warming, thermal networks are becoming increasingly important for cooling densely built-up cities. This involves circulating water from lakes or rivers through pipe systems to cool buildings; these same systems are then used for district heating in winter. To drive the development of such systems forward, the university organised an event to share experiences. According to a press release, the 22nd IGE Seminar of the Institute for Building Technology and Energy (IGE) took place on 11 March 2026. Representatives from Thermische Netze Schweiz,WWZ Energie AG (Zug), Wien Energie GmbH and the City of Zurich, with their CoolCity Zurich project, also took part in the presentations and discussions.
At HSLU, flexible heat storage systems are being developed that adapt to changing conditions. Researchers led by Timotheus Zehnder demonstrated how firewood can be used more efficiently in wood-fired systems thanks to flue gas cooling and condensation. Three speakers presented thermal networks for heating and cooling supply in Zug, Zurich and Vienna.
Dieter Kissling from the ifa Institute for Occupational Medicine raised an interesting point: office temperatures were adjusted in the 1960s to suit the needs of men (21 to 22 degrees Celsius). However, it has been shown that women are more productive at 26 to 27 degrees Celsius. With a higher proportion of women in the workforce, it is worth considering whether room temperatures should be adjusted.
The diversity of topics demonstrated that climate change poses further challenges. The 23rd IGE Seminar has already been scheduled for 10 March 2027.