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The Dutch heat transition calls for action. Confidence municipalities, heating companies, and European experts together to share knowledge, accelerate cooperation, and actually make the transition from plan to implementation. Two days of inspiration, practical knowledge, and concrete tools from the frontrunners who are shaping the heat transition.
Please note: Confidence has been rescheduled! As soon as the new date is announced, you’ll find the details and tickets here.
For policymakers, project developers, municipalities, housing associations, and heating companies: at confidence , you confidence the knowledge, people, and insights that will help you move forward.
Program
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10:00 a.m. - Welcome
, Minister (?), Danish Ambassador.10:15 a.m. - Opening keynote by Maya van SteenHoven (
, Stichting Warmtenetwerk) on the Warmtenetwerk and Rotterdam’s approach.10:45 a.m. - Sector Integration and the Electrification of Heating
, Rachel Marty (Liander).11:00 a.m. - District Heating Freestyle
Open panel discussion with Jens Anderssen, Marie-Louise [last name], Morten Duedahl, Sacha de Haan, Michiel de Wit, Oddgeir Gudmundsson (?), Jacob Blom (?). The central question: What makes for good district heating?11:45 a.m. - Break
12:15 p.m. - Business Expo
Danish and Dutch companies will give brief presentations. The expo is open all day.12:35 p.m. - Lunch
1:20 p.m. - Deep dives, round 1
Four parallel sessions: generations of heat networks, underground pipelines, planning, and financing.2:25 p.m. - Deep dives, round 2
The same four topics, second round.3:25 p.m. - Break
3:55 p.m. - Who owns the heat: true public ownership
Panel discussion and Q&A with Cilou Bertin, Jens Andersen (director of EnergieSamen), Jacob Blom, and someone from Firan (?).4:25 p.m. - Networking Session
: Meet stakeholders and share knowledge with one another.5:10 p.m. - Cocktails, exhibition, and networking
We’ll kick things off with a Speakers Corner on international learning, featuring Christian [last name].7:00 p.m. - Conference dinner
9:00 p.m. - Informal program
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6:45 - District Heating Morning Run
Morning run through Leeuwarden. (optional)9:00 a.m. – Breakfast and coffee
A relaxed start with small-group discussions organized by theme.10:00 a.m. - Welcome and keynote "
" by Andries Metz, Michiel de Wit, and Magdalena Sprengel (Energy4Climate), on the Confidence as applied to Germany.10:20 - The approach in Groningen
Theo Venema (?), technique and approach.10:50 - Technology and Planning in a Nutshell
Short, catwalk-style presentations, followed by a brief panel discussion.12:00 p.m. - Lunch and exhibition
1:00 p.m. - Technical Sessions
Six 30-minute parallel sessions:Heat Storage (Why 4 m² per household, with Niras (?))
Multiple heat sources
Low-Temperature Heat
Financial Structure of a Project
Planning and Procurement
Procurement and Optimization of Heat Pumps
3:00 p.m. - Let's start the wave
Closing panel discussion featuring, among others, Michiel de Wit, Jacob Blom, Christine [last name], a municipal representative, and Cilou Bertin, Jens, or Marie-Louise (?).3:45 p.m. - Closing
Keynote speakers
Translating the Confidence approach to Germany
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Magdalena Sprengel - Head of International Cooperation at NRW.Energy4Climate
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Magdalena promotes cross-border collaboration to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. Drawing on her experience in international energy projects, she bridges the gap between policy, industry, and practice in the areas of clean heating and district energy systems.
Confidence : accelerating heat networks in the Netherlands
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Michiel de Wit, Process Manager for District Heating at the Municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân
Andries Metz, Project Manager for Weather-Dependent Heating and District Heating at the Province of Fryslân
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Michiel works on innovation within the Dutch heating sector and on the implementation of sustainable and socially equitable district heating solutions. In his role, he strengthens municipal heating planning and promotes collaboration at the local, national, and international levels.
Andries assists municipalities in developing and implementing heating strategies and promotes innovation and collaboration in the region.
When is a heating company truly public?
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Cilou Bertin, Strategic Policy Officer for Local Heat Transition at VNG
Goffe Venema, Project Manager at Eigen Warmte Balk
Jens Andersen, Director at Næstved District Heating
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Cilou works at the intersection of district heating networks, housing, and policy. She collaborates with municipalities on strategic issues related to the Collective Heating Act, integrated energy systems, and making rental housing more sustainable. She focuses on creating the right conditions for knowledge sharing and scaling up through collaboration.
Goffe is leading an ambitious local coalition in Balk—comprising an energy cooperative, the municipality, a housing association, local businesses, and residents’ organizations—to achieve a natural gas-free and carbon-neutral heating system by 2030. The plan combines geothermal energy from the Luts River with waste heat from AVK Plastics, making Balk a concrete example of what community-driven district heating can look like in practice.
Jens has more than 15 years of experience in leading and developing district heating companies, most recently as CEO of Næstved Fjernvarme. He combines operational knowledge with strategic expertise in ESG, energy procurement, and governance. A seasoned executive who knows district heating inside and out, from the boardroom to the boiler room.
Danish companies
Fenagy develops and manufactures large-scale heat pumps and industrial cooling systems based on natural refrigerants such as CO₂. The company plays a central role in the electrification of heat production and making district heating more sustainable — directly relevant to the energy transition that Confidence on.
HortenDahl is a leading Danish law firm with over 70 years of experience, specializing in sectors with strong regulation or technological innovation. With expertise in energy law and green innovation, the firm provides legal support to companies that actively contribute to the energy transition.
Grundfos is one of the world's largest pump manufacturers, with a strong focus on energy-efficient solutions for water and heating systems. Their technology directly contributes to reducing energy consumption in buildings and industrial processes.
Kamstrup develops intelligent metering and data solutions for energy and water. Their smart meters and data platforms enable energy companies to manage networks more efficiently and accelerate sustainability.
Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) supplies large-scale heat pumps, hydrogen electrolysers, and CO₂ capture systems, as well as marine engines. With their vision of “Moving big things to zero,” they are a key player in the industrial energy transition.
TEGnology specializes in sustainable energy solutions for industrial IoT applications by converting process heat into electricity, thereby eliminating the need for batteries and cabling. It is a smart technology that harnesses waste heat in district heating networks for sensing and monitoring.
COWI is a leading Danish engineering and consulting firm with global expertise in infrastructure, energy, and the environment. They manage complex energy projects from concept to completion and play a major role in making heating infrastructure more sustainable.
PlanEnergi was founded in 1983 as an independent consulting firm with the primary goal of promoting resource-saving and environmentally friendly systems. With decades of experience in district heating, solar energy, and thermal storage, they are one of Denmark’s most renowned energy consultants.
Arkikon is a design firm with architects and engineers specializing in technically oriented buildings such as processing plants, heating plants, and substations. They have completed more than 100 projects for the district heating industry.
ABB is a global technology company specializing in electrification and automation. Their energy management and digitalization solutions are essential for a stable, sustainable energy network.
EA Energy Analyses is a Danish consulting firm that provides consulting and research services in the fields of energy and climate change, with projects in Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. They provide the analytical foundation for policy and investment decisions related to the energy transition.
Green Therma is working to unlock geothermal energy potential with its innovative Heat4Ever™ solution and DualVac™ technology, which deliver reliable and clean heat without CO₂ emissions. A groundbreaking addition to the sustainable heating landscape.
IngeniørHuse specializes in green energy solutions, with a focus on the district heating of the future: efficient, combustion-free, and sustainable. From heating to cooling and Power-to-X, they provide expertise and management for complex energy projects.
LOGSTOR is one of the global market leaders in pre-insulated piping systems for district heating and cooling. Their piping systems form the physical backbone of heating networks and are designed for maximum energy efficiency and a long service life.
Danfoss is a Danish technology company and a global leader in climate and energy solutions, with a strong focus on heat pumps, cooling, and control technology for district heating. Their components can be found in virtually every modern district heating network.
Clean Heat Partners provides independent engineering services for industrial heat pumps, waste heat recovery, and thermal systems for district heating and cooling. They support projects from initial concept through commissioning to long-term operation.
Aquatherm develops and manufactures high-quality plastic piping systems for heating, cooling, and plumbing. Its Fusiotherm and Climatherm systems are used worldwide in renewable energy installations and district heating networks due to their durability and low environmental impact.
Pernexus has developed Worksportal, a digital solution that boosts the efficiency of energy companies and streamlines collaboration on large-scale excavation projects. The cloud-based platform connects all parties involved in the construction and maintenance of district heating networks in real time.
Deep Dive Sessions
During a deep dive session, experts and participants work together intensively to explore a specific theme or issue in depth. In a small, interactive setting, knowledge is shared, exchanged, and translated into concrete insights and opportunities.
CHILL: A practical route to 100% sustainability
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How can you achieve 100% sustainable heating without waiting for the perfect solution? Morten presents CHILL: a pragmatic approach that combines concrete steps with a long-term vision. He shows how you can reduce emissions now while working towards fully renewable heating. Inspiring for anyone who wants to accelerate the heating transition in practice.
Merit order: how do you structure your sources?
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Which heat source should you use when, and why? In this deep dive, you’ll discover how merit order helps you intelligently rank heat sources based on cost and availability. From waste heat and heat pumps to peak boilers and thermal storage, you’ll learn how to design a flexible, reliable, and cost-efficient heat mix that also responds to the electricity grid.
Financing and the guarantee scheme for heating networks
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How can you make a heat network project both financeable and scalable? Together with the Ministry of KGG, Caspar presents the heat network guarantee scheme, a crucial instrument for municipalities and project partners who want to get heat projects off the ground. From financing structures to risk management: discover what it takes to make a business case viable.
ZLT nets: the future or a side track?
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In this session, Odgeir and Michiel will walk you through the key differences between 4th- and 5th-generation district heating networks. They will explain why 4th-generation systems remain the backbone of the heating transition and when 5th-generation concepts truly offer added value. Essential viewing for planners, policymakers, and network operators.
How much does district heating cost, and who pays the bill?
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Affordable district heating—is that really possible? Bernard and Maarten demonstrate this with actual figures from Bolsward, Balk, and Heerenveen. They share how the Confidence makes affordability feasible for residents in practice. Concrete results that show what is possible for local communities.
Rewriting the rules: How Fryslân challenges assumptions about heat planning
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Andries Metz, Sacha de Haan, Jens Andersen, Rune Tonell, Carlos Sanchez
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National tools such as PBL's Start Analysis fall short for regions such as Fryslân. So we built our own. In this deep dive, several speakers show how Fryslân made the switch: from hardly any heat network potential to more than 100,000 connections. A story about smart analysis, strategic choices, and regional cooperation, with lessons for any region that wants to scale up.
About the Deepdive speakers
Project Development Manager, Danish Board of District Heating
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Hanne has extensive experience in energy infrastructure integration, sector coupling, and strategic planning for sustainable district heating. Throughout her career, she has worked on international projects, regulatory issues, and innovation initiatives focused on the deployment of efficient and integrated heating networks.
Program Manager, Danish Energy Agency
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Susana leads international collaboration on heating strategies and strategic heating planning. Her expertise lies in developing national and local heating visions that are truly feasible.
Project Manager for Weather-Dependent Heating and District Heating, Province of Friesland
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Andries assists municipalities in developing and implementing heating strategies and promotes innovation and collaboration in the region.
Energy Transition Advisor, Municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân
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Sacha specializes in municipal heating planning, policy development, and collaborative project management. He connects municipalities, stakeholders, and knowledge partners to accelerate the transition to sustainable district heating.
Director of Energy Supply, Næstved District Heating
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Jens has more than 15 years of experience in leading and developing district heating companies, most recently as CEO of Næstved Fjernvarme. He combines operational knowledge with strategic expertise in ESG, energy procurement, and governance. A seasoned executive who knows district heating inside and out, from the boardroom to the boiler room.
District Heating Project Manager, Cowi
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Business Development Manager, Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH)
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Morten supports governments, cities, and heating companies across Western Europe and brings more than twenty years of experience in the development of district heating systems. At Confidence , he Confidence his pragmatic vision for the path to 100% renewable heat.
Project Finance Manager, NWB Bank
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Peter brings extensive expertise in public and project financing for energy, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and infrastructure. He has extensive practical experience with financing structures for solar, wind, hydrothermal, and geothermal energy, and is skilled at translating complex financing structures into practical solutions for the energy transition.
Business Development & Sustainability Specialist, BNG Bank
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Caspar focuses on the financing and structuring of renewable energy projects and helps secure capital for public heating infrastructure.
Director, Danfoss
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Oddgeir is a Director at Danfoss, a global leader in energy-efficient technology. With his expertise in sustainable energy systems and district heating innovation, he combines technical depth with strategic insight, focusing on smarter and cleaner district heating.
Process Manager, Heating Utility, Municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân
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Michiel works on innovation within the Dutch heating sector and on the implementation of sustainable and socially equitable district heating solutions. In his role, he strengthens municipal heating planning and promotes collaboration at the local, national, and international levels.
Senior Energy Finance Specialist, Enber
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Bernard develops sustainable energy strategies and business cases for local energy and heating transition projects. With his expertise in economic modeling and financing structures, he helps make energy transitions both feasible and meaningful.
Energy Finance Consultant, Enber
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Maarten specializes in the development and financing of district heating and sustainable energy infrastructure. He combines analytical insight with strategic thinking to structure projects that are both economically viable and future-proof.
here you
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tickets
Date: April 13-15, 2025
Location: NHL Stenden, Leeuwarden
Practical information
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We encourage you to travel by public transport. NHL Stenden is easily accessible by bus; the bus stop is right outside the door.
Traveling by bike? There are plenty of bike parking spaces available.
Traveling by car? You can park in one of the three parking lots around NHL Stenden. The cost is €3.50 per day.
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Do you have any specific dietary requirements? Simply let us know when ordering your ticket. We will make sure everything is taken care of.
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Would you like to stay overnight? We recommend these hotels:
Notiz Hotel – NHL Stenden's own hotel. Ideally located. Notiz also has a special packagepackage for Confidence visitors.
Post-Plaza Hotel & Grand Caféafé – Atmosphereand centrally located. Dinner will also be held here on Tuesday evening. It is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel to NHL Stenden.
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Cancellation is only possible in writing or through the cancellation function on the registration page. The full terms and conditions regarding cancellation can be found in the terms and conditions.
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Do you have any additional questions? We are happy to help you via confidence