On the 1^st of December, on the eve of ESTIF General Assembly, ESTIF organised a workshop on the role of Solar Thermal in the electrification of Heating and Cooling. The aim of the workshop was to present the issue of electrification in a broader context, presenting the legislative framework in which this issue is taking place.

The electrification of heating and cooling is a topic present in the current legislative review, where there are measures being discussed that shall step up the coverage of the heating and cooling demand by electric power. The main questions debated were: How can this electrification be done sustainably? How to ensure that alternative options, such as solar thermal, are recognised as part of the solution?

Bertil Heerink from the European Renewable Energy Federation presented the background of the legislative framework, focusing on the issue of self-consumption, and how it is being promoted in the Winter Package. Nathalie Hemeleers from the European Biomass Association presented the strategic policy priorities for renewable heating, stemming from ESTIF-led, EU-funded project FRONT (www.front-rhc.eu ). ESTIF policy officer, Stefano Lambertucci, then presented the winter package elements that might increase the electrification of heat. Finally, Harald Drueck presented some technological development towards solar thermal integration electrical solutions, particularly related to the Solar Active House Plus concept.