ISEC 2026: Strong impulses for the energy transition 

CONFERENCE FOR RENEWABLE HEATING AND COOLING
IN INTEGRATED URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL ENERGY SYSTEMS

From 14 to 16 April 2026, ISEC – the International Conference on Renewable Heating and Cooling in Integrated Urban and Industrial Energy Systems – once again turned Graz into an international meeting point for the energy transition. Around 550 experts from 42 countries and five continents discussed technological developments, regulatory frameworks and practical pathways for implementing the energy transition.

ISEC 2026 showed what really matters for the energy transition: not only generating new knowledge, but also demonstrating research results in practice, testing them under real conditions and turning them into realization. In this way, the conference highlighted how innovation can move from ideas and projects to concrete solutions with real impact.

In seven Key-note speeches and across 20 sessions and four workshops, the conference explored key topics of the energy transition, including the future of district heating and cooling, low-carbon buildings, industrial waste heat, energy storage, digitalisation, sector coupling and carbon management.

A particular strength of ISEC 2026 was its role as a bridge-builder: between science and practice, between technology development and policy frameworks, and also between Europe and the Global South. This international dimension was especially visible in the contributions from UNIDO, the exchange with delegates from Africa, and the dedicated discussions on just energy transition pathways and investment needs in emerging and developing regions.

The strong industry focus of the conference was clearly reflected in formats such as “Meet the Industry”, where companies had the opportunity to present their innovations and engage directly with researchers and other experts. This exchange created space to develop new ideas and identify promising innovation topics for future cooperation. It is exactly this interaction between industry and science that makes ISEC so valuable.

We are grateful to all speakers, partners, exhibitors, sponsors and participants who made this event such a strong and inspiring platform for international exchange.

Preparations for ISEC 2028 will begin already this summer. The next conference will take place from 28 to 30 March 2028 at the Messecongress Graz.

We look forward to continuing the dialogue at ISEC 2028!

Christian Fink & Christoph Brunner
Conference Chairs

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