UCM Complutense University of Madrid gets New district heating

This new network, which is scheduled to come into operation in 2024, will renovate the current UCM district heating, which is one of the main references in Spain, being the oldest and most powerful, with 70MW of installed thermal power. Its construction began in 1932, in a protected building designed by Eduardo Torroja, and it has been providing service to almost all the University's buildings since 1940. 

The challenges encountered during the project included coordinating large-scale infrastructure overhauls without disrupting daily university operations, the high upfront investment costs for sustainable technologies, and ensuring compatibility with existing campus infrastructure. However, overcoming these challenges has positioned UCM to benefit from reduced energy costs and emissions in the long run.​

This project reflects a broader trend across Europe, where district heating systems are being increasingly seen as key solutions for reducing fossil fuel consumption and integrating renewable energy sources into urban environments. The old heat power plant will be preserved as a museum and icon and reference of heat networks in Spain.