IDEA’s 39th Annual Conference Will Convene Near Washington, D.C., Under the Theme “Advancing Thermal Networks”

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) will host its 39th annual CampusEnergy conference, CampusEnergy2026, February 17–20, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center near Washington, D.C. Under the theme “Advancing Thermal Networks,” the conference will bring together more than 1,200 district energy campus and community energy leaders for four days of workshops, technical sessions, case studies, and sold-out tours at Georgetown University, Gallaudet University, and The George Washington University.

“District energy is at a turning point,” said Rob Thornton, president and CEO of IDEA. “Cities and campuses have to reduce carbon, strengthen resilience, and keep energy affordable. That’s exactly what modern thermal networks make possible. CampusEnergy is where the people doing the work come together to share lessons learned and what’s next—from modernizing legacy systems to deploying innovative low-carbon energy infrastructure solutions like heat recovery, thermal storage, and electrification at scale.”

CampusEnergy2026 will feature over 140 technical sessions, hands-on workshops, and real-world case studies spanning campus energy modernization, district cooling and heating, thermal energy networks (TENs), combined heat and power (CHP), energy storage, data center integration, along with student programs designed to introduce the next generation to the district energy sector.

Student and workforce programming includes:

• The District Energy Student Session & Employer Networking (Tuesday, February 17), connecting students with young professionals, industry leaders, and prospective employers.
• Recognition of more than 20 emerging women leaders through the prestigious Patti Wilson Leadership Program (Wednesday, February 18), sponsored by Affiliated Engineers and supported by Bond, CenTrio, Ever-Green Energy, and Corix.

Expanded Pre-Conference Deep Dives

IDEA is expanding its pre-conference workshop offerings with three full-day, hands-on workshops on Tuesday, February 17, including:

• Thermal Distribution & Operations
• Thermal Energy Networks
• District Energy & Data Centers

Through interactive panels and real-world cases, attendees will explore the technologies, project models, and operational lessons shaping the future of district energy on campuses and in communities.

Additional program highlights include:

• Opening Plenary Panel Discussion: "District Energy: Advancing Thermal Networks” (Wednesday, February 18), featuring leaders from major campus energy systems, including:
  • Casey Collins, Director, Utility & Energy Services, Duke University
  • Paul Kempf, Associate Vice President for Utilities and Maintenance, University of Notre Dame
  • Mary Quintana, Associate Vice President, Facilities Management, Brock University
  • Shantel Utton, Deputy Director, Engineering and Utilities Management, University of Wyoming
  • David Woodson, Executive Director, Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations, University of Washington
  • And others
• The 9^th Global District Energy Climate Awards (Wednesday, February 18), honoring excellence and innovation in district energy systems worldwide, sponsored by the International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration Program and supported by Euroheat & Power.
• Concurrent technical programming (Wednesday, February 18 – Thursday, February 19), covering business and finance, decarbonization roadmaps, microgrids, thermal storage, heat recover, and more.
• Technical Tours (Friday, February 20) at Georgetown University, Gallaudet University, and George Washington University (fully subscribed).

IDEA thanks its 2026 Diamond Sponsors: Cordia, Empower Energy Solutions, and Johnson Controls, and its Platinum Sponsors: CenTrio, Eaton, and PRVN Consultants, for their generous support and participation throughout the conference.

Registration is open, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit https://www.districtenergy.org/campusenergy2026/home to learn more and reserve your spot.

About IDEA

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit industry association founded in 1909 and based in Massachusetts, USA. Representing nearly 3,000 members across more than 30 countries, IDEA champions district heating, district cooling, thermal networks, and combined heat and power (CHP) as reliable, efficient, and sustainable solutions. Its mission is to foster the success of its members as global leaders in advancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and building resilient, sustainable communities.

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