Strategic Municipal Heat Planning for Climate-Friendly and Cost-Efficient Heat Supply

Germany aims to have climate-neutral heating by 2045. Municipal heating planning informs citizens and businesses whether they can expect a district heating connection or should opt for another climate-friendly heating option. The Heat Planning Act came into force together with the Renewable Heating Act on January 1st 2024.

The Heat Planning Act came into force together with the amendment to the Building Energy Act on January 1st 2024. Both laws will help to achieve the climate targets in 2045.

For the first time, all cities and municipalities in Germany will have local heat planning. This will give citizens, companies and energy suppliers certainty as to whether and which centralised heat supply they can count on locally.

Objectives:

• Provide an overview of the current state of heat supply in Germany, emphasizing the dependence on fossil fuels and the need for transition to renewable energies.
• Highlight the role of municipalities in heat planning and the importance of strategic decision-making.
• Introduce the significance of CO2 emissions in municipal heat supply and the urgent need for decarbonisation.
• Highlight the potential of GIS graphics visualisation, district heating systems, heat pumps, and digitalisation in achieving emission reduction goals.