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Connection to local heating

Here you can find out how local heating networks and shared heat supplies can be created in neighbourhoods.

Importance of local heating networks

Dresden's draft heating plan assigns a central role to heating networks for a resilient, climate-neutral and affordable heating supply in the city. Particularly in densely built-up neighbourhoods, in areas with limited decentralised potential or in listed buildings, they often offer the only suitable solution for a sustainable supply on a larger scale.

Heating grids can specifically absorb surplus electricity from renewable energies and convert it into low-cost heat using power-to-heat technologies and heat storage systems. At the same time, they reduce the load on the electricity grid during periods of low renewable electricity generation. In addition, they enable the use of central heat sources such as waste heat from data centres, sewers or industrial processes - potential that could hardly be tapped economically by individual buildings. Simultaneity effects and central optimisation create additional economic benefits that support an affordable heat supply in the long term.

However, early spatial clarity is crucial for successful implementation. If it remains unclear in which areas heating networks are to be created in the future, owners often invest in individual solutions. This can make it difficult or economically impossible to set up joint infrastructures at a later date.

Against this background, a structured and repeatable process has been developed as a methodological basis for putting heating networks into practice in a targeted and efficient manner with a high probability of realisation. This should enable a systematic examination of suitable areas, involve stakeholders at an early stage, create transparency and prepare for the coordinated implementation of local heating networks.

The path to your local heating network

AI-generated: The image shows a process flow for urban development, beginning with data provision and expressions of interest, followed by public meetings, feasibility studies, consultation, proposals, investment decisions, planning, approval and, finally, construction and connection. The main focus is on illustrating the various phases and steps required for the planning and implementation of construction projects in a city.
Expression of interest
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1. Neighbourhood analysis and preparation

As part of the municipal heating planning, suitable areas for local heating networks were identified and a neighbourhood profile with initial key data was created for each area.

Within the local heating network areas identified, large heat consumers (so-called anchor customers) and local multipliers are identified and approached in order to draw attention to the possibility of a local heating supply. In addition, the state capital of Dresden offers property owners in the identified local heating network areas the opportunity to express their interest in connecting to a local heating network.

Expression of interest in local heating

In the energy atlas, you can check whether there is a basic possibility for a local heating network in your neighbourhood.
You can use the non-binding expression of interest to express your basic interest in a connection to a local heating network

2. Feasibility study

Experts (e.g. energy planning offices or operators of heating networks) are commissioned to carry out a feasibility study to examine the realisability and economic viability of a renewable heating network. At the same time, local people are informed about the examination of a local heating connection and the first information event by means of information material and public relations work.

3. Public relations work and first information event

The local heating process is presented in an open format at an information event.owners are given the opportunity to ask questions and are made aware of the possibility of a non-binding expression of interest.

4. Needs assessment and development of a feasibility study

In addition to data-supported information, on-site inspections and on-site formats with the most important stakeholders and owners, expressions of interest and data donations in the form of consumption data are primarily used as the basis for determining requirements and developing the feasibility study. A concept for a local heating network is being developed.

5. Second Information event and finalisation of the feasibility study

At a second on-site information event, the results of the feasibility study are presented, the expressions of interest are analysed and price ranges, operator models and an implementation outlook are presented. The feasibility study will be finalised.

If, as a result of the feasibility study, a local heating supply is economically viable and realisable, the future network operator plans further and prepares heat supply offers with a response and investment decision. This is followed by the planning, construction and commissioning of the heating network.

In neighbourhoods where the implementation of a central heating network is not technically or economically feasible, coordinated support for the local heating transition is still required. Renovation management can be set up for this purpose, for example using existing funding programmes. This takes on the role of a central point of contact and coordinator for owners and supports the development of viable decentralised supply solutions.

Community approaches can also be initiated. In densely built-up areas in particular, it is possible for owners to join forces and develop smaller local heating solutions or cross-building heating networks. Such local community solutions can offer economic and technical advantages and enable a coordinated, sustainable heat supply even without a large neighbourhood network.

What is the difference between building/neighbourhood and local heating networks?

Depending on the spatial structure and the technical framework conditions, different forms of communal heat supply can be considered. These range from building-internal solutions to smaller neighbourhood networks and district-wide local heating networks. The transitions are fluid, but differ in terms of size, form of organisation and scope of supply. The following overview serves to categorise them:

Term

Supply area

Characteristic

Example

Building network

several utilisation units within one building or a few directly connected buildings

very small-scale heating network, usually on a property or within a group of buildings

Apartment block with shared heat pump for front and rear building

Neighbourhood network

small group of neighbouring buildings

shared heat supply for several owners or buildings in the immediate vicinity

Group of terraced houses with shared energy centre

Local heating network

entire neighbourhood or larger settlement area

larger, centrally organised heating network with professional operation and superordinate infrastructure

Supply of an urban district through a central heating centre or large heat pump

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