District heating transformation plan

To achieve this goal, the city is not focussing on a single technology, but on an intelligent energy mix. One important step is lowering the grid temperatures. This means that less heat is lost, the pipework lasts longer and renewable heat can be fed in more effectively. At the same time, large heat pumps are being built to utilise environmental heat or waste heat. Solar thermal energy also plays a role. The first plant was connected to the grid in Dresden-Räcknitz in 2025, but no further large areas are planned for the time being. The utilisation of deep geothermal energy is particularly promising. If the technical and financial risks can be minimised, a significant proportion of district heating could come from geothermal energy by the mid-2030s. Electrode boilers that convert surplus green electricity directly into heat will also be used. The first plant is already up and running, with more in the pipeline. Heat storage systems ensure that the heat generated can also be utilised at different times - especially during periods of high electricity production from wind or solar power. The company is also investigating how waste heat from hydrogen production can be fed into the district heating network. In the future, the existing combined-cycle power plants in Dresden are to be converted to hydrogen operation in order to be able to operate them emission-free in the long term.

In addition to the conversion of energy sources, the district heating network is also set to grow. Particularly in densely built-up neighbourhoods where renewable energies are difficult to use, district heating will be a climate-friendly alternative to gas or oil heating in the future. Around 13,300 buildings are already connected to the district heating network today - around 4,000 more could be added in the coming years.

Implementation is taking place step by step. The first projects are already underway, for example with large heat pumps, storage systems and solar thermal energy. Extensive decarbonisation of district heating could be achieved by 2035 or 2036; by 2045 at the latest, district heating in Dresden should be completely climate-neutral.

District heating makes the heat supply environmentally friendly, reliable and affordable in the long term and therefore remains a central component of the energy transition in Dresden.