District authority and EWF present KWP concept to local authorities

Following intensive work, the local energy and heating planning initiative has reached an important milestone: the Waldeck-Frankenberg district and Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg recently handed over the final planning concept – including profiles for over 200 localities – to the 20 participating local authorities. Waldeck-Frankenberg now has a robust strategic foundation for a future climate-neutral heating supply – well ahead of the statutory deadline in mid-2028.

A roadmap for the regional heating transition
Many people are wondering how they should heat their homes in future and where the energy will come from. Municipal heating planning provides guidance and shows which energy sources – from wind power, biogas and photovoltaics to geothermal energy or industrial waste heat – could supply energy in which locations in Waldeck-Frankenberg. As a roadmap for the regional heating transition, it illustrates how the district can gradually become independent of fossil fuels.

District and local authorities plan jointly
The district, Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg GmbH (EWF) and EnergieGesellschaft Frankenberg (EGF) have been planning jointly with the towns and local authorities from the very beginning – making them pioneers in Hesse. “The aim was, and remains, to cleverly match supply and demand in the energy and heating sectors and to expand them in a sensible and sustainable manner,” says District Administrator and EWF Supervisory Board Chairman Jürgen van der Horst. The close cooperation between the project partners has paid off in several respects: “We were able to carry out the planning more efficiently and cost-effectively than any local authority could have managed on its own. Above all, however, a strong network has developed that is putting the plans into practice – as a joint endeavour between the district, local authorities and energy suppliers.”

From the database to concrete local prospects
A comprehensive analysis of the building stock and current heat supply in the local authorities was carried out as part of a multi-stage process. In parallel, the planning team identified the potential for locally available renewable energy sources and developed target scenarios for how the heat supply could be made climate-neutral by 2045. Workshops with the local authorities ensured that local knowledge regarding existing district heating networks, development sites and energy potential was directly incorporated into the planning process.

Individual profile for each neighbourhood
The results are now available in the form of individual profiles for each neighbourhood. They show how heating is currently provided there, which energy sources are used, and where areas are emerging in which the development of district heating networks might be a sensible option. This provides local authorities with a concrete basis for deciding where centralised solutions such as district heating networks make sense in the future, and where decentralised approaches such as heat pumps and other renewable technologies would be more suitable.

It is already becoming clear just how wide the range of possible solutions is: businesses and industries that generate large quantities of waste heat could, in future, also supply private households. In areas with high energy consumption, it makes sense to set up district heating networks that also connect detached houses. Elsewhere, neighbouring biogas plants would be a sensible source of heat and energy – whilst in places where such plants are lacking, combinations of solar panels and heat pumps might be a more viable option.

Guidance rather than obligation
It is important to note that municipal heating planning does not contain any requirements for specific technologies, nor does it impose obligations on individual buildings. There is no obligation to connect to a district heating network. Existing heating systems can continue to be operated and repaired. Rather, as a strategic technical plan, the municipal heating plan provides guidance on where which solutions make sense. To this end, from autumn onwards, there will also be information and advisory services available to residents on all matters relating to energy and heating supply – for example, in the form of consultation hours at town halls or energy and renovation advice provided by the EWF – both in person and online.

Foundation for the heating transition: local authorities take charge
The plan, which has now been officially handed over to the towns and local authorities by the district administration and the EWF, lays the foundation for the heating transition in the region. Responsibility for implementation thus passes entirely to the local authorities, who will present the findings to their respective committees in the coming weeks and months. Some local authorities, such as Lichtenfels, Edertal and Waldeck, are already using the findings as the basis for further projects. For future implementation, the towns and municipalities have access to software that enables them to analyse building-specific data, update master data and digitally maintain their heating plans. The district’s climate protection management team is on hand to provide technical support.

EWF: a strong partner
Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg is a strong partner supporting modern and sustainable energy supply. EWF Managing Director Frank Benz emphasises how crucial cooperation is in this regard: “If the energy and heating transition is to succeed, effective and trusting collaboration between all stakeholders is key. Joint planning across all local authorities enables rapid results and targeted investments. Citizens can benefit directly from this.” EWF is therefore working continuously to transform its networks so that they are equipped to meet the challenges ahead. “Heat planning provides a clear basis for determining where networks should be expanded, rebuilt or reconfigured.”

Alignment with the ‘
’ climate strategy. Building on the findings of the heating plan, the district and the local authorities will in future work together to implement the energy and heating transition, thereby taking a further step towards realising the district’s holistic climate strategy. By utilising grant funding, the aim is to develop a ‘digital twin’ as a joint planning platform and to establish a climate protection coordination unit.

“The heating plan is complete, but the real work begins now,” sums up District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. “The heating transition is a task that will span generations and can only succeed through partnership. We would like to thank everyone involved. Climate protection, climate adaptation and the energy transition can only be achieved with a strong network, modern tools and smart planning. Our inter-municipal energy and heating plan serves as the central compass that will guide the region in the future.”

Keywords:

Inter-municipal Energy and Heating Planning Climate Protection Environment and Climate Change Department