Grid connection should not be a forced marriage

April 10, 2024


Source: Energy & Management Powernews

Municipal heating planning was the focus of discussion at the Stadtwerkekongress in Berlin. The major hurdles were space for networks and money for investments, according to the conclusion.

The Handelsblatt Stadtwerkekongress took place in Berlin from April 9 to 10. One of the most important topics was municipal heating planning, which large municipalities are obliged to implement by 2026 and smaller ones by 2028. In addition, the heat supply for climate protection should increasingly be supplied from renewable sources. The municipal utilities are on the way to planning and implementation, but also named many obstacles.

Heike Heim, CEO of Dortmunder Stadtwerke (DSW), noted that her customers have high expectations of her company because of the law on municipal heat planning. They have wanted district heating since the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine at the latest, but have little understanding for the fact that it is becoming more expensive. Currently, data collection for 600,000 customers is still ongoing in Dortmund, only then will planning be possible, explained Heim.

"Beyond the technologies, however, it is also a major financial issue," she said. DSW has already invested over 200 million euros to use industrial waste heat. "In return, we now have 12 percent renewable energy in our district heating," she said, describing the effectiveness of this investment. The total investment for the heating transition alone would amount to 1.6 billion euros. Added to this are challenges such as grid expansion and the transport transition. "This is too much for the municipal utility and the local authority behind it," Heim warned.

District heating customers should not be connected to the grid by "forced marriage"

That is why support from the state and federal government is necessary. Parallel infrastructures would be too expensive, so it would make no sense to subsidize heat pumps for individual customers in district heating areas. The fewer customers that participate in the network, the more expensive it becomes for them. Michael Maxelon, CEO of Mainova from Frankfurt/Main, agreed. It is also about finding the most cost-effective solution, which is difficult from today's perspective. Every investor has return expectations. These must be satisfied.

The use of heat pumps is not yet fully developed in multi-storey residential buildings. "The owner of a detached house with a solar system on the roof, a heat pump and an electric car is not the majority," Maxelon pointed out. However, he was against prescribing specific technologies to people. "A commitment over a long period of time should be made voluntarily," said Maxelon, opposing a compulsory connection to the district heating network.

In addition, it will be challenging in terms of time to lay new district heating pipes in densely populated districts. "We don't want to create investment ruins," warned Maxelon. It could also be wrong to write off the gas networks completely because green molecules could perhaps be more economical for peak loads than oversized heat pumps. He supports aid for the industry so that it does not move away because it is still needed as an energy partner for local authorities.

Dena supports heat planning and energy-efficient refurbishment

Corinna Enders, Managing Director of Dena, said it was good that a legal basis now exists. These would now have to be brought to life regionally according to the circumstances. Her organization sees its task as passing on knowledge and networking stakeholders. "Dena is launching a distribution grid study on the heating transition together with municipal utilities in May, which will also examine the economic aspects," announced the Dena boss. This should result in recommendations for action for politicians and local stakeholders.

The heating transition includes reducing the energy demand of buildings through energy-efficient refurbishment. To this end, Dena supports serial refurbishment and municipalities that need to upgrade their own buildings, such as schools. Contracting is a favorable way to do this. Maxelon agreed, because energy service providers are experts who calculate with a sharp pencil which measures will pay for themselves and in what time.

Author: Susanne Harmsen