Handouts on heat pumps and storage systems published

09.03.2026

Source: E & M powernews

The Bafa has published two handouts on large heat pumps and large heat storage systems. The documents are intended to facilitate the planning, approval and implementation of new district heating projects.

The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (Bafa) has published two handouts on the planning and approval of large heat pumps and large heat storage tanks. The documents are aimed at planners, project developers and decision-makers in the district heating sector, the authority announced on March 5.

Both publications are intended to clarify technical and legal issues relating to new district heating projects. The aim is to structure approval procedures and facilitate project development.

The handout on large heat pumps describes the technical principles and legal framework. It deals with questions regarding the need for approval and the eligibility for approval of the systems. According to Bafa, the guide is based on experience from specific projects. It is aimed at planning offices, operators and other parties involved in district heating projects. The publication deals in particular with systems that use ambient air, surface water or clear water from sewage treatment plants as a heat source.

Guidance for large heat storage systems

The second handout is aimed at planners and decision-makers who want to integrate large heat storage systems into district heating systems. It deals with technical, economic and licensing aspects. The guide looks at large-scale heat storage systems from a systemic perspective. It describes the interaction between storage, heat generators, network operation and system operation. The aim is to support analyses and project-specific decisions when integrating storage systems.

The two documents were created as part of the research project "Wärmewende: Strategies for the use of climate-neutral district heating technologies". The project started in 2023 and was commissioned by the Federal Agency for Energy Efficiency (BfEE) at the Bafa. The Federal Ministry of Economics is supporting the work. HIC Consulting GmbH is working on the project together with consortium and practice partners.

Both handouts are available for download on the Bafa website: "Planning and approval of large heat pumps" and the "Handout for planners and decision-makers of large heat storage systems".

Author: Heidi Roider