On the way to the municipal heat transition
Successfully shaping the heat transition is an essential part of the energy transition. In contrast to the electricity sector, however, it is not enough to simply replace the energy sources while maintaining the established infrastructures and end-use appliances. The reason for this is that the entire heat supply sector is primarily focused on the fossil fuels oil and gas.
Investments in heat pumps and energy-efficient renovations
“The planned heat transition requires a more fundamental change – especially on the consumer side,” says Dirk Scheer, head of the KOMM-WÄRME project that has now been launched.
New investments in heat networks, the installation of heat pumps in new and old buildings, and an increased rate and depth of building renovation, i.e., renovations that save a lot of energy, are required. “Municipalities also need a wide range of support in advancing the municipal heat transition,” says the scientist.
The heat transition as a socio-technical system
In KOMM-WÄRME, ITAS and its project partners examine how individual “mosaic stones” at the interface between technology and society can promote the municipal heat transition.
The focus is on three central questions:
How can the expertise and communication skills of local stakeholders be strengthened?
Based on this, how can they jointly develop concrete goals for the heat transition in their area?
And finally: What political instruments will advance the municipal heat transition?
The task of ITAS is to examine existing political measures in terms of their steering effect and to develop new and suitable policy measures with local authorities.
In the project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), ITAS works together with Forschungsgesellschaft für Energiewirtschaft mbH (FfE) and Vereinigung Deutscher Wissenschaftler (VDW). (04.02.2025)
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