KWPconnect: Municipal heat planning meets energy system analysis

Municipal heat planning paves the way for a climate-neutral heat supply, but its implementation may increasingly reach the limits of the existing energy system. The ongoing electrification of heating and mobility, as well as the expansion of renewable electricity generation, significantly increase the demands on the power grids. Without integrated planning, there is a risk of grid overloads and uncoordinated solutions that impair the efficiency of the transition in the heating sector.

In the “KWPconnect” project, we aim to systematically expand municipal heat planning to include an energy system perspective. For this purpose, existing energy system models are being further developed to account for the requirements of the heating sector – particularly at the district level – and to make them usable for municipal planning. The heating and electricity sectors are considered together to account for interactions at an early stage.

The developed approaches are being tested in the municipalities of Hohen Neuendorf and Birkenwerder. In collaboration with local actors from the population, administration, companies, and other stakeholder groups, insights are being gained for a coordinated and sustainable implementation of the transition in the heating sector. Heat planning is therefore understood as a continuous process that takes a decisive step forward through the integration of energy system analysis.

The project partners support municipalities in making complex decisions regarding the transition in the heating sector at the district level based on a reliable systemic foundation. Actions in the heating sector have a direct impact on the electricity system – for example, through additional electrical loads or flexibility requirements. The integrated analysis of heating, electricity, and gas infrastructure makes it possible to identify these interactions early on and manage them strategically.

Consequently, municipalities receive a basis for decision-making to design heating strategies in individual districts in a way that benefits the electric grid, integrate renewable energies more efficiently, and make targeted use of flexibility. This reduces the need for high cost grid expansion, increases the cost-effectiveness of actions, and improves feasibility at a local level.

Furthermore, the “KWPconnect” project strengthens the role of municipalities as coordinating actors in the energy transition process. Through workshops, informational events, and the development of practical tools, knowledge is built up and the next implementation steps are concretely prepared. The methods and experiences gained in the project are made available to other municipalities through transfer-workshops. In this way, heat planning can be systematically developed further beyond the pilot-municipalities.

• City of Hohen Neuendorf (consortium lead)
• Municipality of Birkenwerder
• Reiner Lemoine Institute gGmbH
• EMB Energie Brandenburg GmbH