Municipal Heating Planing for the municipality Bad Essen

Project structure and process

As part of the project's scope, a comprehensive stocktaking analysis of all buildings to be supplied was first carried out. This involved recording heat consumption and heat demand, existing heating systems, and building-specific information such as type of use, age of the building and renovation status. A digital questionnaire was used to refine the data collection.

Building on this, a potential analysis was carried out, identifying both energy savings through refurbishment and optimisation, as well as locally available potential for renewable energy and waste heat. These were visualised on a site-specific basis to provide a sound basis for decision-making.

The next step involved developing the target scenario for the municipal heating plan. This includes a georeferenced map of the future heat supply, areas suitable for decentralised individual supply and district heating networks, urban development policy objectives, and specific proposals for measures with brief descriptions. In addition, the potential greenhouse gas reductions, a cost framework and financing options were identified.

In the centre of the municipality of Bad Essen, a detailed assessment was carried out of the construction of a heating network with heat generation via a water-source heat pump, which yielded a positive result, leading to the designation of a future heating network area for Bad Essen. In addition, a assessment area was designated in which the construction of a heating network incorporating industrial waste heat is to be examined in further discussions.

The heating transition strategy sets out a concrete path towards achieving the target scenario. To this end, heat sinks and heat sources have been identified, a transition pathway has been mapped out using reference years, and measures for short-term implementation have been prioritised. The following points, amongst others, have been identified as concrete steps towards implementation:

• Feasibility studies for district heating networks (including BEW funding) for the district heating network areas and the assessment area

• Coordination with the company that can supply industrial waste heat

• Information resources on building renovation and heating systems

In addition to these technical work packages, the project partner EMCEL GmbH was responsible for public engagement, stakeholder management and project management. Together with heatbeat and EMCEL, interactive workshops were held with local and regional stakeholders, during which interim results were presented and further developed collaboratively. The project concluded with the preparation of a report and a public information event held locally.

Use of the digital twin

The heatbeat Digital Twin served as the central platform for visualising and analysing all project-related data. By providing a block-by-block representation of building information and renewable energy potential, it enabled the creation of a precise and transparent basis for decision-making. The Digital Twin also facilitated the georeferenced visualisation of the target scenario and supported the development of a realistic transformation pathway for the local heating transition.