Municipal heat transition

Guideline for a climate-friendly transition of heat supply

In recent years, many cities world-wide have made a commitment to substantially reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by adopting better strategies for heat supply, thus making a vital contribution to climate protection efforts. In spite of the Energy Transition, Germany is behind on improving heat supply due to the fact that the Energy Transition primarily addresses electricity supply. However, a “heat transition” is not least required because it presents a key building block in the overall transition of our energy system, e.g. for the conversion of surplus electricity from renewable sources into heat, or its storage. In this scenario, municipalities with their district heating and development areas would play a key role.

The guideline “Municipal heat transition” was prepared by ifeu on behalf of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. It is addressed to anyone with an interest in tackling the heat transition in their town or municipality, and offers a compass for sound decision-making on the road to a climate-neutral heat supply.