greenwind’s Municipal Heat Planning (KWP) team is currently working on three projects in collaboration with the municipalities of Brieselang, Falkenberg/Elster (both in Brandenburg) and Mansfeld (Saxony-Anhalt). The aim is for the municipalities to submit a plan on how the local heating supply can be converted to be climate-neutral by 2045. The particular challenge in Brieselang is that a data centre with a connected load of 96 MW is being planned here. Around 55 MW of this will be available as unavoidable waste heat. As data centres run continuously, there is generally a huge heat potential. How will greenwind deal with these issues? We asked project manager Jacob Fengler (photo centre).

Jacob, what is the status in the particular municipalities?

We recently held a round table discussion in Brieselang with representatives from the gas network, electricity network, neighbouring municipalities, housing associations, etc. We have already completed an interim report for this project, which contains an inventory and potential analysis. Round table discussions for the other projects are planned for July.

What is special about the Project Brieselang?

Brieselang is a popular location for commerce and industry, as it benefits from its proximity to Berlin on the one hand and the high availability of renewable electricity on the other. Currently, a data centre with a connected load of 96 MW is being planned there. Around 55 MW of this will be available as unavoidable waste heat. Since data centres run continuously, they generally generate a huge amount of heat, which is sufficient to supply all households in the municipal area with heat.

But how can such a data centre be used for Municipal Heat Planning?

The potential can only be tapped via a heating network, as the heat must be transported from the data centre to the homes. There is currently no heating network in Brieselang, so a key question for Municipal Heat Planning is whether a heating network or individual supply is the more economical option in the long term – this is being examined individually for each sub-area. This will provide a nuanced picture of where it makes sense to pursue the realisation of a heat network supply. In addition, large consumers, known as anchor customers, play an important role in the implementation of a heat network. There is also discussion about who can take over the operation and financing of a potential heating network. It is precisely here, between data-based evaluations and communication with various stakeholders, that the great importance of Municipal Heat Planning becomes apparent. Ultimately, heating networks can only be realized if many stakeholders pull together.

What do you see as the key issues in Falkenberg and Mansfeld?

It really is surprising how different the municipalities are. In Mansfeld, unlike Brieselang, we have a completely different settlement structure, significantly older buildings and a declining population. However, the key issue is people’s low adaptability due to low incomes and high investment requirements because of old buildings. The municipality of Falkenberg/Elster has several biogas plants that can be used as a local, inexpensive source of renewable heat. In addition, there is a comparatively dense settlement core with many apartment buildings, even though the municipality has only about 6,100 inhabitants.

Your first project in Schorfheide is complete?

Schorfheide was not an easy process, but ultimately a successful one, in which we have created a blueprint for the KWP (Municipal Heat Planning) in a rural municipality. Our approach of involving citizens in the process and design was well received, so much so that a neighbouring municipality has now even approached our greenwind team.

What skills do municipal heat planners need?

Developing Municipal Heat Planning is a complex task, as it involves not only building renovation and renewable heating technologies, but also gas and electricity networks. In addition, large amounts of data are collected, which must be processed holistically and presented cartographically. In this respect, heating planners must always be open to new challenges and tasks in addition to their basic professional qualifications. We address this with an interdisciplinary team. We currently have five colleagues, with Lena Kühnast having been involved in heating planning in Schorfheide from the outset and now herself project manager in the Falkenberg/Elster project.

Where do you see the focus of your work?

There is a great need for information in the communities. There are many different energy potentials and supply options available for the energy transition in heating. I see it as a priority to evaluate these options technically and economically and to communicate the results in a comprehensible manner. The second focus is on involving local stakeholders and developing a joint path to the energy transition in heating. But even after the planning stage, greenwind continues to support local authorities in the implementation of renewable electricity, heat and hydrogen projects.

Photo (from left, front): Lena Kühnast, Jacob Fengler, Maximilian Mentel, (back) Christopher Curran, Oliver Suthau.