Wilhelm Westerkamp, mayor of the district of Schorfheide (photo, centre) wasn’t quite certain: how many of his community members from Finowfurt, Lichterfelde and Groß-Schönebeck would be prepared to take part in the stakeholder participation programme for municipal heat planning with greenwind? Would they turn up to the interactive meetings to find out about the status quo, the energy potential and supply possibilities? Would they take the first step together in the direction of a coordinated and agreed-upon climate-neutral conversion of the heat supply by 2045?
Yes, they would! Around 200 members of the community were present at the chaired events organised by greenwind experts Jacob Fengler, Lena Kühnast and Evita Giebeler (photo, from left).

“Critical, highly interested and interactive” states Jacob Fengler, head of the project, about the mood at the three events. Representatives from the electricity grid, heating network, biogas plants and research were also present, and this was very beneficial for the basis of dialogue with the citizens. “Our aim was to give a realistic status of the existing energy sources based on extensive data collection, and to present options such as solar sources, geothermal energy and water-based thermal energy. Our data has also shown that the potential for climate-neutral heat supply for this region is more than 13 times higher than actually needed. Based on this we explained which areas are likely to have the most added value for everyone, meaning what’s particularly efficient and what is cost-effective. It’s all about the use of existing heating networks as well as new heating network constructions and, as a decentralised option, heat pumps.”

The follow-up workshop concentrated on feedback, questions and dialogue with the local residents, along with topics ranging from hydrogen to wood utilisation and citizen participation to electricity grid operators.

The heat transition strategy is now to be drawn up, along with a catalogue of measures for Schorfheide and the final evaluation. The draft heat planning has been available on the municipality’s website since mid-October, and the final heating plan will be presented at a closing event in December.

With this almost year-long CHP process in Schorfheide, greenwind creates a blueprint for municipal heat planning in a rural community that places high value on citizen participation and design. “There’s much need for information here and the willingness of many to actively shape the process. greenwind is a partner for the municipal energy transition, and will continue to be available to holistically implement renewable electricity, heat and hydrogen projects above and beyond the planning phase,” informs Jacob Fengler.