District Heat System Explanation
Schneverdingen, a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, is embarking on an ambitious journey towards becoming climate-neutral by 2045, aligning with the national goal and aiming even earlier than Lower Saxony's target of 2040.
The city's future energy supply is set to rely on sustainable measures, with a focus on renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and regenerative district heating. These approaches aim to replace natural gas and oil for heating and electricity, prioritising energy efficiency, environmental protection, and climate-friendly solutions.
By 2030, an intermediate step requires existing heat networks to be operated with 30% renewable energy, unavoidable waste heat, or a combination of both. This transition process is being coordinated by the energy agency and municipalities, with the city of Schneverdingen already engaging in exchanges with responsible municipalities in the Heidekreis.
The city's climate manager, Lara-Esther Backeberg, has stated that the need for renovation in the city centre is not as high as initially expected. However, the installation of a heat pump, which requires property renovation to keep consumption low, may not be suitable for properties built before 2000.
One building in the city has a high renovation need, while most buildings have a low to medium need. The city plans to draw conclusions about the entire city area based on the data from the integrated quarter concept.
Volker Broekmans, a leading employee of DSK, recommends the district heating network as economically necessary. An alternative to the district heating network is the individual acquisition of a heat pump, but this may not be feasible for all properties.
The city is considering transitioning to a district heating network powered by geothermal or solar energy. Electricity is needed to operate a heat pump, and high consumption without a photovoltaic system may increase wallet expenses.
The Heidekreis is currently in the preparation phase for this transition process. The city will receive a 90% subsidy for the communal heat planning due to the federal government lifting the funding stop. The administration and politics have already focused on communal heat planning, which is legally required for central places like Schneverdingen from 2028.
The heat supply in Germany is planned to be gradually transitioned from fossil to renewable energies. The Heidekreis is in the forefront of this transition, with the city of Schneverdingen leading the way in Lower Saxony. This transition process is not just a local effort, but a collective step towards a greener, more sustainable future for Germany.
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