FAQ
The district heating industry believes that the number of households connected to the heating network could triple by 2050. But what exactly is district heating – and how should it be climate neutral in the future?
What is district heating and how does it work?
District heating is a form of heating in which the heat is not generated on-site in a building, but from a nearby central power or heating plant. The water is heated and delivered to consumers through insulated pipes. In the building, the heat is then fed through a transfer station into a thermal cycle to provide space heating and hot water. Separate heating systems in buildings are not required.
How many households will have access to central heating in the future?
The district heating industry AGFW believes that the number of households connected to the heating network will triple by 2050. Currently, one in seven apartments, or around 6 million out of 43 million apartments, has district heating. The industry aims to increase that number to between 18 and 20 million. According to the Consumer Advice Center, district heating pays off when as many consumers as possible are connected to the heating network, since the laying of the network and the construction of the power plants usually involve considerable costs. Therefore, district heating is especially suitable for densely populated (new construction) areas.
how environmentally friendly Is it district heating?
The environmental friendliness of district heating depends on various factors such as the energy used, the efficiency of the power plant and the degree of line losses. The use of combined heat and power, which generates electricity in addition to heat, provides a high energy yield. According to the district heating association AGFW, around 70% of energy is currently derived from fossil fuels. The remaining 30 percent comes from heat generated by burning waste or biomass (wood chips), as well as geothermal and other renewable energy sources.
How can district heating be climate neutral?
Various renewable resources and technologies can be integrated into the district heating infrastructure, which, according to the district heating association AGFW, will enable a climate-neutral heating network by 2045. Examples of this are large heat pumps, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, biomass and waste heat from industry or data centres. Against this backdrop, John Mille, deputy managing director of the AGFW trade association, highlighted the leverage effect of switching to renewable energy. For example, if a coal-fired combined heat and power plant was subsequently run on climate-neutral fuel or replaced by climate-neutral technology, thousands of residential units would suddenly switch fuel.
how federal government District heating?
In the recently published draft of the first municipal heating planning act, the Federal Ministry of Building states: “The expansion of district heating and the decarbonisation of ducted heating are of outstanding importance for the federal government to achieve the climate protection goals.” In the plan The building energy law, the so-called heating law, also plans the regulation of heating networks. By 2030, there should be an obligation to use at least 50 percent renewable or waste heat in existing heating networks. A 65% share is required for the new heating network.
How many district heating networks are there in Germany?
According to the district heating association AGFW, there are currently almost 3,800, operated by around 500 companies. In 2020, the total route mileage will exceed 31,000 kilometers. According to energy industry association BDEW, 14.2 percent of Germany’s 43.1 million apartments will have district heating by 2022, roughly one in seven apartments. This percentage has risen steadily over the past 20 years. In 2003 it was 12.4%.
Can households switch district heating suppliers?
No, it is usually not possible to change the district heating supplier. The planning and operation of the power plant and the district heating network is carried out by one company, which would make duplication of infrastructure uneconomical. Consequently, district heating companies often have a kind of monopoly in their heating sector. In some cases, municipalities can even stipulate that district heating must be connected and used. Owners are then forced to provide district heating for their houses. A separate ordinance specifies the legal basis for using district heating.