Information on municipal heat planning in Erlangen

The aim is to convert the generation of space heating, hot water and process heat to renewable energies and to use unavoidable waste heat from industry, commerce and the service sector.

In addition to climate protection, municipal heating planning also includes other goals, such as greater security of supply and independence from imports through the use of local renewable energies.
Erlangen is also to become independent of fossil oil and gas in response to the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.

In addition, local and regional added value and jobs are to be created by investing in the local energy infrastructure.

Energy-efficient building refurbishment and the use of low-cost renewable energies should reduce energy costs for households and the public sector.

Heat planning is intended to inform citizens, companies and institutions about the existing and future heat supply options available in their neighborhood. And to help them with their individual decisions regarding the type of heating they should choose.

An important step in municipal heating planning is the creation of a heating plan.

An energy utilization plan is a strategic planning instrument and shows the desired state of the heat supply. It is comparable to the land use plan in urban planning and has no direct legal effect.

It not only considers the heat supply, but also the electricity sector.
The expansion of heat pumps and the charging infrastructure for e-mobility will increase the demand for electricity, as will local generation, e.g. through photovoltaics.
The electricity grids must therefore remain efficient in the future.

In Erlangen, the energy use plan is currently being developed in close cooperation with an independent specialist office with a focus on the municipal heating plan. The plan should be completed by January 2025.

When drawing up the energy use plan, the current demand for heat and electricity, the existing energy infrastructure and the building stock are analyzed.

The potential for energy savings, primarily through energy-efficient building refurbishment, as well as the potential of long-term renewable energies and unavoidable waste heat are then estimated.

Based on the future heat demand and the long-term potential, districts are identified that are suitable for heating network solutions.
If a district is not suitable for a heating network, it is indicated as an area for a decentralized heating solution.
In both cases, homeowners can choose between different types of heating to meet the requirements of the Building Energy Act.

Based on target scenarios for 2030 and 2040, measures are derived for achieving a climate-neutral heat supply, which the city can implement itself or through agreements with third parties in the urban area.
Possible measures include, for example, the development and implementation of integrated neighborhood concepts or the preparation of feasibility studies for the construction or expansion of heating networks.

Heating network operators such as Erlanger Stadtwerke (ESTW) can use strategic heat planning to plan the future heat supply locally and shape it according to local needs and possibilities.

The results of the energy use plan should be available by January 2025.

At present, it is not yet possible to say which districts are suitable for the construction or expansion of heating networks and which buildings could be connected to a heating network.

The energy utilization plan does not result in any obligation to connect to a heating network or to build or expand the infrastructure for a heating network.

A separate decision is required for designation as an area for the construction or expansion of heating networks or as a hydrogen network expansion area in accordance with Section 71 of the Building Energy Act (GEG).

Without this designation, a heating system can be replaced in an existing building in cities such as Erlangen until the end of June 30, 2026 and another heating system can be installed or set up and operated for the purpose of commissioning that does not meet the requirement of at least 65 percent heat from renewable energies or unavoidable waste heat.

The city of Erlangen provides information on the current status at www.erlangen.de/aktuelles/klima-aufbruch.

Of course, we are also available to answer any questions you may have at any time.
Please feel free to contact the staff of the Office for Environmental Protection and Energy Issues.
You can reach us by email at waermewende@stadt.erlangen.de.

Energy-efficient building renovations are not only good for the climate, they also save you money.
The cost of refurbishment and the specific measures planned are individual in each case.

Our energy consultants offer free and independent advice on the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings and funding opportunities.
You can find more information at www.erlangen.de/aktuelles/energieberatung.

You can operate a photovoltaic system on the roof, a plug-in PV device on the balcony or a solar thermal system. You can find more information at www.erlangen.de/aktuelles/solarpotenzialkataster

Our energy consultants offer free and independent advice on funding opportunities. You can find more information at www.erlangen.de/aktuelles/energieberatung.

Would you like to renovate your home, replace the heating or use photovoltaics?
Get free and independent advice from our energy consultants.
Also on funding opportunities.
You can find more information here.