Local Government Strategies for Heating: City of Passau's Thermal Planning
In a bid to make informed decisions for a climate-neutral heat supply at the local level, the city of Passau initiated municipal heat planning in November 2024. This ambitious project aims to develop heat supply options by the year 2045, in line with the Heat Planning Act that came into force on 1st January 2024.
The Heat Planning Act obliges cities to analyze how the heat demand of residential buildings, commerce, industry, and public facilities can be covered as climate-friendly as possible in the future. The first discussions took place and a procedure was agreed upon in late 2024. Following approval, a tender for the planning office was issued and a contract was awarded.
A strategic roadmap is being developed with the support of commissioned planning offices. The current phase involves a feasibility and potential analysis, which includes systematic recording, evaluation, and mapping of existing heat supply potentials. The potential analysis takes into account local conditions in Passau, including its history and geographical location.
The feasibility and potential analysis for Passau's municipal heat planning involves exploring various energy carriers and resources, such as geothermal energy (deep and shallow), ambient heat (outdoor air and river), solar thermal energy, waste water heat, industrial waste heat, and central heat storage. The suitability test divided the city into 80 sub-areas and examined their basic suitability for grid-bound heat supply via heat or hydrogen networks.
Data collection and preparation of required data took place, followed by the implementation of a suitability test. Local experts are involved in the potential analysis through interviews and workshops. The results of the feasibility and potential analysis will be presented to the city council and the public in the fall.
Interested citizens can view the results of the current suitability test and further information on the city of Passau's website at www.our-website/heat-planning. It is worth noting that around 60% of Germany's total energy consumption is for heat and cooling, currently mostly from fossil fuels.
According to the Heat Planning Act, the municipal heat plan must be reviewed at least every five years to take into account new developments in technologies and infrastructure, as well as any changes in legal framework conditions. This ensures that Passau remains at the forefront of sustainable heat supply solutions.
Passau's application for funding for a municipal heat plan, submitted in July 2023, was approved by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action in September 2024. This funding will undoubtedly aid in the successful execution of Passau's municipal heat planning project.
