KWP connect – Municipal heat planning meets energy system analysis

In the KWP connect project, scientists from the Reiner Lemoine Institut work with partners in the Brandenburg municipalities of Hohen Neuendorf and Birkenwerder to develop methods for combining municipal heat planning with energy system analysis methods.

The aim  of the consortium of RLI, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and EMB Energie Brandenburg is to develop heat supply concepts that optimally integrate electricity from local renewable energies while reducing the load on electricity grids. This results in planning that considers the heating and electricity sectors in harmony and can strengthen regional added value.

By 2045, cities and municipalities must plan their heat supply to be climate-neutral. This means that the energy required for heating must be generated in such a way that no harmful greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. This is stipulated by the Heat Planning Act for all municipalities in Germany.

Cooperation with municipal stakeholders

At the practice locations in Hohen Neuendorf and Birkenwerder, the project team is investigating how different heat supply concepts affect the entire energy system and is working with local stakeholders, such as energy suppliers, administrations, and citizens. Their feedback is incorporated into the scientific work in order to create practical planning tools for heat supply locally and in other municipalities.

Sustainable heat supply concepts

A key component of the project is avoiding negative effects on the power grid caused by uncoordinated heat transformations. Through integrated planning and with the help of sustainable heat supply concepts at the neighborhood level, concrete steps can be taken to implement these plans in consultation with local stakeholders.

Modeling, data analysis, and knowledge transfer

To this end, the project team evaluates local energy data, such as heat and electricity demand, infrastructure data, and existing or planned renewable energy generation, and prepares it for modeling. In addition to technical development, the experts are working on knowledge transfer: results, data, and models are made openly accessible to support other cities and municipalities in their heat planning. The project actively promotes knowledge transfer between science and practice, while at the same time developing proposals for the further development of municipal heat planning.

Project period: October 2025 – September 2027

• Linking municipal heat planning and energy system analysis
• Developing integrated heat supply concepts at the neighborhood level
• Evaluating and modeling local energy data
• Testing and further development at practical locations in Hohen Neuendorf and Birkenwerder
• Involving and activating local stakeholders
• Open provision of results, data, and tools (open source/open data)
• Derivation of recommendations for action for municipalities and policymakers