There are regional and structural differences in the German heating market: the diversity of buildings and commercial and industrial structure and the local energy infrastructures determine which technologies can provide the cost-optimal supply mix.
The aim of the project is to analyze and evaluate different decarbonization pathways for the heating market. The bottom-up approach of the study takes into account regional and local differences in building and process heat in four differently shaped supply areas: Fellbach is urban but non-industrial, Mainz is both urban and industrial. Burg near Magdeburg is rural but industrial, and Westerstede is rural and non-industrial.
The research team collected data (e.g., annual heat demand and electricity consumption, building types, power plant fleet) and generated hourly useful energy profiles (e.g., household electricity, space and process heat). Based on these data, the DISTRICT computational model was used to optimize the energy system for five scenarios, which differ in terms of electricity and hydrogen costs and availability, among other factors. Finally, selected electricity and gas grid areas were simulated for the years 2025 to 2045.
More information about the project can be found here (in German).
Cluster of Excellence Integrated Energy Systems