ruralHeat - Renewable heating networks for the decarbonization of heat supply in rural settlements

The aim of the "ruralHeat" project is to provide scientific support for the planning and implementation of two innovative, renewable heating networks in Bracht and Rüdigheim (each with a very high solar coverage rate of ≥70%). The heating network systems will be equipped with extensive measurement technology as part of the project. Subsequent operational monitoring of the systems should provide further important findings for renewable heating networks. On the other hand, the transferability of the concepts and findings from Bracht and Rüdigheim to other rural settlements is to be investigated. To this end, it is planned to carry out 10 case studies in ruralHeat in order to test the transferability of approaches from Bracht under the specific boundary conditions of the case studies. When selecting the case studies, the focus is on the supply of existing buildings in rural areas and on a wide range of possible variables and boundary conditions (e.g. heat density, available heat sources). Recommendations for heat network-based or building-specific solutions will be derived from the case studies, depending on the types of rural settlements and, if necessary, other parameters, and a guideline for renewable heat networks in rural areas will be drawn up. Furthermore, it is planned to develop a web-based pre-selection tool so that interested municipalities or citizens' initiatives can obtain a pre-selection of possible local heating solutions based on renewable heat at an early stage (i.e. with little input data).

Project duration

06/23-05/26

Associated partners:

Viessmann Climate Solutions SE, Wagner Solar GmbH, citizens' energy cooperatives "Sonnenwärme Bracht eG" and "Sonnenwärme Rüdigheim eG", town of Rauschenberg

Funding

Funded by the Federal Republic of Germany

Funding body: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag.

Funding reference: 03EN6031