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Heat transition

Smart solutions for municipalities and industry

Success factors for the heating transition

Generating heat in a climate-friendly way and providing it reliably – at any time, anywhere whether energy supplier, municipal utility or industry – the task is complex. This requires the cooperation of a wide variety of players and the use of modern, digital technologies.

A large part of our heat is still generated with fossil fuels. There are already solutions for a sustainable heat supply. Can buildings be heated and cooled in a more climate-friendly way? Process heat for industry can also be generated and used more sustainably.

Split image of building and digital twin.
Power transmission pylons in the sunset.

No grid, no heat: Coupling sectors

In the energy system of the future, electricity and heat will be more closely linked. Renewable electricity is increasingly being used for technologies such as power-to-heat systems and heat pumps.

This makes it all the more important to design electricity and heating networks together. In this way, municipal heat planning can be implemented efficiently, measures can be coordinated in a targeted manner and expansion costs can be reduced.

More bits and bytes: Digitizing local and district heating

Efficient heat transfer requires a local and district heating system that is operated precisely and data-based. Digital technologies continuously record and analyze current consumption and adapt the heat supply to user needs.

In addition, the individual mix of heat generators, such as solar thermal energy, geothermal energy, biomass, large heat pumps or power-to-heat systems, can be optimally planned and controlled for a municipality. This reduces energy and operating costs in the long term.

Smart modern building.
Ethernet cords plugged into server.

Networked IT and OT: Protecting energy systems

The integration of information and communication technologies into critical infrastructures and sensitive areas of the company increases the risk of cyberattacks on energy networks, systems and plants. To protect operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) equally, physical security measures must go hand in hand with cybersecurity precautions.

A holistic security concept relies on early detection and rapid and effective response in order to minimize potential risks and increase supply and reliability of supply.

Flexible financing of energy and infrastructure projects and the use of subsidies

The conversion of the energy infrastructure is cost intensive. We support your projects with flexible business models and suitable financing solutions, advise on funding opportunities and accompany you in the application process. In this flyer we present two financing options and their respective advantages.

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Feeding waste heat from data centers into heating networks

Large data centers have an annual electricity consumption of 20 to 50 megawatts – enough to power 37,000 homes. A large part is accounted for by cooling. This generates a lot of waste heat. Intelligently planned, it can be incorporated into district heating networks. You can find out what to look out for in this white paper.

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Our services for a sustainable heat supply

From district heating systems to smart grids and energy distribution to industrial supply concepts and the integration of renewable energies – with our cross-sectoral technology expertise, we are the point of contact for all questions relating to your individual project and its financing.

Intelligent control of district heating systems

We provide a comprehensive consulting, product, solution and service portfolio for the digitalization of district heating: automation and control technology to efficiently control, operate and monitor district heating plants. From the field to the management level to the cloud platform: with our end-to-end complete solution, we optimize operations with digital technologies and intelligent components. Your advantages: demand-based heat generation and supply, less heat loss due to low return temperatures, safe and trouble-free operation of iHASTs (intelligent home connection stations).

District heating system.
High-voltage electric tower in the middle of a green wooded area.

Reliable and efficient power grids for future-proof heat supply

In the course of the heating transition, forward-looking and strategic planning of the electricity grid is crucial in order to optimally control new investments and operating costs. By means of as-is analyses and stress tests, we create grid transparency in order to identify weak points in the power grid at an early stage and to plan capacities in a targeted manner. In doing so, a sector-coupled approach will also identify opportunities for electrifying the heat supply and using heat pumps.

We also use digital technologies and modular grid management software to improve the stability and controllability of power grids through real-time monitoring and automated processes.

Electrifying the heat supply and using waste heat

To electrify the heat supply, we analyze the current situation at your site and develop digital energy twins for precise simulation on this basis. From this, we derive solutions for demand-based heat generation (power-to-heat), with a focus on heat pumps and systems for electricity-based heat generation.

We optimize heat distribution and integrate it into the system infrastructure. If necessary, we also implement hybrid concepts, in which an efficient combination of fossil energy sources, such as gas with climate-friendly electricity, ensures security of supply on a transitional basis.

Man maintaining heating system.
Man and woman are planning a project together - looking at graphs at a large screen.

Flexible financing of energy and infrastructure projects and the use of subsidies

The conversion of the energy infrastructure is cost-intensive, and the financing and affordability of the measures will be a major challenge. We implement your projects as part of the heating transition with flexible business models and are your financing partner. We advise you on applicable funding opportunities and support you in the application process.

Our research initiatives

An integrated heating transition is both an opportunity and a challenge. As a technology leader in the electrification of infrastructures, we contribute to the success of this future task.