Transition in the Making. Examining the Transition Process of Lowering the Supply Temperatures of Existing District Heating Grids in Six Case Municipalities in Germany
Author
Henne, Theresa
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-07-29
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan eksisterende fjernvarmenet i seks tyske casekommuner planlægger og gennemfører en sænkning af fremløbstemperaturen for at muliggøre en mere effektiv integration af lokale, vedvarende og overskudsvarmekilder. Med udgangspunkt i transitionsledelse som teoretisk ramme analyseres processen på strategisk, taktisk, operationel og refleksiv niveau. Metodisk anvendes et multiple case study med dokumentanalyse og 12 semi-strukturerede interviews med fjernvarmeselskaber og kommunernes klimaafdelinger i Frankfurt am Main, Henningsdorf, Jena, Potsdam, Rostock og Springe. Teknisk kræver temperaturreduktionen typisk øget masseflow, simuleringer af nettet, først at sænke returtemperaturen og derefter fremløbstemperaturen, samt tilpasning af vekslerstationer og drift i bygningerne; de tekniske tilslutningskrav er opdateret, og udskiftninger sker i de normale fornyelsescyklusser. Resultaterne viser, at kommunerne udvikler varmeplaner og langsigtede mål (bl.a. i Potsdam og Jena), at Henningsdorf arbejder mod 95°C med målrettede besøg og driftsjusteringer, og at Frankfurt, Rostock og Springe udarbejder koncepter for varig temperaturreduktion (Springe kombinerer tilslutning, tilskud og strategi for returtemperatur). Økonomiske incitamenter som flowbaserede grundpriser og returtemperaturafhængige tariffer tages i brug, fjernvarmeselskaber tilbyder varmeservice og energirådgivning, og bydelsskalaen bruges som testniveau for løsninger og deltagelsesformater. På tværs af cases fremhæves behovet for flere ressourcer, stabile rammevilkår i tråd med klimaneutralitet samt nye finansierings- og aktørinddragelsesformer.
This thesis examines how existing district heating networks in six German municipalities plan and implement the lowering of supply temperatures to enable more efficient integration of local renewable and excess heat. Using transition management as the analytical framework, the process is explored at strategic, tactical, operational, and reflexive levels. The study applies a multiple case design with document analysis and 12 semi-structured interviews with district heating operators and municipal climate protection departments in Frankfurt am Main, Henningsdorf, Jena, Potsdam, Rostock, and Springe. Technically, lowering temperatures often requires increased mass flow, network simulations, first reducing return temperatures and then supply temperatures, and adapting substations and building-side operation; technical connection conditions have been updated, with replacements aligned to normal renewal cycles. Findings indicate that municipalities are developing heating concepts and long-term targets (notably in Potsdam and Jena), Henningsdorf is pursuing 95°C through site visits and operational adjustments, and Frankfurt, Rostock, and Springe are preparing concepts for sustained temperature reduction (Springe combines building connections, funding, and a strategy for return temperatures). Economic instruments such as flow-based basic prices and return temperature-dependent tariffs are used or planned, operators offer heating services and energy consulting, and the district scale serves as a testing ground for solutions and participation formats. Across cases, practitioners emphasize the need for more staff resources, stable framework conditions aligned with climate neutrality, and new financing and engagement approaches.
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