In view of the climate targets set for greenhouse gas neutrality, Stadtwerke Osnabrück has set itself the goal of transforming its heat supply while maintaining a balance between ecological, economic and social sustainability.

This project therefore aims to develop economically and technically feasible recommendations for action that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and serve as a basis for action for Stadtwerke Osnabrück.

Using the two models Invert/ee-Lab and NetHeat, an inventory and potential analysis for heat sources and sinks will be carried out. With the building simulation model Invert/ee-Lab, a building-specific modelling of the energy demand over time is carried out in the first step in order to evaluate the effects of different renovation activities. With the energy simulation model NetHeat, a spatially high-resolution potential analysis is then carried out, which includes both an analysis of the expansion and redensification potential for heat networks as well as local heat potentials and a potential determination for renewable energies.

The master plan is intended to create transparency about greenhouse gas emissions in the space heating market in Osnabrück in order to derive suitable measures with economic potential. For this purpose, concepts and solutions are evaluated in as much detail as possible from a techno-economic point of view. At the same time, reference building types, neighbourhood structures, spatial heat densities and network expansion and operating costs are taken into account in order to evaluate decentralised and centralised heat network-based heat supply solutions. In addition, various development scenarios are also simulated, which take into account political goals and instruments, economic factors, various renovation advances, technological advances, personnel capacities in the trades and other factors.

The master plan is intended to serve as a strategic basis for action for the transformation of the heat supply in Osnabrück. The derived implementation strategy should be economically and socially acceptable from the perspective of Stadtwerke Osnabrück and its customers. The study will develop concrete technology solution proposals and measures that effectively and efficiently initiate and realise a sustainable heat transition.