“Creating warmth together” – workshop in Zirndorf

How can the municipal heat transition move from planning to implementation, and what role can citizens play in this process?

These questions were the focus of a workshop organized last Friday by our colleagues Dr. Jan Steinbach, Catrice Christ, and Antonia Kranz in collaboration with the city of Zirndorf as part of the EU project ESCALATE.

The focus was on the concept of heating cooperatives as a possible approach to involving local actors more closely in the planning and operation of communal heat supply. Against the backdrop of municipal heat planning in Zirndorf, the discussion centered on how technical, economic, and social conditions must interact in order for such models to emerge locally.

The discussion highlighted three key findings:

🤝Cooperative structures as a prerequisite:

The implementation of local heating projects requires binding cooperation between local authorities, municipal utilities, and citizens. Citizen energy initiatives can play a key role here, taking responsibility and providing their own heating services.

💬Trust and communication as key factors:

Technical solutions are available, but it remains crucial that the administration, specialist planners, and citizens engage in dialogue with each other and that stable networks and initiatives are formed within the community to advance common goals.

🌡️Heat cooperatives as an organizational model:
Against this backdrop, cooperative approaches offer the opportunity to share responsibility and promote local identification with the heat transition.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the city of Zirndorf and especially to Ms. Cristina Dallozzo for the trusting and constructive cooperation!

IREES – RESEARCH FOR FUTURE 🌍🍃