Energy infrastructure backbone for the Upper Rhine Graben
Energy infrastructure backbone for the Upper Rhine Graben
Client
TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe GmbH
Duration march 2026 – september 2026
Background
The energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation: electrification, the expansion of climate-neutral heat supply, and the increasing use of hydrogen as well as CO₂ as a resource are key drivers of this shift. The Upper Rhine Graben, a region with high industrial density and significant energy potential, is particularly affected by these structural changes.
Heat supply accounts for around 54% of Germany’s final energy demand and is gaining importance through the expansion of district heating. At the same time, planning for a national hydrogen backbone is progressing, while CO₂ is increasingly being utilized as a feedstock in industrial cycles. In the Upper Rhine Graben, substantial potentials and demands coincide: large volumes of industrial waste heat, significant geothermal potential, and considerable demand for heat, hydrogen, and CO₂ infrastructure.
An integrated approach to planning these networks offers strong synergies, increasing efficiency and economic viability while enhancing long-term security of supply. However, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding future demand, development pathways, and suitable infrastructure solutions.
Goals and Results
The energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation: electrification, the expansion of climate-neutral heat supply, and the increasing use of hydrogen as well as CO₂ as a resource are key drivers of this shift. The Upper Rhine Graben, a region with high industrial density and significant energy potential, is particularly affected by these structural changes.
Heat supply accounts for around 54% of Germany’s final energy demand and is gaining importance through the expansion of district heating. At the same time, planning for a national hydrogen backbone is progressing, while CO₂ is increasingly being utilized as a feedstock in industrial cycles. In the Upper Rhine Graben, substantial potentials and demands coincide: large volumes of industrial waste heat, significant geothermal potential, and considerable demand for heat, hydrogen, and CO₂ infrastructure.
An integrated approach to planning these networks offers strong synergies, increasing efficiency and economic viability while enhancing long-term security of supply. However, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding future demand, development pathways, and suitable infrastructure solutions.
