WärmeNetzWerk 2.0 – Exchange for a sustainable district heating supply
The energy transition is progressing primarily in the electricity sector – but the momentum is also increasing noticeably in the heating sector. Legal framework conditions and targeted funding programmes, such as the federal funding for efficient heating networks (BEW), are providing important incentives to decarbonize the heating supply. Since 2022, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) has been supporting projects that contribute to the greenhouse gas-neutral transformation of grid-connected heat as part of the BEW.
A key success factor for the heat transition is the exchange of experience between district heating suppliers. The shared view of challenges and solutions – from technological and organizational to economic issues – promotes the development of sustainable transformation paths. Networks such as the WärmeNetzWerk create space for cooperation and the exchange of best practices in order to leverage synergies, ensure security of supply, reduce the use of fossil fuels and make faster progress.
From WärmeNetzWerk 1.0 to WärmeNetzWerk 2.0
The FfE’s first WärmeNetzWerk (2020-2023) has already shown how effective a structured exchange between district heating suppliers can be. Building on this experience, WärmeNetzWerk 2.0 was launched in January 2025 with nine participating companies – some of them already known from the first round, supplemented by new partners.
Participating companies in WärmeNetzWerk 2.0
- Bayernwerk Natur GmbH
- EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
- Freisinger Stadtwerke Versorgungs-GmbH
- Linz AG
- N-ERGIE Aktiengesellschaft
- Stadtwerke Augsburg GmbH
- Stadtwerke Landsberg KU
- Stadtwerke Rosenheim GmbH & Co. KG
- Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH
Structure and organization of the network
Similar to the established energy efficiency and climate protection networks, WärmeNetzWerk 2.0 is also designed as a moderated workshop with energy technology support. A schematic representation of the network as well as the participating actors and their roles can be found in the following illustrations:
Felix Rippinger, Katharina Gruber and Simon Koderer, supported by Anna Gruber and Frank Veitengruber, are responsible for moderating the content and energy technology.
Duration and topics
The network started in January 2025 with a kick-off event and will run until the beginning of 2028. In regular, quarterly workshops, the participants exchange views on jointly prioritized topics – such as the integration of renewable heat sources, the optimization of existing heating networks or the economic evaluation of transformation paths.
Further information
Detailed information on the predecessor project can be found on our website: District Heating Competence Network – FfE