Waste heat platform
The aim of the platform for waste heat is to create an overview of commercial waste heat potential in Germany for the first time. Based on this overview, concepts can be developed to make waste heat usable across all sectors. The platform for waste heat thus serves the exchange of information between regional heat producers and consumers. In order to promote this exchange of information, companies with a total annual final energy consumption of more than 2.5 GWh are obliged to survey waste heat potentials and publish these via the waste heat platform.
Companies subject to reporting requirements
All companies with a total final energy consumption of more than 2.5 GWh/a on average over the last three completed calendar years are required to report in accordance with § 17 (4) EnEfG. Companies that are not required to report can voluntarily publish information on waste heat potential on the platform.
What are the deadlines?
In accordance with § 17 (4) EnEfG, companies have been obliged since 01.01.2024 to publish the information specified by law (see data subject to disclosure) by March 31 of each calendar year. However, as the waste heat platform is not yet available as of today (08.02.24), the reporting obligation for 2024 will be suspended for six months. The first report of waste heat potentials must therefore be submitted by 01.07.2024. In addition to the annual reporting of waste heat potential, companies are obliged to keep the information they provide up to date at all times. If the legally required data is not submitted to the waste heat platform in accordance with the specifications, i.e. not on time, not correctly or not at all, a fine of up to €50,000 must be expected.
What must be determined and published?
According to § 16 EnEfG, companies are obliged to determine the waste heat generated and to avoid it according to the state of the art. If measures to avoid waste heat have already been commissioned or are currently being implemented, this potential no longer needs to be reported. All other waste heat potentials must be published on the platform for waste heat, even if internal concepts for waste heat utilization already exist.
If estimates or models were used to calculate the data, these must be documented in a plausible and comprehensible manner and marked when submitted.
Data subject to disclosure
The data subject to disclosure is briefly explained below:
Company and locations
On the one hand, the name of the company and all locations of the company where waste heat potential is generated must be stated here. On the other hand, a contact person at the company must be named.
Waste heat potential
Any number of waste heat potentials can be specified for each location in order to take into account the differences between the various waste heat sources, e.g. different temperature levels.
Annual heat amount
In order to be able to assess the quality and usability of a waste heat potential, the annual amount of waste heat must be specified in kWh/a. Ideally, the annual heat amount should be determined using an energy management system or an energy audit. Alternatively, a calculation based on estimates is also permissible. If the calculation is based on estimates, this must be stated in the submission.
Maximum thermal output
The maximum thermal output describes the maximum amount of heat a potential can provide per unit of time in normal operation. The maximum thermal output of a waste heat potential, which is made up of several combined waste heat sources, is calculated from the sum of the maximum outputs of the individual waste heat sources. Estimated values can also be used here if insufficient data is available.
Performance profiles over the course of the year
In order to map the availability of waste heat over time, a performance profile over the course of the year must be transmitted for each waste heat potential. This can take the form of a data series or a graphical representation. Non-operating periods must not be included in the calculation.
The following requirements apply to the temporal resolution:
The performance profiles must be submitted in monthly resolution. In addition, information must be provided on whether the waste heat is also available at weekends or only on weekdays and whether the waste heat generated can be planned or is available at short notice, e.g. due to market signals.
To simplify the specification of the performance profile, a sample template will be provided in the portal and on the website of the platform for waste heat.
Existing options for controlling temperature, pressure and feed-in
When exploiting waste heat potential, the properties of the medium carrying the waste heat are decisive. For this reason, data on the extent to which temperature, pressure and/or feed can be regulated must be provided in the waste heat platform. Only the medium carrying the waste heat is to be taken into account, not the process generating the waste heat.
Average temperature level
In order to assess the suitability of a waste heat potential, the arithmetic mean of the temperature of the waste heat potential over the past year must be specified in the waste heat platform.
Publication
The data transmitted will be made available on a public platform by the Federal Agency for Energy Efficiency. Publication is subject to the protection of any business and trade secrets. The published data does not constitute an obligation on the part of the companies providing the information to enter into a contractual relationship. There is also no claim to the use of waste heat by third parties.
Literatur
[1] BfEE – Merkblatt für die Plattform für Abwärme Version 1.0 (2024): https://www.bfee-online.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/BfEE/DE/Effizienzpolitik/merkblatt_pfa_version_1.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3 (abgerufen am 5.02.2024)
[2] Gesetz zur Steigerung der Energieeffizienz in Deutschland (2023) https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/enefg/BJNR1350B0023.html (abgerufen am 5.02.2024)