Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG

New construction of heat supply systems & heating networks

The construction of new renewable heating networks requires comprehensive planning and consistent implementation. This is because every neighborhood and every region has different conditions and therefore different possibilities. We support you in identifying these possibilities and making the most of them.

At Fraunhofer IEG, we have extensive experience and our own methods and tools for cross-sector analysis and planning of integrated energy infrastructures. We consider infrastructures ranging from local to district heating networks. Our extensive geological expertise also enables us to include geothermal heat sources and heat storage facilities in our analysis.

Our range of services at a glance:

Feasibility Study

Support for implementation projects

Control concepts, monitoring, and operational optimization

Geostar

Further Education

Our offer in detail (german)

Your contact person

Alexander Heim

Head of Heat Supply Transformation Business Area

phone +49 234 33858-209

Send email

Range of Services

Alle ausklappen Alle einklappen

feasibility studies

Feasibility Studies

Based on our comprehensive expertise, we can cover the entire spectrum of services offered by comprehensive feasibility studies. With the help of our in-house tools, we ensure efficient and fast results with high analysis quality.

Overview of services

Comprehensive analysis of current building data, heating requirements, existing infrastructure, demographics, and climate data
Forecast of future heating requirements based on different scenarios
Potential analysis and design of renewable heat sources, such as near-surface and deep geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, and environmental heat from air and water
Potential analysis and design of above-ground and underground heat storage systems, including the use of post-mining sites where applicable
Scenario analysis, technology selection, and system design of all components, taking into account ecology, acceptance, and economic efficiency

Contact

Anja Hanßke

Heating Networks 4.0

phone +49 355 35540-148

Send email

How to work with us

There are various ways to collaborate with us at Fraunhofer IEG, depending entirely on your individual needs. Typical collaboration models with Fraunhofer IEG are as follows:

Contract research
Joint projects & consortia
Strategic partnerships
Licensing
Spin-offs
Further training

more info

reference projects

D2 Grids

The aim of the “D2Grids” project is to establish a fifth-generation heating and cooling network at Mark 51°7, the former Opel site in Bochum.

D2 Grids

MissEllyDemo

Implementation of a networked adaptive cooling supply system

MissEllyDemo

FernWP

District and process heating supplied by heat pumps as a replacement for coal combustion.

FernWP

Zollverein Coal Mine relies on Fraunhofer for heat and energy transition

A feasibility study for climate-neutral heat and energy supply for the nearly 100-hectare site.

Press release (german)

Large heat pumps for municipalities and industry

Large heat pumps can tap into green heat sources for communities and industry.

large heat pumps (german press release)

ODH@Jülich

The ODH@Jülich (Open District Hub @ Jülich) project is developing scientifically sound, data-based methods for the development of a digital planning and simulation tool for energy supply in neighborhoods.

ODH@Jülich

Determination of relevant low-temperature sources and sinks

The focus here is on determining, defining, and describing the relevant low-temperature sources and the corresponding low-temperature sinks.

Identification of low-temperature sources

“Geothermal technologies in metropolitan areas”

A contribution to the heat transition and climate protection

Study (german)

Potential of large heat pumps in Brandenburg and Saxony

Large heat pumps in urban heating networks can replace coal and gas.

Study (german)

Roadmap “Near-surface geothermal energy”

Geothermal heat pumps for the energy transition – potential, obstacles, and recommendations for action

Roadmap (german)

Roadmap “Deep geothermal energy for Germany”

Recommendations for action by policymakers, industry, and academia for a successful heat transition.

Roadmap (german)

Support for implementation projects

We work with you to plan the implementation of your projects. In addition to a sound basis for decision-making, this requires professional planning and effective project management. We support you in the detailed design of heating and cooling networks, heat sources, and heat storage systems, as well as in the concrete implementation planning. Scientific support for your implementation project is also possible. In addition, we can assist you in assuming building owner responsibilities and carrying out approval procedures.

Overview of services

Based on our practical experience and application-oriented research, we support you in concept development, detailed planning, implementation support, and integration of:

Latest-generation heating and cooling networks,
Large heat pumps,
Near-surface geothermal energy,
Deep geothermal energy,
Integration of mine water resources, and
Heat storage.

Our range of services includes both integrated and very comprehensive projects as well as implementation projects for individual technologies.

In the concrete implementation, we support you in particular with scientific support, the assumption of building owner obligations, or the execution of approval procedures.

Contact

René Verhoeven

Post-Mining-Exploitation

Send email

How to work with us

There are various ways to collaborate with us at Fraunhofer IEG, depending entirely on your individual needs. Typical collaboration models with Fraunhofer IEG are as follows:

Contract research
Joint projects & consortia
Strategic partnerships
Licensing
Spin-offs
Further training

more info

Reference Projects

D2 Grids

The aim of the “D2Grids” project is to establish a fifth-generation heating and cooling network at Mark 51°7, the former Opel site in Bochum.

D2 Grids

Heatstore

Development of an underground high-temperature heat storage system in combination with an hT heat pump.

Heatstore

WINZER

Heat storage in coal mines in the Ruhr region.

WINZER

PUSH-IT

Storing excess heat underground: a sustainable solution for Europe's energy future.

PUSH-IT

VESTA CONTRAST

Seismic exploration for the evaluation of high-temperature storage facilities

Vesta Contrast

Control concepts, monitoring, and operational optimization

A suitably designed control concept and effective monitoring are crucial for the efficient use of renewable energies in district heating supply. This is because the operational optimizations derived from monitoring offer the potential for significant cost reductions and enable the long-term, economical, and resource-saving operation of your systems.

Overview of services

Design of control and monitoring concepts for the efficient use of renewable energies
Dynamic simulation and operational optimization of energy systems and components with a focus on heat and hydrogen systems
Validation of design optimization in virtual operation
Development and testing of energy management systems in virtual operation with in-house DySONiC software
Individually tailored operational management concepts (cost minimization, self-sufficiency maximization, etc.)
Dynamic modeling of customer systems and networks (geothermal storage, heat pumps, district heating networks, etc.)
Digital twin as a forecasting or assistance system
Development of intelligent control algorithms and AI-based operating strategies

Contact

Anton Plietzsch

Energy management and control

phone +49 355 35540-185

Send email

How to work with us

There are various ways to collaborate with us at Fraunhofer IEG, depending entirely on your individual needs. Typical collaboration models with Fraunhofer IEG are as follows:

Contract research
Joint projects & consortia
Strategic partnerships
Licensing
Spin-offs
Further training

more info

Reference Project

DySONiC

DySONiC is a tool for the dynamic simulation and optimization of district heating networks and enables the virtual validation of control and energy management strategies.

DySONiC (german)

GeoStar

The GeoStar concept developed by Fraunhofer IEG shows how existing residential and commercial buildings can also use their subsoil for climate-neutral heating and cooling. Using the inclined drilling technology of mobile drilling rigs, such as Fraunhofer IEG's Bo.Rex, boreholes arranged in a star pattern are drilled at an angle of approximately 10° to a depth of several hundred meters to reach geothermal probes. Since this technology allows a large volume of soil to be tapped and used even under buildings with minimal surface space requirements, the limited space between existing buildings is sufficient to tap geothermal energy for efficient and sustainable heating and cooling. Once the drilling work has been completed and the connection to the building or distribution network has been established, the geothermal system is almost invisible. Since cooling and heating technology can be combined and smart operation allows for maximum efficiency of use, GeoStar is a success factor for the heat transition in established inner-city residential and commercial areas.

Overview of services

All aspects of planning and implementation of GeoStar, even in densely built-up areas with limited space
Technical integration into your heating and cooling systems
Use of smart operational management for maximum efficiency of cooling and heating technology

Contact

Timm Eicker

Near-surface geothermal energy

phone +49 234 33858-184

Send email

How to work with us

There are various ways to collaborate with us at Fraunhofer IEG, depending entirely on your individual needs. Typical collaboration models with Fraunhofer IEG are as follows:

Contract research
Joint projects & consortia
Strategic partnerships
Licensing
Spin-offs
Further training

more info

© Fraunhofer IEG
The GeoStar horizontal drilling technique taps into the subsoil beneath existing buildings and makes it possible to retrofit neighborhoods with geothermal probes.

Reference Project

Angled drilling technology brings geothermal energy to existing buildings

The 12 geothermal probes arranged in a star pattern heat and cool the main lecture hall at Bochum University of Applied Sciences.

GeoStar 2.0 (german)

We'll get you ready for the municipal and industrial heat transition!

Contact us

Further Education

We offer extensive training opportunities.

At a time when sustainability and efficiency are paramount, we offer customized training courses that help your company future-proof its heating systems. Our experts provide you with valuable knowledge and practical approaches. If you are interested, we would be happy to provide you with further information. Get in touch with us!