A Methodological Framework for Identifying District Heating Networks in Germany by Utilizing the Census Data

SSRN Electronic Journal

Abstract

In this study, we present a methodological framework to identify the spatialposition and heat demand of district heating networks for residential buildingsin Germany by utilizing the census dataset for 2022. A clustering approach isused to locate district heating networks and further datasets are included toderive and evaluate additional characteristics. A top-down calibration isapplied to match the heat demand of identified networks with validation datafrom the German office of statistics. In total, 8,684 areas of presumed district heating networks could be identifiedin Germany. 90% of the demand is covered by about 10.87% of the district heating networks. The resulting dataset is published under the name AixDHN on GitHub. To demonstrate the application of the AixDHN dataset, a use case evaluates thepotential of shallow geothermal collectors for supplying identified districtheating grids. The use case reveals a technical potential of approximately15.31 TWh/year for shallow geothermal collectors in Germany. The AixDHN dataset delivers a spatially detailed dataset and enables theevaluation of renewable heat sources for integration into district heatingnetworks. The methodology's strengths lie in its robust, generalized, andsystematic approach, making it applicable throughout Germany without furtherregional research. It supports the planning and transformation of the heatingsector towards renewable sources as well as municipal heat planning.

Authors 4

1. Kai Droste corresponding Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University

   RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 55, 52056 Aachen, 52056, Germany

2. Luca Döring
   Affiliation as printed

   Independent - affiliation not provided to SSRN

3. Jonas Klingebiel Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University

4. Rahul Karuvingal
   Affiliation as printed

   Independent - affiliation not provided to SSRN