Daniel Scheideler, Managing Director of Ingenieurbüro Fokus Versorgung GmbH
District heating projects are becoming increasingly complex. Funding deadlines, municipal heat planning, permitting procedures, a shortage of skilled workers, and a multitude of stakeholders significantly increase time pressure. At the same time, complex coordination and decision-making processes often result in projects losing valuable time even before construction begins. This presentation demonstrates why professional management of the planning process is now one of the most important success factors in district heating expansion. Using concrete real-world examples, it analyzes typical causes of schedule delays and presents proven strategies for managing projects much more efficiently. Key topics include early-stage stakeholder management, clear decision-making structures, the optimal timing for the design freeze, a pragmatic planning strategy, and standardization in planning and construction. The presentation will demonstrate how planning, permitting, and procurement processes can be accelerated without compromising quality or supply reliability.
Participants will receive concrete insights on how district heating projects can be moved more quickly from concept to construction—because the success of the heating transition is determined not only on the construction site, but already during the management of the planning process.
