Paul Kromer
HERRENKNECHT AG
The heat transition is gathering pace, and the expansion targets for district heating in Germany remain ambitious in terms of the buildings to be newly connected to district heating networks. This means that by 2045, the current length of district heating pipelines – currently around 35,000 km – could more than double.
The laying of heat pipes for new construction and for the expansion of district heating networks is usually carried out using open-cut trench methods. However, other laying methods using trenchless techniques are also employed. These are mostly used to safely cross under obstacles when open-cut laying is not possible. Furthermore, they are increasingly being used for reasons of cost-effectiveness and indirect social and environmental considerations. Greater public acceptance also leads to faster approval processes and, consequently, faster implementation.
The expansion of district heating networks requires the utmost technical care, particularly when crossing beneath features such as roads, watercourses or nature reserves. The properties of district heating pipes, particularly KMR pipes, must also be taken into account. Trenchless construction methods have already proven their worth in pipeline and tunnel construction and also enable the safe and rapid crossing beneath sensitive infrastructure with minimal surface disruption.
Language: German | AI translation into English available
