The heating transition despite scarce resources: from local heating plans to cost-effective heat supply

By wdo, 14 August, 2026
  • Patrick Straub, AVAT Automation GmbH / Ingenieurbüro Ganssloser
  • Simon Volkmer, RheinEnergie AG

Many local authorities and towns have laid an important foundation through their local heating plans: the supply area has been defined and the heating plan is in place. The key question now is: how can this be turned into an economically viable, legally sound and technically robust project that can actually be implemented?

In this specialist presentation, AVAT and RheinEnergie demonstrate how local authorities – particularly small and medium-sized ones – can be provided with comprehensive support on the journey from planning to implementation. The focus is on the interplay between local authority interests, technical solutions, economic viability, funding opportunities, financing, and suitable operator and partnership models.

Using a practical example, the presentation illustrates how a heat planning process evolves into a viable supply concept: from the assessment of suitable generation and supply solutions, through funding applications and simulations, to system integration and operation. It demonstrates how partnership-based solutions, based on mutual respect, help to reconcile technical, commercial and legal requirements.

Finally, the presentation demonstrates how smart heating systems, digital connectivity and flexibility options – such as heat and battery storage – provide long-term support for efficient, secure and cost-effective operation.

Language: German | AI translation into English available

Datum
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Sprecher

Patrick Straub

By wdo, 23 July, 2026

AVAT Automation GmbH / Ingenieurbüro Ganssloser

Patrick Straub ist Projektleiter, Fachplaner und Energieexperte für Konzeption, Fördermittelstrategie sowie Regelungs- und Leittechnik und plant bei AVAT im Ingenieurbüro Ganssloser einzelne Wärmenetze und große Wärmeverbunde von ersten Machbarkeitsstudien, inkl. Fördermöglichkeiten, bis zur Umsetzung. Dazu gehören auch die hydraulische Beratung und Auslegung, die Verbundregelung sowie die wirtschaftliche Optimierung.

Patrick-Straub_AVAT
AVAT
Beschreibung_en

AVAT Automation GmbH / Ganssloser Engineering Consultants

Patrick Straub is a project manager, specialist planner and energy expert specialising in design, funding strategy, and control and monitoring technology. At AVAT, within the Ganssloser engineering consultancy, he plans individual heating networks and large heating networks, from initial feasibility studies – including funding opportunities – right through to implementation. This also includes hydraulic consultancy and design, network control and economic optimisation.

Simon Volkmer

By wdo, 14 August, 2026

Simon Volkmer gestaltet bei der RheinEnergie AG Partnerschaften, Geschäftsmodelle und Lösungen für die kommunale Wärmeversorgung – von der Entwicklung von Wärmegesellschaften und Contracting-Modellen bis zur Umsetzung komplexer Dekarbonisierungsprojekte für Stadtwerke und Kommunen. Dazu gehören auch strategische Kooperationen, Portfolioübernahmen sowie die Weiterentwicklung bestehender Wärmenetze.

Simon Volkmer_Rheinenergie
Rheinenergie
Beschreibung_en

At RheinEnergie AG, Simon Volkmer develops partnerships, business models and solutions for municipal heat supply – ranging from the development of heating companies and contracting models to the implementation of complex decarbonisation projects for municipal utilities and local authorities. This also includes strategic partnerships, portfolio acquisitions and the further development of existing heating networks.