LowEx Herten

The overlapping of the energy transition by megatrends such as digitalisation or demographic change requires more than ever integrated problem-solving concepts for the implementation of the energy transition. In addition to the technical aspects, those concepts need to focus on the socio-economic characteristics of the individual regions and municipalities, while taking possible changes caused by the megatrends into account.

The objective of the subproject is to develop an economically, ecologically and socially optimal heat supply concept for the conversion area of the former Westerholt colliery in Gelsenkirchen-Herten. The focus is on the overall system of heat supply, consisting of grid, storage and generation. A sustainable low temperature supply (LowEx), which can integrate sector coupling technologies and various renewable energy sources such as solar thermal energy, geothermal energy and waste heat sources, is the goal. Therefore, an integrated analysis of technical-infrastructural as well as socio-economic and socio-cultural implementation requirements is carried out. In addition to intercommunal integration, the project is characterised by a transdisciplinary project consortium (municipality, public utilities, science, networkers, manufacturers and planners).

The project is funded by the Mercator Foundation.

Partners:
City of Herten (Environmental Agency), Hertener Stadtwerke GmbH, EnergyAgency.NRW (Competence Centre for System Transformation and Energy Infrastructure), Viessmann Deutschland GmbH