are either distributed to customers or reinvested, while losses prompt necessary price adjustments.
economically viable in the medium term. This creates what we refer to as an ‘actor vacuum,’ particularly in areas with heterogeneous ownership structures. Key lessons from Denmark Denmark has extensive experience with district heating. From a German perspective, looking at Denmark offers valuable lessons. Initially motivated by socio-economic concerns rather than environmental issues, Denmark prioritized national energy independence. Over time, there has been a shift towards climate-neutral energy sources, with district heating playing a central role. Political measures and national guidelines strongly promote district heating, enhancing local communities and value creation. Rooted in local responsibility, Denmark follows the “hvile-i-sig-selv” principle (principle of “non-profit” self-financing), ensuring trust and collaboration are fostered locally. Experiences and innovations are openly shared, leading to greater acceptance of risks and advancements in supply technology. Transparency in technical solutions, implementation processes, and heat pricing is ensured, with the Danish Utility Regulatory Authority publishing heat prices biannually to promote competition and efficiency. Surpluses
Staus Quo in Germany The current situation in Germany demonstrates that the approach to heat energy procurement as a neighborhood- driven project to foster local value creation is only sporadically implemented in rural areas. For the most part, the value chain for energy carriers extends beyond national borders. Therefore, strategic planning of heat supply at the local level as a community project contradicts the German status quo at least partially. This is evident in the current structure of German heating systems, where out of a total of 41.9 million residential units, the most common heating systems include 33.7% gas central heating, 23% oil central heating, 11.6% individual gas heating, and only 15.2% district heating 1 . The procurement of energy sources for heating in Germany involves a complex interplay of market actors, trading platforms, and political frameworks aimed at ensuring reliable and cost-efficient heat supply. An established market largely delivers heat energy carriers directly to end customers through
1 BDEW (2023: BDEW-Studie: „Wie heizt Deutschland?“
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