Munich is tackling it: New heat supply strategy for Schwabing & Co.

Munich is tackling it: New heat supply strategy for Schwabing & Co.

The city of Munich is facing a significant challenge: the sustainable heat supply for its citizens is to be raised to a new level. A new, comprehensive heat plan lays the foundation for this and offers a clear strategy in most districts, while some districts still have “white spots”. However, in the districts of Nymphenburg, Schwabing and Harlaching, these gaps are the biggest issue tz reported.

In order to close the missing concepts in these areas, the city is planning several workshops where residents, owners and other interested parties can develop solutions together. The dates have already been set:

• **Münchner Freiheit, Schwabing:** 15. Juli, 17-19 Uhr, Erlöserkirche, Anmeldung bis 10. Juli.
• **Hochleite/Theodolindenplatz, Harlaching:** 22. Juli, 18:30-20:30 Uhr, Pfarrei Maria Immaculata, Anmeldung bis 17. Juli.
• **Südliches Schlossrondell, Nymphenburg:** 23. Juli, 17-19 Uhr, Maria-Ward-Gymnasium, Anmeldung bis 18. Juli.

Participation in the workshops is free, but registration via email is required. The test area in Schwabing, also known as Münchner Freiheit, comprises 34 building blocks with around 6,500 residents. Natural gas heating still dominates here, while energy-efficient renovation would make it possible for up to half of the buildings to be supplied with heat pumps.

The challenges in the test areas

But what happens in the other test areas? In Nymphenburg, around 2,000 people live in six building blocks that are heavily protected as historical monuments. The heating here is currently predominantly using natural gas. A switch to heat pumps could currently be considered for 30 percent of buildings, and after renovation the goal is even 80 percent.

The Hochleite/Theodolindenplatz test area in Harlaching has around 450 inhabitants and is characterized by a high level of monument protection. Here, 50 percent of the buildings are suitable for heat pumps. After energy-saving renovations, the proportion could rise to 75 percent, with natural gas heating predominating here too.

The path to the heat transition

With its heat plan, the city of Munich is pursuing the strategy of ensuring that heat supply will come primarily from renewable sources in the future. In the future, newly built heating systems must generate at least 65 percent of the heat from renewable energies or unavoidable waste heat. However, this initially does not apply to existing buildings and new buildings in vacant lots ( SWM ).

What is interesting is the wide range of suitability areas, which can include both district heating and decentralized solutions. According to the city of Munich, the identified areas serve as a guide for future types of supply and available heat sources ( City of Munich ).

From 2045 onwards, only heating systems that use 100 percent renewable energy will be used. An ambitious goal that has a good chance of being achieved with individual commitment and the city's workshops, especially in the “white spots”. Citizens are invited to actively participate in their own heat supply and thus make a contribution to climate protection.