The second network meeting of the EnerNet project in the field of local and district heating took place at the end of June 2025. It was hosted by the UBT Future Energy Lab (FEL) in Wunsiedel. The event was organized by the Institute for Water and Energy Technology (iwe) at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
Participants from science, local authorities and the energy sector took the opportunity to network and exchange ideas. The focus was on current developments, challenges and innovative solutions in the field of municipal heat planning and infrastructure for local and district heating.
After a welcome from the iwe project managers, Prof. Dr. Dieter Brüggemann, Managing Director of the Future Energy Lab and holder of the Chair of Technical Thermodynamics and Transport Processes at the University of Bayreuth, opened the event with an introduction to the FEL. He highlighted the importance of the Wunsiedel site as a real laboratory for a sustainable, cross-sector energy supply.
The “Wunsiedel way”
Karin Eckstein (FEL) then presented the so-called WUNsiedler Weg – an integrated and forward-looking concept for a sustainable energy supply. The focus here is on the cross-sector interlinking of electricity, heat and hydrogen. The Wunsiedel Energy Park impressively illustrates what holistic solutions for the regional energy transition can look like in practice.
Current developments
In the subsequent keynote speeches, the speakers highlighted current developments and challenges relating to local and district heating from the perspective of research, politics and municipal practice. A representative from the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology (iwe) at Hof University of Applied Sciences explained the role of heating networks in the current coalition agreement, the status of decarbonization in the heating sector and the current political targets. There were also insights into current research priorities and developments in the field of heating networks.
Heating network for Wunsiedel
Thomas Wurm from endura kommunal GmbH then presented the planned heating network for Wunsiedel. Using concrete planning steps, he showed how an idea can be turned into a feasible infrastructure project. From strategic preparation and technical implementation issues to the importance of early and transparent communication with citizens. The presentation made it clear how central local acceptance is to the success of the heating transition.
The highlight of the network meeting was the tour of the Wunsiedel Energy Park. In the afternoon, the participants were given selected insights into key elements of the local energy infrastructure, including pellet production and the combined heat and power plants. It became clear how the individual components are coordinated to ensure an efficient and sustainable energy supply.
Special thanks go to the UBT Future Energy Lab as the host of our network meeting, which not only made it possible for us to organize the event, but also provided us with great support and an exciting tour of the energy park. We would also like to thank everyone involved for the valuable discussions and exciting exchanges on site.
Would you also like to become part of EnerNET? Then take part in our training events and network meetings in 2025:
A) In the field of local heating:
- Energy sources of the future
16.09. 2025 10-16 h (hybrid, location still to be clarified) - Dealing with resistance – recognizing and eliminating potential conflicts
21.10.2025 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (hybrid, location to be clarified)
Contact: projekt-adern@hof-university.de (Julian Knopp)
B) In the field of air conditioning and refrigeration technology:
- Comfort testing
23.09.2025 2-5 pm (face-to-face event, Hof University)
Contact: klima-kaelte@hof-university.de (Diana Stein)
C) In the field of energy management:
- Network meeting energy management 17.07.2025
2-7 p.m. (Hof University of Applied Sciences) - Software solution and measurement technology
30.09.2025 14-16 h (Online-Workshop)
Contact: energiemanager@hof-university.de (Stefan Bayer)
Project completion for all sub-networks:
26.11.2025 (Hof University of Applied Sciences, time to be announced);
