The ADerN network (“Expansion and Digitization of Efficient Renewable Local Heating Networks”) invited participants to its second meeting at the Einstein1 business incubator following its launch in March of this year. The aim of the ADerN project is to increase the acceptance of regenerative local heating networks among the population, to network players in the Bavarian local heating industry and thus to strengthen the industry in the Free State.
45 participants from the fields of network operators, technology providers, planning offices, associations and science attended. After the welcome by Dr.-Ing. Andy Gradel, the leading engineer of the Institute for Water and Energy Management (iwe), and Wolfram Schöberl of the Central Agricultural Commodity Marketing and Energy Network (C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.), project member Anton Sack gave a short interim report on the current developments and the next steps in the ADerN network: As an impulse from the kick-off meeting, a full cost calculator for consumer heating costs had already been created and made available to the network participants. In addition, many further contacts to associations and municipalities have been established, which open up a great potential for further cooperation.
Presentation and workshops
In order to introduce the participants to each other, time slots for introductions were scheduled before, between and after the presentations on the topics “Design of a local heating network for industrial plants” and “Full cost calculation for heating systems”. After the lunch break, visitors had the opportunity to participate in various workshops to discuss the continuing education topics offered in the ADerN project. They could choose from the network focal points “Intelligent network control and digitalization”, “Simulation methods for network design”, “Alternative supplementary technologies” and “Customer acquisition and transparent communication”.
Removing barriers to local heating
During the meeting, the group also set goals for the network’s further work: important obstacles to the expansion of local heating are to be identified and helped to be removed
One example of problems in the expansion of local heating can be that network management is done on a voluntary basis and human resources are limited. In addition, various bureaucratic hurdles exist on the way from the idea to the implementation of a local heating network, which can slow down the process or even thwart projects.”
Anton Sack, project staff
Further training measures open for registration
Extensive further training measures are also planned as part of the ADerN network, which will initially focus on
- Intelligent network control and digitalization
- Simulation methods for network design
- Alternative supplementary technologies
- Customer acquisition and transparent communication
will be dedicated
Anyone who is interested can participate in this training. Also, anyone who would like to know, for example, how to install a local heating network in their area or who has questions about implementation, is welcome to contact us. We will then make the necessary contacts.”
Dr.-Ing. Andy Gradel, Senior Engineer at iwe
To participate or for corresponding inquiries, just send an e-mail to
projekt-adern@hof-university.de
In addition to the network meetings, there will soon also be discussions on a smaller scale to intensify the exchange. Among other things, operator round tables and topic-specific information evenings are planned.
