Energy policy advice for the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection

As part of the project, a model-based study was carried out on the security of natural gas supply in Germany.

• Final report: not publicly available
• Duration: 19 June 2024 – 15 September 2024
• Partners involved: PwC, dena, EWI, Prognos

In this project, the gas network operators’ current financing plan for a core hydrogen network was validated by means of a comprehensive model calculation.

• Results report: not public
• Duration: 24 November 2023 – 12 December 2023
• Partners involved: Fraunhofer IEG, Congas, Consentec, dena, Fraunhofer ISI

Under Article 19 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Germany is required to establish and operate a guarantee of origin register for gas and heating/cooling. To implement such a system, a concept analysis was drawn up on the adaptation of the regulatory framework, including the necessary provisions via a regulation on guarantees of origin. Furthermore, a potential assessment and an analysis of the functioning of guarantees of origin for gas, heat and cooling were also prepared.

• Final report: not public
• Duration: 20 March 2023–15 August 2023
• Partners involved: dena, bbh, GreenGasAdvisors, HIC, Öko-Institut

The projects under the “Heat Pump Initiative” are examining the framework conditions for the use of heat pumps in buildings. The accompanying projects addressed a wide range of technical, economic, environmental and strategic issues, as well as regulatory frameworks, market capacities and communication aspects. These included, amongst other things, heat pump prices and production capacities, recyclability and life-cycle analysis, water law frameworks and the use of near-surface geothermal energy.

• Final report: I
• Duration: I: 04/2022 – 01/2023, II: 09/2023 – 05/2024, III: 07/2024 – 04/2025
• Participating partners: Guidehouse, bbh, dena, EY Law, Fraunhofer ISE, FIW Munich, H&H, ibh, ifeu, ITG Dresden, Öko-Institut, Prognos, PwC 

The Federal Act on Heat Planning and the Decarbonisation of Heating Networks (WPG) is one of the key policy instruments for achieving the Federal Government’s climate protection targets in the heating sector. A guide has been developed through two interlinked projects. Taking the GEG into account, this guide is intended to provide assistance with the implementation of heat planning in accordance with the WPG and to serve as a practical guide. The guide was presented to a broad specialist audience for consultation. For the individual components of the WPG, recommendations on procedures and methodology are set out, and the stakeholders to be involved and relevant data sources are identified. 

• Final report: Heat Planning Guide and Technical Catalogue
• Duration: 02 – 11/2023 and 12/2023 – 04/2024
• Partners involved: ifeu, adelphi, bbh, dena, Fraunhofer ISI, Prognos, University of Stuttgart, Öko-Institut

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection commissioned this report to support the development of an integrated storage strategy. Thematically, it focuses on the role of heat storage in the current and future energy supply system. The report differentiates between the sectors of buildings, heating networks and industry as well as trade, commerce and services. Among other things, it focuses on the following topics:

• current stock of heat storage systems and technical potential,
• economic efficiency of heat storage systems,
• current regulation and funding landscape,
• economic and regulatory barriers to efficient use and possible solutions.
• possible solutions.

The report concludes with recommendations aimed at improving the framework conditions for heat storage systems.

Report to support the development of an integrated storage strategy, in German (PDF, 1.43 MB)

One of the measures introduced by the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) of 2023 is the establishment of an online platform for waste heat. On this platform, waste heat data from companies is made available and accessible to other companies as well as for municipal heat planning. Small waste heat sources are often not economically viable for external use and are to be exempted from the reporting requirement below certain thresholds. In the brief report, a definition of the economic viability of channelled waste heat was established on the basis of examined practical examples and modelling, and proposals for de minimis limits as thresholds were developed. 

• Final report: Brief report on economic viability
• Duration: April – September 2024
• Partners involved: dena, adelphi, bbh, Fraunhofer ISI, Guidehouse, University of Stuttgart IER

In view of the growing market share of alternative powertrains, a study was conducted to amend the Passenger Car Energy Labelling Regulation (Pkw-EnVKV). This laid the groundwork for updating the passenger car label (in Germany and the EU). Among other things, the study examined the legal aspects of fuel consumption claims in advertising to ensure consistent and transparent communication. The amendment to the Passenger Car Energy Labelling Regulation came into force in February 2024, thereby obliging retailers to display the information from the new passenger car labels on new vehicles.

Results report: Study on the amendment to the Passenger Car Energy Labelling Regulation

Duration: October 2023 – June 2024

Partners involved: dena, EY Law, Fraunhofer ISI, ifeu, Öko-Institut