Germany – Other sources of energy supplies and distribution – Stadtwerke Essen AG: EU-weites Vergabeverfahren "Netzkonzept und Wärmenetzoptimierung" (Los 1)

The city of Essen aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2045 at the latest. A central pillar of this transformation process is the decarbonisation of heat supply. In the Essen-Überruhr/Burgaltendorf area, there are currently untapped potentials for the use of renewable energy sources. The current heat demand of approximately 98.6 GWh/a is distributed among around 13,110 residential units, with natural gas, with a share of about 58%, currently being the dominant supply type. A further 26% of the demand is currently not clearly allocated and falls on non-piped energy carriers. To achieve the climate goals and ensure a sustainable heat supply, Stadtwerke Essen has conducted feasibility studies. These show that the supply of base and medium load can be fundamentally guaranteed in the future through the use of mine water, river water and clarified water. As part of the feasibility study, river water and clarified water were also examined as potential heat sources; however, these will not be pursued further in the course of the project. The only remaining natural heat source is the mine water of the Zeche Heinrich. The generated heat quantity is to be distributed via a new heat network to be established, which will supply around 4,137 buildings in the final expansion. The planning and construction of the new low-temperature heat network will be carried out as part of the funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action "Federal funding for efficient heat networks (BEW-Modul 1, performance phases 2-4)". The aim is the subsequent implementation of the project in BEW-Modul 2 (construction). The effectiveness of this contract is subject to the suspensive condition that a grant notification has been issued for the approval of the applied-for grant for the BEW1-Modul in an amount that, according to the binding grant conditions, secures the financing of the project for the BEW1-Modul including the services subject to this tender. It is pointed out that the tendering procedure may be cancelled if the contracting authority should not receive the grant for the implementation of the overall project. Currently, there is no permit for the construction of the low-temperature heat network. The permit application has been submitted.