The energy transition is the topic of the moment. Whether in politics, the media, or the economy—everyone is talking about it. But one crucial aspect is often overlooked: the heating transition.
It is precisely heat supply that accounts for one-third of our energy consumption and plays a key role in sector coupling [1]. Without a heat transition, the energy transition will remain only a partial success.
Our CEO Klaus Nagl sums it up: "Without a heating transition, there can be no energy transition." This conviction has shaped Consolinno Energy's work since day one. "We originally come from the building automation sector," explains Klaus. "This meant that we were involved in shaping change in the building sector from an early stage and know what matters: efficiency and intelligent control. The heat transition will succeed primarily through smart technologies, and that is precisely our area of expertise."
Building automation: the silent hero of the heating transition
Our experience shows that building automation is a powerful lever for saving energy in the heating sector. Intelligent control systems play a central role in this. They ensure that heat is only provided when it is actually needed. Our systems analyze data in real time—whether it's the weather forecast or past energy consumption—and adjust heat production accordingly. This enables us to significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising on comfort.
Studies confirm this potential: by 2030, the widespread use of such technologies in the building sector could save up to 14.7 million tons of CO₂ [2]. That would be an impressive contribution to climate change mitigation! Alongside energy-efficient renovations and the increased use of renewable energies, building automation is one of the three pillars on which the heating transition rests.
The challenges facing the heating sector
Looking at total energy consumption in Germany, it becomes clear how important the heating sector is. Around 50 percent of final energy consumption is accounted for by heat supply—much of it in private households. The fact that almost 85 percent of this energy comes from fossil fuels shows how urgent a transformation is needed [3].
But this is also where the great potential lies. Through renovations and the use of modern technologies such as heat pumps, we can drastically reduce energy consumption. Experts talk about savings of up to 60 percent. This is not a utopian goal, but achievable—if we approach it wisely [3].
Think locally, act globally: implementing the heat transition at the local level
While the energy transition is often discussed at the national or global level, the heat transition must be implemented locally. Why? Because heat cannot be transported over long distances without suffering significant losses. This is where tailor-made, regional solutions come into play. Municipalities and neighborhoods must take action themselves and adapt their energy supply to local conditions. A new development area in Bad Nauheim shows how this can be achieved in practice.
In Bad Nauheim South, 400 residential units are supplied with cold local heating by Germany's largest ground collector. Consolinno is developing the energy management system for the "KNW-Opt" research project, which uses algorithms and AI to optimize operating costs in the cold heating network. The network is also used for passive cooling in the summer, reducing energy consumption compared to conventional air conditioning systems. This decentralized approach not only creates greater independence from fossil fuel imports, but also strengthens the regional economy. Every municipality can benefit from the heat transition—and that's where we come in.
Our goal?
Our goal? A future in which renewable energies dominate the heat supply and fossil fuels are a thing of the past. An ambitious goal that we want to achieve with state-of-the-art technology and together with our partners. The future of heat supply is decentralized, digital, and green—and Consolinno Energy is right in the middle of it.
Sources
[1] https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Schlaglichter-der-Wirtschaftspolitik/2023/03/05-waermewende.html
[2] https://www.borderstep.de/facts-and-figures/facts-figures-klimaschutz-durch-gebaeudeautomation/