Previous Communications
15.12.2025
New guidelines for implementing municipal heating plans from KoWaP-Pro
In three guidelines published today, the Environmental Energy Law Foundation, together with its research partners adelphi research gGmbH and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Knies (Bremen University of Applied Sciences), provides practical guidance and legal advice on the process steps and procedures required to implement the targets and measures set out in the heating plans.
The guides provide specific information and advice for local authorities, energy suppliers, and citizens who need to work together to shape the heat transition. They also highlight best practice examples that are already available today, as well as selected legal topics in several focus chapters.
11.11.2025
Conference ‘The upcoming implementation of heating plans – challenges and solutions for energy infrastructure and building efficiency’
On 11 November 2025, Clara Brühl, research assistant for the W-rob project, took part in the conference ‘The upcoming implementation of heating plans – challenges and solutions for energy infrastructure and building efficiency’, organised by the Environmental Energy Law Foundation (Stiftung Umweltenergierecht) in Würzburg. The participants were mainly lawyers who look at the heating transition from a practical and a research perspective. The presentations introduced and discussed the legal framework and possible scenarios for increasing building efficiency, expanding heating networks and decommissioning gas networks.
The exchange highlighted in particular the legal framework, obstacles and design options for the successful implementation of the heating plans. The conference provided valuable input for further work in the W-rob project.
06.11.2025
Event ‘Communication Strategies for the Heat Transition’
On 6 November 2025, Clara Brühl, research assistant in W-rob, represented the project at the event ‘Communication Strategies for the Heat Transition’ organised by the related project “Q4Q – Quartier für Quartier” (Q4Q – Neighbourhood by Neighbourhood), which took place in the impressive premises of Düsseldorf’s public utility company. The event was led by Katharina Renout and Charlotte Schmid and provided a framework for exchange between research and practice partners. As part of a World Café, Clara moderated a table on the topic of ‘Design and use of activation in the context of the heat transition’ – an important topic for both projects. Presentations from different perspectives enriched the event. It was great to see diverse communication strategies that are being used in the context of the municipal heat transition.
This only confirmed the relevance of our research approaches. We look forward to further exchange!
11.07.2025
Workshop on mediation strategies in the heating transition. Düsseldorf, 6 November 2025
– How can social aspects be included in implementation and planning?
– How can more acceptance for a heat transition be created?
– Which target groups do we want to reach and how?
Findings from research and practice will be presented and discussed. In addition, there will be space for joint exchange and brainstorming in interactive formats.
The workshop is aimed at all stakeholders in the municipal heating transition.
26.06.2025
KWW-Conference 2025 in Halle (Saale)
On June 26, at the major Conference of the Centre for Competence in Heating Transition (KWW) in Halle (Saale), the W-rob core team was represented. As part of a “heat transition sprint” presentation, we were able to present our project, our current work steps and key topics to an interested specialist audience. The KWW conference also gave us the great opportunity to follow many exciting presentations on topics relating to the transformation of the heat supply. These were very diverse, ranging from social aspects of the heating transition to questions about geothermal energy. The personal exchange with the many committed people from other cities and organizations was very enriching – the concentrated expertise at this conference was simply impressive. We were able to use this day to take away good ideas, deepen existing contacts and expand our network. A big thank you to the organizers for the successful event and the inspiring atmosphere! Dialogue.changes.perspectives.
22.05.2025
“Wärme vor zwölf” event series
BürgerBegehren Klimaschutz, Scientists for Future and NABU are organizing the online seminar series “Wärme vor zwölf” – Impulse für eine nachhaltige Wärmewende. Several times a month on Thursdays from 11:55 a.m., from May 22, 2025 to November 27, 2025. Afterwards also on YouTube: https://fffutu.re/ihgIyN
25.03.2025
Call for funding “Vom Plan zur Wende” (engl. ‘From Plan to Transition’)
The obligation to prepare heating plans raises a wide range of research questions. In September 2024, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) published the call for funding “Vom Plan zur Wende” (engl. ‘From Plan to Transition’. The next deadline for submitting project ideas is May 1, 2025.
05.03.2025
Next meetings of the practice partners
The next meeting with our practice partners will take place online on May 13, 2025. The project advisory board will meet on May 20, 2025.