Socio-technical research in WP2 has focused on understanding the organizational and managerial challenges of developing thermal grids under the net-zero transition.
In our next step, we synthesize the insights from individual case studies and workshops. We have created a qualitative model of the dynamics of thermal grid integration in cities and municipalities.
Key takeaways:
- Net-zero targets pressure municipalities and utilities to consider new options (e.g., deployment of new energy sources or new infrastructure developments). However, the choice of technologies also depends on how reliable they are perceived and how readily engineering and planning firms can implement them. Therefore, federal and cantonal governments should encourage the development of competencies and legitimacy of desirable technologies.
- Utilities should focus more on energy efficiency throughout their business model, particularly building energy efficiency and temperature reduction. Key measures to achieve this are:
- 1) the build-up of new competences, e.g., for digital technology, and
- 2) including energy efficiency into their value proposition, possibly as part of a vision of thermal grids as a platform for societal energy efficiency.
- Municipalities possess a potentially powerful lever for driving the success of the net-zero transition in the funding for strategic energy planning. By allocating more funds to this instrument they may enable a better utilization of local energy potentials.
In a next step, this qualitative description will form the basis for a quantitative model, simulating the long-term integration of thermal grids. We look forward to working with utilities and municipalities to help them evaluate strategy variants through simulation-based roadmaps.
For more information, contact Matthias Speich (matthias.speich@zhaw.ch)
