The future of heat planning
At the end of May, experts came together at the Energy Competence Talk to discuss the future of heat planning. The event not only brought culinary highlights, but above all exciting insights and signaled clear trends.
Software and tools: From support to your own application
A clear trend is emerging: heat planning tools are becoming increasingly convenient and intuitive. The days when local authorities had to rely on external support are numbered. Today, users can easily integrate their own data into modern tools such as digikoo's digipad and create their own evaluations and reports - individually and tailored to their needs.
A look into the future: 3D visualizations will soon be standard in these tools and enable even more realistic mapping of buildings and energy flows.
Fig. bottom left: Nexiga presentation, Norbert Stankus / More about the program
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Clever & Smart
A clever combination and preparation of smart data is crucial: data quality can be significantly improved by linking with other sources, creative solutions and targeted post-processing.
No implementation without acceptance
But technology alone is not enough. No heat planning will be successful without local people. An efficient forecasting model or the best tool will only be effective if citizens are involved. In future, it will therefore be increasingly important to inform citizens at an early stage, involve them and provide them with long-term support. Heat planning is more than just technology - it is communication and participation.
Quality determines the planning
A good database is the basis for any reliable heat planning. The better and more up-to-date the data, the more precise the forecasts and models. Ideally, real data such as consumption data at connection or building level is used, supplemented by information on the type of heating or energy source (e.g. chimney sweep data). If these are not available, external data sources - such as the year of construction, size, use or heating requirements of buildings- can help.
Data providers such as Nexiga are continuously working to improve data quality. By linking LoD2 data with cadastral information, aerial photographs or industry databases, gaps can be closed and the informative value of heat planning can be strengthened.
- Heat planning tools are becoming increasingly user-friendly - own data integration and individual evaluations are possible without external support.
- 3D visualizations will become standard in planning tools in the future.
- Public participation is crucial: no implementation without acceptance - permanent information and participation are necessary
- Data quality is the key: Real data (e.g. consumption data, chimney sweep data) is ideal for supplementing external data.
- LoD2 data offers valuable information, but also challenges - e.g. incomplete geometries or missing years of construction/use
- Targeted data preparation and linking of LOD2 with cadastre, aerial images and company data ensures valid results.
- Heat planning requires integration into municipal processes and socially responsible prioritization (e.g. according to income structure, ownership structure, environmental awareness).
Heat planning is teamwork
Heat planning is not an isolated task. It must be integrated into municipal processes and bring all relevant stakeholders to the table. The
Focus on people: a holistic approach to heat planning
Acceptance among the population often determines success or failure. By combining building data with socio-economic information - such as income structure, ownership structure or environmental awareness - "neighbourhoods" can be prioritized and measures can be designed in a socially acceptable way.
This enables a differentiated approach to renovation roadmaps and funding programs - for successful and sustainable heat planning.
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Competence Talk Energy 2026
We would like to thank all speakers and participants for the wealth of information and discussions and are already looking forward to the 3rd Competence Talk Energy in 2026 - to be continued.
LoD2 data: Opportunities and challenges
LoD2 data provides a lot of valuable information for heat planning - such as complex roof surfaces or building sections. However, their quality can vary greatly: Incorrect geometries, missing information on use or year of construction, heterogeneous structures - all of these pose challenges for planners.
A good database is the basis for any reliable heat planning. The better and more up-to-date the data, the more precise the forecasts and models. Ideally, real data such as consumption data at connection or building level is used, supplemented by information on the type of heating or energy source (e.g. chimney sweep data). If these are not available, external data sources - such as the year of construction, size, use or heating requirements of buildings - can help.
