The city council groups Freie Wähler and Wählergruppe FÜR Karlsruhe (FW | FÜR Karlsruhe parliamentary group) have submitted a supplementary application for integrated municipal heat planning for the city of Karlsruhe. The application stipulates that the city will develop hydrogen network expansion areas by 2024 and report the requirements to the network operators by the deadline. In addition, the municipal utilities, in cooperation with the Mineralölraffinerie Oberrhein (MiRO), are to examine whether a connection to the hydrogen network for individual heating systems within the city area makes economic sense. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to be concluded with the network operators on hydrogen requirements.
The supplementary proposal is based on the Federal Environment Agency’s finding that municipal heating plans should serve as a guide to clarify the future role of local gas networks. In particular, the question of whether and where a switch to hydrogen is planned is of great importance. The designation of specific hydrogen network expansion areas in Karlsruhe therefore forms an essential basis for the city’s integration into national and European networks. This step not only enables a targeted switch to hydrogen as a heat source, but also ensures efficient use of the existing gas network. By clearly identifying and designating these areas, we are creating the conditions for a sustainable heat supply and helping to achieve the city of Karlsruhe’s energy targets.
Hydrogen can serve as a building block to close the gap in places where neither district heating nor heat pumps are possible. The current energy master plan does not yet offer an adequate solution for these areas. It is therefore crucial to draw up the integrated heat master plan as part of the energy master plan by 2024 at the latest. This not only enables timely notification of requirements to the grid operators, but also creates the basis for a binding agreement with the grid operator in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The city council group of the Freie Wähler and the FÜR Karlsruhe voter group (FW | FÜR Karlsruhe Fraktion) is committed to a sustainable and future-oriented energy supply in Karlsruhe. With the supplementary motion on integrated municipal heating planning, we want to take an important step towards a climate-friendly heating transition.
For further information, please contact City Councillor Friedemann Kalmbach (FÜR Karlsruhe), City Councillor Jürgen Wenzel (Freie Wähler) and City Councillor Petra Lorenz (Freie Wähler).
FAQ
Warum ist die Ausweisung spezifischer Wasserstoffnetzausbaugebiete wichtig?
The designation of specific hydrogen network expansion areas forms an essential basis for the integration of the city of Karlsruhe into national and European networks. This enables a targeted switch to hydrogen as a heat source and ensures efficient use of the existing gas network.
Warum ist Wasserstoff als Baustein der Wärmewende wichtig?
Hydrogen can close the gap in places where neither district heating nor heat pumps are possible. The current energy master plan does not yet offer an adequate solution for these areas. Hydrogen enables a sustainable heat supply and contributes to achieving the city of Karlsruhe’s energy targets.
Wie wird der Ergänzungsantrag umgesetzt?
The city will develop hydrogen network expansion areas by 2024 and report the requirements to the network operators in good time. In addition, the municipal utilities, in cooperation with the Mineralölraffinerie Oberrhein (MiRO), will examine whether a connection to the hydrogen network for individual heating systems within the city area makes economic sense. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on hydrogen requirements will be concluded with the network operators.
