Siedler:innen

The project focuses on suburban areas of Vienna that are not connected to the district heating network. The goal is to develop a community-based, renewable heat supply in these areas that connects subsidized new buildings with surrounding existing buildings. This requires technical, economic, and social innovation components to establish a local heat and energy community. Legal issues must also be clarified, and owners of existing buildings must be involved. The project thus responds to the challenge of advancing decarbonization in the neighborhood through a community-based and replicable solution.

Objective of the Siedler:innen project

The goal of the project is to develop a scalable model for a community-based, renewable heat supply in suburban areas of Vienna that are not connected to the district heating network. The starting point is subsidized new construction projects that will be connected to surrounding existing buildings via a local heating network. A local heat and energy community will be established through technical, economic, and social innovation components. Residents and municipal stakeholders will be actively involved in the process. The project thus aims to advance decarbonization in the neighborhood and create a replicable model for similar urban areas in Vienna and beyond.

Approach and methodology of the Siedler:innen project

As part of the exploratory project, various network options ranging from an anergy network to a high-temperature solution are being evaluated for technical and economic feasibility. In addition, legal issues are being clarified and a business model is being developed. A participatory approach promotes acceptance and self-organization within the neighborhood. To this end, information and participation formats are being implemented for property owners in the existing housing stock. On this basis, a transferable model for similar situations is being developed.

Expected results of the Siedler:innen project

The project is developing a scalable and transferable model for a community-based, renewable heat supply in suburban areas of Vienna that are not connected to district heating. To this end, various network options are being evaluated for technical and economic feasibility. As part of this exploratory project, legal issues are being clarified, a business model is being developed, and information and participation formats for property owners in the existing housing stock are being implemented. The result is a local heat and energy community that actively involves residents and municipal stakeholders and drives decarbonization in the neighborhood. The model is intended to be applicable to similar urban areas. Additionally, it generates multiplier effects that contribute to strengthening neighborhood ties and raising awareness about decarbonization.

Benefits and impact of the Siedler:innen project

The project is developing a model for a community-based, renewable heat supply in suburban areas of Vienna that are not connected to district heating. It actively involves residents and municipal stakeholders and, through its participatory approach, promotes acceptance and self-organization within the neighborhood. By linking subsidized new construction with surrounding existing buildings, the project contributes to the decarbonization of the neighborhood. At the same time, it creates a transferable and scalable model that can be applied to similar urban areas in Vienna and beyond.

This project is funded by the “Leuchttürme der Wärmewende (Flagship Projects for the Heating Transition)” program and is being carried out as part of the Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling innovation Lab.