"The 2020s are a decade of setting the course. The task now is to create the appropriate framework conditions and initiate the essential measures to promote innovation and investment," states the summary of the eagerly awaited dena lead study, which was presented today in Berlin.
It goes on to say, "To make the path to climate neutrality a climate policy and economic success story." Quite clearly the result is summarized: The energy mix of the future includes electrons and molecules! This applies not only to industry and transport, but also to the heating market.
Increasing energy efficiency
The study by the German Energy Agency (dena) focuses on four pillars for the measures needed to achieve climate neutrality by 2045:
- Great efforts in energy efficiency
- Comprehensive direct use of renewable energies
- Wide use of powerfuels such as hydrogen or renewable liquid energy sources
- Development of natural and technical CO₂ storage facilities - i.e. forests or underground caverns
In its study, dena has provided numerous measures with precise target figures for the four pillars mentioned above. In the buildings sector, for example, particular importance is attached to increasing energy efficiency. In particular, the renovation rate of the building stock required to increase efficiency would have to be increased by 0.1 percentage points per year until 2030 and then remain at this high level.
Outdated heating systems
According to dena, one in two German heating systems is more than 15 years old
In the study, dena points in particular to the need to renew the outdated heating systems in order to save energy and costs. According to dena, one in two German heating systems is more than 15 years old and urgently needs to be replaced.
"The dena lead study shows that climate neutrality in buildings is feasible! With our integrated range of Viessmann solutions, we are already perfectly positioned to master the challenges in existing buildings with individual solutions," says Dr. Frank Voßloh, Managing Director of Viessmann Deutschland GmbH.
He takes a positive view of the fact that the study highlights the increasing importance of electricity due to the greater use of heat pumps, while at the same time assigning an important role to molecular energy sources such as hydrogen, but also biomethane or liquid energy sources from renewable sources.
Gas-Based technologies
In electricity-based technologies, Viessmann is investing heavily in the new generation of heat pumps. These are operated with sustainable refrigerants, they are extremely quiet and have an optimized use of electricity.
In addition, it is ideal to combine them with the on-site photovoltaic system and an electricity storage system to create a system that increases self-consumption. If all these criteria are fulfilled, a successful market launch is guaranteed.
In electricity-based technologies, Viessmann is investing heavily in the new generation of heat pumps
Viessmann also invests in gas-based technologies to develop gas condensing boilers in such a way that they can be converted to renewable energy sources at any time without great effort. In this way, they avoid the permanent use of fossil fuels. Viessmann technology can already convert hydrogen admixtures in gas condensing boilers of up to 30 degrees into comfortable heat or hot water.
Gas condensing boilers
Development work is currently underway on gas condensing boilers that will be able to run on up to 100 percent hydrogen in the near future. Thus, as the largest consumer with a share of around 40 percent of final energy, the building sector can already make its contribution to energy efficiency and to increasing the share of renewable energies.
"I am convinced that with a broad-based energy mix and a market-based approach, we will achieve the climate targets in Germany at a socially acceptable cost," Dr. Frank Voßloh concludes. He added that the family-owned company Viessmann would continue to work with all its might to preserve our planet as a liveable space for future generations and to provide the technologies needed to do so.