Energy transition: Solar thermal energy and geothermal storage cover around 70 percent of the heating requirements in Bracht, Hesse
In a Europe-wide tender, Viessmann Climate Solutions was chosen to supply the heating technology and build the district heating network for a flagship project in the neighboring region of Marburg-Biedenkopf. The Rauschenberg village of Bracht aims to become Germany's first climate-neutral village supplied with solar heat by the end of 2025.
Bracht/Allendorf, 12. Juli 2024 – Bracht, a district of Rauschenberg in the Marburg-Biedenkopf region, aims to be Germany’s first climate-neutral village supplied with solar heat soon, thereby accelerating the energy transition on its own initiative. The heating technology used for the unique heat storage project is among others provided by Viessmann Climate Solutions and Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
In a Europe-wide tender, the climate solution manufacturer Viessmann Climate Solutions from the neighboring region of Waldeck-Frankenberg was chosen to provide the heating technology and build the district heating network. To the delight of the "Commercial Business" department at Viessmann Climate Solutions, which supports projects relating to district heating solutions from the tendering stage to technical planning and execution.
Renewable energies ensure autarky
The project is budgeted at around EUR 16.5 million, of which more than half of the amount (EUR 10.5 million) is estimated for the technology required to supply thermal energy and distribute heat via a district heating network. This lighthouse project is not only characterized by the fact that it is one of the first projects benefiting from the combination of Viessmann Climate Solutions and Carrier Global, but also by the fact that 70 % of the heat is solar heat required for the approx. 180 connected properties. To make this possible, a solar thermal field is being built with the Vitosol 100-F XF13 flat-plate collector from Viessmann Climate Solutions, which is designed for large-scale solar thermal systems. Covering an area of 23,500 m² (approx. 3 soccer pitches), 855 collectors (11,638 m² gross collector area) will soon ensure that water is heated in an underground storage tank on sunny days and supply the households in Bracht with hot water. In the colder months of the year or on less sunny days, the seasonal underground storage tank provides hot water for weeks and months if necessary. With a capacity of approx. 27,000 m³, sufficient heat can be provided for the Rauschenberg village of Bracht throughout the year.
In order to make heat generation as energy-efficient as possible, two Carrier Aquaforce 61XWH-ZE water/water heat pumps with a capacity of approx. 630 kW each will also be installed in Bracht. These provide a further 10 % of the heat supply. A Mawera biomass boiler with a thermal output of 700 kW ensures peak load and redundancy. The proportion of heat supplied via biomass in the project is therefore only approx. 20 %. The planned 8,800 m long district heating network with the transfer stations will ultimately connect up to 180 municipal, commercial and private building connections in Bracht. The project is operated with the Vitocontrol 200-M system controller from Viessmann and scientifically monitored by the University of Kassel for three years. At the beginning of the project, doubts arose as to whether it would be cheaper to insulate the houses across the board with decentralized energy generation. Calculations by the University of Kassel showed that the costs would be identical, but the difference would be that it would take decades to refurbish each house individually. In contrast, solar heating will reduce CO₂ emissions by 98 percent within just two years. This gives the residents of Brachter a modernization boost of around 20 years.
Climate neutrality by 2025
The goal of the residents of Bracht is clear: they want to be climate-neutral by 2025 and achieve what is anchored in the Climate Change Act for 2045. It is not only climate protection that is important to the people of Bracht; effective measures against rising heating costs, the passing of the Buildings Energy Act and inflation are also increasing the pressure for alternatives to conventional heating. In Bracht, the people recognized early that the trend is moving towards regenerative solutions and they are acting in the interests of the next generation.
All houses are to be connected to the district heating network by winter 2025, so that the next cold season can come!
About Viessmann Climate Solutions
Founded in 1917 as a heating technology manufacturer, today Viessmann Climate Solutions is a leading global provider of sustainable climate (heating, cooling, water and air quality) and renewable energy solutions. The Integrated Viessmann Climate Solutions portfolio seamlessly connects products and systems via digital platforms and services, creating an individualized feel-good climate for users. Viessmann Climate Solutions is part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions that matter for people and our planet. For more information, visit https://www.viessmann-climatesolutions.com/en.html.
