Recording of Thursday, May 08, 2025 | The smarter E Europe Exhibition Program 2025 | Exhibition Program | Language: English | Duration: 20:12 .

Industry Panel Explores Solutions to Bureaucratic Challenges in Advancing Solar District Heating Projects in Germany

The discussion explores the challenges and opportunities in implementing solar thermal projects, focusing on technological reliability and bureaucratic hurdles. Dominik highlights that while technology is no longer a barrier, convincing people of its reliability remains difficult due to misunderstandings about system performance. Despite the advantage of predictable pricing over 20 years, skepticism persists. Torsten Lütten identifies lengthy permitting processes as significant obstacles, advocating for streamlined approvals without excessive bureaucracy. Magdalena Berberich discusses positive market influences such as municipal heat planning and extended funding schemes until 2026 in Germany which could enhance solar district heating adoption despite integration challenges with existing systems; she emphasizes potential cost savings by reducing fuel dependency through combined technologies like heat pumps or gas boilers. The conversation also addresses inefficiencies in tendering processes due to general planners' lack of expertise specific to solar systems from conventional backgrounds—a gap causing miscommunication between manufacturers and communities eager for implementation—suggesting standardized templates refined with experienced input could improve outcomes globally where concentrated solar thermal energy can be effectively utilized.

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Speakers

Magdalena Berberich
Executive Director
Solites - Steinbeis Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems

Dominik Bestenlehner
Head of R&D
Ritter XL Solar

Torsten Lütten
Director of Sales and Business Development
Savosolar/Meriaura Energy

Talk of session: Rethinking Heat - Solar Utility Scale Plants for Process Heat and District Heating

With the share of renewable energies in the heating sector remaining low, the heating transition is one of the major challenges on the way towards climate neutrality. Particularly in industry, where high temperatures are needed and cost pressure is high, reconciling profitability and decarbonization is an issue. Large solar thermal installations are on the rise in heating networks.This session will be discussing the potential of solar thermal technology, successful projects and current market developments. Presenters will provide exciting insights into applications, financing models and a glimpse into the future.

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome & Introduction

Video is not available.

Status Quo and Future Perspectives of Solar Process Heat

Speaker

Bärbel Epp
Managing Director
Solrico

To Talk

Breaking New Ground: Insights from a Landmark Study on Solar Process Heat Economics

Speaker

Dr. Gregor Bern
Head of Group Concentrating Systems and Technologies
Fraunhofer ISE

To Talk

Panel Discussion: How Can Solar Process Heat Overcome Economic and Technological Barriers to Scale?

To Talk

Pioneering Large-Scale Solar District Heating: Lessons from Leading Projects

Speaker

Magdalena Berberich
Executive Director
Solites - Steinbeis Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems

To Talk

Ritter XL Solar - Solar Thermal Plants in operation / under construction

Speaker

Dominik Bestenlehrer

To Talk

The Savosolar One-stop-shop

Speaker

Thorsten Lütten

To Talk

Closing Remarks

Video is not available.

Partners & Sponsors

• Session Partner