Nahfernwärme

Nahfernwärme is a German term that translates to "district heating" or "local heating." It refers to a system that supplies heat from a central source to multiple buildings in a neighborhood or district. This central source can be a power plant, industrial facility, or a dedicated heating plant. The heat is typically generated by burning fossil fuels, biomass, or through waste heat recovery.

The heat is distributed to consumers through a network of insulated underground pipes that carry hot water or steam. This hot medium then transfers its heat to the individual buildings' heating systems, often via heat exchangers. Nahfernwärme systems offer several advantages, including improved energy efficiency, reduced local air pollution, and the potential to utilize renewable energy sources or waste heat that would otherwise be lost.

The implementation of Nahfernwärme is particularly common in densely populated urban areas where the cost-effectiveness of laying a shared heating network is higher. It can also contribute to the decarbonization of heating, especially when the central heat source is powered by renewable energy. The efficiency of these systems is often enhanced through combined heat and power (CHP) generation, where electricity and heat are produced simultaneously. This approach maximizes the energy output from a single fuel source.