On March 18, 2026, a cluster meeting titled “Future Quarter incampus on the Path to Climate Neutrality” was held at the incampus project house in Ingolstadt. The event brought together key stakeholders from industry, research, and public institutions to explore practical pathways toward climate-neutral energy systems at the district level.
The event was jointly organised by AUDI, the City of Ingolstadt, Bayern Innovation and INTERSTORES partners from incampus, creating a strong platform for knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration. The event was funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.
Showcasing a Real-World Climate-Neutral Energy Concept
The half-day technical event, complemented by an on-site visit, provided participants with direct insights into the innovative energy concept implemented at incampus, one of Germany’s most advanced urban development sites.
At its core, the incampus energy system is based on a modular low-exergy approach, integrating:
- Cold district heating networks
- Reversible heat pumps
- Thermal energy storage solutions
- Waste heat recovery, particularly from data centers
This integrated system is further enhanced by photovoltaics, groundwater use, and a digital energy management system that optimises energy flows, reduces peak loads, and enables sector coupling across heating, cooling, and electricity.
Strong Contribution from INTERSTORES and Project Partners
The event featured contributions from INTERSTORES partners, highlighting ongoing research and innovation in seasonal thermal energy storage (sTES) and district energy systems.
Experts from THI (Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt) Dr. Christoph Trinkl and M.SC. Simon Müller (Institute for New Energy Systems – InES) presented cost-effective and environmentally sustainable sTES solutions, with a focus on the gravel-water long-term heat storage system implemented at incampus. Their contribution clearly demonstrated the transition from research to real-world deployment.
In parallel,
Practical insights into system design and implementation were further supported by Rainer Strobel (PGMM), while the broader energy concept of incampus was presented by Dr. Christof Messner and Markus Faigl, highlighting a modular low-exergy system integrating district heating and cooling, reversible heat pumps, thermal storage, and waste heat utilisation—particularly from the data centre.
Additional perspectives were provided by Sebastian Specht (Drees & Sommer), who addressed innovative and sustainable data centre solutions, including digital twins and optimisation strategies, and Professor Dr. Raphael Lechner (OTH Amberg-Weiden), who outlined key challenges, technologies, and funding frameworks for climate-neutral energy systems.
partners contributed with perspectives on planning, system integration, and the design of future-proof energy infrastructure, complementing the practical experience shared by incampus partners.
Key Topics and Discussions
The programme addressed a wide range of topics relevant for the transition to climate-neutral districts, including:
- Challenges and trends in district heating and cooling
- Integration of innovative storage technologies
- Waste heat utilisation from data centers
- Intelligent energy management systems
- Funding mechanisms and policy frameworks
A dedicated session on energy concepts for data centers highlighted their evolving role as active components of local energy systems, rather than passive energy consumers.
From Concept to Implementation
One of the key strengths of the event was its focus on implementation-ready solutions. The incampus site serves as a living example of how climate neutrality can be achieved not only technologically, but also economically and systemically.
Participants had the opportunity to explore the site and energy center, gaining practical insights into system operation, integration challenges, and scalability potential for other urban and industrial contexts.
Building Bridges Between Stakeholders
The event gathered over 40 participants representing a balanced mix of stakeholders, including academia and research organisations, industry and technology providers and manufacturers, district heating operators, local authorities and utility representatives, as well as engineering, planning, and public sector representatives. The diversity enabled a strong exchange between research and real-world implementation, ensuring discussions were grounded in practical needs and operational realities. It also highlights the growing maturity of the sector and supports the replicability and market uptake of integrated energy solutions such as sTES.
Looking Ahead
The incampus initiative demonstrates how integrated energy systems, supported by innovation, research, and strong partnerships, can pave the way toward climate-neutral districts.
Through initiatives like INTERSTORES, such solutions are not only being developed but also actively transferred and replicated across Europe, supporting the broader transition to resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy systems.
