Connecting Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage with Germany’s Municipal Heat Transition
On 18 June 2026, representatives of the INTERSTORES project attended the Große KWW-Konferenz 2026 in Halle (Saale), Germany. Organised by the Kompetenzzentrum Kommunale Wärmewende (KWW), the conference brought together municipalities, public authorities, utilities, research actors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders involved in shaping the future of local heating systems in Germany.
The event focused on the municipal heat transition — or Kommunale Wärmewende — a key process through which cities and municipalities plan, develop and implement future heating supply strategies. With around 500 attendees, the conference provided an important space for exchange between actors working on practical pathways towards climate-neutral, efficient and locally adapted heating solutions.
Although INTERSTORES did not participate with a formal presentation or project session, Peter Bayer and Christoph Bottfrom Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Institute for Geosciences and Geography used the opportunity to introduce the project through networking, direct conversations and the distribution of project leaflets. These exchanges helped raise awareness of INTERSTORES among stakeholders who are directly involved in municipal heat planning, including municipalities, municipal utilities, district heating and cooling network operators, developers, owners and other actors responsible for heating transition strategies in German cities.
The relevance of the event to INTERSTORES was particularly strong because municipal heat planning is closely connected to the project’s focus on seasonal thermal energy storage (sTES). As cities look for ways to reduce fossil fuel dependency, integrate renewable and excess heat sources, and strengthen district heating systems, solutions such as underground and large-scale thermal storage can become important elements of future energy infrastructure.
The discussions at the conference confirmed the value of engaging with local and regional stakeholders early in the transition process. For INTERSTORES, such exchanges support a better understanding of the needs, challenges and decision-making contexts of municipalities and heating-sector actors. They also help identify where innovative storage solutions could contribute to more resilient and efficient heating systems in the future.
Feedback from the interactions was positive, showing continued interest in practical, scalable and locally relevant solutions for the municipal heat transition. Through participation in events such as the Große KWW-Konferenz, INTERSTORES continues to strengthen its links with key stakeholders and support broader dialogue on the role of seasonal thermal energy storage in Europe’s heating transition.
