BW-KOM

From the idea to community-owned heat

A joint German project by Climate Alliance and Bündnis Bürgerenergie e.V. aimed at the successful development and implementation of co-operative heating networks with local authority support

The local heating transition is a key component of the energy transition. Against the backdrop of local heating planning in German towns and cities, cooperative and community-based heating supply models are gaining in importance. At the same time, local authorities face considerable challenges due to staff shortages and limited financial resources. There is therefore a great need for a heating supply organised, financed and operated by citizens – particularly when it comes to practical implementation. For community-based heating networks to emerge, local authorities, citizen energy stakeholders and other involved parties must work closely together. This is where the practice-oriented BW-KOM project comes in, building on the findings of the HEAT it! project, which is being jointly implemented by the Climate Alliance and Bündnis Bürgerenergie.

The aim of the project is to promote the development of community-owned heating networks in Germany. To this end, BW-KOM intends to:

  • Raise awareness amongst local authorities about community-led heating projects and their benefits
  • Systematically identify the factors contributing to the success of community-led heating projects
  • Build the capabilities of local authorities and community energy stakeholders through webinars, training sessions and mentoring

Target groups

  • Local authorities
  • Specialist planners and decision-makers
  • Heating cooperatives that are either being set up or are already in the process of further development.

Project information

BW-KOM

In this collaborative project, Climate Alliance is contributing the local authority perspective, whilst the Citizens’ Energy Alliance is bringing its expertise in heating cooperatives to the table, with the aim of harnessing synergies between local authorities and citizens’ energy stakeholders, and supporting a community-led heating transition and greater local value creation.

 

Project funding period: July 2026 – July 2028
Funded by: Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)

Learn more

Have questions about BW-KOM? Get in touch!

Funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), and implemented jointly by Bündnis Bürgerenergie and Climate Alliance