The energy turnaround in the electricity sector has so far dominated the energy policy discourse, although only about one fifth of Germany's final energy consumption can be attributed to the electricity sector. On the other hand, the heating sector accounts for a much larger share. It accounts for around 56 percent of final energy consumption and around 40 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, for example. The energy system transformation thus requires a significant part of the heat system transformation. To achieve this, it is necessary to pursue two strategic paths at the same time: on the one hand, the demand for heat must be significantly reduced and the "Efficiency First" principle - laid down in the Energy Efficiency Strategy for Buildings (ESG) - operationalised; on the other hand, the supply of heat must be converted to renewable energies as quickly as possible.
In this chapter of "Auf dem Weg zu einer Green Economy – Wie die sozialökologische Transformation gelingen kann" (Towards a Green Economy - How the socio-ecological transformation can succeed), Andreas Schneller discusses the challenges of heat turnover, path dependencies and how the path change can be shaped.
On the basis of the results of a three-year research project by adelphi, the Borderstep Institute and the Institute for Future Studies and Technology Assessment, the contributors to the anthology develop options for action for the overarching change to a Green Economy and open up perspectives for politics and business. The book has been published by transcript as a paperback and Open Access publication.