From digital representation to heat transition strategy - How municipalities are using digital twins to design their heat planning; [Vom digitalen Abbild zur Wärmewendestrategie – wie Kommunen mit dem digitalen Zwilling ihre Wärmeplanung gestalten]

Abstract

This article examines how municipalities can use digital twins to move from a digital representation of the built environment toward practical heat transition strategies. Municipal heat planning requires detailed information about buildings, energy demand, infrastructure, existing heating systems and local spatial conditions. A digital twin can bring different types of information together in a common digital representation and make relationships easier to analyze. The article focuses on how such a model can support municipalities when they assess current conditions and consider future heat supply options. Spatial visualization can help planners identify areas with similar characteristics, understand infrastructure relationships and communicate possible scenarios. Digital twins can also provide a basis for comparing planning alternatives and monitoring changes over time. Their usefulness depends on reliable data, consistent structures and regular updates. A digital model that does not reflect current conditions can lead to misleading conclusions, so data management is an important part of the overall approach. The article presents digital twins as a planning support tool rather than an automatic solution to the heat transition. Municipal experts still need to interpret information, consider economic and social conditions and coordinate with energy providers and other stakeholders. The combination of geospatial data, digital models and planning knowledge can nevertheless create a stronger basis for local decisions. The article demonstrates how digital representations can become practical instruments for developing heat transition strategies and connecting technical information with municipal planning processes. Such a model can also improve communication between departments because a shared spatial representation provides a common reference for discussing technical requirements, investment options and implementation priorities.