Multiple fragmentation as a challenge for municipal heat transition with biogenic residues and waste in rural areas in Germany

In Germany, heating accounts for half of the final energy consumption and is still based mainly on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, the transition to renewable heat has been widely criticized for progressing too slowly. To accelerate the heat transition, an increased use of biogenic residues and waste is discussed as a possible approach, as model calculations show considerable potential for these materials. This paper examines the barriers to an increased use of biogenic residues and waste in the context of municipal heat transition, including their use in district heating networks. The results are based on qualitative stakeholder and expert interviews and focus groups in rural municipalities in Germany. As a central finding, this study identifies the main barriers as multiple fragmentations in different areas (material, utilization paths, actor structure, framework conditions and knowledge) and their interdependencies. These findings contribute to a better understanding of structural obstacles of heat transitions.