In Hechingen, a new development area is planned, where the heat supply should be covered as much as possible with renewable energy technologies. Therefore a «thermal network 4.0» will be installed. A combination of a 7'600 m² solar thermal field, an 18'000 m³ PIT seasonal thermal energy storage, and a 500 kW heat pump will cover most of the heat demand. The PIT storage is designed to store summer heat of the solar thermal field, and reusing this heat during the colder winter days, a technology well known in Denmark. Stadtwerke Hechingen and the Steinbeis Research Institute Solites have developed a cost-effective and clever construction method for the PIT storage, utilizing a nearby earth dump to shape the PIT during its filling process. The PIT is now ready, awaiting liner and thermal insulation installation as the new residences are built. This initiative highlights Hechingen’s commitment to sustainable development and renewable energy, showcasing a model for other communities to follow.
