The heat transition, i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to a climate-neutral heat supply, is a central component of the energy transition. The expansion of heating networks and the use of power-to-heat technologies play a key role here. These open up new possibilities for sector coupling between electricity and heat. Heat networks, thermal storage and the building mass can provide flexibility and thus enable the utilization of low-cost renewable electricity when it is available and also help to stabilise the grid.

To realise this potential, methods for the simulation and real-time control of heating networks are needed. These must realistically model the thermal systems with their dynamic effects while also considering the restrictions of the local electricity grid and the electricity market. This must be achieved while maintaining the models’ computational efficiency, so that they remain scalable and manageable in practical applications.