Zeulenroda-Triebes is a city located in the eastern part of the German state of Thuringia (Thüringen), near the border with Saxony. It is situated in the district of Greiz and is known for its picturesque surroundings, including the Zeulenrodaer Meer, a large reservoir popular for recreation and water sports. The administrative merger with Triebes in 2006 resulted in a population of around 16,000, of which almost 10,000 live in the town Zeulenroda and 6,000 in Triebes and the surrounding villages.
Zeulenroda had a district heating network, but this was shut down at the beginning of the 1990s, while the natural gas network was expanded at the same time. Today two small district heating networks (one with natural gas and one with biomass) are still operating. One is operating by EWZ and one by Techem Wärme Service (another contractor). Furthermore, two biogas plants are in operation in the region.
The pilot action focuses on developing a municipal heating plan, a strategic roadmap for achieving a climate-neutral heat supply. This plan will guide decisions on switching to renewable energies and integrating waste heat, with the aim of ensuring a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective system that supports the municipality’s climate protection goals. Its key features include the goal of full conversion to climate-neutral heat supply by 2045, an analysis of current heat demand, potential assessments for renewable energy and waste heat, and future supply scenarios. The strategy outlines how and when areas will adopt specific technologies such as district heating, heat pumps, or local heating, and is developed with the participation of stakeholders—including municipal utilities, citizens, and companies—to ensure wide acceptance. Serving as the foundation for concrete measures like network expansion, heating system conversions, and renewable energy promotion, the plan will establish a long-term strategy for a heat supply based entirely on 100% renewable energy sources (RES).