Heat supply has an eminent share in total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In Germany heat demands make up approx. 55% of total energy consumption and cause approx. 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. In response to these problems, environmental policy established instruments to reduce the demand (EnEV) and to increase the share of renewable energies and CHP in heat supply (EEWärmeG; KWKG). However the success remains poor. Renewable energies have a share of approx. 9% in heat supply (goal: 24% in 2020) and CHP has a share of approx. 13% in electricity production (goal 25%). The change in energy policy requires a structural change in heat supply. Due to the necessary proximity of sources and sinks and the dependence on local conditions like building typologies, urban density etc., heat supply is a highly space-relevant issue. Therefore spatial planning is requested to contribute to achieve the mentioned objectives of environmental and energy policy, by creating the spatial conditions for climate friendly heat supply regarding the individual case. In doing so, spatial planning actors have to cooperate with homeowner, energy supply companies and service providers. Against this background I address the following questions: -What can spatial planning actors contribute to reach a bigger share a renewable energies and CHP in heat supply? -How does their contribution fit into the broader set of instruments, supporting climate friendly heat supply? -With whom do they have to cooperate?
