Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Project

HEATogether - AI-Supported Knowledge Transfer for Cross-Sectoral Heating Planning in Regions Undergoing Structural Change

Particularly in regions undergoing structural change, municipalities, energy providers, policymakers, and society face the task of making complex transformation processes understandable and implementing them collaboratively. This is precisely where HEATogether comes in: The research project is developing an AI-supported knowledge transfer platform that prepares and makes information on cross-sectoral heating planning accessible in a way tailored to specific target groups.

By combining cross-sectoral heat planning, generative artificial intelligence, social science and cultural-historical research, and participatory formats, the project creates a novel approach to knowledge transfer in the energy transition. The platform takes into account varying levels of knowledge, interests, and regional characteristics, and supports citizens, local governments, municipal utilities, and policymakers in developing sustainable heat supply concepts.

Through its pilot regions of Lusatia, Zittau, and Dormagen, HEATogether addresses key issues of acceptance, participation, and readiness for transformation. The project thus lays an important foundation for a socially anchored and comprehensible decarbonization of the heating sector.

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The goal of HEATogether is to develop and test a smart knowledge and engagement platform for cross-sector heat planning. The platform is designed to clearly communicate the complex technical, economic, and social interrelationships involved in the heat transition while enabling active participation by various stakeholder groups.

To this end, the project combines existing energy planning tools such as pandapipes with generative AI, social science insights, and regional narratives. In this way, information can be individually tailored to different user groups. At the same time, the project investigates which factors promote acceptance, trust, and participation in the context of the heat transition.

A particular focus is on regions undergoing structural change, where the energy transition is often linked to economic, social, and cultural shifts. The insights gained are intended to support cross-sectoral planning practices in the long term and be transferable to other regions.

 

Fraunhofer ISI is leading Project AP2: Social Science Analysis of Knowledge Transfer and Participation.

First, an overview of factors related to knowledge, acceptance, and participation in cross-sectoral heating planning will be developed, which will form the basis for the AI knowledge platform. This overview will be derived from a systematic literature review as well as expert interviews with municipalities, utility operators, businesses, industry, and the general public.

Later in the project, a representative online survey of at least 1,000 citizens in Germany will be conducted to analyze group-specific attitudes and factors influencing the acceptance of AI applications in the cross-sectoral heat transition.

Based on the empirical data collected, typified user profiles will ultimately be developed to tailor knowledge dissemination to specific target groups, enabling the AI knowledge platform to provide information that is both target-group-specific and tailored to their needs.

The latest findings will be published here as the project progresses.

Duration

From July 2026 until December 2028

Clients

  • Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) / Project Management Jülich (PtJ)

Partners

  • Fraunhofer IEG
  • Fraunhofer ISI
  • Fraunhofer FIT
  • Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Regionalstudien (ZIRS)
  • Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz (HSZG)
  • Stadtmarketing- und Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Dormagen (SWD)

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