Heat Needs Direction: "Future of District Heating" Event Connects Industry and Politics

Berlin, February 26, 2026 – How can district heating be designed in a way that makes it reliably plannable for the existing building stock –affordable, climate-effective, and practically implementable? This question was at the heart of the evening event “Future of District Heating” held in Berlin on February 23, 2026. KUGU Home GmbH, together with SAMSON AG, brought together more than 50 personally invited guests from the housing and energy sectors as well as from politics.

The focus was on the role of district heating as a central infrastructure task. With more than 2,000 kilometers of network, Berlin operates the largest district heating system in Western Europe – making it one of the most powerful levers for the city’s heating transition. The Berlin Climate Pact 2025–2030 provides a clear framework, identifying the decarbonization of central systems as key to achieving climate targets. The discussion highlighted how closely aligned target visions and priorities, transparent cost pathways, and realistic implementation timelines are interconnected: only when roles and processes are clearly defined and timelines are realistic can connection decisions be made strategically and investments in existing buildings be prepared in a predictable manner.

District Heating as a Key to the Heating Transition‍
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Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, opened the evening with a keynote address, emphasizing district heating as a central pillar of the heating transition. The Berlin Climate Pact 2025–2030 sets the direction – what is now crucial is that planning and expansion efforts interlock reliably to ensure that district heating delivers climate protection, security of supply, and affordability. The leverage is significant: according to Berlin’s 2022 source balance, approximately 36 percent of CO₂ emissions from primary energy consumption are attributed to district heating. Following her keynote, Senator Giffey elaborated on the key points in a discussion with KUGU Managing Director Christopher von Gumppenberg. The focus was on the framework conditions for decarbonization and the interaction among stakeholders.

Perspectives from Operations and Existing Building Stock

The panel brought together perspectives from both the utility and property ownership sides. Dr. Nicola Kleppmann (Head of Digitalization, Fernheizwerk Neukölln AG) outlined the requirements arising from network and operational realities, complemented by a representative of a major Berlin-based housing company. The panel was moderated by Dirk Eggers (Managing Director, SAMSON KT-Elektronik) and Christopher von Gumppenberg. The discussion revealed a shared understanding: technical solutions and promising approaches are already in place – what now matters is jointly transferring them into day-to-day operations and consistently ensuring their effectiveness at the interfaces between the network and existing buildings.

Dr. Kleppmann emphasized that end-to-end data and clearly defined processes are essential to ensure reliable operation and control of district heating systems from the network through to the transfer station. From the housing sector’s perspective, it is equally important that connection pathways and cost trajectories are transparent at an early stage in order to prepare building stock conversions in a structured and reliable manner. In closing, Dirk Eggers set an ambitious benchmark: “The goal is for Berlin to become the capital of digitalization in district heating.”

Technology and Data: Working Together for Measurable Decarbonization

For district heating strategies to be effective in existing buildings, robust operational data and solutions that deliver rapid impact are essential. KUGU digitalizes heating systems independently of manufacturer specifications and optimizes operations based on data – without requiring extensive structural modifications. This enables average energy and cost savings of more than 20 percent; KUGU guarantees 12 percent. “Solutions must deliver tangible impact in day-to-day operations. We make energy data in the boiler room actionable and thereby create a direct contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and costs – particularly in existing buildings that cannot be renovated at the push of a button,” said Christopher von Gumppenberg.

SAMSON complements this approach with expertise in infrastructure and network operations: control and operational technology in heating networks and transfer stations is a prerequisite for efficiency and decarbonization. “What matters is that infrastructure and the building side are considered together from an early stage, so that expansion and connection interlock seamlessly,” emphasized Dirk Eggers. The synergies between KUGU as a digital lever in building operations and SAMSON as an infrastructure and operations partner in heat supply form the foundation of the companies’ long-term partnership.

Connected for the Heating Transition

In conclusion, the evening demonstrated above all one thing: a shared commitment to advancing the transformation of district heating in a reliable and socially responsible manner. The program content and subsequent discussions sharpened key aspects for greater orientation – providing a productive impetus jointly set by KUGU and SAMSON.