AQuA-Model

06.2026 - 05.2029

Wastewater Heat Utilization in Districts: Application and Model Development; Subproject: Development of a Dynamic Planning Model to Increase Wastewater Heat Utilization

Objective 

Using the sewer network as a heat collector for sustainable heat supply – without additional interventions in the subsurface. This is the goal of the AQuA-Model research project, which is developing a simulation and planning tool to assess wastewater heat recovery potential in sewer networks. The tool is intended to support municipalities in planning and implementing a sustainable heat supply.

Project content 

In collaboration with Stadtwerke Stuttgart GmbH, a physical model is being developed to describe heat transfer between wastewater, the sewer structure, and the surrounding soil. The model takes into account both thermal exchange processes with the sewer structure and the soil, as well as regeneration effects caused by the surrounding soil and the inflow of additional wastewater volumes into the sewer network.

For application of the model, geometric and network data from GIS-based sewerage databases are imported automatically and supplemented with hydraulic and operational boundary conditions. On this basis, heat extraction and thermal regeneration along the sewer network can be simulated, allowing the wastewater heat potential of individual sewer sections and entire neighborhoods to be assessed.

To validate the model, measurement data from an actual sewer network are used. The model is then integrated into a software tool with a GIS interface that supports municipalities and network operators in analyzing wastewater heat potential and planning sustainable heat supply systems.

Research associates