The KlimaInnoGovernance joint project set out to create and test practical measures for an energy‑efficient and sustainable partnership between a city and its surrounding rural area. Within this framework, the subproject led by Energie 2000 e.V. concentrated on the energetic use of biomass residues that had previously remained untapped at regional and local scales. The study area covered the two North‑Hesse districts of Kassel and Schwalm‑Eder and the three municipalities of Wolfhagen, Hofgeismar and Felsberg. By analysing which residues from agriculture, forestry and waste management could be harnessed for local heat supply, the team sought to design district‑heating solutions that rely on locally available biomass.

The technical work combined spatial modelling based on ALKIS cadastral data with a series of workshops and expert consultations to quantify the amounts and availability of potential feedstocks. The modelling produced detailed maps of biomass potential for each municipality, including a heat‑density map for Wolfhagen that illustrates the spatial distribution of usable residues. The analysis identified woody biomass, straw and animal excreta as the most promising sources. For wet, low‑lignin residues, anaerobic digestion was recommended, producing biogas with a methane content of 50–75 %. This biogas can be fed into local combined‑heat‑and‑power units, generating both electricity and heat. Lignin‑rich residues are better suited for thermochemical combustion in biomass power and heating plants. The study also outlined clear usage pathways for each type of residue, ensuring that the conversion route matches the material characteristics.

Quantitative results were presented in two tables that compare the predicted energetic potential of selected residue streams and provide overall biomass‑residue potentials for the region. While the report does not list absolute figures for each municipality, it demonstrates that the combined potential of the three towns is sufficient to supply a significant share of their district‑heating demand. The project also contextualised these findings within national trends: in 2022, renewable sources accounted for 16.5 % of Germany’s final heat consumption, and heat represented more than half of total end‑energy use. The study therefore highlights the importance of expanding biomass utilisation to meet climate‑neutrality goals.

Collaboration was central to the project’s success. The consortium comprised Energie 2000 e.V., the Forest Office of Wolfhagen, the Kassel County Farmers’ Association, the Kassel County Waste Management Authority and the Hessian State Agricultural Service. Each partner contributed specific expertise: data provision, local knowledge, and technical support. The project ran over a three‑year period, culminating in the 2023 report, and was financed through a grant from the German federal government, supporting research into sustainable energy transitions. The coordinated effort enabled a comprehensive assessment of biomass residues and the development of tailored, locally relevant heat‑generation strategies for the participating municipalities.