The project Wärmewende Nordwest (WWNW) is a large-scale, interdisciplinary research initiative dedicated to advancing the decarbonization of heat supply in northwestern Germany, particularly in the Oldenburg–Bremen region. As a central pillar of the broader energy transition, the project addresses the urgent need to reduce CO₂ emissions from building and process heat across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. It combines technological innovation with practical implementation, aiming to transform how heat demand is measured, managed, and ultimately supplied through sustainable energy sources.

A key distinguishing feature of WWNW is its strong focus on digitalization as an enabler of the heat transition. The project develops and applies digital tools to transparently capture and optimize heat demand in buildings, districts, and entire municipalities. This includes the integration of smart meter infrastructures, which allow secure and reliable networking of decentralized energy components and enable sector coupling between electricity, heat, and other energy domains. Through these digital infrastructures, the project aims to unlock efficiency potentials and support data-driven decision-making for energy systems.

The project is organized into six research fields and cross-cutting activities, each addressing different aspects of the transformation process—from secure communication infrastructures and data platforms to simulation tools and innovative supply concepts. Together, these components form an integrated ecosystem that demonstrates how digital technologies can support the planning, operation, and optimization of future energy systems. The results are tested and validated in real-world contexts such as campuses, neighborhoods, and urban environments, ensuring practical relevance and scalability.

WWNW is carried out by a broad consortium of over 20 partners from academia, industry, municipalities, and research institutions, including the Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg and the OFFIS – Institut für Informatik as key contributors. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the project brings together expertise from computer science, engineering, and energy systems research to collaboratively develop innovative solutions. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that technological developments are aligned with real-world requirements and policy frameworks.

Ultimately, Wärmewende Nordwest aims to empower stakeholders—from individual households to municipalities—to actively participate in the heat transition. By providing digital tools, data-driven insights, and transferable knowledge, the project contributes to more efficient, climate-neutral heat supply systems and supports the long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality. At the same time, it fosters knowledge transfer into education, industry, and policy, ensuring that its outcomes extend beyond the project duration and help shape the future of sustainable energy systems.