Data reporting of waste heat potential: An overview
With the new Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), legislators are increasingly requiring companies to systematically record unused energy sources – especially industrial waste heat. Since November 2023, many companies have been required to report their waste heat data centrally to the waste heat platform operated by the Federal Office for Energy Efficiency (BfEE) on behalf of the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA).
But what exactly is this platform, which companies are affected, and what data must be reported? In this article, you will learn about the legal background, how data reporting works, and what opportunities for efficiency and cooperation arise from the new transparency.
What is the waste heat platform and what are its objectives?
The waste heat platform is a central digital register that was introduced as part of the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG). It serves to highlight waste heat potential in Germany that has remained untapped until now.
The aim is to make industrial waste heat sources publicly accessible to enable meaningful further use by third parties, e.g., neighboring companies, heating network operators, or local authorities. This is intended to make an active contribution to reducing primary energy consumption, decarbonising industrial processes, and strengthening energy efficiency.
The platform pursues not only ecological but also economic goals: disclosing waste heat potential creates new opportunities for cooperation between businesses, energy suppliers, and infrastructure operators – in line with a cross-sector energy transition.
Obligation to report waste heat data: Who is affected?
With the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) coming into force in 2023, a legal obligation to report waste heat data was introduced for the first time. This obligation applies to companies that generate relevant amounts of industrial waste heat in their processes – regardless of whether this heat has been used or discharged unused up to now.
Specifically, the reporting obligation applies to all companies that have consumed more than 2.5 GWh of total final energy consumption on average over the last three years (threshold value according to EnEfG).
These companies are obliged to record and publish the relevant information about their waste heat sources on the waste heat platform. The data must be provided in a location-specific and traceable manner – including temperature, heat quantity, usage time window, and annual availability.
However, not all potential sources need to be registered. The information sheet for the waste heat platform lists a number of exceptions. As a general rule, diffuse waste heat sources do not need to be specified. This would apply, for example, to an electric motor located in a hall. Although this generates waste heat, the potential can be disregarded as it is not conducted. Further exceptions are the operating time and temperature of the waste heat potential. All managed sources with less than 1,500 operating hours per year and an average waste heat temperature of less than 25°C can also be disregarded. The former often applies to air conditioning systems, the latter to ventilation systems or waste water.
In addition, there are still de minimis limits. Sources of waste heat only need to be taken into account if the waste heat potential exceeds 200 MWh/a (200,000 kWh/a). Furthermore, registration is only mandatory if the total amount of waste heat at a site exceeds 800 MWh/a (800,000 kWh/a).
Overview of deadlines and obligations for waste heat recovery
The collection and reporting of waste heat data is clearly regulated in the Energy Efficiency Act (Section 17 EnEfG) and subject to binding deadlines. Companies that fall under the legal requirements must enter their waste heat data on the waste heat platform for the first time by 1 January 2025 at the latest – and then update it regularly every year by 31 March.
It should be noted that companies that submitted a report by the January 2025 deadline were not required to submit another report by 31 March 2025. Written confirmation of this can be found on the waste heat platform website. However, if there is a fundamental change in the local waste heat situation, this must be updated.
A company that is required to register but has not identified any waste heat potential does not need to register on the waste heat platform. There is no provision for submitting a blank report.
Important to note: The obligation to record waste heat does not replace the obligation to avoid waste heat as stipulated in §16. Rather, registration merely creates a basis and thus an initial starting point for the next steps to reduce avoidable waste heat.
Efficient use of waste heat: What opportunities does the platform offer?
The waste heat platform not only provides a legal framework for data collection but also opens up concrete opportunities for companies to make economic use of their waste heat. What was once considered an unavoidable loss of energy can now serve as a valuable source of energy thanks to technical innovations and better networking.
Centralised publication on the platform makes it possible for the first time to see where and to what extent waste heat is available. This creates the basis for cooperation with heating network operators, municipal energy suppliers, or neighbouring companies that can use this waste heat specifically in their processes or to supply buildings.
In addition, the following opportunities arise for companies:
- Cost reduction through internal use of own waste heat, e.g. for preheating process water or space heating
- New revenue models through external feed-in to local or district heating networks
- Image boost through transparent and sustainable energy use
In the long term, the intelligent use of waste heat can not only help to reduce energy costs but also contribute to the achievement of climate targets and sustainability strategies. The platform serves as an important lever for the practical implementation of the energy transition in industry.
Experts refer to sector coupling as the sleeping giant of the energy transition: its enormous potential has so far been offset by low utilisation. The first results have now been published via the waste heat platform. By 1 May 2025, 22,000 potential sources had been published, representing a total heat volume of 223 TWh. In 2020, the heat demand in Germany was around 1,200 TWh, meaning that waste heat could cover up to 18.5% of demand.
Conclusion: Create transparency and use waste heat as an energy source
The legally established platform for waste heat is a significant step towards greater energy efficiency and resource transparency in the German economy. Companies that systematically record and disclose their waste heat potential not only comply with legal requirements – they also open up new economic and ecological opportunities.
Whether through internal recovery or external use, those who view waste heat as a strategic energy source can reduce energy costs, cut emissions and actively contribute to achieving national climate targets. The platform acts as a central interface for highlighting potential and promoting cooperation.
One thing is clear: the future belongs to companies that take a holistic approach to energy – and no longer allow waste heat to go to waste.
Would you like to know whether your company is affected by the reporting obligation or how you can efficiently collect and report your waste heat data?
Our experts will be happy to assist you in implementing the legal requirements and show you individual potential for waste heat utilisation.
Contact us now without obligation – together we will make your waste heat visible and economically usable!