A total of ten graduates have successfully completed the continuing education programme, which is unique in Germany, and have now received their certificates. These were presented by the Vice President for Research and Development at HSN, Prof Dr Viktor Wesselak, Dr Andreas Roß (Member of the Board of TEAG Thüringer Energie AG) and Werner Lutsch (Managing Director of AGFW).

Rainer Große and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Wiese from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, Frank Espig and Werner Lutsch from AGFW as well as Jens Merten and Johannes Trümper from TEAG attended the event.

After successfully completing the programme, graduates are now in a position to assume responsibility for the reliable and economical implementation of tasks in project planning, network planning, operations management and/or maintenance in the district heating sector.

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, the AGFW as the industry association of district heating companies and the TEAG Academy have developed the joint certificate programme "Network Technology and Network Operation District Heating". This innovative further education programme was launched for the first time in March this year.

The importance of grid-connected heat supply for the energy transition is great and will continue to grow significantly in the future. Experts who can plan, construct and operate heating networks are already in demand among energy supply companies, industry and the housing sector, as well as contractors.

"We would like to congratulate our first graduates," says a delighted Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Große, who has been Professor of Energy Management at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences for many years and established the degree programme. "With the knowledge they have acquired over the last few months, our graduates can make an important contribution to the energy transition. The topic of heating networks is a central and important field of activity for the future," emphasises Professor Große.