Dr Henrik Pieper
Doctorate in Thermal Energy Systems; MSc in Sustainable Energy
Managing Director
Management
Expertise
- Large-scale heat pumps
- Potential analyses and development of heat sources
- Thermodynamic simulations
- Techno-economic assessment
- Development of sustainable heating systems
- Transition plans and feasibility studies
Dr Henrik Pieper is Managing Director and a member of the Executive Board at HIC Consulting GmbH. He specialises in sustainable heating concepts for the integration of renewable energies, particularly through the use of natural heat sources. His work focuses on large-scale heat pump technology, a field in which Henrik Pieper has established himself as an internationally recognised expert. In recent years, he has overseen the planning of Germany’s first seawater heat pump within a large-scale heating network in Neustadt in Holstein. Under his leadership, the ‘Guidance on the Planning and Approval of Large-Scale Heat Pumps in District Heating’ was also produced as part of the BMWE-funded research project ‘Heat Transition: Strategies for the Use of Climate-Neutral District Heating Technologies’, as well as an expert report on water-source heat pumps commissioned by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN).
The engineer is involved in various feasibility studies for large-scale heat pump projects, including in Kiel, Hamburg, Oranienburg and on Sylt. In addition, he heads the “Innovative and Green District Heating in Northern Germany” (IGFN) network, founded in 2022, which brings together utility companies to exchange ideas and experiences on the climate-neutral design of district heating networks.
Dr Henrik Pieper brings several years of international experience to the role and has worked on various projects in Denmark and Estonia, amongst other places, focusing on the integration of heat sources and sinks into district heating and cooling networks using large-scale heat pumps. He holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy and a PhD in Thermal Energy Systems.
Project experience (selection)
Heat transition: Strategies for the use of climate-neutral district heating technologies
Client: Bundesstelle für Energieeffizienz (BfEE) im Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA)
Transformation plan according to BEW Module I for the district heating network in Westerland
Client: Energieversorgung Sylt GmbH
Sachverständigengutachten „Gewässerwärmepumpen – Trends, Auswirkungen und naturschutzfachliche Relevanz“
Client: Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN)
‘Innovative and Green District Heating North Germany’ (IGFN) network
Initiated and operated by HIC CONSULTING (until 2025 Hamburg Institut)