Through the use of simulation software Top Energy the district heating network in Steyr should be represented and optimized from technical and economical point of view. Due to the technical conditions there are two cases that must be distinguished. The first case represents the current situation of the district heating network and the second case consider additionally the two new heat generating plants the will be available in the future. The technical and thereby resulting economic optimization is realized by a reduction of the heat supply from selected contractually customers during peak load periods. Through this reduced amount of heat, it is possible to generate a large proportion of the heat by a CHP in combination with a heat storage tank and provide this to the customers. This combination leads to a considerable cost savings in the area of peak load. The parameters, in which the purchaser will no longer be supplied with thermal energy are selected and compared under technical and economic aspects.