On route to renewable energy regions - · PDF file · 2011-06-27On route to renewable energy regions ... In addition, it can also create revenues through the self-operation of plants

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Projektinfo 01/2011

On route to renewable energy regionsResearch project supports local pioneers and launches national network

There are already more than 100 regions and many rural communities that are promoting sustainable development based on renewable energies. After developing individual concepts and strategies, the lengthy and often very complex implementation begins. A research project organised by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment has been supporting these regions in conceptual and technical terms since 2007. This project is being conducted by the deENet competence network and the University of Kassel, and is being advised by the German Federal Environment Agency. In a second project phase, it is planned to create a national network by 2013.

Regional players are transforming the energy systems in their respective regions or local communities and are beginning to act independently. That is necessary, since Germany’s climate protection goals aim to reduce greenhouse gases by 40% by the year 2020, whereby 18% of the gross final energy consumption shall be provided by renewable energies. The proportion of renewable energies used for producing electricity is planned to be even higher. In particular, the transfor-mation of energy systems can provide an important impetus for rural regions and economically weaker communities. For example, it offers greater independence in respect to increasing fossil fuel prices and strengthens the planning autonomy of the regions. In addition, it can also create revenues through the self-operation of plants as well as local jobs. This often improves the image of a region, since

This research project is funded by the:

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)

BINE-Projektinfo 01/2011

innovative projects with close participation provide ex-tra publicity while helping to keep people there and at-tracting new citizens.In addition to efficiency measures, a decisive element for the transformation is decentralised energy genera-tion that combines different technologies such as wind and solar energy, biomass, hydroelectric power and geothermal power. Energy-based stand-alone solutions remote from the main grid are not generally being pur-sued. Instead, through using existing structures, intel-ligent networks (smart grids) and suitable storage sys-tems, it is intended that these regions should be able to achieve the increasingly complex balancing of supply and demand.

From the general principles to local projectsThe diversity of rural districts, local authorities and region-al authorities is reflected in their different approaches to achieving sustainable energy supplies. Nevertheless, it is possible to define how far a region has progressed and what distinguishes a renewable energy region (RE region), whereby “100% renewable” is above all seen as an energy balance goal for rural regions and a de-velopment path designed to motivate the local players to act. The long-term goals of the development process are defined in general principles and specified using, for example, potential analyses and communal energy concepts.In most regions, the targets were set by a political body, i.e. a town or district council. The specific implementation and support for the projects are often provided by local institutions. The most important criterion for success is comprehensive support by companies, agriculture, citi-zens, administration and politicians.By September 2010, the researchers classified 72 re-gions as 100% RE regions, including 34 local author-ities, 27 rural districts and 11 regional authorities. These regions are distributed among almost all German fed-eral states and cover around 14% of the country, with around 7.8 million inhabitants.

Advising, motivating, networkingThe research project supports the committed players in the regions by providing locally based consultation along with national networking and monitoring. Target groups include important regional players such as mu-nicipal utility companies and regional bodies as well as organisations, associations and cooperatives. Focal points of the conceptual and technical advice are bioenergy and heat supply. In addition, the scientific team also advices the regions on producing energy con-cepts and conceiving publicity and media campaigns. Other issues include public participation and purely practical aspects such as providing contacts and organ-ising the sharing of data at an inter-regional level.In implementing their energy concepts, the regions are facing increasingly complex tasks in terms of, for exam-ple, their plant operations, logistics, energy management or the development of new business models for energy services. Here it is helpful to appraise the measures and provide ongoing reviews of the defined goals. The regions are also becoming increasingly interested in sharing ex-perience at the inter-regional level, in particular to learn from successful examples that can be transferred. Two examples are presented below:

Osnabrück District gets goingUntil a few years ago, there were still very few signs of commitment to sup-porting renewable energies in this region. The research project helped to bring together and mobilise the regional players. As part of the national climate protection initiative, the rural district had a concept drawn up with the aim of realising ambitious targets (see Fig. 3). Today, approximately 17% of the electricity requirement is met by renewables, whereby this is planned to increase to 100% by 2030. The concept was unanimously passed by the district council in 2010.

Achieving these targets requires the involvement of a diverse range of social groups. One of these players is the nwerk energy cooperative, whose activities are based on the model of the 100% RE region. nwerk plans and realises photovoltaic systems that now produce around 112,000 kWh of electricity per year. Wood briquettes are also now sold, which are manufactured from waste wood from the regional timber industry. An ef-fort is also being made to increase the involvement of cooperative mem-bers, entrepreneurs and citizens in the energy generation and distribution. Advisory and information services shall also be intensified in future, which will include, for example, free energy advice for members. In the long term

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Fig. 2 The project team’s strategy workshop in Alheim: Inter-regional networking. Photo: deENet

Fig. 1 Regional distribution of 100% RE regions and starter regions in Germany. Source: deENet

BINE-Projektinfo 01/2011

it envisages that the services from such energy cooperatives will be com-parable to an alternative regional utility company in order to activate even more citizens.

Award winning commitment from the Saerbeck climate communityIn 2008, the Municipal Council of Saerbeck in North-Rhine Westphalia decided to convert its energy supply to renewable energies and renew-able raw materials. Its declared aim is to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, whereby as much energy will be produced from sun, wind, water and biomass as is consumed. The project is closely linked to the Agenda 21 strategy implemented by the District of Steinfurt. By the end of 2007, the district had already managed to reduce its CO2 emissions by a quarter, for which it was awarded the European Energy Award and the 2009 German Solar Prize.

An “Integrated climate protection and climate adaptation concept” was drawn up by December 2008. In terms of the energy balance, it aims to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2030, whereby the local authority will be climate neutral by 2018. The researchers are supporting the local community with no less than 150 individual measures, of which 25 will be implemented

General principles for RE regions

>> Through savings and efficient utilisation, energy consumption shall be reduced to around half the value of 1990.

>> The energy shall be completely generated from renewable energies – by making full utilisation of regional and sustainable energy potentials.

>> The energy shall be largely provided by regional players and regional renewable energy sources (regional value creation).

>> The energy provision shall be climate-, health- and environmentally friendly, as well as economically and socially compatible.

Fig. 4 Overview of the work structure in Saerbeck. Source: Saerbeck community, integrated climate protection concept 2008

Fig. 3 Technical electricity scenario for Osnabrück District Council: Electrical energy requirement including for mobility and renewable energy generation until 2050. Source: Osnabrück District Council

in the near future. The “Saerbecker Sonnenseite” mod-el project is determining efficiency potentials for private and commercial building stock. In the model project “Saerbecker Einsichten – Erneuerbare Energien trans-parent gemacht”, a “see-through” heating centre with a glass facade supplies heat to a local heating network. An “energy experience” path provides an insight into renewable energies. The central element of the third model project, “Steinfurter Stoffströme”, is the devel-opment of a 90-hectare site belonging to a former muni-tions depot to form a bioenergy farm. Here it is planned to install photovoltaic systems on 70 bunkers as well as to construct seven wind turbines. In addition there will be four biogas plants, which in addition to produc-ing biogas will also be used for converting fermentation residues into fertiliser. A bioenergy competence centre is also being created, which will incorporate research institutions such as the Münster University of Applied Sciences and environmental education facilities.

Interim results after 3 yearsThe development to a RE region is a lengthy process. For the participants this means that goals, organisa-tional structures and strategies must be repeatedly reworked, whereby the necessary basis is provided by the findings gained by the researchers as a result of the ongoing evaluation. During the first phase of the project (2007 to 2010), the focus was on the scientific appraisal and analysis. The basis for this was, amongst others, a written questionnaire of regional players in Germany. In addition there are numerous publications, including studies on regional value creation in the target regions, communal energy concepts and potential analyses for using bioenergy on a regional scale. The project’s web-site at www.100-ee.de is also used for publicising the project and for sharing experience among the regions. As a result, the project team has already identified a greater dynamism in creating new RE regions. Thanks to renewable energies, local authorities are able to take charge of their own energy supplies, while its utilisation offers new economic prospects, particularly for rural areas.

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Contact · InfoQuestions regarding this Projektinfo brochure? We will be pleased to help you:

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Project organisationFederal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) 11055 Berlin Germany

Project Management Organisation Jülich Research Centre Jülich Dr. Volker Monser, Dr. Sabine Kleemann 52425 Jülich Germany

Project number 0325007A,B

ImprintISSN0937 - 8367

Publisher FIZ Karlsruhe · Leibniz Institute for Information InfrastructureHermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1 76344 Eggenstein-LeopoldshafenGermany

AuthorUwe Friedrich

Cover image deENet/Enders

CopyrightText and illustrations from this publication can only be used if permission has been granted by the BINE editorial team. We would be delighted to hear from you.

Value creation through structural change Both research and practice in the regions confirm that the future energy supply system will have to be more decentralised, flexible and small-scale than the existing one. For the electricity supply, grid structures and storage systems need to be developed in order to integrate the fluctuating renewable energy sensibly. One of the central challenges will be the expansion and conversion of the networks. In addition to the development of smart grids and storage technologies, this is also concerned with the development of locally tailored heat storage systems and the profitable operation of gas and heat distribution lines.The path to a RE region always also leads to structural changes at the regional level, since new areas of employment are created in the local companies. Agricultural farmers become energy farmers and new sources of income become available for players who economically utilise renewable energies. There is a change in the traditional division of labour and former consumers become producers. Regional players in particular hope that the development of renewable energies will provide a positive impetus for their economic and regional development. Local councillors, mayors, associations and organisations are all particularly convinced by economic arguments.These include, for example, attracting new companies, greater demand for installation and maintenance services as well as external effects such as changes to the land market and the leasing prices in agriculture. In addition it provides a boost to the region’s im-age, greater satisfaction in the region and heightened publicity. In many RE regions it also leads to greater revenues from business taxes. These can be very important in “wind regions”. To relieve local authority budgets, a contribution can be also made by provid-ing systems for their own real estate, offering investor shares or by utilising municipal utilities.Most regions still have a long way to go before they are entirely supplied with renewable energies. A greater requirement for in-depth information and a need to share experience will develop in order to test new technologies, increase acceptance locally and even cre-ate models. As part of the second project phase from 2011 to 2013, it is therefore planned to create a national network that will enable a comprehensive exchange and transfer of knowledge. A contribution shall also be made by the 3rd congress for 100% RE regions in September 2011 in Kassel, which is intended to continue the work of the congresses from 2009 and 2010.

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Project addresses b Project implementation, accompanying research:

Kompetenznetzwerk Dezentrale Energietechnologien deENet gGmbH (Project management), Dr. Peter Moser, www.deenet.orgg

University of Kassel: �� •�Department�of�Public�Law�(Prof.�Dr.�Alexander�Roßnagel) � •�Department�Economy�of�Urban�and�Regional�Development�(Prof.�Dr.�Ulf�Hahne) � •�Department�of�Electrical�Energy�Supply�Systems�(Prof.�Dr.�Peter�Zacharias) � •�Department�of�Grassland�Science�and�Renewable�Plant�Resources�(Prof.�Dr.�Michael�Wachendorf) � Project�head:�Prof.�Dr.�Alexander�Roßnagel,�www.uni-kassel.de/umwelt

Literature and Internetb Internet: www.100-ee.de | www.ee-regionen.de | www.kommunal-erneuerbar.de

www.regiosolar.de | www.100-prozent-erneuerbar.de | www.bioenergie-regionen.de

www.e-energie.info | www.erneuerbare-energien.de | www.kommunaler-klimaschutz.de

More from BINE Information Serviceb This Projektinfo brochure is available as an online document at www.bine.info under

Publications/Projektinfos. Additional information in German, such as other project addresses and links, can be found under “Service”.

b BINE Information Service reports about energy research projects in its brochure series and newsletter. You can subscribe to these free of charge at www.bine.info/abo.