Tag: — Europe

Lüchow-Dannenberg, Germany

Wet meadow landscape, Lüchow-Dannenberg, Germany

  • Target: 100% of electricity needs with renewable energy.
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Solar PV systems, biogas facilities, wind turbines, small river-based hydropower, and combined heat and power plant.
  • Implementation: The district of Lüchow-Dannenberg is located at the far eastern tip of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) in the center of Germany. The district is comprised of 27 cities and has long played role in Germany's energy policy. Today Lüchow-Dannenberg is leading the way on renewable energy.

    It began in 1997 when a working group on climate protection and energy set an ambitious target of meeting 100% of Lüchow-Dannenberg's electricity needs with renewable energies. The district was motivated by the need to to improve environmental stewardship, and the need to address high regional unemployment. On May 1, 2011, Lüchow-Dannenberg reached its goal - 4 years ahead of schedule.

    The district's power mix is a diverse mix of technologies that generates 300 million kWh annually. 3% of the mix comes from 630 solar PV systems totaling 10 MW. 34% comes from 24 biogas facilities totally 15 MW. And 63% comes from 71 wind turbines totaling 108 MW. There is also some small river-based hydropower. Lüchow-Dannenberg has taken its renewable energy efforts beyond electricity to also include the heating and transportation sectors. For instance, the village of Jameln has a biogas fueling station for vehicles, and the village of Püggen heats all its homes with a combined heat and power plant. One school in Dannenberg is heated entirely from wood chips derived from local forest waste. The district has also created a higher education institution called the Renewable Energy Academy, which offers a range of coursework pertaining to renewables, including science, law, finance and management.

  • Population: 48,357 (2017)
  • Area: 1,220 km2 (470 sq mi)
  • Link: Masterplan „100% Klimaschutz in Lüchow-Dannenberg
Wet meadow landscape, Lüchow-Dannenberg, Germany

 

Lüneburg (Region), Germany

Lüneberg, Germany

  • Target: “Renewable energy region”, operating on 100% RE.
  • Status: In progress - Today, around 55% of the consumed electricity is renewable: from wind (23%), biomass (27%), solar power (4.3%) and hydropower (0.2%). For heating, only 10% RE is used.
  • RES: Wind power, biomass, solar power and hydropower.
  • Implementation: In 2008, the administrative district of Lüneburg established an climate protection unit to coordinate an action for climate protection. By 2010, the county council had set the goal to become a 100% renewable energy region (100ee-Region). It would reduce energy demand, apply energy efficiency measures and expand renewable energy implementation. In 2012, the district and city councils commissioned the University of Lüneburg to conduct a study to achieve this target. The “100% Renewable Energy in the region and city Lüneburg” was published, stating that it was possible to completely cover the district's energy demand by renewable energies in the electricity and heating sector. It showed options on how this can be achieved and provided ways to reduce energy consumption. The city and the county council began by reducing its own energy consumption by conducting energetic retrofits of all public buildings. It also began encouraging its inhabitants to save energy and to improve energy efficiency in private households. In order to use the potential of wind energy, the administrative area began looking for priority areas for wind and solar energy.
  • Population: 75,192 (2017)
  • Area: 70.34 km2 (27.16 sq mi)
  • Link: Hansestadt Lüneburg - Erneuerbare Energien in Stadt und Landkreis
Lüneberg, Germany

Malmö, Sweden

Malmö, Sweden

  • Target: 100 % RE by 2030 and climate neutral by 2020.
  • Status: In progress - In 2014, the city produced 30% of its energy needs from RE.
  • RES: Windpower, solar power, and district heating and cooling systems.
  • Implementation: In 2009, the city of Malmö launched the ‘Environmental Program’ in order to: (1) reach the goal of 100% RE, (2) improve the sustainability of the city, and (3) raise the quality of life of its citizens. Environmental goals were set: reduce energy consumption by at least 20% by 2020 and by a further 20% by 2030, and reduce GHG emissions by at least 40%. Furthermore, rail traffic, other electrically driven public transport and the network of cycle lanes will be improved and extended. The Program gives citizens the opportunity to participate in implementation, encourages private investment in RE, and reinforces co-operation with regional stakeholders. Today, he City runs all municipal buildings on 100% RE and has already been reducing greenhouse gas emissions with a focus on energy efficiency, reducing energy use, and investing in renewable energy. Over the past 20 years, the city’s disused brown fields and industrial spaces have been re-developed and revitalised with energy efficient buildings and attractive public spaces. The Western Harbour (Västra Hamnen) with housing estates operates on 100% locally produced RE. The houses are powered by a 2 MWh wind turbine that provides 99% of their electricity and 8 kWh of solar PV. Western Harbor also has an innovative district heating and cooling system. In the summer, cold water from the previous winter, which is being stored 90 meters underground in aquifers, is pumped up by wind-powered electricity and run through a heat pump for district cooling. Once the water is heated it is pumped back down into the aquifers where it is stored for heating buildings in the winter. Furthermore, Malmö is home to Sweden’s largest solar energy plant: Sege Park, featuring 1250 m² of photovoltaic panels.
  • Population: 312,012 (city), 728,293 (metro) (2017)
  • Area: 332.6 km2 (128.4 sq mi)(city), 2,522 km2 (974 sq mi)(metro)
  • Link: https://reneweconomy.com.au/malmo-sweden-leading-way-70597/
Malmö, Sweden

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State), Germany

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State), Germany

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Wind, solar and biogas
  • Implementation: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a rural, thinly populated state on the northern coast of Germany. In 2013, the state was the first in Germany to generate more power from renewable sources than it required for consumption. In 2012, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had already begun generating the equivalent of 90% of its energy consumption with renewables. From 2012 to 2013, the percentage increased by 30% -  from 6.3 billion to about 8.3 billion kilowatt-hours. This was the equivalent of 120% of what the state uses. 

    Mecklenburg-Vorpommen today exports a large share of the surplus renewable power it generates to neighboring regions. The State's renewable electricity mix is a combination of wind, solar, and biogas. In 2013, 89 new wind turbines were installed, bringing the total to nearly 1600 turbines. Onshore wind energy generated about 4 billion kilowatt-hours in 2013. In the same year, 1700 PV systems and 32 biogas systems were installed. In September 2014, the state became home to Germany's first commercial large scale battery storage system, a 5 MW/MWh battery power plant in the Schwerin district of Lankow manufactured by Younicos for WEMAG. The facility houses 1600 battery trays containing 25,600 lithium-manganese-oxide cells that can store and release energy within milliseconds. The battery system can reportedly replace at least 50 MW of conventional power plant generation.
  • Population: 1,611,119 (2017)
  • Area: 23,174 km2 (8,948 sq mi)
  • Link: (In German) https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/em/Energie/
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State), Germany

Morbach, Germany

Energiepark, Morbach, Germany

  • Target: Energy self-sufficient by 2020
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Wind farms, solar power, biogas plants and micro district heating systems using wood-pellets.
  • Implementation: Morbach is a municipality in Rhineland-Palatinate, in western Germany. It has set itself the ambitious target of energy self-sufficiency based on renewable energy by 2020. To reach this goal, it has conducted research into the topic. Over 10 years the electricity and heat demand of all municipal buildings has been monitored to identify potentials for energy saving measures. Besides that, a Material and Energy Flow Analysis for the municipality has been carried out and an Action Plan for the coming years is in progress. Recently, 14 wind power plants (28 MW), 7 MWp photovoltaic, 2 biogas plants and micro district heating systems with wood-pellets provide the municipality with 20% renewables. To expand the use of renewables Morbach is making use of municipal funding for further energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. For that purpose new wind power plants, new photovoltaic installations and another micro district heating system are at the planning stage. It has created the Energy Landscape, a new tourist attraction which has been visited by more than 20,000 people from 70 countries around the world.
  • Population: 10,481 (2017)
  • Area: 122.20 km2(47.18 sq mi)
  • Link: (In German) https://www.energielandschaft.de/index.php
Energiepark, Morbach, Germany

Morgex, Italy

Morgex, Aosta Valley, Italy

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: A hydropower plant, PV installations, biomass plants and a district heating system.
  • Implementation: Morgex is a small town located in the center of the Valdigna region in northern Italy. To date, the town supplies all of its electricity and heating requirements with renewable energy. To meet the demands of its electricity sector, the town is powered by a 1.1 MW hydropower plant that produces enough electricity for 1,100 families, and also by 9 photovoltaic installations totaling 112 kilowatts. Heat is obtained from biomass plants fed with locally grown wood. One plant installed in 2001 and expanded in 2005 has a capacity of 9 MW and a distribution system 10 kilometers long, which powers the local school and other town buildings.
  • Population: 1,989 (2006)
  • Area: 43 km2 (17 sq mi)
  • Link: Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in North-West Italy
Morgex, Aosta Valley, Italy

Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany

  • Target: 100 % of electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2025.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Geothermal, hydropower, biomass and wind energy.
  • Implementation: The city of Munich in Germany today already produces 2.9 billion kWh per year from renewable sources, exceeding the demand of all private households. By 2025, the current share of 39% is projected to increase to 100% equalling to 7.5 billion kWh/year and requiring investments of roughly 9 billion €. While projects in Munich and its hinterland are prioritized, the electricity will be produced by power plants located in Germany and across Europe. Complimentary to the 100% target, the city plans to also supply 100% of long-distance heating from renewable sources. The energy will be harvested from geothermal energy as well as biomass and wind power. The city's goal is based on a longstanding history of introducing policies to increase the share of renewable energy. Back in 1982, the city council asked the administration to push the use of renewable energy. In 2007, it was decided that the share of renewable energy was to be increased by 5% until 2020. As it became clear that this goal could be outdone, the 100 % target was set. Throughout the process, citizens, city planners and craftsmen have influenced the development which has increased public support of the policy. A crucial aspect that made the fast advancement of renewable energy possible is the fact that Munich’s public utilities are entirely in public hands which enabled the city council to pursue their ambitious plan.
  • Population: 1,456,039 (2017)
  • Area: 310.43 km2 (119.86 sq mi)
  • Link: https://munichnow.com/munich-aims-for-100-green-energy-by-2025/
Munich, Germany

Mureck, Steiermark, Austria

Mureck, Austria

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Biodiesel plant, a biomass district heating system, a biogas plant and a photovoltaic plant.
  • Implementation: The region of Mureck/Steiermark is taking action against climate change. It is ensuring social stability and creating new jobs by focusing on renewable and decentralised energy. Today, the region exceeds its energy demand of heat, electricity and fuel by 160% through the generation and use of renewable energy. It is not only a self-sufficient but is also an energy exporter. The municipality Mureck produces energy from renewable sources via the Energy Co-operative SEEG and local energy providers Nahwärme Mureck GmbH, Ökostrom and SEBA. The providers run a biodiesel plant, a biomass district heating system, a biogas plant and a photovoltaic plant involving citizens. The SEEG makes biodiesel from rapeseed grown by about 500 regional farms, as well as from used cooking oil sourced from private households and restaurants. About 95% of Mureck’s total heat demand is covered by a 2-MW biomass heat boiler, waste heat from electricity generation and a 2-MW biogas peak load boiler. This system is run by Nahwärme Mureck GmbH.  The biogas co-generation plant generates 8,000 MWh of electricity annually as well as heat. It uses manure and by-products from biodiesel production in the production process. The 2,500 kWp citizen photovoltaic plant comprises a solar farm, panels on roofs, and a climate-friendly energy-generating glasshouse, where organic vegetables are grown.
    Through the use of renewable energy, Mureck achieves a reduction of about 60,000 t of CO2 and 20,000 t of crude oil per year. Mureck‘s energy cycle system has received three sustainable energy  awards – the World Energy Globe, the European Solar Prize and the Austrian Solar Prize. Since 1998 Mureck has been a member of the Climate Alliance Austria and in 2007 it was named the most innovative Austrian municipality.
  • Population: 1,597 (2016)
  • Area: 38.72 km2(14.95 sq mi)
  • Link: Mureck 100% Renewable
Mureck, Austria

Navarre, Spain

Olite, Navarre, Spain

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Windpower, photovoltaics, biomass, biodiesel and geothermal energy
  • Implementation: Navarra is a small region in Northeastern Spain, and is celebrated for its diverse renewable energy portfolio.Today, the region is one of the largest producers of wind power in Europe. Wind energy development in Navarra started at the end of 1994. By 2001, 65% of electrical energy consumed in Navarra came from renewable energy. During this period, almost 100 MW of photovoltaic power had been installed. Currently, approximately 70% of the electricity comes from the wind and sun. In the region, many isolated solar photovoltaic facilities have been realized since 1990s. By the end of 2001, the largest photovoltaic solar energy plant in Tudela was installed, with a capacity of around 1.2 MW. Today, there are over small 500 isolated solar facilities. Biomass energy, biodiesel fuel and hydro power also play important roles. In Sangüesa, a biomass plant generates electricity from the combustion of waste cereal (straw) and wood residues with an installed capacity 25 MW, producing 200 GWh/year. It is the biggest plant in South Europe. In Caparroso, a biodiesel plant has been operating since 2004. In the 1990s, two biogas plants were installed to generate electricity with the input of gas methane produced in the municipality solid waste dump area and in the waste water treatment plant of the Pamplona City. Navarre has a tradition of producing electricity from small hydro power plants since the end of XIX century. Some plants of those plants are still working. Today, 107 small hydro power plants are operating with total capacity more than 195 MW. The main companies responsible for renewable energy projects in the region are Corporación Energía Hidroeléctrica de Navarra (EHN) and Iberdrola (main electric company of distribution in Navarra).

    The region has managed to expand the use of renewable energy by providing regional institutional support: 10% tax credits for investment in wind energy, connected photovoltaic, biomass, biodiesel, and geothermal; and up to 50% in economic aid for investment into isolated photovoltaic, 65% for Thermal, 50% for Biomass, and 30% for Geothermal. (In 2006, Government of Navarra granted 195.74 million Euros in tax credits for photovoltaic installations alone). Up to 2005, Government of Navarra granted assistance of 6 million Euros each financial year.

  • Population: 647,554 (2018)
  • Area: 10,391 km2 (4,012 sq mi)
  • Link: The outlook for renewable energy in Navarre: An economic profile
Olite, Navarre, Spain

Niederösterreich, Austria

Durnstein, Niederösterreich, Austria

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Hydroelectric power, wind energy, biomass and solar.
  • Implementation: Niederösterreich, or Lower Austria, is located in north-east Austria, and shares its borders with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The state is Austria’s most populous. The 100% renewable electricity target was accomplished in November 2015 but is seen as but one step in an ongoing process by the state government. Renewable energy development is continuing as plans are in place to decommission the remaining coal fired power plant in the state by 2020. Further to this, the state is planning to generate 50% of all the state’s total energy demand via renewable sources by 2030. This includes increasing the production of bio-fuels for transportation and heating/cooling needs. At present, 100% renewable electric production in the state comes from a blend of generation technologies. It gets 63% of its electricity from hydroelectric power, 26% from wind energy, nine percent from biomass and two percent from solar. A pilot project took place studying the possibility for a wind to hydrogen storage system. Lower Austria’s renewable energy success has created growth in employment in renewable energy fields (38,000 jobs)  and the development of small and medium locally owned businesses. By 2030, the number of jobs is expected increase to 12,000 jobs.
  • Population: 1,653,419 (2016)
  • Area: 19,186 km2(7,408 sq mi)
Durnstein, Niederösterreich, Austria