Regional

Utilization of deep geothermal energy

In the municipality of Kirchweidach in Germany, since 2013 vegetables are being produced sustainably and residents are supplied with renewable heat and electricity based on deep geothermal energy. The biggest customer of the geothermal heat is a vegetable growing company using a 12 hectare large green house, cultivating regional peppers and tomatoes. This project is a unique flagship in terms of sustainability and environmental heat utilization strengthening the regional economy and location of the municipality in many ways.

A master plan for creating a hydrogen valley in Spain

In 2003, a hydrogen strategy was developed by the Government of Aragon. Its main objective is the development of new hydrogen technologies integrated with renewable energies and the promotion of Aragon’s incorporation to economic activities related to the use of hydrogen as an energy vector. To that end, the organisation, management, and execution of a wide range of actions in order to generate, store and transport hydrogen for its use in fuel cells, in transport applications or for the generation of distributed energy is carried out. The Government of Aragon aims to encourage research, technological development, cogeneration and industrial adaptation, contributing to industrial modernisation and the improvement of competitiveness. The implantation of projects based on sustainable energies that provide technological innovation and promote the energetic and environmental sustainability are favoured. Nowadays there are 73 members of the hydrogen strategy which are part of its Board and they belong to different sectors of interest.

Hydrogen valley in the Northern Netherlands

Over the past several years, the Northern Netherlands has accelerated its hydrogen project pipeline together with its ambitions of becoming the leading European hydrogen ecosystem. The Northern Netherlands has received recognition as the leading European Hydrogen Valley developing a full-fledged green hydrogen value chain. Furthermore, multinationals have increasingly committed to the Northern Netherlands as their hydrogen ecosystem of choice, and regional governments have increased their commitments to realize the Northern Netherlands hydrogen ecosystem.

Green hydrogen as heat source for houses

The Municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee aims to be energy-neutral in 2020 through the use of wind energy. They want to proactively move away from natural gas and to be a model location for sustainable energy solutions. Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet has been designated as a pilot location. After research, it became clear that all-electricity is difficult and inefficient and that connecting households at natural moments gives the best result in terms of sustainability. Stedin has also indicated that the natural gas grid is suitable for hydrogen and that the estimated costs of this solution are lower than an all-electric solution that involves reinforcing the electricity grid. So why not switch to hydrogen straight away?

Involvement of industrial parks in the regional energy strategy – Grevesmühlen

Green industrial areas are an important part of the transition to a sustainable economic system. This case shows how local policymakers connect the local renewable energy ambitions to concrete activities on a nearby industrial park. The park and the municipality cooperate together to create a green industrial area.

Involvement of industrial parks in the regional energy strategy – Neustrelitz

The city of Neustrelitz is a very ambitious municipality, especially in the areas of renewable energies, climate protection, and digitization. The local public utility company (Stadtwerke Neustrelitz), the municipality and the State Centre for Renewable Energy MV work hand in hand to promote the sustainable development of the municipality. The new city strategy for 2025 “green smart digital” unites the visions of the local actors. The development and implementation of a green business park is a further component in the realisation of the city vision 2025.

Using coal mine water as source for district heating

Mijnwater BV stands for building a grid that is affordable for its customers, allowing them maximum opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their own buildings, and resulting in a collective infrastructure that will further reduce energy needs. This should form a solid foundation for being sustainably financed in the long term.

Geothermal energy from abandoned coal mines in Spain

Abandoned coal mines contain large volumes of water at constant temperatures (increasing with depth by 1-3 °C per 100 m), thanks to their networks of flooded galleries and shafts lying at depths of up to several hundred metres below the surface. Heat pumps can take this geothermal energy and uplift it to a more useful temperature.

Geothermal heat sources for the DH System of Ferrara

The network in Ferrara has already achieved significant results, but represents a perfect field to test advanced improvement strategies. As of 2014 the network is 56 km long, with 591 users’ substations, delivering approximately 143 GWht/a. The energy mix is a combination of geothermal source (14 MWt), WTE (30 MWt) and gas boilers, including a significant storage system (1,200 m3). The average temperature levels are 90°C on the supply line and 60°C on the return line.

Upgrading the performance of Middelfart’s District Heating Networks

The city Middelfart is located on Funen in the South-Region of Denmark, with around 15.246 inhabitants. Middelfart District Heating System is divided into two areas (Hessgade and Fynsgade), and are organizationally in charge of both Middelfart District Heating Area, but also Nørre Åby District Heating Area. Middelfart DH does not supply Nørre Åby, since they have their own local energy system, meaning Middelfart DH only supplies the city of Middelfart.

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