German village going off grid

German village Feldheim has decided to go off grid and cover its energy consumption using energy of the wind, sun and biogas. At the heart of the energy system is the biogas plant.

Local farmers cooperative first thought about using the agricultural waste to heat the animal stalls. Then the local residents joined the project and the biogas plant and the wood chip plant are the main source of heat now.

130 villagers wanted to be independent from the big utility companies.

Illustration

The biogas plant size corresponds to the amount of waste produced in the local area. That limits the transportation costs. Electricity is produced by the wind park with 55 wind turbines; and the photovoltaic arrays. If there is no wind or sunshine, the biogas plant can produce electricity as well.

Construction of the energy facilities began in 2009. There is a charging point for e-cars in the village. The village has built an energy storage plant with batteries to balance the energy production and consumption.

-tk-

Article source Deutsche Welle - Germany’s international broadcaster
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