bifa Umweltinstitut: The Future of Energy in Fuchstal - Efficiency increase in regional power and heat networks through a whole-system approach and energy storage

A whole-system approach and energy storage are important approaches to the reduction of CO2 emissions. A whole-system approach describes the integration and networking of the power, heat and transport segments, which until now have largely been considered separately. In this way, potential energy can be used better. But how does this work in practice? Can this also be achieved in an idyllic rural community?

The Fuchstal municipality in the Landsberg am Lech district is taking up this challenge. Together with the bifa Umweltinstitut and the consultants, Ingenieurbüro Sing, it started an ambitious implementation project. With photovoltaic systems, a hydropower plant, four modern wind turbines, a biogas plant and an innovative district heating network, which will be expanded, Fuchstal offers the best preconditions for this. Several levers are applied in a coordinated way: Waste biogas CHP heat, which cannot be fully used in the summer, is routed to a central seasonal heat store. It is then available to supply heat during the cold season. Equally, surplus electricity from the wind turbines is either used to generate heat or charges a battery storage system. This in turn provides the opportunity of providing balancing power or heat pumps in buildings, which are not integrated in the district heating network. The operation of all components is coordinated using intelligent control technology. Direct sale of the heat and electricity generated locally by regenerative means increases regional added value.

With this project, the project partners want to demonstrate how cross-sector energy management can be implemented with large benefits for residents. Overall, the project approach is making a large contribution to the turn of energy policies and climate protection. The three-year project is being funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit) on the basis of a resolution passed by the federal parliament, the German Bundestag.

You want more information?
You are welcome to contact me:
Dr. Wolfram Dietz
wdietz@bifa.de

Photo: Community Fuchstal