Energy use plan in the district Straubing-Bogen
Importance of an energy use plan
The project was implemented by bifa Umweltinstitut in cooperation with COPLAN AG. "Energy use plan (ENP) – what's that?" was the response of several municipal representatives when meeting with the mayor began in May 2013. At this event they were able to find out about the contents and objectives of the energy use plan for the first time.
The next step was to inform the local stakeholders and citizens about the project. In four public participation events, the representatives and residents of the municipality took the opportunity to find out about the project and in return to express their expectations and wishes. Those who were interested could read all about the project progress on the internet site www.straubing-bogen.de, in the especially produced ENP circular and in the local press.
Further steps in the project
To determine the actual situation, it was necessary to carry out a comprehensive analysis, e.g. of the consumption data and energy infrastructure. For this, all companies, businesspersons, energy suppliers, local communities and some private persons in the district Landkreis Straubing-Bogen were asked to provide their current data. After the purely technical collection and preparation of the data the exciting part began: In two workshops with practical stakeholders, suggestions were made, which then formed the basis for the development of a specific package of measures. "Realistic projects were drawn up, together with the locals, which can be implemented quickly in our district," said the district administrator at the time, Landrat Alfred Reisinger, proudly. However, before it reached that stage there was a great deal of work for the participants of both workshops to do.
Evaluation
The evaluation had showed that the district already has a good energy base, but that it can be developed further. A large proportion of Landkreis Straubing-Bogen's power consumption is already covered by renewable energy, with around 86 percent in the annual balance, which is mainly generated by PV systems. But up to 30 percent of the electricity generated by renewable means cannot be consumed within the municipality at the time it is generated (midday) and is therefore exported. Under the motto "Together we can optimise it", in March 2014, the project team sent out invitations for the first workshop in the district administration. Experts and decision makers as well as implementation stakeholders came from the respective areas.
Four theme tables and many new ideas
The objective of the second workshop in June 2014 was to further develop the planned project approaches and to begin implementation as a pilot project. At four theme tables, different projects were worked up further, including a thermal network in one local community in the district, a regular biogas plant meeting in cooperation with C.A.R.M.E.N. e. V. in Straubing, optimisation of waste heat use in a specific biogas plant, the introduction of municipal energy management in an integrated rural development (ILE) region and intelligent electricity supply with a smart grid approach in the municipality of Ascha.
In August the energy use plan was presented to the district council in time for the Gäuboden folk festival, and was recognised by the district's elected representatives as being the starting signal for the district's energy future.