Hot stuff: Storing lost heat in containers and using it to heat buildings

Dortmund, 7th September 2009 - Valuable resources are often hidden where no-one would suspect it. An example of this is the waste heat produced in power plants, that is excess heat which cannot be used and is normally disposed of at a price. A double wastage, because waste heat can be very valuable in other places, as LaTherm has discovered. The company collects waste heat, for example from steel or chemical plants, in specially prepared standard containers. These are then transported to buildings such as swimming pools, hospitals or schools and fed into the existing heating systems. The advantages are clear: LaTherm’s energy suppliers reduce their disposal fees and consequently become more energy efficient. On the other hand, heating customers not only save around 20 percent of their heating costs but are pleased to have a portion of their heating supplies free from fuel costs linked to the price of oil. And there is an advantage for the environment as well: LaTherm customers save approximately 90 percent of CO2 emissions compared to traditional heat production methods.

“LaTherm” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 7th September 2009.

100% efficiency to protect the climate: An initiative promoting the extension of combined heat and power

Berlin, 3rd September 2009 - Electricity production has an efficiency problem: Only a small percentage of the energy invested actually ends up in the power socket. The rest disappears in the form of heat which the power plants emit into the atmosphere. Combined heat and power, however, is different. The lost heat is used, for example, to heat living space. Which means the efficiency level of the production plants rises considerably. “KWK Model City Berlin – Using Energy Efficiently”, an initiative of the Berlin Energy Agency in collaboration with GASAG, Vattenfall and the Senate Office for Health, Environment and Consumer Protection is actively promoting the new technology. Project staff are giving the inhabitants of Berlin information on the topic through brochures and events, showing how the process works and how it can be used. In addition the initiative – whose patron is Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Minister for the Environment – is aiming to position Berlin as the combined heat and power city, in itself a beacon for other towns and cities in Germany and abroad. So that, in future, energy will be used efficiently – everywhere.

“KWK Model City Berlin“ was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 3rd September 2009.

Straw and wood for the engine: Bioliq procedure turns biological waste into top-quality fuel

Eggernstein-Leopoldshafen, 25th August 2009 - Are you filling up on petrol or diesel? That could soon become a thing of the past. We might then be saying ‘driving ecologically with straw’. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has initiated a minor revolution in the production of biofuel. Its environmentally friendly bioliq procedure turns biomass into high quality fuel by concentrating and liquefying ‘green resources’. The new procedure, unlike earlier methods, does not come at the expense of food production, seeing as only leftover grain and wood waste are used. The result is a powerful top-quality fuel which not only reduces combustion residue, harmful to both our health and the climate, but also the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. This is an important step towards overcoming the eco-political challenges of the future.

“Bioliq” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 25th August 2009.

Exploiting renewable energy sources: An Internet portal makes councils independent of fossil fuels

Berlin, 24th August 2009 - Emden has demonstrated to others how it’s done. With numerous wind parks, two solar thermally heated open-air swimming pools and a biomass combined heat and power station, the town is considered one of the pioneers of renewable energy sources. On the www.kommunal-erneuerbar.de internet portal the town on the North Sea coast is listed among others as a success story. Emden is an example to other towns and villages which are looking for ideas on how to implement sustainable projects. The portal links everything, from experience in the planning stage to tips on how to put ideas into practice. Checklists, financing models and field reports submitted by proactive councils make it easy to find one’s way around a complex topic. The internet portal is a guide which takes everything into consideration, from the initial conception of a project to investment decisions right the way through to final implementation. Because, whether on the coast, in villages or in conurbations, councils have many possibilities to promote renewable energies. That not only helps protect the environment, but also creates new jobs.

“Council – renewable” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 24th August 2009.

Clear as daylight: A new technology combines thermal solar collectors with photovoltaic modules

Altdorf, 16th August 2009 - If customary solar cells had emotions they would view the sun with mixed feelings. They would be happy about the sunlight which can easily be converted to electricity. However, they would be less pleased with the sun’s heat. For this reduces the potential of the photovoltaic elements, which during the summer months can be up to 0.5 per cent for every degree Celsius the temperature rises. Given this background the combination module PV Therm is a true innovation. Solarzentrum Allgäu combines the advantages of the up until now separate elements of thermal solar collectors and photovoltaic modules in one part. A cooling element on the back of the module increases the electricity generation of the combination module during the summer months by up to 30 per cent in comparison to conventional solar modules. At the same time PV Therm is also capable of using solar energy to heat tap water. In short – PV Therm is not only efficient but also versatile.

The “Combination Module PV Therm” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 16th August 2009.

A new generation of solar energy: Sulfurcell is setting technological trends in photovoltaics

Berlin, 12th August 2009 - Against the background of a scarcity of natural resources, atmospheric pollution and climate change, the future clearly belongs to solar energy. With innovative thin film solar modules Sulfurcell Solartechnik GmbH is setting completely new standards in this field. These modern cells, developed by the company in Berlin, no longer have anything in common with the conventional bulky panels we are familiar with on the roofs of houses. They are wafer-thin and can easily be built into the facade of a building. Not only their ‘intrinsic qualities’ are promoting the breakthrough of this ecologically friendly technology: The “Sun gods from Adlershof” have also acquired a reputation as international trendsetters because of their attractive shape. The company is currently building one of the world’s most modern photovoltaics factories for the production of their ground-breaking solar modules. In so doing, Sulfurcell is setting an example as to how ecological technologies can bring new incentives to the economy and create secure jobs for the future.

The “Sun gods from Adlershof” were named as a “Selected Landmark” in the “Land of Ideas” on 12th August 2009.

As the sun rises: The first ever public solar park introduces visitors to photovoltaics

Munich, 1st July 2009 - When the sun is shining the hill sparkles like a jewel. Not surprising, considering that the 1.5 hectare terrain near Frankfurt an der Oder in the North-East of Germany sports solar cells in all shapes and sizes. Deutsche Solar Werke (German solar industries) have put up the first ever solar park in Germany which is also open to the public. Until now similar projects have always been reserved for company representatives and engineers. Now in Frankfurt (Oder) the whole family can enjoy a day walking through the solar cell forest. They can also learn from the information boards about the construction of the photovoltaic modules, which are made by a variety of manufacturers, and how each of these work. Solar cells are not always alike and manufacturers are in keen competition to find the best way to produce electricity from the sun’s rays. The exhibition is also of interest for them. Using state-of-the-art measurement technology the solar theme park provides new insights into the efficiency of the modules, meaning that the park also serves to promote technological development.

The “Solar Theme Park” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 1st July 2009.

Raiders of the lost drop: A mechanical biological preparation plant helps households save water

Schiltach, 28th June 2009 - When Germany is once more under a heavy cover of clouds and each step outside becomes a damp adventure, nothing seems more remote than the idea of saving water. In Australia or in the Sahara you have to, but is it really necessary in a country with an average of 180 days of rain per year? However, drinking water is also a valuable commodity for us because the expectations with regard to its cleanliness are very high. To save water, Pontos GmbH, an affiliate of Hansgrohe AG, has developed a water recycling plant called Pontos Aquacycle. With this system mildly polluted water is collected, processed and reused. This is perfectly sufficient for flushing the toilet. The recycling process is entirely mechanical-biological and only requires low energy input. The novel plant has been installed in “Block 6”, a housing estate with 106 units, with the help of aurag Property Management, Nolde & Partner and the Berlin senate. According to calculations by engineers it will save three million litres of drinking water each year. This saves money as well as being a prime example of how to protect the environment.

“Pontos Aquacycle – Block 6” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the land of Ideas” on 28th June 2009.

Renewable ways to a clean future: Biomass research centre promotes ecofriendly technologies

Leipzig, 11th June 2009 - Whether it is used for heating, as fuel or for the generation of electricity – of all the renewable energies, biomass has the biggest potential and is one of the most important technologies of the future. The German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) in Leipzig is concentrating scientific competencies and promoting research in the sector of regenerative energies to make using biomass easier and more effective. Being at the core of a network, it is working closely together with well-known scientific institutions. At the same time the centre is distinguishing itself as a practically orientated contact address, which advises public and private employers with unique competence. It also supports the economy in opening global markets for plants and components for the generation of energy out of biomass. On top of that, this “Bioenergy made in Saxony” works as an added stimulus for investments in the new Federal Lands/States, which already have an internationally leading position in regenerative energies.

“Bioenergy made in Saxony” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 11th June 2009.

An ‘illuminating’ energy-saving light: DimmLIGHT reduces the consumption of electricity and preserves the environment

Zerbst, 27th May 2009 - Night-time street lighting creates more security – but it comes at a ‘double’ cost. The consumption of electricity not only weighs heavily on the coffers of local councils, but also on the environment. Each kilowatt hour simultaneously raises the emission of the climate-damaging greenhouse gas CO². Many councils are therefore taking drastic economy measures and are now switching the street lamps off, which in turn raises the risk of accidents on the streets. KD-Elektroniksysteme in Zerben (Saxony-Anhalt) is therefore taking a completely new track which will protect the environment and save money: Their “DimmLIGHT” technology reduces the electricity consumption of each individual street lamp by up to 67 per cent, making it the highest conservation of energy in public lighting worldwide. Nonetheless the dimmed lamps are still bright enough to light the way for late-night revellers. Added to this, the innovative technology extends the lifespan of the lights – again benefiting both the environment and public finances.

“DimmLIGHT” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 27th May 2009.

It’s all on the roof: A software tool calculates the solar energy potential of houses

Waghäusel, 29th April 2009 - Electricity and gas are becoming more and more expensive and consequently alternatives to traditional energy sources more and more interesting. Take solar energy as an example. But then again, which towns and areas lend themselves to this form of energy, and to what degree? The climate initiative “KICK”, together with scientists from the University of Karlsruhe, has developed a software tool which, based on detailed aerial imaging data, can calculate how high the potential of each roof in each town is. In the areas which have been analysed so far, “KICK” came to the conclusion that almost 100 per cent of household energy requirements could be covered by solar electricity generated on the roofs of towns and villages. The aim of “KICK” is to realize 20 per cent of this potential, in line with EU specifications. The first step will be in the small town of Östringen. A wide variety of events will inform both those responsible in the town for making decisions as well as the inhabitants what their personal energy of the future could look like.

“KICK” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 29th April 2009.

Working at full steam: Unterhaching supplies its residents with energy from the bowels of the earth

Unterhaching, 19th April 2009 - The breakthrough came on 27 September 2004. In Unterhaching, a small town to the south of Munich, geologists came across thermal waters at a depth of 3,500 metres. At 122° Celsius this water is ideal for producing electricity and heat. A lot has happened since then. The boiling water from the depths of the earth not only supplies heat for the council-run district grid, but is also used by a power station to generate electricity. This makes the town a prime example of climate protection. The environment is already reaping the benefit of this local energy revolution: with the new energy concept many thousand tonnes of the pollutant carbon dioxide, which has such a damaging effect on the climate, are being avoided. And rising utility prices are also a thing of the past, since Unterhaching is independent of electricity and gas. Geothermal energy is a milestone in the use of renewable energies. And what is more, there is no sign of an end to the success story, since heat from the depths of the earth is practically inexhaustible.

Geothermal energy from Unterhaching was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 19th April 2009.

"Fastfood” for bacteria: A new procedure makes biogas plants more effective than ever

Pöhl, 18th April 2009 - A future without renewable forms of energy is no longer conceivable as they contribute more and more to the protection of both the climate and the environment. In addition Germany, a country with few natural resources, is particularly dependent on alternative sources of energy to secure its economic prosperity as the world’s reserves become increasingly scarce. In this setting biomass plays a crucial role. Lehman-Maschinenbau, an engineering company from Pöhl in Saxony, has now succeeded in substantially increasing their energy output. Their bio-extrusion procedure breaks biological waste down to its cell structure. This makes processing the substances a lot easier for the bacteria, which then produce a lot more biogas than before and in much less time. On top of this, materials like manure, straw and silage, which in conventional procedures could hardly be used, if at all, can now also be fermented. The twin screw extruder developed by the company turns these substances into a ‘bite-sized’ natural resource which the bacteria can easily digest.

The bio-extrusion procedure was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 18th April 2009.

Efficiency leads to corporate success and the protection of the environment: A novel recycling concept benefits the environment and social institutions

Duisburg, 17th March 2009 - Preserving resources while at the same time strengthening the economy: This is the thinking behind the Efficiency Agency North Rhine-Westphalia (EFA) in Duisburg which supports and advises predominantly small and medium-sized businesses on how to optimise their production. Particularly at times when resources are scarce the wise use of materials and energy can have a significant influence on a company’s financial success, as well as giving them a head start on the market – and at the same time it contributes to the effective protection of the environment. Due to its extensive knowledge and expertise, the EFA has become the first source of reference for medium-sized businesses on questions of economic and ecological sustainability. Its main focus is the targeted support of local businesses, for which the experts at EFA develop forward-looking strategies and innovative technologies. A total of 20 members of staff work in Duisburg and the five regional offices in Aachen, Bielefeld, Münster, Siegen and the Remscheid, Solingen and Wuppertal area. Their goal: to see the concept of economising by using resources efficiently continue to grow. The EFA has established over 700 projects so far and is looking to see this number grow.

The EFA’s project “Increasing resource efficiency” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 17th March 2009.

Miniature pumps achieve maximum effect: A unique heating system saves money and the environment

Frankfurt, 10th March 2009 - Resources are becoming more and more scarce – using them carefully in our homes is one of the biggest challenges of our time. WILO SE, a company based in Dortmund, is now introducing a completely new era of heating technology. With the help of state-of-the-art electronics the “Geniax” decentralised pumping system registers exactly when each room needs heating. Unlike conventional systems WILO SE’s miniature pumps transport heat to each radiator individually. The heating accordingly only cuts in for the amount of time that is actually necessary – making it faster, much more precise and more efficient than any of the conventional thermostatic valves. This decentralised pumping system is the first of its kind worldwide and is revolutionising heating technology. Up to 25 per cent of energy can be saved this way. This also means that “Geniax” quite considerably reduces the greenhouse gas CO², allowing homeowners to save money while also contributing to the protection of the environment and the climate.

WILO SE’s decentralised pumping system was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 10th March 2009.

Online heat: A regulator to make heating systems ecologically friendly uses remote control via the internet

Hünstetten-Wallbach, 7th March 2009 - 18°C at night and 25°C during the day: From now on all that will be needed to find the ideal setting for your heating system is a couple of mouse clicks. Digitronic Automationsanlagen GmbH, a manufacturer of digital automation equipment in Hünstetten-Wallbach, has invented a new device which allows you to service, regulate and monitor the heating system from your home computer. The innovative heating regulator DigiENERGY can be controlled easily and individually via the internet – hence from anywhere in the world. The intelligent technology keeps the room temperature at the desired level and guarantees that the burner and pumps are working efficiently. Should there be a breakdown, the system automatically sends out an e-mail, a text message or a fax. Long before the radiators grow cold the plumber can check the settings and correct any faults. The result: 30 per cent lower heating costs – no doubt a weighty argument in the middle of climate change.

“DigiENERGY” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 7th March 2009.