Varese Ligure, Italy - Sustainable Project agricultural conversion and 100% RES

The Comune di Varese Ligure is a community on its way to becoming 100% RES and 100% organic farming. Specifically in the RES (Renewable Energy Systems) sector, wind turbines were installed, 80% of the farms have become organic, PV systems were installed in 2 public buildings. In addition, a program to promote pellets stoves will be launched. The peculiarity of this municipality of over 2400 inhabitants, is that it is huge compared with is density.

There are many little centres, but no strong link among them. The renovation facilitated the re-activation of the two main centres and the preservation its cultural heritage.

Key facts of the hybrid system

Wind - 2 wind generators (4 million kWh) have been installed and further 2 generators (2 million kWh) are planned.

Photovoltaics - One installation on the municipal building made up of 102 panels (120Wp each) which occupy 94.76 square metres and has a power 12,701 kWh/year and covers 98% of the needs of the building. Another PV installation in a school is made up of 39 panels which occupy 36.23 square metres and has a power of 4.68 kWp and produces 4,600 kWh/year and covers 62% of the needs of the building.

The total amount of CO₂ saved through the Varese Ligure initiatives is: 0.05% of the total CO₂ regional annual emissions.

Hotel Victoria in Freiburg, Germany

The Hotel Victoria in Freiburg, Germany is a successful example of a private renewable energy project. The hotel is a large energy user consuming 210,000 kWh of electricity and 450,000 kWh of heat each year. This is enough energy for 60 households and would supply heat to 15 family homes. The hotel owners decided to compensate for this energy use by optimising the building's energy efficiency and by sourcing 100% of its energy from a wide range of renewable sources.

www.hotel-victoria.de

Energy and climate protection Luchow - Dannenberg, Germany

Luchow-Dannenberg is a district of 51,000 inhabitants in the eastern part of Lower Saxony, North Germany. It covers 1,200 km² with a very low population density (42 persons/ km²). It is on the Elba river which once formed the boundary between West and East Germany. This project uses mainly wind power and biomass , and implements locally the goals of Agenda 21, in particular the target of 100% energy supplied by RES within 10-15 years from 1999.

Key facts of the project

1. PV Systemshave achieved an input of 4,200 kWp
2. Domestic hot water production ca. 1,900 m² municipal plants and ca. 15,300 m² in private plants
3. District heating: 300 m²
4. Utility owned wind farm with a 1.5 MW capacity
5. 2 Biogas installations at 130 kW and one at 140kW;
6. Medium temperature geothermal with a heat capacity of 6-8 MW.

Stand alone mobile Hybrid PV -Wind at Folkecenter, Denmark

A mobile hybrid PV-Wind plant was developed at the Folkecenter for Renewable Energy in Denmark. It can be easily packed and transported in a container, which then serves as an office.

 More about mobile power plants

Hybrid solar and wind power plant in Ourique, Portugal

Three power plants were designed and constructed in the south of Portugal in order to provide wind and photovoltaic (PV) energy to three isolated settlements in the region of Ourique. A total of 55 houses with 120 inhabitants benefit from the PV energy supply. In addition to the domestic use, the energy supplied is also used to irrigate 50 ha of surrounding farm land and to provide public lighting. View Word document