Sustainability - it is a way of life.
In the 1970's a nuclear plant was planned to be built in Freiburg, a massive protest against the plan started. The plan was dropped in 1975, and since then Freiburg has been working to create a much more sustainable environment without the use of fossil fuels and coal. "The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and concern over acid rain damaging the Black Forest—and more recently concern regarding climate change—strengthened the determination to find alternatives to nuclear and fossil fuel energy."
"Freiburg’s energy policy has three basic pillars: Energy saving, efficient technologies, and renewable energy sources."
"Freiburg’s energy policy has three basic pillars: Energy saving, efficient technologies, and renewable energy sources."
Energy Saving
In 1992, Freiburg’s building standards require all new houses built on city land use no more than 65 kilowatt-hours of heating energy per square meter per year. These standards adds around 3% cost to the houses, but the energy savings make it worthwhile after a short time. "It is estimated that the standard reduces heating oil consumption from 12-15 liters to 6.5 liters per square meter. The entire new districts of Vauban and Rieselfeld were built according to this standard."
To encourage energy efficiency in existing buildings, Freiburg instituted a support program for home insulation and energy retrofits. "1.2 million Euros in subsidies were provided in 2002-2008." As a result, reduction of energy consumption averaged 38% per building.
In 1992, Freiburg’s building standards require all new houses built on city land use no more than 65 kilowatt-hours of heating energy per square meter per year. These standards adds around 3% cost to the houses, but the energy savings make it worthwhile after a short time. "It is estimated that the standard reduces heating oil consumption from 12-15 liters to 6.5 liters per square meter. The entire new districts of Vauban and Rieselfeld were built according to this standard."
To encourage energy efficiency in existing buildings, Freiburg instituted a support program for home insulation and energy retrofits. "1.2 million Euros in subsidies were provided in 2002-2008." As a result, reduction of energy consumption averaged 38% per building.
Efficient Technology
Energy from Organic Household Waste
In Freiburg organic waste has been collected separately since 1997. A biogas installation transforms the organic waste into biogas and compost. The energy produced from this biogas covers 2% of Freiburg's electricity needs.
Using Landfill Gas and Solar Energy on a Former Landfill
Freiburg's landfill was closed in 2005. The decomposition of bacteria and chemicals in the organic waste produces landfill gas, enough to heat 1,200 households. On top of the landfill there is a largest photo-voltaic installation, producing 2.5 MW peak power.
Unique Mechanical-Biological Waste Treatment
20 km north of Freiburg lies a unique mechanical-biological waste treatment plant, one of a kind in the world that has been patented within Europe. Since 2006 it has been producing valuable materials from left-over waste, alternative fuels, and mineral products as well as biogas that is used for electricity and district heating.
Thermal Waste Utilization
When Freiburg landfill was closed, a modern garbage incineration started functioning. It has an annual capacity for treating 150,000 tons of household and business waste and produces electricity for about 25,000 households. Its four-stage flue gas cleaning system ensures that strict emission limits are adhered to.
Energy from Organic Household Waste
In Freiburg organic waste has been collected separately since 1997. A biogas installation transforms the organic waste into biogas and compost. The energy produced from this biogas covers 2% of Freiburg's electricity needs.
Using Landfill Gas and Solar Energy on a Former Landfill
Freiburg's landfill was closed in 2005. The decomposition of bacteria and chemicals in the organic waste produces landfill gas, enough to heat 1,200 households. On top of the landfill there is a largest photo-voltaic installation, producing 2.5 MW peak power.
Unique Mechanical-Biological Waste Treatment
20 km north of Freiburg lies a unique mechanical-biological waste treatment plant, one of a kind in the world that has been patented within Europe. Since 2006 it has been producing valuable materials from left-over waste, alternative fuels, and mineral products as well as biogas that is used for electricity and district heating.
Thermal Waste Utilization
When Freiburg landfill was closed, a modern garbage incineration started functioning. It has an annual capacity for treating 150,000 tons of household and business waste and produces electricity for about 25,000 households. Its four-stage flue gas cleaning system ensures that strict emission limits are adhered to.
Renewable Energy
Freiburg has 150,000 m2 of solar cells producing over 10 million kWh/year. New "plus energy homes" produce more energy then consumed, extra energy can and earn profits of 6000 Euros per year for their residents.
Wind.
Freiburg is not ideal for implements of windmills, as it is mainly a hilly, wooded area. The five windmills in the city are situated on hilltops, producing an average of 14 million kWh/year.
Hydropower.
There are no major hydropower stations. Small, eco-friendly run-of-the-river facilities are on the river and on smaller canals and streams. Hydropower generation within Freiburg amounts to about 1.9 million kWh/year.
"Since January 2009, Freiburg’s 60 trams have been running on 100% renewable energy (80% hydropower and 20% a mix of other renewables)."
Biomass.
Biomass has the largest share of Freiburg’s renewable electricity generation with 16.6 million kWh/year.
Organic waste from Freiburg’s households is fed into a digester that produces biogas and compost. The biogas is burned in a CHP plant to produce about 7 million kWh of electricity.
However, electrical demands in Freiburg is over 1,000 million kwh/year, therefore only 3.7% of the city's electrical power is generated by renewable sources.
Freiburg has 150,000 m2 of solar cells producing over 10 million kWh/year. New "plus energy homes" produce more energy then consumed, extra energy can and earn profits of 6000 Euros per year for their residents.
Wind.
Freiburg is not ideal for implements of windmills, as it is mainly a hilly, wooded area. The five windmills in the city are situated on hilltops, producing an average of 14 million kWh/year.
Hydropower.
There are no major hydropower stations. Small, eco-friendly run-of-the-river facilities are on the river and on smaller canals and streams. Hydropower generation within Freiburg amounts to about 1.9 million kWh/year.
"Since January 2009, Freiburg’s 60 trams have been running on 100% renewable energy (80% hydropower and 20% a mix of other renewables)."
Biomass.
Biomass has the largest share of Freiburg’s renewable electricity generation with 16.6 million kWh/year.
Organic waste from Freiburg’s households is fed into a digester that produces biogas and compost. The biogas is burned in a CHP plant to produce about 7 million kWh of electricity.
However, electrical demands in Freiburg is over 1,000 million kwh/year, therefore only 3.7% of the city's electrical power is generated by renewable sources.
By: Mabel Cheung 11.2