The future of energy supply in rural areas using the example of Wittichenau

 

Since October 2022, researchers at TU Dresden have been working on the project ‘ZellSys – Cellular Energy Systems for the Transformation of Energy Supply in Suburban Areas’. In the past, information about the project and the results obtained so far has been published in the local press, at public information events and in the town council of Wittichenau. Special attention is being paid to the support and co-design of the project by the citizens of Wittichenau. An initial citizen survey was carried out very successfully in 2023, from which the researchers were able to draw the first helpful insights. For this reason, a 2nd ZellSys citizen survey is to be conducted from 2 November to 30 November 2024. The aim of this survey is to compare assumptions about future scenarios with current experiences from the region. A central concern is to compare the considerations regarding refurbishment and the development of e-mobility.

 

As a citizen of Wittichenau, you can continue to support the project by taking part in the citizen survey. Survey questionnaires will be sent to you by post in the coming weeks. Alternatively, you can also take part in the survey online. Please complete this short survey and return it to us. The survey will not take longer than 15 minutes. All data will be anonymised and used in accordance with the GDPR.

Thank you for your valuable support!

The analysis of the survey will then be published on this website.

 

 

In Saxony, as in many other regions, the topic of renewable energies and refurbishment options is of great importance. The population is very interested in optimising their energy consumption, saving costs and at the same time making a contribution to environmental protection. In order to inform you about the available information platforms, we would like to give you an overview of important contact points and sources of information.

1. Sächsische Energieagentur (SAENA) (the Saxon Energy Agency)

The Saxon Energy Agency (SAENA) is a central point of contact for information on energy efficiency, renewable energies and sustainable construction. It offers free advice for citizens, companies and local authorities and provides extensive information material. The SAENA website provides useful tips and information on energy-efficient refurbishment, funding opportunities and sustainable energy supply.

 

2. energy advice from the Saxony Consumer Advice Centre

The Saxony Consumer Advice Centre offers independent energy advice for private households. In addition to personal consultations, this also includes the option of obtaining information by telephone or online. The focus is on topics such as energy-efficient refurbishment, heating optimisation and the use of renewable energies in the home. The detailed checklists and guides, which are available free of charge or for a small fee, are also particularly helpful.

 

3. subsidy programmes and financial support

Saxony offers a wide range of funding programmes for energy-efficient refurbishment and the use of renewable energies. The KfW Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA), the Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) and the state of Saxony provide funding that citizens and companies can utilise. Information on the current funding programmes and their requirements can be found on the websites of the respective institutions and at the aforementioned advice centres.
The counselling services cover topics such as photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, heat pumps and energy-efficient refurbishment. Citizens can obtain advice online, by telephone or in person.

 

4. local chambers of crafts and energy consultants

Many local chambers of crafts in Saxony offer specialised advice for homeowners who want to invest in renewable energy. These chambers often work with local tradesmen who have practical experience in installing photovoltaic, solar thermal and heat pump systems. There are also certified energy consultants who can offer personalised advice and make recommendations on the best technologies for the building in question.

5. online platforms for photovoltaics and co.

There are also specialised online portals that help citizens to plan investments in renewable energies. These portals often offer comparison calculators and tools that citizens can use to calculate the costs and savings of installing photovoltaic or solar thermal systems.

 

6. Local initiatives and networks

There are also many local initiatives and networks in Saxony that deal with renewable energies and sustainable construction. These often offer practical support, exchange opportunities and regional information. Examples include local energy cooperatives, environmental initiatives and regional climate protection alliances.

 

7. information events and trade fairs

Information events, trade fairs and exhibitions on the subject of renewable energies and energy-efficient refurbishment are held regularly in Saxony. These offer a good opportunity to talk directly to experts and find out about the latest developments and technologies. The ‘Saxon Energy Days’ and similar events organised by local chambers of trade or SAENA are particularly recommended.

 

On Monday, April 8, 2024, representatives of the ZellSys project team were at the energy factory in Knappenrode and presented the ZellSys project as part of a pitch presentation by the BMWK.

With the STARK federal funding program, the BMWK has been actively supporting the transformation in Germany’s lignite mining regions for three years. The program covers a wide range of exciting topics. Initiatives for knowledge and technology transfer, citizen participation and economic development are supported, as is the important work of the municipalities in the lignite mining regions. For Lusatia alone, 50 different projects with a total volume of 72 million euros were approved. Of these, 26 STARK projects were presented on Monday.

We are delighted to have been there and to have exchanged ideas with other project teams and players involved in structural change.

STARK article from Monday

MDR audio report

Impressions of the presentation of the projects within the framework of the federal STARK program of the BMWK for the lignite mining area of Lusatia (photographed on 08.04.2024 by André Wirsig):

Photo: Energy factory in Knappenrode, source: André Wirsig
Photo: Opening of the event by Thomas Schmidt, Saxon State Minister for Regional Development, source: André Wirsig
Photo: ZellSys project presentation by Prof. Schegner, source: André Wirsig
Photo: Prof. Schegner, source: André Wirsig
Photo: Energy factory in Knappenrode, source: André Wirsig
Photo: Energy factory in Knappenrode, source: André Wirsig

The 2nd expert meeting in the ZellSys project took place on  February 2nd 2024. The aim was to talk to experts from research, politics and business in order to exchange knowledge, explore opportunities for collaboration and present the status of the project to date.

Location: Meeting house “Jakubetzstift”, Wittichenau

Agenda:

14:00 Welcome Prof. Seifert / Prof. Schegner

14:05 – 14:45 Stand ZellSys project work

14:45 – 15:30 Contributions from the expert group

15:30 – 16:00 Discussion

 

Experts from:

 

We would like to thank you once again for your active participation in our 2nd expert meeting in Wittichenau. We were able to take away some food for thought from the contributions and discussions and look forward to the further course of the project.

We would like to thank you once again for your active participation in the citizens’ meeting we held in Wittichenau on February 2, 2024.

As a result, an article was published in the Sächsische Zeitung:

What will Wittichenau’s energy supply look like in the future? Researchers at TU Dresden want to find more than one answer to this complex question.

 

Wittichenau wants to prepare itself for the energy supply of the future. With the “ZellSys” project (cellular energy systems for transforming the energy supply in the suburban area of Wittichenau), TU Dresden is preparing a feasibility study. It is investigating the potential of renewable energies. In particular, it is looking at the topics of heat, electricity and gas. An energy atlas is being created with a focus on heat demand and electricity demand.

Read the full article here: https://www.saechsische.de/hoyerswerda/lokales/wittichenau-ruestet-sich-fuer-die-energiewende-5962603-plus.html