Climate Island Juist Launches Energy Transition Study

Strategy on the Path to Climate Neutrality

The analysis of the current situation regarding the energy transition marks a strategic shift for the municipality of Juist Töwerland on its path to climate neutrality. In addition to concrete projects such as determining the island’s CO₂ balance in 2008, past efforts have mainly focused on measures aimed at further increasing the already strong acceptance of ambitious climate goals among residents and visitors.

Future strategic measures are largely based on the theory of the “Third Industrial Revolution” by U.S. sociologist, economist, and author Jeremy Rifkin. In addition to achieving climate neutrality, the strategy also aims to implement energy self-sufficiency and improve economic efficiency.

Five Key Areas of Action

The strategy is built around measures in five areas:

1. Switch to renewable energies – For Juist, options include wind power, photovoltaics, geothermal energy, and biomass.

2. Conversion of existing buildings into micro power plants – These will generate renewable energy locally. The first step will focus on municipal buildings, followed by commercial properties and private homes.

3. Use of hydrogen and other energy storage systems – To store irregular renewable energy production.

4. Use of internet technology – Transforming the power grid into an energy-sharing network (intergrid) to make local surpluses available to the community.

5. Transition to electric and fuel cell vehicles – These vehicles will be able to buy and sell electricity via an intelligent, interactive power grid.

Analysis by EWE Energie AG

The municipality of Juist has commissioned regional energy provider EWE Energie AG to analyze the island’s current situation for the energy transition by the end of 2013. The analysis will specifically examine the potential and limitations of key renewable sources—wind, photovoltaics, biogas, and geothermal energy. It will assess municipal properties and nearly all private rooftops to determine their suitability for energy production, and it will analyze the island’s grid and storage capacities.

The results will be presented to the municipality in a final workshop, with the goal of involving both residents and visitors in determining the next steps. “In the medium term, we want to explore whether, under municipal leadership and with the active participation of Juist’s citizens, we can establish an energy cooperative,” says Thomas Vodde, Head of Marketing and Events for the municipality of Juist.

Support from Futouris

Futouris, the tourism sustainability initiative, will continue to support the municipality of Juist in 2013 as a joint industry project of all its members. The initiative is particularly focused on the question of how tourism can contribute to the goal of climate neutrality. “From our perspective, it is especially important that every step Juist takes in the near future serves as a model for other tourist destinations,” says Andreas Koch, Chairman of Futouris. “We expect the energy analysis to provide valuable insights for the further conceptual direction.”