STRATEGIC ENERGY PLANNING AT MUNICIPAL LEVEL

Funen Energy Plan

Funen is characterised by a high share of agriculture, From a systemic point of view, he emphasizes that the with remarkable biomass resources, and well- energy system needs to be redesigned. He finds it developed district heating and gas distributing important to link large heat pumps to surplus heat systems. To ensure the success and stability of future from industries so that they will be as cost-effective as local investments in the energy sector, Funen has possible. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of developed a political framework for the future energy using heat pumps to harness production of electricity investments, an energy plan. from wind turbines.

The plan was developed in a wide cooperation between 9 municipalities on Funen and Ærø, 5 supply companies, University of Southern (SDU), Centrovice (the local agricultural trade organisation), and Udvikling Fyn (a regional business development company). In total, 36 students from SDU have made their Christian Tønnesen, Project manager and Head of the diploma work under the auspices of the energy plan Settlement & Business Department, -Midtfyn thus creating a win-win satiation for students, Municipality, underlines: “The ambition for Funen university, local businesses, and municipalities. Energy Plan is to create a platform for the energy Exporting biomass fuel instead of electricity stakeholders, so that they from a common point of view can approach a joint planning for the future The energy plan presents a number of energy with a focus on innovation and optimal recommendations linked to particularly challenging solutions.” energy areas, where robust and long-term navigation Students contributing to real life energy plans is crucial. By upgrading the existing windmills in the area, Funen A strong cooperation between university students and can double the renewable energy production with half the project group was organised through the project the windmills of today. for two purposes; To give the students a chance to make educational projects that would contribute to By gasifying biomass, there is potential for gas-based real action plans, and to allow local companies and transport, but it is important not to build more biogas project partners to present potential jobs in the local plants than the area of Funen is able to provide supply area that hopefully will keep some of the young for. Christian Tønnesen appreciates the technical people in the region. aspect enlightened by engagement of the agricultural sector in the project. Peter M.S. Hansen and Julie H. Hansen, master students from SDU, have contributed to the project by “The agricultural sector on Funen is significant, and the making a study comparing heat pumps to wood chip production of biogas has a prominent role in the future boilers in district heating systems. The study showed energy system. But we are aware of the fact, that we that heat pumps were the best long-term investment have to develop a solution which ensures that the soil´s assuming there is available electricity resources and natural fertility is preserved in the long run.” he says. the spot price does not rise remarkably. By adhering to the energy plan, Funen expects to be Anders N. Andersen, Head of the Energy System exporting biomass fuels for transport instead of Department, EMD International, has been project electricity. Several involved energy actors have already manager for the district heating analyses and the use started activities that follow the recommendations of of electricity and heat pumps in the district heating the energy plan. system. For more information:www.energiplanfyn.dk