Neckarsulm, Germany
The city of Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg and part of the district Heilbronn. It has an approximate population of around 27,000 inhabitants and is regarded as one of the cities with the highest density of solar thermal- and PV systems in Germany.
The information and demonstration actions of this community lead to 24% less conventional energy consumption in the CONCERTO core area of the city, which involves around 10,000 inhabitants. The city was awarded with the German "Solar award 1998" and with the "Environment award 1999". It has the world’s largest solar system with seasonal storage.
The CONCERTO approach
Energy checks in about 5-10% of all buildings in Neckarsulm make people more energy aware in the community.
Four single-family houses were retrofitted according to CONCERTO standard (30% better than the national standard). about 3.000 single retrofit measures were realized such as retrofitting the outside wall, the roof or replacing the windows. The total savings of all these single measures realized during the last 5 years correspond to the savings of about 200 complete retrofits of single-family houses. In total 13.000 m² of multi-family houses and public buildings were retrofitted.
The city of Neckarsulm also constructed a lot of new buildings during Energy in Minds. In total 11.000 m² were realized, the following RES technologies have been implemented: 1.200 m² solar thermal, 1.400 kWp PV and 1.100 kW biomass.
Solar energy and a floor heating system are used to dry out the sludge in a solar greenhouse to a water content of less than 35%. In doing so volume and weight of the sludge reduces by up to 70%. This dry „sludge“ can be easily disposed of or can be used as a bio-fuel in a nearby wood-chip central heating station.
A new kind of co-generation plant with Organic-Rankine-Cycle (ORC) in Neckarsulm Trendpark serves together with a 6 MW wood chips burner as a central heating station.
Use of Renewable Energy Technologies
• Solar thermal collectors
• Photovoltaic
• Biomass/ woodpellets
Low Carbon Technologies
• Insulation
• Underground duct store
• District heating (co-generation plant with wood chips)
• Solar sludge drying plant
• Combining a large scale heat pump with a solar district heating net
Highlights
1. In June 2007, the high efficient retrofit of the “Neubergschule” was finished. Besides retrofitting the building envelope a new heating system was installed consisting of two pellet boilers and a prototype Stirling engine. The primary energy is reduced by 75%. When taking the electricity production of the PV system and Stirling into consideration the school becomes a primary energy supplier (rather than consumer).
2. The solar sludge drying plant was finished in September 2009. When it became clear that the central sewage treatment plant had to be retrofitted an innovative concept was worked out. Solar energy is used to dry out the sludge in a solar greenhouse to a water content of less than 25%. In doing so volume and weight of the sludge reduces up to 70%. This dry "sludge" can be easily disposed or can be used as a bio-fuel in a nearby wood-chip central heating station. The economic potential by reducing transport and disposal cost is significant. The expected CO2 reductions are 7.000 t/a.
For further examples, like Amorbach, Trendpark, please visit the project website of Energy in Minds! under “News”.
PV Systems, Neckarsulm
Sites facts & figures
• Estimated population involved: 9,873
• Approx. geographical area coverage: 22,900 m²
• Approx. energy saving: 33,3%
• Approx. energy from RES: 11%
The consortium
• City of Neckarsulm
• Stadtwerke Neckarsulm (utility)
• Solar & Energie Initiative Heilbronn
The city of Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg and part of the district Heilbronn. It has an approximate population of around 27,000 inhabitants and is regarded as one of the cities with the highest density of solar thermal- and PV systems in Germany.
The information and demonstration actions of this community lead to 24% less conventional energy consumption in the CONCERTO core area of the city, which involves around 10,000 inhabitants. The city was awarded with the German "Solar award 1998" and with the "Environment award 1999". It has the world’s largest solar system with seasonal storage.
The CONCERTO approach
Energy checks in about 5-10% of all buildings in Neckarsulm make people more energy aware in the community.
Four single-family houses were retrofitted according to CONCERTO standard (30% better than the national standard). about 3.000 single retrofit measures were realized such as retrofitting the outside wall, the roof or replacing the windows. The total savings of all these single measures realized during the last 5 years correspond to the savings of about 200 complete retrofits of single-family houses. In total 13.000 m² of multi-family houses and public buildings were retrofitted.
The city of Neckarsulm also constructed a lot of new buildings during Energy in Minds. In total 11.000 m² were realized, the following RES technologies have been implemented: 1.200 m² solar thermal, 1.400 kWp PV and 1.100 kW biomass.
Solar energy and a floor heating system are used to dry out the sludge in a solar greenhouse to a water content of less than 35%. In doing so volume and weight of the sludge reduces by up to 70%. This dry „sludge“ can be easily disposed of or can be used as a bio-fuel in a nearby wood-chip central heating station.
A new kind of co-generation plant with Organic-Rankine-Cycle (ORC) in Neckarsulm Trendpark serves together with a 6 MW wood chips burner as a central heating station.
Use of Renewable Energy Technologies
• Solar thermal collectors
• Photovoltaic
• Biomass/ woodpellets
Low Carbon Technologies
• Insulation
• Underground duct store
• District heating (co-generation plant with wood chips)
• Solar sludge drying plant
• Combining a large scale heat pump with a solar district heating net
Highlights
1. In June 2007, the high efficient retrofit of the “Neubergschule” was finished. Besides retrofitting the building envelope a new heating system was installed consisting of two pellet boilers and a prototype Stirling engine. The primary energy is reduced by 75%. When taking the electricity production of the PV system and Stirling into consideration the school becomes a primary energy supplier (rather than consumer).
2. The solar sludge drying plant was finished in September 2009. When it became clear that the central sewage treatment plant had to be retrofitted an innovative concept was worked out. Solar energy is used to dry out the sludge in a solar greenhouse to a water content of less than 25%. In doing so volume and weight of the sludge reduces up to 70%. This dry "sludge" can be easily disposed or can be used as a bio-fuel in a nearby wood-chip central heating station. The economic potential by reducing transport and disposal cost is significant. The expected CO2 reductions are 7.000 t/a.
For further examples, like Amorbach, Trendpark, please visit the project website of Energy in Minds! under “News”.
Sites facts & figures
• Estimated population involved: 9,873
• Approx. geographical area coverage: 22,900 m²
• Approx. energy saving: 33,3%
• Approx. energy from RES: 11%
The consortium
• City of Neckarsulm
• Stadtwerke Neckarsulm (utility)
• Solar & Energie Initiative Heilbronn
CONCERTO is co-financed by the