Nürtingen relies on sun: roofs ready for citizens' energy cooperative!

Nürtingen relies on sun: roofs ready for citizens' energy cooperative!

Nürtingen, a city in the Esslingen district, is increasingly focusing on the expansion of solar energy. As part of its initiative to advance the energy transition, the city plans to further expand the use of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The Mörike School and the city portal are already equipped with appropriate facilities. In the future, other municipal buildings are to be integrated into the concept, including the Panorama Hall, the town hall, the technical town hall and the “Kleine Insel” children's house. The schools in Zizishausen and Reudern are also included in the planning. The city is making the roofs of several buildings available to a newly founded citizens' energy cooperative (BEG) in order to support the operation of the PV systems and to actively involve citizens in the energy transition, as ntz.de reports.

These measures are part of the comprehensive strategy that Nürtingen is pursuing to achieve the Paris 2015 climate goals. Since the first considerations about energy consumption and renewable energies in 1997, the topic has become increasingly topical against the background of the drought summer of 2018 and the associated urgency. In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2046, an urgent phase-out of coal and oil energy is necessary in order to effectively reduce CO2 emissions. Based on these objectives, an innovative computer model is being developed which analyzes various scenarios to determine the savings needs and the coverage of energy needs through local sources, in particular solar energy. Further information is available from BUND Nürtingen.

Energy transition in Germany

Nürtingen's initiative fits into the nationwide efforts for the energy transition. Germany has set itself the goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 in order to become greenhouse gas neutral. This is in line with the federal government's stricter climate protection plan and the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, which is intended to keep global warming to well below two degrees Celsius. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energies such as solar energy provide an inexhaustible and sustainable source of energy. The use of these technologies, including photovoltaic systems to generate electricity, is considered crucial for Germany's future energy supply in order to transform the energy supply away from coal, gas, petroleum and nuclear power towards renewable energy sources. Detailed information on these topics is available on Planet Wissen.

In summary, Nürtingen's initiatives show how local projects to promote renewable energies can support not only the city itself, but also the entire energy policy in Germany. By expanding photovoltaic systems and involving citizens in energy production, an important step is being taken towards a more sustainable future.