Samsø renewable energy

The 140% Renewable Energy Island of Samsø

The small island of Samsø has reduced its carbon footprint by 140%^[1] in the past decade. In 1997 the Danish government held a competition. They challenged contestants to convert their energy supply to 100% renewable energy within a 10 year period.

The small island of Samsø, a 20x6 mile islet nestled between the hustle and bustle of Copenhagen’s island, Zeeland, and the mainland Jutland won the bid. It is only accessible by ferry and has no original power plants of its own. This combination made Samsø an ideal candidate for Eco-Revolution. ^[2]

Energy

Samsø is 100% self-sufficient with wind-generated electricity.

With renewable energy the island produces 70% of the residents heating needs. The other 30% is met through imported petroleum, 100% of which is compensated for by wind turbine energy.

So much energy is harvested from the wind that Samsø sells the energy back to the neighboring mainland of Denmark. ^[3]

Heat

In a country plagued by cold winters often reaching -10 degrees Celsius, Samsø looked towards innovations in home heating systems.

Wind power is not the only sustainable rout being taken, solar panels, renewable wood pellet and straw furnaces are used to generate hot water for residents.

Typically in Denmark, a home creates its own heat through an oil burning furnace. On the island residents have collectively opted into the district’s heating plants to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.^[4]

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Wind Energy

Denmark ranks among world leaders in wind technology generating a total of 20% of their nations electricity through wind turbines. Samsø has managed to produce 100% of its electricity by harvesting the abundant wind.

The island’s wind producing fleet is made up of four outcroppings of wind turbines. Eleven turbines are on land and ten are positioned offshore.

While the on-shore turbines produce the majority of energy needed for the island, the off-shore wind farm is used to offset the co2 footprint of the transportation sector of the island, including the ferries. Future plans are set to convert the transportation sector into renewable energy vehicles.

• Tanderup
o Three turbines
o Total price: approx. $3 million US
o Total annual production: approx. 7,600 MWh
o Each turbine produces the equivalent of 630 homes worth of annual electricity.
o Two turbines are privately owned and one is owned by a windmill cooperative.

• Permelille
o Three turbines
o Total price: approx. $3 million US
o Total annual production: approx. 7,600 MWh
o Each turbine produces the equivalent of 630 homes worth of annual electricity.
o Two turbines are privately owned and one is owned by a windmill cooperative.

• Brundby
o Five turbines
o Total price: approx. $5 million US
o Total annual production: approx. 12,700 MW/yr
o Each turbine produces the equivalent of 630 homes worth of annual electricity.
o Privately owned by private investors and local farmers

• Offshore wind turbines
o In an effort to offset the co2 produced by the transport sector (ferries, cars, tractors) an offshore wind farm was erected.
o Total annual production: approx. 77,500 MWh (280 TJ)^[6]

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Plans

Biogas: farmers on the island are working towards a plan to harvest biogas from pig farms’ slurry (a viscous mixture of manure). Not only will this produce electricity, but will provide households with home heat.

In the future the transport sector will see its vehicles retrofit with energy efficient modifications such as canola oil, bioethanol, hydrogen or electricity. Such conversions expect to be seen once the technology becomes economically feasible.

The Samsø Energy Academy offers courses and workshops to help residents and scientists prepare for the future.

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References

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