Page 289 - Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

The European Union: Nordic Countries and Germany Chapter j 14 263

Energy-based projects deem to optimize energy production and do not
focus on energy efficiency. Energy projects are based on low CO 2 emissions,
high efficiency generation, decentralized power, and intelligent supply demand
coordination. Projects include:
l Simulating load variable tariffs: this project is meant to determine how
well people respond to different electricity prices throughout the day.
Participants are told of the next day’s electricity prices so they can run
appliances accordingly. Twenty-four electricity consumers were involved
and utilized special electricity measuring equipment.
l Expanding the district heating network.
l In partnership with the consulting company E.ON, a study on dual demand
side management, an innovative energy storage method at the city district
level utilizing the thermal storage capacity of buildings, was completed on
Bottrop.
l New gas heat pump pilot projects in residential single-family homes and
medium- to large-scale buildings.
l Installation and operation of 100 micro cogeneration power plants in
existing buildings meant to represent the normal building stock of
Germany to serve as example of how such technology can be utilized.
These decentralized power plants are monitored to present their successes
and continually be optimized and adjusted based on the building they are
located in.
City projects relate to urban planning, use of open spaces, and water
management. Projects include the planning of an energy and technology park
at the site of old coal and oil plants in the Welheimer Mark quarter of the city,
research projects on energy efficient urban development in partnership with
research universities, the greening of roofs and facades with plants, and the
usage of LED street lamps throughout the city.
The success of Bottrop can be seen in large part because of the planning
and collaboration techniques taken, such as the use of a central planning
authority, the ICM, and its involvement and ease of access for local citizens.
Every 2 weeks, representatives from ICM, the municipality, and the private
sector meet to review projects and proposals, and to discuss new ideas and
overall progress. These meetings are furthermore provided with input from
collaborators on the state, business, and academic levels, all of whom meet
quarterly to help further Bottrop’s goals and provide advice and support for
Bottrop’s energy transition. They are as follows:
l An interministerial governmental working group was created with repre-
sentatives from state-level ministries such as the State Chancellery, the
Ministry of Economy and Transport, the Ministry of Environment, and the
Ministry of Innovation