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The European Union: Nordic Countries and Germany Chapter j 14 277

waste is burned rather than landfilled. District heating networks also have been
proved to help mitigate the fluctuating electricity supply that is associated with
energy systems with large amounts of renewable energy, especially in coun-
tries such as Denmark, where district heating combined with heat storage
supplies heat to a majority of Danes.
Another important theme in successful European energy transitions is the
inclusion of local populations. Including the local citizens of an area in
planning processes, information campaigns, and especially investments, as
seen in Bottrop and throughout the Danish islands, can increase support and
even be a driving force in the redevelopment of communities. Yet perhaps just
as essential is the centralized actor, normally in the form of government, that
sets goals and brings the multiple actors together that are needed to create and
implement the blueprints for the future. In most of the cases mentioned, an
overseeing organization set ambitious goals, brought stakeholders together,
and managed the multiple projects all of which were needed to reduce the
emissions of GHGs. In conclusion, what should be taken away is that a
successful transition toward a renewable and efficient future is both a top-
down and bottom-up process, one that needs support from both sides for
maximum success.
Europe is considered to lead the way in the transition toward a sustainable
future; the cases given here are at the forefront and serve as an inspiration
throughout the world. Lessening energy demand through energy efficiency in
buildings and industry like in Germany and the Netherlands, utilizing local
resources for power like in Sweden and Denmark, and including local pop-
ulations in the planning and execution of projects have all been proved as best
practices and should be remembered and looked toward as examples when
government, business, and citizens are creating a better tomorrow.

REFERENCES

Build up EU, June 30, 2016. Covestro Zukunftshaus Bottrop. Retrieved from Build Up The
European Portal For Energy Efficiency In Buildings. http://www.buildup.eu/en/practices/
cases/covestro-zukunftshaus-bottrop-2.
City of Rotterdam, 2017. Investing in Sustainable Growth Rotterdam Programme on Sustainability
and Climate Change, pp. 2010e2014 (City of Rotterdam).
Denmark.dk., n.d. Retrieved from http://denmark.dk/en/w/media/Denmark/Images/Green%
20living/Sustainable%20projects/Sunmark1MarstalDistrictHeatingPlant580.jpg?
w¼580&h¼360&as¼1.
EcoGrid EU, 2015. The Bornholm Test Site. Retrieved from EcoGrid EU. http://www.eu-ecogrid.
net/ecogrid-eu/the-bornholm-test-site.
Energy Academy, 2011. RE-ISLAND. Retrieved from energiakademiet. https://energiakademiet.
dk/en/vedvarende-energi-o/.
Environment Office., n.d.. Ærø e a Renewable Energy Island. Retrieved from Aeroe Energy and
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