Energy transition: talk about geothermal energy and energy communities in Salzburg
The expansion of renewable energies is currently on everyone’s lips. Photovoltaics in particular is booming in times of skyrocketing electricity prices. Geothermal energy and energy communities are also currently part of the debate about the energy transition.
SALZBURG. Rising energy costs have weighed on both private individuals and the economy over the last year. Therefore, the expansion of hydropower, wind power or photovoltaic systems is currently being discussed almost every day. But what else is there? In the past few weeks, Salzburg has submitted NEOS applications for the use of geothermal energy and energy communities. We asked the responsible department head, deputy governor Martina Berthold (the Greens), how things are in these areas around Salzburg.
geothermal
A renewable energy source that has so far been little used in Austria is geothermal energy. There are essentially two forms. There is near-surface geothermal energy. You drill up to 400 meters deep. Heat or cooling energy is then extracted from rock or groundwater. In the second variant, one drills between 2,500 and 4,500 meters deep on average. In this case, hydrogeothermal energy is commonly used. Warm water is pumped up from deep within the earth and the heat is extracted from it. The water then flows back down.
NEOS Salzburg energy spokeswoman Liesl Weitgasser emphasizes that geothermal energy could greatly benefit Salzburg. That is why an application was recently submitted to the state parliament.
“This form of energy production brings our state a lot. Because companies or residential buildings with high power consumption could make use of this energy by using geothermal energy to heat CO2-free and supply electricity. Therefore, in our application, we request NEOS to examine possible locations for carrying out near-surface and deep geothermal drilling. We are also calling for geothermal projects to be started throughout the state in order to achieve the 2030 climate targets,” says Liesl Weitgasser.
state of things
We asked the office of Deputy Governor Martina Berthold (Die Grünen) about geothermal energy in Salzburg.
We prompted the following answer: “Surface geothermal energy is used very frequently in Salzburg in the form of heat pumps for heating and hot water preparation. As far as deep geothermal energy is concerned, it is currently only used in the existing thermal baths in Salzburg. The potential for geothermal energy in Salzburg is The aim is, in cooperation with Upper Austria and the Bavarian border region, to jointly use geothermal resources on the Bavarian side if this is technically and economically possible and leads to a win-win situation for all sides. “
Promotion of Energy Communities
Another, currently much discussed step towards energy independence and climate neutrality are energy communities. Several people join forces to produce electricity for their own consumption. Everything else that is produced is fed into the grid. To do this, the members of the energy community must be connected to the same regional power grid.
“The great advantage of an energy community is that several people can jointly invest in an energy production facility. The legal basis for this has been in place throughout Austria for about a year,” explains NEOS energy spokeswoman Liesl Weitgasser.
However, establishing such an energy community comes with many challenges. The community must be founded as a legal entity with at least two members and the contractual structure is very comprehensive. This raises questions about the external representation of the community, rights and obligations of the participants, bearing the costs in relation to systems and liability issues and shares in the electricity generated.
Both NEOS and Martina Berthold’s office highlight the mini hydroelectric power plant currently under construction on the Almkanal of the “Ökostrombörse Salzburg” as a pioneering project. Up to 200 private households are to be supplied with electricity through this energy community project. Commissioning is scheduled for February or March 2023. According to the “eco-electricity exchange”, all households that obtain their electricity from the Haguenau substation can participate. According to probable estimates, at least 50 percent of the needs of these households WILL be covered.
Energy communities in Salzburg
In Salzburg, the SIR – Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing offers specific information and advice on behalf of the State of Salzburg. Nonetheless, the whole endeavor poses many challenges and hurdles. “In order for the expansion of renewable energies to be made possible more quickly and easily, more support for the establishment of energy communities is needed throughout the state of Salzburg,” demands Liesl Weitgasser from NEOS.
According to the office of Deputy Governor Martina Berthold, interest in energy communities is currently high. In addition to companies and private individuals, it is above all municipalities that are interested in founding energy communities or working on them. As of January 2023, there are said to be nine renewable energy communities in Salzburg. Many more are on the way and have already established the necessary legal entities. Energy communities are mainly promoted through lower grid charges. The state of Salzburg also provides support in the form of free advice on the technical, economic, organizational and legal framework. provincial governor
“We can only achieve the energy transition together. To do this, we have to use our own sustainable resources. Energy communities are a good way to phase out fossil fuels, especially for communities and companies.”
Martina Berthold, Deputy Governor
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