Successful implementation of bio-energy village projects in Germany - What are the success factors?

Abstract

20 bio-energy villages were analyzed with regard to different project implementation policies, energy plant configuration, participating stakeholders, economic efficiency, and heat pricing systems with the aim to identify successful implementation patterns for such villages. The major conclusion is that regarding project history and implementation of the project all bio-energy villages were developed in a different manner. In every village specific steps had been taken to find individual solutions for a successful implementation of the project. Important differences between villages were identified in the configuration of energy plants, especially in the number and kind of heat back-up systems used for improving security of heat supply. As different groups of local stakeholders are involved (farmers, citizens, local authorities, investors) energy plants are operated by different types of companies under different company forms. Heat price modalities were designed individually to specifically fit each village. On average, the full cost for local bio-energy-based heating supply in every village is 48 % below that of fossil-fuel heating systems based on fuel oil. Operating companies say that all bio-energy villages but one have reached economic efficiency. The following elements are important for successfully setting up a bio-energy village: a sufficient supply of agricultural resources, a compact village structure, a suitable location for energy plants community members have agreed on, as well as social factors such as a strong village community, stakeholders in whom citizens can trust and who spur the project on, and local authorities throwing their weight behind the project. Finally, a planning and implementation phase is required that is both transparent and flexible welcoming citizens' creative and financial participation.