Eco in Denmark: World's largest solar district heating plant

Yesterday I went for a daytrip to city Marstal (on island Aeroe/ Aero), mostly famous for its sailor history and where the very last transport by sailboat happened. "Farewell To Sails" had its exhibition when I went there, restoring an old ship that drowned and I went for a museum ride. Apart from my enthusiasm for boats and everything that floats, I went to see another tale - how the trial supplement of a solar collector plant for the city's single swimmingpool became the world's largest district heating plant to cover 30 percent of whole Marstal's requirements for heating! I think it is so nice when a little try-out turns into something expansive and re-used, like this one!:)

The plant in whole, 18,354m2. The markers are pointing at the different producers of solar panels and collectors delivered to the plant (four), also the tank for storage, as well as the circulating system and the pit heat store.

Budget of such a project. Supported by EU and Danish Energy Authority

Originally, the story begins with Marstal wanting their swimmingpool to be heated from "alternative energy" because the oil heating had a way too expensive bill. This was in 1993, and economy pushed the island into thinking differently and it was after several meetings an idea of a solar heating system. At the same time Marstal District Heating was interested in replacing some of their waste oil consumption by more eco-friendly fuel. With alittle midwifery from the Danish Association of Consulting Engineers, it resulted in a solar collector on the swimmingpool roof in 1994. The 75m2 solar collectors were to heat the pool only. However, the system also served another purpose: It was a test system to show if solar heating on a major scale was worth staking on. And it was. After six months, the results on paying the heating bill looked so promising that they decided to develope 8,000m2 of solar panels on the field behind the heating plant - and connect them to the district heating network. This was the beginning of the great success! From May till October, Marstal's consumption is 100% covered by solar heating. Source: http://www.solarmarstal.dk/

In danish: A district heating storage, to store heat from solar panels.

Sailor city Marstal. Collecting muliple creativities from all over the world when travelling by the sea.

the restoration of an old sunken ship.

Eco in Denmark: Arriving at island Aeroe

I just arrived on one of the smallest, yet biggest islands in Denmark considering renewable energy, called Aeroe (Ærø), which is very similar to Samsoe (the 100% Renewable Energy Island) which I visited back in august (prev post: http://ecoiselin.blogspot.com/2010/08/eco-in-denmark-100-renewable-energy.html). One of the reasons I chose this island is that they host the WORLD's largest solar panel plant which would be one great sight and one hugh inspiration to visit! Even though Sweden is the leading country in Scandinavia overall when it comes to ecological implement (in business especially), I find these tiny islands of Denmark (Samsoe and Aeroe) as leading examples of what is the most human affected developement, where partner-ownerships and households are very responsible for the exceeding renewable energy process worldwide and in Europe. They both have the same ambition (which Samsoe now has accomplished); to become 100% self-sufficient by renewable energy. Aeroe is famous for its shipping and boat-life, which is also one of my favorites. I am going to pay city Marstal a visit during this coming week besides "wwoofing" (organic farm-works). The farm that welcomed me gave me free accomodation at one of their lux apartements(!) of a hundered square metres, and I feel very lucky to spend the days in such beautiful environment. The ocean is nearby with their own beach and just have a look:

The view from my apartement!

My very nice apartement here.

Big bed! :)