GRITH project partners met in the German Landkreis Wesermarsch from the afternoon of November 3rd until November 5th. The project stays on track. In the Wesermarsch partners engaged to discuss project progress, gather insights, and share information.
Energy transition moving forward in Wesermarsch.
Day 1: Energy Transition as the Life Support of Industrial Sites
Setting off the days in Wesermarsch was an introduction by the hosts. A video, see below, showing the region and its contemporary developments related to the energy transition in their industrial sites was shared with the participants. Such developments include the Net Zero Industry Act, and its regional potential were shared. Yet, upcoming elections bring uncertainties as the worldwide economic and political spheres equally develop. Projects are still ongoing and developing as political support currently remains large with a relevant coalition in support of the energy transition. The region considers the energy transition as the life support of the industrial sites. The Wesermarsch is actively engaging the regions citizens with why energy questions and solutions are important for them and are experiencing positives from this active engagement. More and more people actively want the green transition to happen.
Rounding off the first afternoon were presentations by the partners of Emsland, Vejle, and Pôlénergie. Emsland spoke about the pilots and experiments they are working on concerning PV and biogas relevant to their region. Obstacles remain in how it is currently prohibited to bring energy sharing into practise, as well as in the cost of batteries. Vejle shared the Danish upcoming elections which result in uncertainty in national support, but municipality level development remains. Energi parks are being explored with wind, solar, and excess company heat. French partner Pôlénergie presented a new mapping tool to understand where the biggest emissions are for them to target. In their research with companies in the region it was discovered that 38% of companies had a decarbonisation roadmap, whilst 45% were interested in collaboration to achieve such goals. Though all partners note positive experiences and progression, challenges remain and through active discussion and advice with partners future visions are strengthened. Chances in the project remain promising.
Pôlénergie partner shows new developments to other partners.
Focus Ahead and Enjoying the Challenge
Partners had a brainstorm session about keeping heads high. The emphasis was on how the job that was promised is being done. Many challenges occur on levels of reporting, policy, and in the global economy. The 4th activity report was finalised; the project is in the final phase. A multitude of bright ideas were considered in how to stay positive in this stage. Partners agreed on more regular online workshops and meetings. Ideas for workshop topics were exchanged. Partners shared their biggest accomplishments of the past period in a quick round of exchange. Milestones include the participation of over a hundred companies in a net congestion meeting in Emmen, meeting with new companies in Vejle, major progress with system operator Fluvius, new projects in Emsland, Pôlénergie’s Polaris toolbox, Drenthe’s community of practice, and Wesermarsch’s connection to Germany’s hydrogen grid. Further details about these accomplishments will be shared on the website in December.
Harbour transport from J. Müller company.
Day 2: Staying Higher Up
The second day of the visit to Wesermarsch started with a visit to Kronos Titan in Blexen, a factory producing Titanium Dioxide Kronos Titan are involved in the H2 Marsch and are engaging in renewable energy solutions for their industrial site. The guides started their tour with a slideshow presentation about their products and situation. During the tour of the grounds, project partners were shown where their energy is needed and subsequently where their energy challenges occur. Particularly dependence on natural gas, climate targets, and uncertainty about the future energy-mix keep Kronos Titan occupied. The tour guides showed the partners cooling water processes, the solar park they are currently building, and a multitude of ways in which they are processing byproducts of the Titanium Dioxide production. At the end of the visit, a further collaboration project called BDSALgreenH2 was shared with the partners. Industrial development has resulted in increased salt-levels in the Weser River and nearby sea water. Kronos Titan collaborates in this project to find sustainable energy solutions for future development.
In the afternoon the project partners visited J. Müller company that specialises in harbour transport, logistics, supply chain, and storage. Here partners were introduced to what the company does in the harbour area and some of their energy developments, such as a completed solar park. Company CEO Mr. Müller talked about plans of special development zones, solar energy storage, and differences between local and federal government. Alongside his work for the company, Mr. Müller is president of the Oldenburg chamber of commerce through which he has a large amount of knowledge on contemporary energy matters. He noted that the solutions GRITH works on are needed by the industry and the world of energy matters.
Innovative ideas were exchanged actively.
Furthering Project Updates
In the conference room of J. Müller partner presentations were continued. Province Drenthe spoke about enabling front-runners, future-proof business parks, a community of practise for energy hubs and a promising upcoming regional project connected to energy collaboration. Municipality of Emmen presented a case on Bargermeer and explained the Dutch grid congestion challenge. Plans by companies and grid operators face a big gap in the time they are planning for, and this bring challenges for developing a common strategy. City of Mechelen presented two industrial sites in Mechelen North and Mechelen South and how things develop regarding energy communities, Fluvius, and accomplishment in a new KBC data centre. Finally, colleagues from Borås where developments in the energy grid are being built. Additionally, energy sharing models are considered. An important milestone shared was the 60 participants in a meeting at Viared.
To wrap up activities on this day, project manager Hein Braaksma lead the discussion on things that still needed to be done. Post-it notes were exchanged about on-site organisational challenges, good practices, and other activities to overcome challenges in the transnational strategy. Specifically, governance backbone and engagement-support strategy sections of the project. The remaining issues were noted to use as a basis for future project workshops and masterclasses. Overall, it was emphasised that things in the energy transition world are changing, and that it is most productive to accept this wherever possible.
Partners had a successful and innovative meeting at Wesermarsch.
Day 3: Do Good and Speak About It
On the final day of the project partner meeting a presentation was given by Niklaus Jansen from the Office for Regional State Development about the Net Zero Valley developments in Germany and the Wesermarsch region specifically. This presentation dove into the specifics of what the Wesermarsch partners introduced on the Tuesday. Mr. Jansen spoke about contemporary developments in relation to hydrogen, battery and energy storage, onshore wind power and renewable offshore energy, solar, power grid, and other transformative industrial technologies for decarbonisation. The role of societal support was stressed as taking citizens into account was shown to increase support in the region. If people are informed of the situation related to energy, they too desire the energy transition. Currently, there are 90 potential sites with an investment volume of €35 billion as well as 9 fields of actions with 31 measures in the Net Zero Valley project. Collaboration with GRITH initiatives is mutually beneficial for both projects as it enables informational exchange and increased support. Appropriate things are happening to wake up Wesermarsch’s sleeping beauties, and Mr. Jansen emphasised to the partners it is important to speak about the good you are doing.
The final activity on the agenda was some more dynamic discussion on indicators, reports, and development. This brought out some simple, yet vital, reminders on practicalities but also helped in how the partners are adopting to this ever-changing world. The situation is not ideal with any partner which means everyone should broaden their scope to ensure productive development. To help this more group discussion happened on governance, lobbying, and communication. This wrapped up a very useful and productive few days in Wesermarsch.