Energy Islands
Danish-German Energy Sustainable Islands
| Duration: | 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2028 |
| Project Leader: | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Horst Hellbrück |
| Staff: | Kaya Runge M. Sc. |
Background
The climate crisis requires an accelerated transition toward sustainable and regionally adapted energy systems. At the same time, new energy infrastructure projects often face local resistance (NIMBY), as they are perceived as externally driven and insufficiently tailored to local conditions.
Against this backdrop, the project adopts a bottom-up approach: citizens on the islands of Fehmarn (Germany) and Orø (Denmark) are actively involved in the development of sustainable energy plans. By combining local knowledge with external technical and scientific expertise, the project aims to create viable, widely accepted, and implementable solutions.
Goal & Approach
The objective of the project is to develop locally anchored and sustainable energy solutions for the islands of Fehmarn and Orø. This will be achieved through a systematic mapping of energy consumption and the co-creation of concrete energy action plans.
Based on an analysis of different building types, settlement structures, and technical options, optimization potentials will be identified in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and grid planning. The results will be translated into practical, locally adapted measures, including innovative approaches to managing energy flows—for example in connection with electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
A key focus of the project is the active involvement of the local population. This is intended to reduce resistance to energy infrastructure projects (NIMBY effects) and to collaboratively develop robust and accepted energy solutions. Through the establishment of locally anchored energy hubs, the development of an idea catalogue, and targeted community engagement, the energy transition will be shaped in a participatory manner and embedded sustainably within the regions.
The resulting energy action plans are intended not only to benefit the islands themselves but also to serve as a transferable model for other European communities.
CoSA leads the work package “Locally Anchored Mapping and Analysis of the Energy System” and acts as the technical interface between data collection, analysis, tool development, and practical implementation in the participating regions.
Core responsibilities include:
- Data-driven mapping of local energy systems on Fehmarn and Orø (consumption, technologies, resources, infrastructures)
- Development of tools for data collection, analysis, and integration into local energy planning
- Development of technical monitoring solutions enabling continuous analysis of consumption patterns, inefficiencies, and seasonal variations, while incorporating cross-border insights
- Enabling the collection and evaluation of energy consumption data
- Providing technical expertise in workshops and hub activities
project partner
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