feature-renewable revolution: danish isle eyes fossil fuel-free future - solar energy traffic lights

Samso, Denmark, 10 May（
Thomson Reuters Foundation)-
The first thing that tourists notice is wind turbines, some rising from the rough waters, and others towering over lush green fields.
These 21 turbines have brought international environmental praise to SAMSO. -
They not only cover all the local electricity demand, but also offset the earth's electricity demand. -
Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels used in transport, farm equipment and buildings.
The remaining clean energy is exported to Denmark's two main islands, between which Samo is situated.
Most families on the island rely on sawdust, straw and solar energy for heating. -just 28 km (17. 4 miles)
Long, less than 4,000 inhabitants-
The use of clean energy is less than that of production, resulting in negative carbon emissions.
"If you take the whole of Denmark, we have it. . .
Per capita carbon emissions are about 67 tons.
In Samso, we have negative three, "said Soren Hermansen, Dean of Samso Energy College.
Eleven years after showing the world how to fully utilize renewable energy to meet electricity demand, the island is embarking on the next step. Dubbed Samso 3.
Its goal is to completely stop using fossil fuels by 2030, which the EU will achieve in 20 years.
Globally, climate scientists say the continued use of fossil fuels will increase carbon dioxide emissions in 2017 and 2018, threatening the goal of curbing warming caused by fossil fuels to prevent sea-level rise and catastrophic weather events. “This (plan)
It's ambitious.
We know that, but we've done it before, "said Hermanson, an architect of Samso's transition from an agricultural community to a renewable energy revolutionary.
Marcel Meijer, Samso's mayor, said it would require a thorough overhaul of the island's transport system and a change in agricultural production methods to make farms store more carbon than they emit.
On an island without a roundabout or traffic light but boasting of being the second-
Denmark has the largest number of solar cells per capita. Nearly 80% of local government vehicles are now electric. There are five charging stations around Samso.
In addition, a biogas power plant is planned to convert organic waste and other biomass into fuel for transport, including a state. -
Ferries now powered by liquefied natural gas.
Other goals include reducing household heating demand and encouraging local residents to switch to electric vehicles.
This is a huge challenge, especially because the Danish government has been scaling back its green ambitions, cutting targets and reducing investment.
The latest climate change performance index from three research groups tracks the efforts of the world's largest emitters to address climate change, ranking Denmark in 15 of 56 countries, lower than Malta and India.
Denmark has been at the top of the list for the past five years.
When Samso won a government competition in 1997, the local community was eager to be self-sufficient. -
Renewable energy is abundant and the island is facing a crisis.
A slaughterhouse with 100 jobs is closing and people are leaving, importing energy at a cost of DKK 55 million. ($8. 24 million)
One year, Hermanson said.
At several meetings, he sought community advice and gained support by emphasizing clean energy conservation and the potential for new jobs and skills brought about by building and maintaining wind farms and installing solar panels.
Ole Klejs Hemmingsen, a plumber and board member of the Samso Institute of Energy, said that was the key to getting local people on board.
"With oil prices rising, people can save money. " (with)
New technology, "he recalled.
"People like me want to do business.
I think this has driven this process because of the financial implications.
"The government has asked for funds to match the national funds for the project, and many islanders have invested 400 million Danish kroner. (
More than $84 million)
For 11 onshore turbines, the image of Samoa, once famous for its potatoes, was changed.
Fruit farmer Morgan Smaller was one of the early investors who owned one of three wind turbines on his land.
"At that time, it was a lot of money. . . we had to get (it)
Because nobody here has that much, "he said.
"I'm the kind of person I want to be. （renewables)
But it has to pay.
"His home and farm are now mainly illuminated and heated by green energy, and in about nine years he has recouped his investment.
But when the price of wind falls, he calculates that it may no longer be profitable through services and insurance.
He sold his turbines to a big company in 2017.
Now he regrets the decision because prices have rebounded.
He added that, in addition to fiscal growth, turning Samoa into a "renewable energy island" made the local people "a little proud".
It also attracts newcomers, like Leah Hesseldar. -
Haines moved here from London in 2016 with her husband and three children in search of a better job. -
Family Life Balance.
"I want my children to grow up in an environment where I share the same beliefs," Hesseldal said. -
Haynes, now at the Energy Institute.
Every year, college, a lamp-filled long-
The house outside the village of Port Baron receives about 5,000 tourists. -
Scientists, politicians, journalists and tourists from around the world want to know how to replicate Samso's success.
Hermanson's suggestion is to focus on the community rather than technology.
"You have to boil it down to,'What good is it for me? '’. . .
So people can see the real reason, "he said.
Luis Mundaca, a professor at Lund University in Sweden, says Samso's example shows that public participation and participation are "key factors" in focusing on low-income people. -
Carbon conversion.
He added that government support and understanding of the process of fairness and transparency were also key.
Helmanson hopes that, despite the enormous obstacles, the island's experience so far will contribute to the realization of its latest vision. -
From policy and cost to market power.
Biogas plant, the main component of Samso 3.
He said that because the price of natural gas was just low enough to make it uncompetitive and deter investors, it had not yet been built.
At the same time, the Danish government is concerned that too fast environmental protection will be expensive, making Danish exports too expensive, he added.
Many Samso's wind turbines have been in use for nearly 20 years and need to be replaced as soon as possible, while subsidies are decreasing, according to board members of the Energy Institute.
And lifestyle choices-
Hermanson drives an electric car, but he admits that he can't cut off all fossil fuels when his job requires international travel.
Nevertheless, he was optimistic that the island could abandon them.
When the clean energy project was launched in 1997, people told him it would never happen.
"But we succeeded," he said. ($1 = 6.
6718 Danish Crown)(
Report by thin Lei win@thin ink;
Editor Megan Rowling.
Thanks to Thomson Reuters Foundation, Thomson Reuters Charity, which covers humanitarian news, climate change, women and LGBT + rights, human trafficking and property rights. Visit www. trust. org)