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Green Roads to Growth


Inspiration for local political initiatives

United Federation of Danish Workers


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Published by United Federation of Danish Workers4, KampmannsgadeDK- 1790 Copenhagen VDenmarkwww.3f.dkwww.groennejob.dk

March 2012

Prepared by:Jesper Lund-Larsen

Cover photo:Colorbox

Layout and print: 3F’s Communicationdepartment Item number: 6073-1

The pictures in the booklet is provided by the individual municipalities

Index

Green roads to growth in municipalities . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Still potential to more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Employment effect of selected initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Assens Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Esbjerg Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Frederikshavn Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Furesoe Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Halsnaes Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Hilleroed Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Ikast-Brande Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Lejre Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Lolland Municipality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Ringkoebing-Skjern Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Samsoe Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Slagelse Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Syddjurs Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Sonderborg Municipality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Thisted Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Vesthimmerland Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Local Government in Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Green Roads to Growth in Municipalities

The green road to growth is paved with local authority initiatives. Or at least it could be. This is why we have collected information in this publication to serve as inspiration for local

political initiatives that can boost the use of green technology and the creation of new jobs. One of the most important issues on the current political agenda is to find out how we can

create growth and jobs in the wake of the economic crisis. The big question is how we can earn our livelihoods in the future? What can replace the 180,000 jobs lost in Denmark in recent years? Two answers are, to put it briefly, green jobs and green technology.

At The United Federation of Danish Workers 3F, we focus on what is behind the headlines. How do we develop green technology? How far have we come? What kind of green jobs can be created, and how many? We also want to do our best to push development forward, spread news of good examples and generally provide inspiration for growth in this field. Some of the prime movers behind such growth are the 98 local authorities in Denmark. We have asked sev-enteen of them to describe what they have done locally to further green growth and what they are planning for the future.

They represent both small and large municipalities, politically both left and right, and geo-graphically spread throughout the country. Despite their great differences, they have one thing in common: they are all at the forefront as regards green initiatives. Some of them move fast; others are somewhat slower, but they all have a clear focus on green growth. Many of them have prepared a climate plan and have already started on – or are considering – energy renova-tion activities, investment in renewable energy and expansion of their district heating networks. And, in several of the municipalities, solar cells, wind turbines, wave power, biomass and algae projects are more than just empty words.

Our hope is that this publication can help local authorities inspire each other across their boundaries and give the municipalities that lag a bit behind the input they need to embark upon the important job of speeding up local green growth. We are fully aware that finances are tight for many local authorities and that the battle for resources will be tough in preparing next year’s budgets. However, this only makes the need for green growth greater and shows how important

it is to choose the green path that can lead to growth and more jobs.

Ellen LykkegaardChairman of the Public Sector

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However, although many local au-thorities in Denmark have adopted

more energy-friendly policies and have launched many projects that will benefit the climate, local budgets and the local labour market, the potential remains for so much more green growth.

There is no doubt that local authori-ties should act as quickly as possible to start even more projects that will result in energy savings and the use of climate-friendly energy, while also generating local growth in the form of jobs for local builders, tradespeople and others.

In connection with the forthcoming budget negotiations, local authorities should therefore carefully consider en-ergy- and climate-friendly activities that could be initiated to generate growth and – over time – save money.

Green approaches would generate new jobsIn this publication, Local Government Denmark (LGDK) – the organisation for local authorities in Denmark – points out that financial gain can be achieved by local authorities embarking on green projects that fall outside the scope of their core activities. Such a focus on a transition to green approaches would generate new jobs and thus help attract and retain workers locally. LGDK also states that a local authority could play

District heating pipes are being laid, oil-fired burners scrapped, biogas production facilities kick-

started, low-energy light bulbs installed, rainwater collected, climate agreements written, and the

rays of the sun used both for power and heat generation. In brief: Denmark is growing greener.

Still potential to moredifferent roles in such a transition, act-ing as authority, planner, mediator and enterprise.

A good way ahead for a local author-ity that wants to really promote a transi-tion to greener approaches is to make a serious commitment to do so: simply pledge to achieve a number of green goals. One example of such a pledge is the municipal climate agreement made with the Danish Society for Nature Conservation. Seventy out of the 98 local authorities in Denmark have signed up as ‘climate municipalities’, committing

FOCUS…on targeted investments

3F recommends that local authorities focus specifically on the following three sectors that can create growth and jobs in Denmark: Biogas and biorefiningAmbitious and targeted investment in biogas and biorefining will enable the creation of several thousand new jobs in Denmark, either in the form of temporary jobs connected with civil works contracts or permanent jobs that cannot be outsourced to other countries. Such jobs will also benefit local communities. District heatingThere is a great deal of potential for expansion of district heating systems in Denmark. Heating Plan Denmark

2010, prepared by the Danish District Heating Association, shows how seven or eight thousand new jobs can be created in this sector.

Offshore wind parksDenmark needs to continue on its green adventure. We must continue to develop wind energy technology and use: local authorities in areas close to the coast can benefit greatly from installing offshore wind turbines that can generate power for local resi-dents and enterprises. Also, neigh-bouring municipalities can be offered shares in such wind turbine projects. Such an approach would create per-manent jobs locally, as people would be needed to maintain and operate the wind turbines.

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themselves to reducing carbon emis-sions by between two and four per cent each year. Vesthimmerland, Thisted and Slagelse – all three are local authorities that also contributed to this publication – are just three of those climate munici-palities.

Another type of initiative that greatly boosts green growth locally involves major restructuring of local power and heating supply systems. In many mu-nicipalities, including Syddjurs, Assens, Furesø and Ikast-Brande, district heat-ing grids are being rapidly expanded. Such expansion not only creates jobs in connection with the civil works in-volved; the subsequent maintenance and operation of the district heating system will also generate new perma-nent jobs locally.

Frederikshavn, Ikast-Brande, Esbjerg,

Syddjurs, Thisted and Ringkøbing-Skjern have made biogas production a focus area. In Ringkøbing-Skjern alone, biogas activities are expected to gener-ate up to 1,500 jobs, primarily in the local area.

The sun is also becoming a new good friend of many local authorities, not least because the prices of previously very expensive solar panels have at long last peaked and are going down, making payback periods shorter as well. Municipalities such as Frederikshavn and Halsnæs are increasing their use of solar panels, which will also generate more local jobs in connection with the import, sale, installation and servicing of the solar panel systems. To encour-age the installation of solar cells and solar collectors, the local authority in Halsnæs has decided to exempt such projects from construction fees.

Solar powerHowever, although solar power is playing an increasingly important role in local green growth planning, the general political focus on solar energy is nowhere near that on wind power. This is regrettable, as increased use of solar energy can create both short-term jobs related to the installation of solar cells and solar panel systems and permanent ones connected with the maintenance and operation of the systems installed.

Large solar collector systems of the kind installed in Hillerød north of Copen-hagen serve as a good supplement to district heating. It is also worth noting that solar cells or solar panels could be installed on many municipal buildings, allowing local authorities to cut costs on power and heating purchased from cogeneration plants. Again, the reason-

able payback periods in this scheme are clear indicators of the benefits involved.

Solar energy systems are far from the only option local authorities have if they want to make municipal build-ings greener. A general energy systems overhaul involves numerous benefits, both in the context of green accounts and in generating new jobs locally.

Energy renovationThe existing energy labeling system can be an excellent instrument to use in this respect. Thisted is one of the local au-thorities that have done it, reviewing 190 of their buildings and identifying a total of DKK 40 million in investment value in the form of potential energy savings.

Vesthimmerland is another lo-cal authority that focuses on energy optimisation in municipal buildings. It has introduced an energy management system that automatically transfers data from local day-care facilities to a cen-tral system, closely monitoring power use and thus ensuring that any problems related to energy supply and consump-tion are discovered at an early stage.

The Sønderborg local authority has initiated a general adjustment and trimming of municipal heating systems, replacing old windows and switch-ing from energy-intensive lighting to low-energy counterparts. These days, LED lighting technology has become so advanced that local authorities should seriously consider using LEDs whenever they replace old lamps and luminaires. The initial outlay may be higher than the cost of alternative solutions, but LEDs last a very long time and use very little energy.

In Slagelse, energy renovation of existing building stock – both municipal

and privately owned buildings – is seen as one of the areas with the greatest po-tential for growth. The local authority’s calculations show that energy optimisa-tion could generate new jobs equivalent to about 2,500 man-years; their first goal is to create 300 full-time jobs over the next five years. If the tender documents are designed to make it possible, also financially, for local builders and enter-prises to submit bids, the hope is that there will be an instant increase in local employment levels. This would benefit all parties involved.

In Hillerød, they not only use the energy of the sun but also show how a local authority can take to the water: it has become mandatory in all new build-ings to collect rainwater for toilet flush-ing and use in washing machines. This reduces the pressure on sewer systems during downpours and limits the use of precious groundwater for those purpos-es. There is also a large-scale munici-pal project concerning the separation of rainwater and wastewater. These initiatives could generate many jobs, for example for workers in construction, heating, water and sanitation.

The local authority on the island of Samsø has made very detailed cal-culations of the number and types of potential green jobs. This local authority has been at the very forefront of green initiatives for many years, actually also having founded an Energy Academy to disseminate information about their experiences in the fields of energy consultancy and green growth. Samsø is 100% self-sufficient in renewables in the form of solar, wind and biomass energy. The local authority has prepared a plan entitled Fossil-free Island, which sets out an objective of independence of

3F sees great opportunities in creating more green growth through initiatives that need not necessarily be very ex-pensive. We can come far through better interaction and collaboration between public authorities and parties in the private labour market. It is also important that the country’s local authorities work together across boundaries to ensure that innovative green initiatives do not remain within those boundaries but are shared and applied in collaboration with neighbouring areas and entire regions. Public procurementUnder the heading of Partnership for green public procure-ment, purchasing policy agreements have been made in a number of areas. However, they are not sufficiently ambitious, and much more focus on buying green is needed to ensure that local authorities will begin working together on projects such as the establishment of wind parks, biogas plants, rainwater handling systems, geothermal systems and similar green initiatives.

Making green investments possiblePublic-Private Partnerships (PPPs) result in greater cost ef-ficiency of projects because design, construction, operation and maintenance are considered under one umbrella from the outset. The public authorities define the project requirements, and private contractors are in charge of design, construction, maintenance and operation. An investor – possibly a pen-sion fund – supplies a large proportion of the capital needed, which means that the capital can be tied up for a long period of time, and this investor also assumes part of the risk against a reasonable return on its investment. Even more local authorities should consider the possibility of setting up energy service companies, or ESCOs. An ESCO is an enterprise or a partnership in charge of both energy renova-tion and financing. The local authority pays for the ESCO using funds obtained through energy savings. This means that local energy renovation projects can be carried out without local authorities having to drain their treasuries and run great financial risks.

THINK…together

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fossil fuels by 2030, twenty years before the rest of Denmark.

Fossil-free Island alone is expected to generate twenty-five permanent jobs for the benefit of the roughly four thou-sand people who live on the island.

From an energy island to the energy villagesThe local authority in Esbjerg want to introduce the energy villages. Esbjerg’s goal is to engage twenty villages in energy renovation, energy savings and a carbon-neutral energy supply, all to create good conditions for local trades-people and for small and medium-sized enterprises.

All the above-mentioned initiatives aimed at creating green growth also involve some level of energy savings. However, green growth is more than just this conventional approach: it can also be based on eco-friendly production. One example of this is Lejre, where the local authority has set up an Organic

Food Community that supplies fresh organic produce to the people of Lejre. This, too, is an initiative that generates local growth and local jobs while at the same time benefiting people and the environment. It is also another example of an initiative that has been realised because several parties have joined forces to get it on track.

The input provided by the local authorities to this publication makes it crystal clear that the best results are achieved on the basis of cooperation. Several local authorities point out that green growth is not possible without good, well-functioning collaborative efforts that go far beyond the walls of local town halls.

We come furthest in cooperationBoth Syddjurs and Lolland emphasise that collaboration between public au-thorities, research institutions, enter-prises, educational institutions, asso-ciations and organisations is crucial and

that it is the only way to ensure we will achieve climate goals, observe budgets and ensure we have manpower with the right education and training that is also at the forefront of developments and can thus benefit both local communities and the national economy.

The concluding plea of this summary is therefore: Do something, and do it together. If you do, we will all find many more new roads to green growth.

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Initiatives with a quantifiable impact on employmentInitiative Employment effect Source (jobs created)

Replacement of 5,700 oil-fired burners with district heating systems 172 (for 5 years) Assens Energy renovation in Frederikshavn 300 Frederikshavn Wave power 500-1.000 Frederikshavn Energy renovation of roughly 4,200 single-family and terraced houses ~ 500 FuresøGeothermal systems ~150 (for 3 years) Hillerød & SønderborgChanges to sewer system, etc 500-1.000 Hillerød Building two large biogas plants a year, for example ~360 Ikast-Brande & SyddjursEstablishment of Bioenergi Vest A/S Up to 1.500 Ringkøbing-SkjernIncreasing wind turbine capacity to 450 MW by 2017 700-900 (for 5 years) Ringkøbing-SkjernRenewable energy production, etc 25 permanent jobs SamsøEnergy renovation of housing 17 (for 10 years) SamsøEnergy renovation of housing 300 (for 5 years) Slagelse

Initiatives whose impact on employment is not available or difficult to quantifyInitiative SourceEnergy villages in Esbjerg Esbjerg Test area for wind turbines up to 250 metres high Esbjerg, Ikast-Brande, Thisted & VesthimmerlandEnergy renovation of road lighting Furesø & SønderborgHundested Harbour as a service centre for renewable energy Halsnæs Climate change protection of the local area Halsnæs Locally produced organic produce for day-care facilities LejreSustainable, energy-efficient building design LejreAmbitious targets and standards LollandPublic demand for green products LollandTraining of builders, tradespeople, etc Slagelse Energy renovation of summerhouses in the local area SyddjursNew buildings required to comply with Class 2015 requirements Sønderborg Smart Area ThistedInstallation of solar panels on municipal buildings VesthimmerlandNew technological solutions and products Kommunernes LandsforeningEfficient, enterprise-oriented business services Kommunernes Landsforening

Impact of selected initiatives on employment

Green growth initiatives have a wide variety of impacts related to investments, cost

reductions, first-mover advantages and much more.The effects of some initiatives are

quantifiable, while the immediate impact of others is harder to measure.

INITIATE…sensible public investments

3F identifies three specific areas in which public invest-ments should be made and great benefits achieved for society at large: Climate-related energy renovation The past three summers have very clearly shown the huge challenges facing the current sewer systems in Denmark. Renovation of both

sewer and water drainage systems must be given high priority in the near future. Energy renovationEnergy renovation of public buildings is an area in which considerable public savings can be obtained in the long term and jobs created in the short term. The payback period for energy renova-tion of buildings is generally

only five years, which makes such investments an obvious choice for local authorities. Light rail The traffic situation in the Greater Copenhagen Area is rapidly growing worse. Congestion on the roads in the Greater Copenhagen Area costs taxpayers seven billion kroner a year, which is why investment in infra-

structure is essential, along with improvement of public transport systems. Establish-ment of a light rail system around Copenhagen would increase mobility in the Greater Copenhagen Area, have a highly positive effect on pollution levels and gen-erate jobs both in connection with the establishment and the operation of the system.


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In Assens Kommune we acknowledge the opportunities achieved by co-

operating – to corporate with people from the community, local voluntary organisations and companies so it becomes a shared project to create a climate friendly municipality that is renewable.

We do not want only to keep it at a political level and fiddle with a climate policy that will make no sense to the public. In stead we want to involve the community and their qualifications, and in return we expect them to participate – Because it is all about fellow citizen-ship!

It means that we support both small and large projects which bring us as a geographical area closer to a CO2 neutral everyday life.

At the same time we also have to be realistic about the economic chal-lenges that the municipality is currently facing. Therefore, we prioritise starting new projects according to economic resources and when the projects are estimated a long term advantage and potential for development.

Demand for labourOne of the projects, where the munici-pality has acknowledged advantages

and potential for development, is at Assens Fjernvarme, who produces electricity and district heating made of CO2 neutral wooden splinters. Convert-ing more households to district heating can create jobs and make it possible to reach our goal of becoming a CO2 neutral geographical area in 2042.

Assens Fjernvarme produces the wooden splinters made of energy wil-low. And in order to secure the future supply of wood for the district heating system, the station plants energy willow at local farms. There are currently 300 hectares planted with energy willow, which are harvested every second year.

So this project has created ten fulltime jobs at Assens Fjernvarme.

As stated in the energy initiative Vores Energi (Our Energy) written by the government, coal must be phased out from all combined power and heating stations before 2030. Therefore, the demand for wooden splinters increases, which results in higher prices. Currently 35-40 % of wood used at combined pow-er and heating stations are imported.

If Assens Kommune can offer cheaper energy, then companies can act more competitively, and the houses will be cheaper to heat up and therefore more attractive to buy. To make the municipality a more attractive place to live is exactly one of the key goals in our new Vision 2018.

These conditions create incentives for and opportunities to expand the production of energy willow: We can become self sufficient in an energy and climate friendly manner; we do not have to buy wooden splinters at high prices elsewhere; we generate growth and jobs in the local area. That is green growth!

In Assens Kommune there are approximately 19,000 households of which 4,600 use natural gas and 5,700

use oil. This means there is a potential for cutting the CO2 budget by chang-ing the heating supply to these 10,300 households. It is obviously a challenge to change the heating form from fossil fuels to renewable energy, but at the same time it is a source of growth in the local businesses because we will require labour.

Where the pipe ends

Most of the energy consuming oil heated houses are placed in the countryside where it is not profitable to install pipes for district heating. Although we cannot install the pipes in remote areas, but there are still plenty of opportunities for producing green en-ergy in the countryside, because there is more room for producing renewable energy by means of geothermal heat, solar heat, solar sells and wind turbines for households.

Assens Kommune has invited resi-dents to an information meeting about how they can convert their oil burner to a more energy-friendly solution like heat pumps and solar heat, even though. Lo-cal banks, contractors and case officers from the municipality were present at the meeting to help answer questions from the residents.

We also work together with Hånd-værker- og Industriforeningen (Con-struction and Industry Association) on arranging energy and climate fairs. Here people can find inspiration to energy-friendly restorations of their houses, as it is important that the house is properly isolated in order to reach economic benefits from heat pumps which will replace most oil burners.

The children participatesAssens Kommune has earmarked 50 million DKK for energy efficient invest-ments in public buildings. We expect that 1-2 jobs will be created at local con-tractors for every million invested. One of the areas in which we are investing is solar cells.

Prices for solar cells have dropped

to such an extend that the municipality can afford to implement the solar cells in some of the public buildings, and we ex-pect the first public solar cells system to be up and running at Tommerup Skole in the spring of 2012. We hope this type of long-term investment inspires the resi-dents to follow suit, and we, therefore, looking forward to show the system at the Solardays event in May 2012.

At the same time, we think it is all about creating good habits from an early age to secure savings in the future. Therefore, students learn about energy friendly behaviours and renew-able energy. The whole family’s energy consumption is discussed in class, and the students bring home this new knowl-edge for discussion at the dinner table, thereby becoming important ambassa-dors for renewable energy.

There are many green ways to growth in our municipality – especially when the municipality, businesses and all people from the community work together to create renewable growth.

Lasting citizenship – Renewable energy

It is all about getting as much energy as possible out of every hectare of soil that is planted, and today energy willow is seen as one of the most ef-ficient energy sources, says CEO at Assens Fjernvarme John Jessen.

We are already working on convert-ing to district heating in areas where natural gas is being used. In 2011 Assens Fjernvarme has among other things connected an additional 410 houses to the district heating system in the villages Ebberup and Sønder-by. During the six months when the pipes were installed, 43 contractors and 11 welders were employed. Furthermore, eight plumbers were working for three months on install-ing district heating in the houses, tells John Jessen from Assens Fjernvarme.

Finn BrunseMayor Assens

Municipality

In Assens Kommune we want to set an example and reduce our affects on the climate, but just as

important; we want to engage people from the community, voluntary organisations and busines-

ses in the effort to improve the climate changes – this is what we have promised each other in

Klimahandlingsplan for 2011-2013 (Climate Action Plan for 2011-2013).

Green Roads to Growth commitment will help to ensure that the area remains an attractive place to live.

Municipal planning and framework:A fundamental precondition for growth is, of course, that the right framework is established through physical planning.

The Municipality of Esbjerg has identified potential test areas for wind turbines up to 250 m in height, and is currently working on a wind turbine plan which takes account of the Climate Plan’s wind energy production target that at least 70 per cent of electricity demand in the municipality will be met by wind power in 2020.

Likewise, future planning has taken account of the establishment of a biogas plant with a capacity of 20,000 animal units (AU) with an estimated CO2-reduc-tion effect of approx. 20,000 tonnes in 2020. However, building the biogas plant has, in line with the situation elsewhere in Denmark, been suspended by inves-

tors because the plant is not financially viable given the present settlement prices for biogas.

Heating supplies in the municipal-ity are being considered as part of a heating planning process, which was launched in 2011.

Within the transport area, we have initiated the preparation of a Traffic and Mobility Plan, and the Port of Esbjerg is being developed with the establishment of the East Harbour, with planned invest-ments totalling EUR 105 million in the coming years. Very soon, one of the first battery exchange stations in Denmark will be ready for electric vehicles at Korskroen, just outside Esbjerg.

Green growth through demand:One of the areas in which the Munici-

pality of Esbjerg plays a direct role in relation to green growth is through the procurement of goods and services as a public sector enterprise. Total public sector purchases in Denmark amount to more than DKK 40 billion a year, with

the Municipality of Esbjerg accounting for DKK 2.08 billion, so the municipality’s potential as a growth driver is consid-erable. As one of the initiatives in the Climate Plan, we must therefore begin to revise the municipal purchasing policy, focusing in particular on prioritising en-ergy and environment-friendly products and services.

Energy-renovating the municipal buildings has been happening for the past 20 years in Esbjerg, so the low hanging fruit have been harvested. Energy improvements are now being implemented as part of the ongoing improvements and renovations being made to the local authority buildings. At the moment, the Municipality of Esbjerg is investing approx. DKK 1.2 billion a year in energy-saving measures.

Energy and climate are two sides of the same coin. Therefore, in Esbjerg and throughout Denmark we have a unique opportunity to use the challenges as a stepping stone to growth. During 2012, a proposal for a revised Climate Plan will be presented, setting out scenarios for how the Municipality of Esbjerg and the wider community can potentially achieve a higher CO2 reduction than 30 per cent in 2020.

Today, about two thirds of all wind turbines for the European market

are shipped from Esbjerg, about 2,000 people are employed in the offshore wind industry and more than 1,000 peo-ple work with bioenergy. At the time of writing, we are actually experiencing a serious shortage of engineers for energy-related activities in the town. This certainly doesn’t give us cause to rest on our laurels: The goal of the town council’s Climate Plan 2010-20 is a reduction in CO2 of at least 30 per cent over 10 years and, moreover, that the municipality strives to become CO2 -neutral as quickly as possible. In addition to retaining the workplaces we have within green energy, we need to explore many more new avenues; in particular, more partners are required to achieve our goals.

Strategic partnerships:Partnerships with other players are therefore an important part of the strat-

egy outlined in the Climate Plan. In 2011, we entered into a strategic partnership with the biggest energy company in the area – SE – to collaborate on pursuing the Climate Plan’s goals, one specific initiative being the new energy-plus headquarters building which SE is in the process of constructing to the north of Esbjerg. It will be the biggest plus-ener-gy building of its kind in Denmark.

Another initiative is Esbjerg Business Development Centre’s green energy clusters, where companies operating within the energy sector collaborate with the universities and the energy utilities to foster innovation and syner-gies between the players.

The Municipality of Esbjerg is helping to smooth the path for companies by raising their awareness of solutions in Denmark and beyond, and through focusing on strategic collaboration within the climate and energy area with our twin town Suzhou in China.

Energy villages in the Municipality of Esbjerg:Spring 2012 sees the launch of the ‘Energy villages in the Municipality of Esbjerg’ project. Over a three-year period, the aim is to focus on engag-ing the 20 small towns and villages in the municipality in energy renovations, energy savings and CO2-neutral energy supplies. It will be an opportunity to im-

plement intelligent solutions, creating work for tradesmen and the small and medium-sized businesses in the Energy Metropolis. The resulting benefits are expected to include greater sustainabil-ity in the long term because renovated, energy-efficient buildings, environ-ment-friendly energy supplies and local

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115.000 people choose to live in Esbjerg

Municipality, which covers an area of 750

km2. The City Council intends to expand the

unique position within energy and energy

technology, and has adopted a goal of redu-

ction in CO2 of at least 30 per cent in 2020

and moreover to become CO2 neutral as

quickly as possible.

Energy and climate – in the Municipality of Esbjerg it’s two sides of the same coinGreen growth in the Municipality of Esbjerg is largely synonymous with

the Municipality of Esbjerg being Denmark’s ‘EnergyMetropolis’.

Bodil Ankjær Nielsen, Climate Officer

Esbjerg Municipality


T he following case is a description of the growth area Sustainable Ener-

gy: “Energy City Frederikshavn” (www.energibyen.com) is a secretariat which is assigned to coordinate and initiate various projects within green energy technologies in order to demonstrate a completely sustainable city model based on renewable energy. In addi-tion the project attend to create green growth, including creating new local jobs in the green green-tech sector.

“Energy City”, is working within a frame called “vision 2015”, dealing with creating a demonstratorium in a 1:1 scale. A defined geographical area has to be transferred to 100% renewable energy by the end of 2015. That means that we will have to produce renewable energy equivalent to consumption of 26.000 inhabitants and local businesses.

After 2015 it is expected that the energy consumption of the entire municipality shall be converted to renewable energy within a relatively short period of time.

The purpose of the vision is to cre-ate a business base that promotes the development of local employment in renewable energy by developing a strategy that brings companies into a frontrunner position. Furthermore, the final goal is to make local citizens and businesses independent of fossil fuels. In accordance to the words of the climate- and energy minister, it be-comes an insurance that will leave less space for financial vulnerability when it comes to the rise of fuel prices and the increased independence of controlling oil regimes’ influence on international crises. Finally it is a goal to help creat-ing a demonstratorium and showroom,

which shows the outside world the way to a fossil free and CO2-neutral society.

A potential range of new job opportunitiesThe following indicates a representa-tion of a scenario in creating new local jobs within the next 1-5 years.

Within the next 2-3 years, a large biogas plant will be built in the munici-pality. Generated Biogas from this plant is to be upgraded, and will be led into existing natural gas pipes. The use of biogas will be very flexible depending on the current needs of electricity, heat and transportation. New jobs are expected to be created in connection with the construction of the facility and later in the daily operation and service of the plant, upgrading, and transport of the waste products. Expectations suggest that several new follow-up products and technologies will be developed along with establishing of the biogas plant and for example acidification of manure. The project is expected to strengthen the agricultural sector with the addition of a third opportunity (cultivation of crops, animal production and energy produc-tion). Implementation and construction of the plant can be accelerated through major grants in the establishing process, and grants for green energy production in e.g. 5 to 10 years.

The market for commissioning solar cells is expected to increase rapidly in near future. Repayment period of solar

cell plants has become significantly shorter, due to the price of solar cells has fallen significant, and because the individual consumer may produce up to 6000 kWh without taxation. Local jobs are related to the importation, sale and installation of facilities in addition to the export of solar cell film. It’s assumed, that if the solar energy products, inte-grated on the roof constructions arrive at the market, the demand for such products will increase.

6 windmill parks are to be established in Frederikshavn Municipality (one of them at sea) within the following 2 to 4 years. In-shore windmills alone are ex-pected to have a production between 91 and 144 GWh per year, which is approxi-mately corresponding to the consump-tion of 33.000 households. Local jobs are created in the process of constructing foundations and construction of wind-mills including the following subsequent operation and maintenance. Several local companies are today supplying essential parts to the windmill industry such as manufacturing, installation and servicing. E.g. a local company reno-vates windmill gears, and offers cus-tomers in the European marked different maintenance packages. This company expects a significant income growth in the years to come.

Greatest immediate growth area in the next few years is Energy renovation of already existing buildings because several public buildings, rental flats and private buildings need energy renova-tions. The potential for creating new jobs in Frederikshavn can be illustrated by mentioning the fact, that optimiza-tion of energy consumption from private homes, could create 300 new jobs as-suming that 5% of the energy renovating ripe homes will be renovated per year. The local craftsmen are to take advan-tage of the newly generated activities. In order to estimate the process, the “Energy city” has hired an energy consultant who offers free advice to individual home owners on rational and efficient energy consumption.

Likewise “Energy City” has contrib-uted to establishing an energy renovat-ing network of local artisans and further development of skills within this net-work (www.energiproffer.dk). “Energy city Frederikshavn” generates a number enlightenment activities for residential areas, in villages and housing asso-ciations. Aiming at common focus and facilitate practical completion, this net-work also cooperates with local banks in developing specific models of financ-ing for the target group, for instance the expenses for the house owner’s energy consumption shall progressively finance the loan, so that investing in house renovations does not increase the house owner’s total budget. The em-ployment in the chain of value is mostly found in increased energy renovations, new product development within energy efficiency and energy saving measures, energy renovation of the buildings insu-lations, sale and installation of energy saving products, initial adjustments, operation and maintenance of technical installations and the development and sale of total contracts, where combina-tion of the above services are delivered as a complete packages of products.

Two of the projects in which “Energy City” is involved, has great growth potential. Transportation: Transition to electric vehicles and related infrastruc-ture will create a number of new jobs in establishing process and subsequent operation. The new infrastructure is in its infancy, and it is expected that the municipality´s three largest cities in 2012 will set op charging stations, and establish transfer stations at a traffic Center. This approach is expected to bring new qualifications and activities

to the local educational institution “Auto Industry Development Centre”.

“Energy City” collaborates with an inventor on developing a Wave-energy production Plant “Crestwing”. The plant will be demonstrated in a 1:5 scale at sea outside “Frederikshavn Harbour”. A consortium of local companies has been established. If the plant demonstrates its capability, a new windmill adventure can be expected, and the consortium indicates a potential for creating 500-1000 new jobs.

The employment in the chain of value is mostly found in: The production of wave energy plants, transport and installation of the equipment, maintenance and ser-vice of the wave energy parks and gener-ated activities in the shipping harbors. All of the competence needed for offshore wave energy technologies are found locally in Frederikshavn. Both skills are though untapped potentials, where two local industries - the maritime industry (off-shore), and the wave energy industry are to cooperate.

A report analysing the opportunities for growth in Frederikshavn Municipal-ity from 2010, indicates, that local busi-ness related to green-tech has a high expectations in future prosperity and growth, corresponding to 19% increase in turnover. Switching on to green-tech businesses presupposes that industries are adaptable, and employees have the necessary competences. The required level of knowledge and know-how needs to be increased, as the produc-tion of green energy demands far more complicated technical solutions than before.

As new jobs in different sectors are created simultaneously, the local soci-ety will experience a self-perpetuating growth in activity, which is of course

beneficial.

”Energy City Frederikshavn”. Green paths leading to growth The City Council of Frederikshavn Municipality has chosen to focus in developing the following 4

“growth areas”, which are: The maritime sector, Sustainable energy, locally produced food and

tourism. These 4 areas embrace most of the existing economic structure within the municipality.

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Poul Rask Nielsen, Project manager Energy City Frederikshavn

To ensure the focus and increase the awareness among local society con-cerning our vision of transfer to fossil free community, “Energy City” has de-cided to publish the energy magazine e+. The magazine e+ is distributed to all households in the municipality three times a year.


which achieved savings of 500 tonnes of CO2. Renovation n of street lighting has resulted in savings of 400,000 kWh per year.

Furthermore, 10 electric bicycles have been purchased for transporting employees between the municipal build-ings and supervision. These investments will continue in years to come.

The strategic energy plan The municipality has adopted a stra-tegic energy plan, which among other things has allowed for a part of the mu-nicipality’s households to be connected to Vestforbrænding’s district heating network. This results in CO2 reductions because of the shift from natural gas-based to waste-based district heating. The investment in the new line amounts to approx. DKK 80 million in 2012.

The vocational effortFuresø Municipality’s industrial policy aims to create a better environment for growth and better opportunities for green businesses. Together with busi-ness associations and Go’Energi, the municipality has started the network “Kurveknækker Furesø Erhverv”. In 2011, significant energy savings were identified in those companies where energy reviews were performed, and collaboration in the network will con-tinue in 2012. The network will continue to focus on energy savings, but will also look at energy supplies, including op-portunities for renewable energy.

Energy renovation of homes There are 8,400 single-family and terraced homes in Furesø Municipal-ity, which have been built in the period from 1960-80. A large proportion of these homes can be isolated better, and a significant number can get district heating, convert to or add renewable

energy. If half of the homes receive an energy renovation for an average of DKK 100,000, it will generate a turnover of around half a billion DKK.

In the fall of 2011, Furesø Municipality initiated several initiatives to release the potential for energy efficient retro-fits: In the “open energy counsel” at the municipal town halls, citizens could – every Thursday during a certain period - get advice from a consultant from Energy Service Denmark. In ”For enden af vejen” (At the end of the road) a mobile energy consultant service visited homeowners’ associations and offered information, interviews and short visits by an energy consultant in their own homes.

There was wide support for these initiatives and Furesø Municipality continues the effort. The municipality is working among others on turning ”For enden af vejen” into a concept of how a homeowners’ association can imple-ment comprehensive energy retrofits.

Transportation counts Transportation is the Achilles heel of the energy equation Furesø Munici-pality is working with the concept of “Green Mobility”, which means that you should be able to get going in a faster, smarter, healthier and more enjoyable way. Transportation needs must be met with a range of solutions, and the focus is on combination travels, super bike lanes, car sharing, parking facilities and the development of mobility in urban

spaces. In rush hour it may be quicker to cycle to Copenhagen from Farum rather than driving a car on the highway! Meanwhile, the bicycle has become both smarter and faster in the past few years.

A focus on combination travels and cycling will result in a significant in-novation, both of bicycle technology and infrastructure solutions that will support the international brand which Copenha-gen has received as the city of bicycles. And if there is innovation, there are jobs too!

Furesø will make a difference Many municipalities are making

great efforts to crack the crisis-curves. Furesø Municipality’s effort is one of the small streams that can turn into a river bringing energy savings and jobs, and which is also in strengthening coopera-tion in the community and providing more health and a better environment. We believe that efforts to create solu-tions that can “roll forward” among citizens and businesses are essential if Furesø’s - and Denmark’s – aim to be based on renewable energy and reach CO2 –neutrality in 2050 should be achieved.

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The city logo is blue, but the vision is green! In Furesø Municipality,

climate and environment has occupied a position high on the political agenda, and the municipality is working strategi-cally and targeted to make the green theme to a lever for growth and employ-ment.

In December 2009, Furesø Municipal-ity became a climate municipality and in December 2009 it adopted an Agenda 21 action plan. Since then a climate plan, a strategic energy plan, a strategy for dealing with rainwater, an enterprise, a strategy for Green mobility and a

municipal plan and Agenda 21 strategy have all been adopted.

The plan framework is therefore in place, and the common starting point is the vision of a sustainable society with high quality of life. A sustainable society is an inclusive community with jobs for everyone, and which focuses on the ar-eas of energy, rain water and transport provide leverage for the creation of jobs.

The goal is that Furesø Municipal-ity in time must be based exclusively on renewable energy. This will require significant energy savings, changing the energy supply and a radical restructur-

ing of the transport.

A multi-pronged effort The approach in Furesø is multifaceted and aimed partly at the municipality’s own operations and properties, partly at businesses and partly at the public in relation to particular housing and transportation.Municipality sets the example The municipality sets the example with energy conservation in municipal build-ings, street lighting and internal trans-port. In 2011 DKK 11 million was invested in energy savings in municipal buildings

Green growth creates jobs and quality of life in FuresøIt boosts economy, employment, environment and community when the municipality focuses on

green growth and sustainability. Furesø Municipality strives to pave the way for green growth and

quality of life.

Lene W. HartmannClimate Project Manager

Furesø Municipality


One path can be environmentally friendly projects that will create

development and jobs now or in time. Another goal can be actions and initia-tives from a municipal point of view, with the environment in mind. Let us call it the power of the good example that inspires and supports businesses in creating sustainable products and production methods. All in all it is about thinking the vision and cultivate them.

The municipality of Halsnæs focuses on the importance of securing a bal-ance between environment, climate and business. In order to keep that focus, we as a municipality need to uphold the power of the good example by showing vision and action.

Climate communityIn 2008 the municipality of Halsnæs be-came a climate community. This means

that the municipality has made an agreement with The Danish Society for Naturepreservation. The municipality is committed to reducing CO2 emissions by two percent every year until 2025. This corresponds to an overall reduc-tion of CO2 emissions of 1/3 from 2007 until 2025. Furthermore, the municipality of Halsnæs is committed to a so called curve breaker agreement with Elspare-fonden, agreeing to reduce electricity by two percent a year.

With these two agreements the mu-nicipality has taken an important step toward obtaining the goals and expec-tations of energy and environmental issues, according to the municipality’s Plan and Agenda 21 Strategy.

In the future the municipality of Halsnæs wishes to set an example in reducing CO2 by participating in the joint municipal project ELENA and fur-ther reduce energy consumption in the buildings of the municipality.

Advantages of sustainable growthIn Halsnæs, we have several business-es with special knowledge in produc-tion of steel and metal. Furthermore, we have many contractors. Today, steel from Frederiksværk is used for off-shore windmills.

Sustainable construction is a focus point of the business policy of the municipality of Halsnæs. Obtaining knowledge as well as competencies in

sustainable construction energy supply et cetera is a main focus of the mu-nicipality of Halsnæs. For instance, the municipality of Halsnæs has reserved lots in Kregme Syd for developmental projects that experiment with climate friendly development, where concept construction and sustainable solutions can be tested.

ESCOThe municipality of Halsnæs has com-pleted an ESCO-project, where local

contractors have had the opportunity to participate and upgrade their profes-sional knowledge. The project ended in the end of 2011 and will continue to bring radical energy saving improvements to the buildings of the municipality. Fur-thermore, the energy savings achieved will be used to finance the costs of the improvements.

The ESCO-project in Halsnæs is the most ambitious ESCO-project in Den-mark, compared to the size of the mu-nicipality. 90 million Danish kroner have

been invested in energy renovation and renewable energy at city hall, schools, day cares and nursing homes.

Renewable energy units such as solar systems and geothermal plants have been installed at several locations around the municipality. It is expected that the installations will reduce the energy consumption by 30 percent in comparison to the 2010 level.

However, it is not only the public buildings that Halsnæs has taken into account. The Plan and Agenda 21 Strat-egy 2011-2023, which has been decided by City Council, states that:” …the municipality of Halsnæs will be working towards using the great potential for energy renovation that lies in no-gov-ernmental buildings”. In relation to this, the municipality has arranged Halsnæs-dagen in March 2012. Halsnæsdagen is a day dedicated to energy. Citizens can meet with businesses that offer energy renovation, sustainable construction etc.

From January 2012, developmental projects that include solar systems, windmills, geothermal plants etc., will be exempted form fees. Renewable energy is important to the municipality of Halsnæs as a climate community – that includes fees for developmental projects.

Climate readyClimate security is on the agenda in Halsnæs as climate is a transverse theme in the Plan and Agenda 21 Strat-egy 2011-2023. Halsnæs actively advo-cates climate adaptation. The areas of the municipality has been mapped out according to sea level rise, cloudbursts etc. and plans for action has been launched based on the mapping.

A dike in the town of Frederiksværk has been raised in 2011. The municipal-ity of Halsnæs and Halsnæs Municipal Supply also participates in KLIKO-vand (Climate, Municipalities and Water) and

will shortly begin to map out the areas in Halsnæs based on handling rainwater.

Renewable energyToday, extensive district heating sys-tems can be found in the towns of Hun-dested and Frederiksværk. The system in Hundested is based on natural gas; however there is a demand for alterna-tive fuels. The system in Frederiksværk is based on biofuel, mainly wood pellets. The opportunities for expanding this system are good. Moreover the entire municipality has great potential for district heating, as well as room for installing larger renewable VE-plants, i.e. solar systems.

As an indirect support for the idea, it should be noted that the Harbor of Hun-dested – one of two shipping centers in the capital region – is used for import of biofuel. The harbor can also function as a service base for windmill parks in Kat-tegat – and long-term a possible wave power station.

Sustainable transportationThe municipality of Halsnæs is primar-ily a settlement municipality. Several citizens commute to work in neighbor municipalities and Copenhagen.

Electric vehicles as a supplement to a functioning public transportation, making private motoring sustainable, is an issue the municipality of Hals-næs wishes to work towards. Thus the municipality of Halsnæs is eager to par-ticipate in projects that strives to clarify the potential of the capital region as a leading region for electric vehicles and encourage that public transportation is expanded and made even more CO2-friendly.

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Helge FriisMayor

Halsnæs Municipality

The concept of sustainable growth is wide and the

roads towards the green goal are many.

A green path towards a su-stainable progress


plants in the municipality. They suffer from a poor financial situation with ex-pensive prices. It is our plan to connect all the district heating networks in order to become more efficient. We support the plans on a district heating network for Greater Copenhagen.

Such a network will be able to absorb all thermal heat and distribute energy from waste combustion, companies and wind turbines. At the same time, it will function as storage when the produc-tion exceeds the use of energy.

Tile firing runs almost automatically. When producing it means jobs for for-estry workers and when transporting for mariners, drivers and railway workers.

A district heating network between all the large cities is a considerable investment that will create jobs to many construction workers, drivers and pipe smiths and additionally jobs in the indus-try that produces pipes and pumps etc.

We will make it obligatory to col-lect rain water for toilet flushing and washing machines in all new buildings. It reduces the access to the drainage

when it rains heavily and reduces the use of the ground water to laundry and toilet use.

In order to reduce the access of rainwater to the drainage we strive to apply materials that will allow the water to leak into the ground. The municipality plan command separate drainage for new buildings and we have initiated a large project for separating rainwater and sewage.

Beside separate sewerage it means that the rainwater will end up in lakes and water courses instead of in cellars.

It costs about ½ and 1 milliard DKK to separate rainwater and sewage in the municipality of Hillerod and it will lead to many new jobs for construction work-ers.

When making stormwater facilities in new and existing buildings it create more jobs for people employed in the area of water, heating and sanitation. Furthermore, it means more jobs on Nyrup Plast and other producers of tanks and pipes.

We have a huge challenge how to

manage the sewage from the existing hospital as well as the coming hospital in Hillerod. Either the hospital will have to prepare to clean the sewage or we need a new waste water treatment plant.

We make bicycle paths for about 45 DKK in four years. Our first and foremost goal is that all children can bicycle safely to school. At the same time good bicycle paths motivate people to bicycle to work or the train station rather than going by car.

At the moment, we have limited fi-nancial resources that mean we cannot develop our public traffic system as we wish to, however, we have some plans ready if the situation will change and we get the possibility to make new invest-ments.

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Investments have been initiated in ven-tilation, lightning, solar cells, pumps,

new windows and other improvements on isolation.

At the moment we are investigating whether we can achieve any savings on electricity by reducing the voltage on the grid.

The Municipality of Hillerod has man-aged an EU Sorcer project that has pro-vided financial support to energy-efficient constructions including solar cells i.e. on the town hall and the buildings of 3F.

Furthermore, we have earmarked financial means to water savings includ-ing use of rainwater in toilets. By the end of 2012 we expect the C02 emission from

the buildings of Hillerod municipality to be 29 percent lower than in 2009.

Therefore, we can strive to reach further than the official goal on a 35 percent by 2020. The DKK 100 Mio that has been earmarked so far to energy improvements have provided jobs to electricians, plumbers, carpenters and work men and is furthermore contribut-ing to educate the craftsmen to apply the new techniques.

Additionally, it has created more jobs on the factories that produce windows, pumps and other products. The people who are employed at the buildings have been educated in gaining as much as possible from the new techniques.

Hillerød District heating company A/S has invested in a large solar thermal plant and some smaller systems to sup-port the district heating.

There are plans to change a gas fur-nace that supplies the cities of Hillerod and Farum with a bio mass powered plant that collects thermal heath about 2 kilometres down in the underground.

When we change from gas to tile and solar thermal heat the CO2 emis-sion from Hillerod will be reduced much further than the originally goals we have decided on. In that connection we are discussing with the Lokalbanen whether tile can be transported on the railway from Hundested harbour to the plant that will be placed close to the railway.

We have six wind turbines but the wind conditions are not favorable in our municipality. Therefore we have not increased the investment in the number of wind turbines. Solar cells systems do not require many resources. However, the factory offers a number of work places and work for the people who set up the systems.

We expand the district heating network simultaneously with the city de-velopment and step by step we establish the district heating network in the areas that have not been covered so far.

We have three local district heating

Plans and promotion for environment, energy and work places in the Municipality of HillerodIn the budget for 2011-14 the City Council of Hillerod has earmarked DKK 25 Mio on the annual

budget to initiate energy improvements in all the municipal buildings of Hillerod.

Tue Tortzen Chairman

Environment and Technology Committee

Hillerød Municipality


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Siemens Windpower A/S alone ac-counts for around 3,500 employees,

while the remaining around 1,500 people are employed by wind power indus-try sub-contractors and companies producing and supplying energy solu-tions such as geothermal heat pumps, domestic wind power generators and solar cells.

Ikast-Brande Municipality’s vision is to be a showcase for the development and use of all forms of climate technol-ogy and energy technology. We will support our energy companies and be a centre of excellence for the demonstra-tion of alternative energy-efficient solu-tions. This is a commercial investment we are proud of.

More and more businesses and homes in the municipality are using alternative forms of energy, for example solar cells, geothermal heat pumps and biogas, all helping us in our efforts to

have a more CO2-neutral energy supply. At the same time, this development helps to create jobs, and local compa-nies are strengthened by new business areas. The municipality is currently preparing a new climate and energy policy that can add momentum to this development.

Room for developmentIt is important for Ikast-Brande Munici-pality that our companies can test their products in the community. The munici-pality plays a crucial role in this respect. We must be able to make facilities available and deliver efficient and long-term procedures, so the companies can concentrate their efforts on develop-ment and production.

Ikast-Brande Municipality wants to give wind turbine manufacturers the option of being able to install test wind turbines in the municipality, so that they

can test new technological solutions close to their development depart-ments. This makes testing, servicing and replacing parts faster and cheaper than if the test wind turbine were installed far out in the North Sea. In effect these test sites are facilities that keep jobs in the local community and help green industry to develop. In addition to the 37 wind turbines we have today, Ikast-Brande Municipality’s wind power plan allows for an additional 30 large wind turbines.

Agriculture is the energy supplier of the futureAgriculture is another major business sector in Ikast-Brande Municipality and we want to create a good framework that ensures agriculture can develop. We believe that in the future, agriculture will deliver energy crops to the energy sector. We are currently reviewing the Municipality Plan 2013-2025, which will create new frameworks for how we exploit the open country. It can provide the agriculture industry with excellent opportunities to cultivate energy crops like willow, poplar and maize as we have both the areas and the facilities for this. Working with the agriculture industry, we must find methods of cultivation which are both profitable and kind to nature and the environment. If we can meet this challenge together, we will create new jobs for agriculture in the future.

Biogas is another example of the po-tential for the growth of green industry. We must have more biogas facilities in

Ikast-Brande Municipality, which from an overall perspective will benefit the local community. Biogas facilities will deliver energy, a better environment and jobs. Of course, we know that there are both positive and negative aspects and that there are many considerations that have to be made. This is one of the challenges that the municipality will ask people to discuss how to tackle in con-nection with the review of the Munici-pality Plan 2013–2025.

We bring the parties togetherThe municipality facilitates dialogue between agriculture and the utility com-panies. In this fashion, we contribute to the development of agriculture as a sup-plier of biomass for our energy supply. This will mean that the utility companies can supply inexpensive green energy to the municipality’s companies and residents. We maintain close contact with the utility companies and discuss different models for how we can meet the challenges.

Ikast-Brande Municipality wants to utilise some of the waste heat that is generated by companies that are major energy consumers. So we are involved in a discussion between the companies and the utility companies about how we can make it easier for companies to pass on this surplus heat to district heating stations. Not only will this lower the use of imported natural gas, it will also raise awareness that energy is a resource whose exploitation we must collaborate much more closely on. This means we have to get politicians in the Danish Parliament involved, because tax regulations are the greatest obsta-cle to utilising this resource.

We excel at dialogueIkast-Brande Municipality excels at talking and cooperating with com-panies. The Confederation of Danish Industry named Ikast-Brande Munici-pality as the municipality with the best business climate in Denmark in 2010 and 2011. This was based on the testimony of companies and on statistical data.

Ikast-Brande Municipality stands out from the crowd because of posi-tive factors like “fast and competent procedures”, “physical planning” and “information and dialogue with the municipality.” Its “public authority with a service gene” approach has attracted several green companies to the munici-pality, which has led to the creation of new jobs.

As a municipality we must quickly and effectively remove any obstacles standing in the way of the companies. This will ensure jobs, including jobs in the green industry, which will have a positive impact on the climate and the environment.

Carsten KissmeyerMayor

Ikast-Brande Municipality

We’re creating room for green industry to growThere are many companies and around 5,000 people working in the

green industry in Ikast-Brande Municipality.

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Lejre would like to be a showcase for smooth transition to organic produc-

tion in a collaborative effort between interested farmers, research institutions and consumers. That is why the local council, after having been contacted by the Danish Society for Nature Conserva-tion, unanimously decided in April 2010

to work together with the Society to launch a project entitled ’The Organic Municipality’. In addition to the Soci-ety and the council, a number of other key partners in Denmark are involved, including the National Organic Asso-ciation, the Organic Farming Section of the Agriculture and Food Council,

the agricultural advisory organisation GEFION and the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture.

The goal of the project is to embed eco-friendliness into everyday life and activities and produce healthy food in a way that protects the environment, the climate and our drinking water. Lejre

wants to be the first municipality in Denmark seeking eco-friendly solutions to as many everyday challenges as possible.

From church land to private gardens and organic meals at municipal facilities

The project comprises ten sub-projects that focus on issues ranging from eco-friendliness, sustainable use of church land, municipal grounds and private gardens to organic production in agriculture and organic meals in day-care and residential facilities operated by the local authority. The project is also looking into the potential of developing ‘ecotourism’ that will allow Lejre to play an active role in helping pave the way for new enterprises within the frame-work of the experience economy.

The wide-ranging themes covered by the project make it special and unique: it ‘goes full circle’ by trying for an eco-friendly approach from every angle. In the longer term, the various initiatives taken under the project umbrella are intended to benefit children, the elderly, agriculture and consumers alike.

The project fits perfectly into our municipal plan and our newly adopted strategy for Lejre, just as it harmonises with our efforts to become a designated national park area. This would boost Lejre’s profile, allowing us to generate growth without jeopardising the quality of our natural environment, landscapes, environment and local surroundings.

Local growth, synergies and sustainabilityOne initiative that promotes sustainable development while also benefiting the local community is the Lejre Organic Food Society (LØFF), which was formed in February 2012 as a spin-off of the Organic Municipality project. Through LØFF, local residents and makers of organic produce work together to bring locally produced fresh organic fruit and vegetables to the people of Lejre.

The scheme is new and may later be expanded to include other locally produced food products such as eggs, fish and meat. It generates jobs locally and also provides work for a group of vulnerable people in the area, as the farm where the vegetables are packed and despatched to members each week is a residential facility and activity cen-tre for young people with special needs. The young people at the farm handle the vegetables when they arrive and are a part of the LØFF community. Later, the young people may become involved in the actual packing of vegetables to be sent to members. Thus, the concept also has a social dimension.

Pioneer projectThe main objective of the Organic Municipality project is to identify the op-portunities and limitations of furthering eco-friendliness in everyday life across all the fields of interest covered by the project. The ambition is not to make our municipality and all its activities and institutions completely eco-friendly overnight: it is an explorative project de-signed to help us learn more about what we can do to make everyday activities more eco-friendly.

Lejre is the only municipality in Denmark focusing on eco-friendliness in so many different contexts all at the same time. Also, interesting and excit-ing development potential lies in the possibility that this project could make Lejre a trailblazer in the field of eco-friendliness.

Our long-term vision is to become the organic front garden of the Danish capi-tal, providing Copenhagen and its many suburbs with fresh, locally produced organic food products.

Feed line to our enterprisesBeing part of the Greater Copenha-gen Area and located on the island of Zealand, Lejre boasts a multitude of

nearby workplaces. However, although about 70% of the entire workforce in the local area commute to work every day, our current business community and new entrepreneurs are important to us. Several of our largest enterprises actually started out as relatively small businesses in Lejre, but grew large over time. Other local enterprises engage in niche production and supply goods and services to the global market.

We want to be a constructive and competent partner for local enterprises and will work to ensure good conditions for development wherever we can. That is why we intend to focus on optimising collaboration, for example through early dialogue and alignment of expectations with respect to our regulatory work and response times. We also intend to hold regular dialogue meetings with a focus on optimising the business climate in Lejre.

Together with Zealand Business Connection, we will work to support industries with a strong position in our area, including the building and hous-ing sector, where we want to have a particular focus on sustainable, energy-friendly building design.

Local enterprises are important partners in our efforts to ensure a high rate of employment locally. Knowing this, Lejre Job Centre will be working to expand its dialogue with the local busi-ness community about worker recruit-ment and training.

We are not afraid to take part in unconventional collaborations and partnerships if it means promoting good ideas with a socially responsible perspective.

Mette Touborg, Mayor

Lejre Municipality

Lejre: An eco-friendly municipalityOrganic production is a rapidly growing niche industry that may well foster new industries and

create new opportunities for conventional farmers, some of whom are currently under severe

financial pressure.

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Lolland has benefited from this devel-opment as well. For a decade Vestas

produced turbine blades in Nakskov and the factory was one of the most impor-tant and modern firms in the municipal-ity.

Sadly this is history now, but I am convinced that the reorganization of our societies to sustainable energy still holds great hope of new growth and new employment opportunities.

Broadly speaking, I have no doubt what it takes: It has to pay off. Invest-ments are needed and those doing the investing must believe they will be able to make a profit from it – whether they bring money or political capital to the table.

In Lolland Municipality we usually

state it this way: Our climate strategy is both a business strategy and a contribu-tion to solving environmental problems. Both aspects are equally important, and one presupposes the other.

So, how can we ensure that it does pay off?Ambitious goals and standards

First of all we must have well-defined goals and ambitious standards for various products. Both industry and consumers will begin adjusting to future standards now – if they know them. Demanding reduced heat losses from buildings or putting limitations on how much energy electrical devices are allowed to consume are obvious examples.

It is crucial to be MORE ambitious than countries around us. This will give Danish firms incentives to lead the way in developing new products that will be in universal demand in the future. It is also the best way to avoid bad investments in technology about to be phased out.

From this point of view, the German decision to phase out nuclear power is visionary. It ensures that there will be a large and attractive market for wind and solar power in the future, thus making investments in sustainable energy safe.

An attractive marketSecondly, we must make sure that there is a market for new products. The public sector accounts for a large part of total consumption, and therefore it must help strengthening the clean-tech market, partly to save money long-term, but also to support the development of new products. It is important not to commit ourselves to specific solutions in advance. Our primary responsibility is to point out the problems that need to be solved and then leave it to market and industry to develop the best and most economical products.

Thirdly we need to develop infor-mal networks and close cooperation between industry, public authorities and institutions in education and research. It is not enough to create new knowledge and new products, we must also ensure that they are implemented and put into

stable operation. For these reasons it is necessary to involve artisans, skilled workers and the schools responsible for their education as early as possible.

In Lolland we have established Lol-land CTF (Community Testing Facilities) to test new technologies full-scale and in normal operation. This has turned Lol-land into an important location for test-ing and demonstrating green technolo-gy. We are convinced that it is precisely in the confrontation with reality that new knowledge evolves into stable products able to compete on market conditions.

Political leadership should be rewardedFinally, encouraging green technology and green production also has to pay off politically.

Let me give you an example: Land-

based wind turbines in Lolland Mu-nicipality produce more energy than turbines in any other municipality in Denmark and we just passed a new plan pointing out even more possible locations. We have also passed a plan to place a test facility at Kappel where new type-approved turbines can be tested.

Other municipalities have chosen differently. They have placed fewer or practically no wind turbines.

I don’t believe that all these mu-nicipalities are that lacking in space. But they have not been willing to pay the political price. New wind turbines are often met with local protests and complaints from neighbours. “We want to solve the climate crisis – but does it have to be here?” seems to be the logic. We have definitely met that kind of resistance as well.

I am convinced that it would be much easier to find suitable locations and to get acceptance from neighbours if municipalities had an incentive to do so. Perhaps municipalities producing more sustainable energy than they consume, could be rewarded with lower energy taxes to help them attract new busi-nesses. That would make it perfectly clear that both citizens and local trade and industry actually benefited from housing wind turbines.

Gert Mortensen, Chairman Climate,

Environment and Road Committee,

Lolland Municipality

It has to pay off

We all dream about a new business adventure like the wind turbines: What started as eccentric

experiments in the 1970s developed into a position as a global market leader and a massive

success in Danish exports during the 1980s and 1990s. In addition, it was a success which

created new industrial jobs in those parts of the country that need them the most.

26 27

Lolland Local Authority

Lolland Local Authority works with climate and

energy issues from the standpoint of creating

energy and growth based on our natural resources.

The local authority is well on its way towards its

goal. Hydrogen, biomass, wind turbines and solar

energy are all part of the local authority’s energy

production. Some facilities are still in the test sta-

ges while others are fully developed. The various

facilities are described in Danish on the Lolland

Local Authority website under ‘Energiprojekter’.

T he schools in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality are a really good sto-

ry. Usually the good stories are about pupil achievement. This time, however, the reason is different. In the space of a year, 21 schools in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality have saved on their heat-ing bills by not less than half-a-million crowns.

- It is impressive. And we are talking here of a saving which has entirely been achieved through investments, by making changes to the equipment we already have and by generally doing things smarter, says Flemming Nielsen, functional manager for Daycare & Education.

It is far from just the school level that they have their hands raised high above their heads due to the immediate energy rewards. The excitement spreads all the way to the top of the organization – into the management and the council.

- Here we have the evidence that it pays to energy-optimize older buildings and we can build on these examples. Not just in relation to the rest of the mu-nicipal buildings but also in relation to private householders and businesses, says the Mayor in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality, Iver Enevoldsen.

Energy optimization – the third legEnergy optimization of buildings is the next stage in the municipality’s ambi-

tious climate focus. The objective in this area is to energy optimize 1.000 houses before the end of 2014.

After the municipal reform, a united council in Ringkøbing-Skjern Munici-pality agreed on one of Denmark’s most ambitious climate plans. The objective in 2020 is to be 100 percent self-suffi-cient with energy. This means all the energy that is consumed in the munici-pality; not just by the municipality but also by businesses and citizens.

The project is called Energy2020, and has already now attracted international recognition. For example, Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality was nominated for Nordic Energy Municipality 2011.

The framework around Energy2020 is the Energy Secretariat, headed by sec-retariat leader Henning Donslund, and the Energy Council, where 14 members represent public and especially private organizations.

The Energy Secretariat was estab-lished in 2009, and since then a great number of projects and numerous meetings have been conducted, where local and national politicians, officials, fireballs and business managers as well as citizen associations and utility companies have all been included.

- This has created a unique owner-ship of Energy2020, which is far from just being rooted in the municipality’s

own offices. And in my judgment this is the reason why we can already show a row of achievements, says Henning Donslund.

Wind turbines and biogasAs a rural municipality, Ringkøbing-Skjern has the advantage that there is good space for both wind energy and biogas plants – two big alternative energy sources.

Already this year the municipality expects that wind turbines will have been installed with a total production of 225 MW. This equates to the municipal-ity being 100 percent self-sufficient with electricity. According to the council’s plan for wind turbines, the capacity will be expanded to 450 MW in 2017.

But although it can appear to be relatively simple to erect wind turbines, the reality is far more complex.

- It requires support. Not just from neighbours and investors, but also in relationship to the utility companies, says Henning Donslund.

In order to accommodate the citi-zens, the municipality has introduced a green pool, where the investors inject capital for each new erected wind tur-bine. The money is distributed to the lo-cal area around the turbines so that the local communities also have a benefit.

- If we do not think of all the stake-holders in the individual projects then we will not succeed with them. This also applies to our focus in the biogas area, says Henning Donslund.

In this area, the special Ringkøbing-Skjern-model has been developed,

where the biogas production takes place decentrally at big farms after which the gas is sent through a so-called transmission net to the local combined heat power plant and other big gas customers.

Energy Technological Development and Demonstration Program under the Danish Energy Agency chose in March last year to support the development of the model with 16 million crowns.

Locally, the municipality, in coopera-tion with Vestjysk Landboforening and ErhvervsCentret - Ringkøbing Fjords Business Council, established the company Bioenergi Vest A/S with direc-tor Lars Byberg at the helm, and the expectation is that the biogas model will be able to contribute up to 1,500 jobs in the long run.

The Government’s 2050-objective is achieved in 2020The government is, at this moment, negotiating a new energy agreement

in parliament. Ideally the negotiations should end up with a model which can strengthen Denmark’s objective to be independent of fossil fuels in 2050.

In 2007 Denmark’s total energy consumption was 874 peta joule. Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality’s share of the total energy consumption was at the time, 10 peta joule.

Based on the experiences that the municipality has gained since the coun-cil passed the ambition of Energi2020, an actual Energi2020-strategy was agreed in 2011. The strategy itself is built on three key-terms: self-supply, knowledge development and business develop-ment. Under the three key-terms there are nine sub-strategies.

- We usually say that Energi2020 is a patchwork of solutions but to secure the optimal synergy, it is the municipality’s task to maintain the frameworks for the forward-looking work. In this way we avoid big investment failures. With the Energi2020-strategy we fulfill our part of

the government’s 2050-objective already in 2020. It is no longer just an ambition. It is an honest objective, says Henning Donslund.

He underlines that the objective of course is dependent on the state creat-ing the right frameworks.

The green road to jobs and streamlining

28 29

Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality has one of the country’s most

ambitious energy plans, but here they just see it as common

sense, and the objective is to create new green jobs

Energ 2020 Ringkøbing-Skjern – 100 % vedvarende

Iver Enevoldsen Mayor

Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality



The municipal energy company as a dynamoThe municipality of Samsø owns the company – Samsø Renewable Energy Aps. The energy company’s main assets are five 2,3 MW offshore wind turbines just south of Samsø.

The company, unlike the municipality, can invest in new energy projects, which have the potential to create new jobs.

A municipally owned energy company has at least two advantages to commer-cially run energy companies.

Favourable loan options through the joint municipal bank Kommune Kredit.

The option to put priority on local job creation ahead of generation profit to the shareholders.

On Samsø it is estimated that new energy projects has the potential to create 14 permanent Green jobs – within biogas, wind turbine service and energy management.

Energy refurbishing public buildings The municipal board has decided that public buildings must be energy refur-bished. Refurbishing with a payback within a 20 year timeframe will be imple-mented. 9 million Danish kr. has been allocated to energy refurbishing in a 3 year period.

In general energy refurbishing creates income among the local craftsmen (car-penters, masons, electricians etc.) here by increasing the local tax revenue to the municipality.

Energy refurbishing leads to dimin-ished energy costs in the municipal budgets thus freeing funds for improved services to the citizens, and finally re-duced energy consumption reduces the CO2 emissions.

The 9 million Danish kr. worth of energy refurbishing has the potential to create or maintain 4 people in green jobs.

Energy refurbishing private homes – a huge potential for local growthThe municipality cannot force private citi-zens to energy refurbish their homes. The municipality can however stimulate and guide private citizens, and the potential for energy refurbishing private homes on Samsø is huge.

There are 2.200 dwellings on Samsø. 1.800 of these homes can be energy refurbished with a financially sustainable payback time considering the current energy prices.

A conservative estimate sets each home with an energy refurbishing cost of 75.000 kr. This puts the total financially sustainable energy costs to 135.000.000 kr.

If the total energy refurbishing is managed in a ten year period, it has the potential to create 17 green jobs.

Convincing people put priority to energy refurbishing their homes takes an extraordinary effort.

On Samsø local partnerships is the key to succeed. Samsø Energy Academy, and the municipality in partnership with local craftsmen and local banks aim to stimulate private citizens for action.

Information, campaigns, positive expe-riences by the “neighbour” coupled with government supported schemes works – we know it from experience!

Samsø Energy Academy - dissemination, education, conferencesSamsø Energy Academy is the islands centre for activities relating to energy counselling for companies, government institutions and private citizens. The Academy is host to app. 6.000 guests each year – hailing from all over the globe. The visitors partake in guided tours on the energy island, education, professional energy “tourism” work-shops and seminars.

Ten professionals are currently em-ployed on Samsø Energy Academy.

And the Fossil free island has the po-tential to increase the number of people employed within energy counselling.

The nature of Samsø is worth conserving – and a strong brandThe nature on Samsø varied and beauti-ful and the unique natural areas have a significant potential to promote tourism and settlement on the island.

Public access to the natural areas is facilitated through marked footpaths information posts and pamphlets. Outdoor life and experiences are sup-ported by active nature guides and a nature school. Currently two full time rangers are employed.

In 2012 the dissemination effort is expanded by employing a new nature guide/ranger. As a novelty multidisci-plinary dissemination encompassing nature, culture and energy is being developed.

30 31

The municipality of Samsø is a small island community with only 4.000

inhabitants. Creating just a few jobs will mean a real difference.

Samsø is Denmark’s renewable Energy Island – Since 1997 the island-ers have worked on expanding the local energy supply with renewable energy sources.

The effort has been successful – the Island is now 100% supplied with renew-able energy from wind, sun and biomass (straw and woodchips).

The renewable energy island project created between 15 and 20 permanent green jobs, among the craftsmen, energy technicians, agriculture and on Samsø Energy Academy.

The knowledge and knowhow gained with the renewable energy island pro-

ject is sought after both in Denmark and internationally.

Samsø Energy Academy is a gath-ering place for energy efficiency and renewable energy. The academy shares knowhow on the islands energy pro-jects, local ownership, wind turbines, straw based district heating, rapeseed tractors, solar collectors and much much more..

In addition the Academy hosts conferences, education, researchers or politicians discussing renewable energy, energy savings and new tech-nology.

Samsø Energy Academy has created a new Master plan – Samsø as a fossil free island. The new Master plan aims to phase out all fossil based energy forms, such as gasoline, diesel, oil and coal,

before 2030. That is 20 years ahead of the Danish national targets.

With the Fossil free Island - cars, busses, ferries and tractors will run on locally produced electricity and biogas. In addition the islanders will show new standards in energy efficiency to heat and power their homes and businesses.

It is an ambitious project that will set new standards in Denmark – with allot of potential for job creation.

With the Fossil free island project the municipality has the opportunity to partake financially in job creating energy related projects. Furthermore the municipality can stimulated others to create jobs through information and planning.

There are approximately 4.000 inhabitants on Samsø. The total work-force constitutes app. 1.800 persons – 93 Persons - corresponding to the 5,5% of the total workforce are currently unem-ployed (may 2011).

Listed below is the summarized potential for green jobs on Samsø where

the municipality can take direct action:

Renewable energy production and service: 14

Energy refurbishing of public buildings: 4

Energy refurbishing of private buildings: 17

Dissemination, education, conferences (nature and energy): 11

In total green jobs: 46

Estimated permanent 25

The potential for creating 46 green jobs compared with the resident unemployment of app. 100

persons shows, that green jobs have the potential to make a significant impact on employment in a

small municipality like Samsø.

Creating green jobs can halve unemployment on Samsø!Municipalities in Denmark and Samsø in particular, have

opportunities for job creation and green growth.

Søren StensgaardManagerTechnical

managementSamsø

Municipality


Slagelse municipality has chosen to focus upon the energy renovation

of buildings as a response to grow-ing unemployment in the construction industry, together with the decision to become a Climate Municipality and to

join the European Covenant of Mayors. It is a step towards the realization of our vision to create jobs and to reach our climate goals.

To promote the sector we address the challenge from several angles. The

key is a close cooperation between the municipal departments: Business and Innovation, Technical and Environmen-tal administration, and Operation and Construction. In addition, the municipal-ity encourages close cooperation with external stakeholders such as local construction businesses, educational institutes, the local energy supply com-pany and others.

Energy retrofits can reduce CO2 emission and create jobsAt Slagelse municipality we view deep energy retrofits of the existing building stock as one of the biggest potential growth areas for the coming years. If we can realize this potential, deep en-ergy retrofits can become an important element in reaching our wider political goals of 2000 new jobs and a 20% reduc-tion in CO2 emissions by the year 2020. Deep energy retrofitting in Slagelse has an estimated employment potential of approximately 2500 jobs (or full-time equivalents). The municipality’s immedi-ate goal is to create 300 of these jobs over the next 5 years.

Reaching the goal depends very much on whether private home owners are willing to carry out energy retrofits and whether the local construction

businesses have the necessary ‘know how’ and expertise to get the orders.

We take the lead and support the processThe municipality has an important role in making energy retrofits happen. For several years Slagelse has carried out energy retrofits in many of our own buildings, operating with an annual budget of 6 million kroner. All of our mu-nicipal organizations have a dedicated employee who is responsible for energy initiatives and participates in a network that coordinates the effort.

Joint effort to boost the construction industryTogether with 11 other municipalities from Zealand and the Region of Zealand, Slagelse is part of an application to the EU program REEEZ. If the application is accepted, it can give a massive boost to the construction industry in the region. The application is based on regional and local investment in energy savings, retrofits and sustainable energy that will amount to approximately 465 million kroner from 2012 to 2014. Slagelse has already allocated 18 million kroner. A successful application will give the mu-nicipality an additional 21 million kroner,

of which almost half are earmarked for sustainable energy initiatives alone.

‘Green Line’ enables companies to bid for large projectsTo assist small and medium sized construction companies in the bidding process for large-scale deep energy retrofits, Slagelse and Holbæk munici-palities have initiated a project called ‘Green Line’. The project is a regional initiative supported by the European Social Fund. ‘Green Line’ is a training course for managers and employees, that seeks to facilitate cooperation between firms and the formation of consortiums in order to win large private and public tenders. The course is tai-lored to focus specifically on tenders for deep energy retrofits and sustainable buildings, as well as on establishing a network across municipal borders.

Boosting knowledge and cooperation within energy retrofitsTo strengthen the construction compa-nies’ professionalism and ‘knowhow’ relating to energy retrofits, Slagelse municipality is planning the launch of a project targeting companies within a number of energy-related branches. It

consists of three elements: a manda-tory training course for both managers and employees; a network to exchange knowledge and develop contacts; and finally common marketing. The goal is to upgrade the companies’ performance, improve their marketing, and enable them to get more orders.

Energy fair – boosting the demand for deep energy retrofitsIn June 2011 Slagelse municipality held a workshop with local construction companies that resulted in a number of ideas on how to boost the demand for energy retrofits. One of the ideas was an energy fair.

The energy fair is now planned for September 2012 and will be used as a platform to increase awareness among homeowners of the possibilities for energy-efficient house renovation. The fair will stimulate demand for energy retrofits and will allow the companies to promote their products and services as well as advise on energy retrofits and sustainable solutions. The fair will be the first of its kind in Zealand.

To further boost private demand other initiatives, such as energy villages, energy campaigns and free energy guid-ance, are also taking place in 2012. All in all, the initiatives aimed at both private homeowners and local businesses are hoped to be the way to increased economic growth and reduced CO2 emissions.

33

Deep energy retrofits, cooperation and education - the approach in Slagelse

32

At Slagelse municipality we believe that deep energy retrofits can be used as a lever to both

reduce CO2 emissions and create local jobs. Cooperation, further education and a holistic

approach are key elements in our approach.

Sabrina Spangsdort Business and Innovation (left), Dora Ruth Trummer and Mette Lücke Pedersen Both Engineering and EnvironmentSlagelse Municipality

34 35


34 35

Primarily, the plan seeks to reduce the municipal carbon dioxide (CO2)

by more than 35% by 2020. In addition, the Town Council has agreed that among its objectives it will include creating jobs and stimulating sustainable growth. Providing guidelines for the various ini-tiatives in the area of climate and energy this plan supports the Danish Govern-ment’s energy and climate policy.

There are three main factors affect-ing the emissions in the Municipality’s

area. First, since Syddjurs is located in a rural area on the Eastern coast of Jutland, private transport plays a major role when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions. This is due to the fact that the majority of the population has to commute to work in larger towns. Un-fortunately, public transport is currently insufficient. However, the Municipality does not have influence with regards to this problem, which comprises a chal-lenge on a global scale.

Second, the businesses also play a substantial role in the carbon emissions of the area. Among the businesses that contribute to the problem are small and medium sized agricultural businesses and the tourism industry, which consists of Municipality’s many weekend and holiday cottages. Consequently, the total carbon emissions from energy and heat consumption in these businesses are very high.

Third, carbon-intensive oil-fired

boilers and old-fashioned electric heat-ing are still being used in many of the picturesque towns and villages in the Municipality of Syddjurs.

The Municipality’s plan unveils sev-eral measures to combat the aforemen-tioned challenges. For instance, district heating, which is a key technology in providing local residents and business-es with cheap, carbon-neutral heating. District heating typically uses biofuels in the form of locally produced straw and wood chips, as well as surplus heat from manufacturing firms. While the larger towns and villages already have district heating, we intend to extend the existing supply areas and establish more local district-heating plants in the smaller towns. Further, we will strive to replace traditional oil-fired boilers and electric heating with environmentally friendlier alternatives in the form of heat pump technology, wood-pellet and wood-burning boilers, solar heating systems and similar renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the Municipality aims to complete an extensive heat and energy plan in the spring.

Additionally, we want to emphasize strategic cooperation with relevant businesses, associations and organisa-tions. Such cooperation, for example, with external specialists, is necessary for meeting the Municipality strategic goals on time and on budget. As a result, the contributing parties will be able to enjoy growth, saving residents’ money and, essentially, preventing tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

It is the Municipality’s objective to ex-pand climate cooperation further. With co-financing from the EU’s energy funds, for example, it will create the right conditions for the energy modernisa-tion of the Municipality’s many holiday cottages and agriculture. This is an area where experts see great potential.

The Municipality of Syddjurs is cur-

rently considering an application to build a farmer-owned biogas plant that will convert slurry and energy crops into gas. The gas will produce electricity, with the excess heat being used as an energy source for a new district-heating plant in one of the Municipality’s largest towns. The project is of both political and environmental interest and will cre-ate a significant amount of jobs.

In sum, the Municipality intends to lead the way with its climate policy. Every year, it will invest substantial funds in the energy modernisation of municipal buildings and institutions, ei-ther in the form of independent projects

or in connection with other modernisa-tion and alteration work. This will save energy, benefiting the environment, the municipality’s coffers and the local building trade. The new strategy may seem ambitious. Nonetheless, we have made a good start and are determined to achieve its goals.

Kirstine Bille, Mayor

Syddjurs Municipality

The Municipality of Syddjurs launches an ambitious climate strategyThe Municipality of Syddjurs has unveiled its climate strategic plan for the

coming ten years in the “Climate Plan for the Municipality of Syddjurs 2012”.


36 37

By 2029, the Sonderborg area, and thereby also Sonderborg Mu-

nicipality, aims to be CO2 neutral. A comprehensive number of initiatives and programs have been outlined in a clear energy policy and a corresponding energy strategy to achieve this goal.

The municipality plays an important role in the implementation of Sonder-

borg’s ProjectZero vision for a CO2-neu-tral Sonderborg-area. The municipality is an authority, a role model and a facili-tator in order to help the many organisa-tions, businesses and citizens that, in partnership, will create a ZEROcarbon Sonderborg by 2029.

By strongly articulating the Pro-jectZero vision and introducing a

number of initiatives, the new GREEN thinking will create a new dynamic society with only half the current energy consumption and future power coming from the area’s own renewable energy sources. Expected economic growth and the creation of many new green jobs are very important drivers for the municipality.

In a time when the financial crisis

has led to a labour market slow down, Sonderborg Municipality has imple-mented a number of projects that have helped many companies specialised in environmental solutions & products to develop their skill sets and service of-ferings. The green thinking is firmly es-tablished in both ProjectZero and local business culture, and many companies are looking to climate and energy tech-nologies for new growth areas. This has helped contribute to job opportunities and high employment levels for local businesses, as well as helping to raise the performance bar when it comes to climate and energy skills.

Ambitious municipal targets CO2 baseline monitoring focused on the municipality´s own building, street light and operations was established in 2007. The first baseline calculation showed clearly that the majority of CO2 emis-sions came from electricity and heating in municipal buildings and electricity for street lighting.

Energy improvements in municipal buildings were introduced in 2008 where 135 municipal service managers partici-pated in energy consumption courses and behavioural campaigns directed at municipal staff were carried out.

During the period from 2009-2011 the municipality has invested 86 MIO DKK in carrying out energy improvements to 159 municipal buildings, including:• heating systems adjustments • ventilation system retrofit • CRT room management systems renewable energy production on sitenew energy efficient windowsadditional insulation in constructions

All new municipal buildings to be build to energy class 2015 standards or betterBack in 2008 the city council decided that all new municipal buildings should be built to energy class 2015 stand-ards. Since then, a number of schools, kindergartens and sports halls have been constructed to future standards.

Several have even been constructed to more stringent standards, including an extension to Dybbol School which is almost CO2 neutral and the former Fryndesholm Sports Hall, which, after an extensive renovation project, has been renamed as Diamanten (The Dia-mond) and now features both solar and ground based heating, solar panels and climate-friendly ventilation systems.

World-class architecture and climate technologyRenowned Canadian architect Frank Gehry is behind the master plan for the re-development of the north-harbour area of Sonderborg, transforming it from a commercial harbour to a modern, sustainable city district including com-mercial, residential and leisure develop-ments.

The harbour project demonstrates how the areas ProjectZero thinking, large scale impact urban planning and create sustainable construction and living.

From oil-fired boilers to ground heat pumpsSønderborg Municipality and Pro-jectZero have carried out roadshows in rural districts which have inspired many residents to replace their oil-fired boil-ers with ground heat pumps. Denmark’s first intelligent ground heat pump was installed in Hoerup near Sonderborg in 2010. The heat pump, accumulating geothermal energy in a watertank, is powered by cheap wind-generated electricity – demonstrating an important smart grid application. In future, more than 10,000 local rural households will replace oil and in particular gas-fired boilers with this smart grid solution.

Green district heatingIn 2009, an ambitious local heating plan provided the basis for further environ-mental improvements to Sonderborg’s district heating system as well as a potential integration of all the district heating newtworks on the island of Als.

By utilising geothermal energy from a depth of 1,200 meters, natural gas as heat source will be phased in 2012. Combined with the use of solar heating, geothermal heating and biomass fuels this will provide the foundation for an almost 100% CO2-neutral district heating system – the new green energy sources will reduce the area’s CO2 emissions by almost 15%.

Windturbines onshore and offshoreA major windturbine farm just off the coast and numerous land-based windturbines will provide environmen-tally-friendly electricity to local resi-dents and businesses. In partnership with Copenhagen and Aarhus, Sonder-borg has formed the Coastal Alliance which will develop new concepts for offshore windturbines in coastal near waters based on local joint-ownership models. A municipal development plan has identified sites for new onshore windturbines locations. This will provide Sonderborg with green electricity from the area’s own wind resources.

The Road to Green Growth in Sonderborg

Sonderborg wants to be in the forefront. To position for growth

and development and create Green Jobs for the future.

The vision is GREEN – based on sustainable and CO2-neutral

thinking.

ProjectZero

A unanimous city council, in cooperation with

local companies, supports the vision of a CO2

neutral Sonderborg by 2029. ProjectZero is

the public/private body driving these efforts

in all imaginable fora and across geographi-

cal locations, subjects and age groups to

develop the knowledge and skills required

to support the development of a CO2-neutral

Sonderborg. Only by a strong public/private

partnership, so ambitious society targets can

be achieved.

SmartCity – in close partnership

with Chinese City of Baoding

Sonderborg is twinned with the Chinese City

of Baoding, a leading centre for Chinese

renewables technologies and energy storage.

The two cities and their companies plan to co-

operate in developing new integrated climate

and energy solutions.

These measures in combination with Pro-

jectZero, Sonderborg´s leading positions in

ICT, climate and energy technologies and an

ambitious social design, will provide a strong

framework for developing Sonderborg into an

ambitios SmartCity.

Inge Olsen,Technical Director

Sonderborg Municipality


38 39

In Hannæs, Østerild and the sur-rounding area the first steps have

been taken towards absolute self-sufficiency in renewable energy by means of intelligent distribution and extensive energy-saving renovations. In Thisted it is called the first Smart Area of the municipality.

The woods nearby the village of Østerild have been in the public eye ever since plans of placing a national testing centre for large wind turbines in the area became known. The district heating plants at the villages of Østerild, Frøstrup and Vesløs, which all are fueled with locally produced woodchips, now wish to tie together the area with locally

produced energy distributed in a com-mon local grid.

Master Plan for SustainabilityHaving a common, locally based dis-

trict heating grid will ensure low prices and a solid financial basis for the pro-duction of energy. This also introduces a high level of flexibility in implementing new types of energy to the production. For example, the district heating plants are considering establishing heat pump installations with a minimum output of 500 MW. Naturally, it is also the wish that the surplus power from the wind turbines at the National Testing Centre and other turbines in the area should be

used. This is successfully done else-where in the municipality, for example at Snedsted CHP-plant where the installa-tion of an immersion heater saved over 200,000 m3 of natural gas last year.

The Climate Charter of the Municipality puts Thisted on the World MapOn the 30th of June 2009 the city council of Thisted adopted an ambitious Climate Charter to ensure the municipality a place amongst the leading climate mu-nicipalities in the country. Already over 100% of consumed electricity comes from sustainable sources and 85% of the collective heating is produced from sus-

tainable energy. But that is not enough for Thisted Municipality. This is why the current Smart Area project in Østerild and Hannæs and the deployment of an infrastructure for EVs are important measures in meeting the goal of the Cli-mate Charter: Complete independence from fossil fuels by the year 2025.

Many citizens have already wel-comed renewable energy. Currently a total of 27 small privately owned wind turbines and 268 solar PV systems are connected to the power grid of Thy-Mors Energy.

As a step towards achieving a mini-mum of CO2 emission, the Municipality of Thisted in April 2008 entered into an agreement with the Danish Society for Nature Conservation according to which CO2 emission should be reduced by 3% a year until 2025. By the end of 2010 emissions were down by 9.5%.

Energy-saving Renovations are a MustThe Smart Area project is part of the Cli-mate Charter concerning energy supply and renovations. Thanks to a dedicated effort issuing energy certificates, This-ted Municipality already has a schedule for energy saving renovations of public buildings. Five million Danish kroner are each year earmarked for this purpose. The municipality has issued energy certificates for 190 buildings and found energy saving suggestions amounting to an investment value of 40 million Danish

kroner. Suggestions with a repayment period of five years or less were initiated immediately. For the years 2009 and 2010, an investment of 9.2 million Danish kroner has been made with a repayment period of 5.8 years saving 532,000 kg of CO2.

Concurrently 1050 metering points have been placed at 250 consumption sites to providing constantly updated information about consumption. This has resulted in a 3.5% reduction in CO2 emission in public buildings in 2010.

The Climate Charter Promotes Local BusinessesEnergy saving renovations will sig-nificantly boost the local construction industry in Thisted Municipality on a whole and in the Smart Area specifi-cally. The Smart Area project will focus primarily on energy saving renovations in private homes, drawing on local expe-riences with low energy construction.

EUC Nordvest, the school for voca-tional training in Thisted, who offers courses in low energy construction will contribute to the Smart Area project with know-how and a lift of competence for the local construction industry.

Attracting NewcomersThe Smart Area project in Østerild and Hannæs will be a benefit for the local business and may help attract-ing newcomers to the municipality. Primarily, the project will lend an air of pioneering to the area, making it known as a place at the forefront of sustainable development. This will in turn substanti-ate a feeling of cohesion in the village communities enabling people to draw on each other’s experiences in tackling the challenges of being first movers. Low energy and property prices, beautiful surroundings and the security of village life will attract new citizens.

The Smart Area project in Østerild and Hannæs incorporates all areas of action in the Climate Charter of Thisted Municipality, thereby demonstrating the holistic view behind the climate response. Thisted Municipality have one of the highest shares of sustainable energy in Denmark and this project will further improve this. It will be a factor in the continuous efforts of the Munici-pality to achieve the goal of the Energy Charter of phasing out fossil fuels by the year 2025.

Smart Area promises absolute self-sufficiency in five yearsLocal first movers and the Municipality of Thisted launch ambitious plan promising

absolute self-sufficiency in large local region within the next five to ten years.

The Energy Charter was adopted in 2009 and describes how the Munici-pality of Thisted will:Reduce CO2 emission by 3% a year until the year 2025 according to an agreement made with the Danish Society for Nature Conservation.

Work towards the phasing out of fossil fuels by the year 2025 in the whole area of the Municipality• Ensure measurable progress each

year through continuous reflection and dialogue

• Create new local jobs based on green technology

• Intensify co-operation with ex-ternal partners including neigh-bouring municipalities, Region Nordjylland, universities and other operators within the field of sus-tainable energy and development

Areas of Action• Energy savings and exploitation of

surplus energy• New structures of energy supply• Rural areas and farming• Transportation• Planning• Communication, promoting and

organization

T H E E N E R G Y C H A R T E R

Torben Juul-OlsenTechnical Director

Thisted Municipality

Mayor Lene Kjeldgaard Jensen demonstrates the charging of one of the city council’s EVs

Surplus energy from the large quantity of wind turbines in the Municipality of Thisted is a key factor in developing a new Smart Area.


power equivalent to the consumption of 27,000 households. For comparison, may indicate that there are approx. 16,500 households in Vesthimmerland.

Despite the fact that there already is an additional production of electricity in relation to the number of households in Vesthimmerland, work is continuing with planning for wind turbines. Pt. work with a retail planning for installation of wind turbines at Krogstrup, allowing for installation of 4 wind turbines with a total height of 150 m and a total power of 12 MW.

The state has also identified 2 areas of Vesthimmerland as suitable for instal-lation of test wind turbines. There is 1 designated area by Thorup for instal-lation of prototype wind turbines and 1 area by Nørrekær Enge for the installa-tion of series-0 mills.

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T here is complete labeling of all the municipal buildings, and all saving

measures with a payback under 5 years are completed. There is shift circulators for energy pumps.

There is established an energy management system where automatic transfer of data from daycare. Carry out manual readings of all municipal buildings, which entered into the energy management system.

The automatic transfer of data ex-pected to be expanded so that it covers all municipal buildings by the end of 2013.

There has developed a new heat plan, taking into account the expansion of district heating network, for supply of oil and natural gas fields located in the immediate vicinity of the existing district heating network. In 2010 and 2011 completed 9 projects with a shift from natural gas for heating, and there are 4 additional projects under way in 2012. Conducted in early 2012, an assess-ment and registration of all municipal buildings are located so that they have optimum opportunity for setting up solar panels in order to set up solar panels on suitable buildings in 2012 and 2013.

There is mounted solar panels on a single building in 2011, who ran as an

attempt to provide a basis for a deci-sion on deployment of photovoltaics in Vesthimmerland. This experimental building is heated with geothermal and solar panels provide heat pumps with 90% of the electricity used for heating.

There Forecasts of energy consump-tion by renovating municipal buildings. There renovated so that energy is minimized as much as possible to the existing buildings.

The new building incorporated all viable energy initiatives, in collabora-tion with the advisory firms, so that at an early stage are able to get the right measures incorporated in the ten-der documents and as a result, some energy-efficient new buildings .

There has begun a renovation plan for the municipal street mains, so that over the next year, rebuilt with new con-trols and more energy-efficient lamps. Vesthimmerland awaiting the new government rules for the preparation of a Climate plan before the final climate plan drawn up.

Vesthimmerland has signed a climate agreement with the municipality DN where we have set a goal to save at least 2% per year. years on CO2 emis-sions from municipal buildings, vehicles etc.

Vesthimmerland has also entered into a Curve Breaker Agreement on reducing electricity consumption by 2% per year. year at the municipal buildings.

Wind TurbinesIn Vesthimmerland identified a total of 123 wind turbines with a total output of approx. 100 MW. Nearly 50 established since 2000 and the remaining 70 are set in the 1990s.

In 2009 the Municipal Vesthimmer-land a wind turbine planning expounded 6 new sites for wind turbines. Of these, only 4 areas left that have not yet gone through a detailed planning.• Since the formation of Vesthimmer-

land is completed planning for the following wind fields: First Nørrekær Meadows, adopted in January 2008, which raised 13 mills, of which six are in Aalborg. Turbines each with a capacity of 2.3 MW. Picture shows the setting of mill in Nørrekær Meadows.Second Svoldrup Marsh, adopted

August 2009, which raised six turbines - each with a capacity of 2.3 MW. Third Aalestrup, adopted in October 2010 where they raised four turbines - each with a capacity of 3.0 MW.

The 3 wind farms annually produce

Energy optimization of municipal buildingsVesthimmerlands municipality has over the past 3 years working

with energy optimization of the municipal buildings.

Annette KümplerPlanner Culture, Planning and Leisure ManagementVesthimmerland Municipality


It can also entail economic benefits for the municipality by initiating pro-jects on green transition. When we for instance decide an energy-friendly renovation of our own buildings, we are partly reducing the costs for running these buildings. Partly we are creating new jobs. Both dimensions contribute to improving the economic figures of our society.

In the field of environment and sup-ply, we in the municipalities have an enormous professional expertise. We can choose to earmark this expertise to the municipal core tasks – or we can, at the same time, choose to make it available for external partners, such as private enterprises with a growth po-tential. Here we have the opportunity to take on a joint responsibility for growth and welfare.

Green transition not without complicationsIf we as a municipal organisation plan to do extra efforts for the green transition, we need to be aware that we take part in projects where the success rate is not 100 per cent. In the demand driven work, there are always uncertainties which require that we are willing to take certain risks.

There are also challenges with the legislation in Denmark which not always is in favor of innovative solutions with participation of municipalities. For instance, the municipalities are not al-

lowed to have a decisive role in com-mercial enterprises. This distinction between what a municipality and private enterprise is allowed to do may have consequences for the work for growth accomplished by municipalities and external partners. In other Nor-dic countries, the interplay between municipalities and private enterprises is not subject to the same restrictions as in Denmark.

The role of municipalities in the green transitionIn the municipalities’ departments for environment and supply, we have several tools we can make use of when it comes to the creation of new jobs, new products and new solutions. In the municipalities, we can play three differ-ent roles in the green transition.

Firstly, the municipality can play a role as an authority and planning body. Municipalities are able, through the broad approach to economic develop-ment, to focus on green transition. As an authority and planning body, it is all about promoting more efficient work and support the green growth.

At inspections and approvals of private enterprises – and through sector planning of for instance waste, water, nature and heating, the municipality has access to promoting green and sus-tainable initiatives with a potential for growth.

Secondly, the municipality can play a

role as a mediator. The municipality can promote the green transition by an efficient and business friendly service to the private enterprises – and a broad business policy with a green profile. It is about the creation of a sound frame-work for the local business community, and at the same time having a dialogue with the enterprises on climate and a environmentally friendly development of technologies.

Municipalities can also enter into new models of co-operation with enterprises and research institutions. The success of such co-operations can partly be explained by the necessity of demolishing the barriers between the different partners.

Thirdly, the municipality can play a role as an enterprise. When choosing green and energy-efficient products and solutions, the municipality can contrib-ute to investments in green growth – and at the same time be a good example for citizens and enterprises. It can be investments in energy-friendly renova-tions of buildings, sustainable energy, pumps, streetlights and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

The municipalities can also increase the demand for new green products. Through public-private partnerships, the municipality can play a role by demanding a new technological product that solves a concrete problem which the municipality needs an answer on.

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In the field of environment and supply, municipalities have some legally bind-

ing core tasks which the citizens expect that we take good care of. We are talk-ing of public transport, waste-manage-ment and parks and green areas. The economic crisis means, however, that it is becoming more and more challenging for us to solve those tasks in a satisfac-tory manner.

At the same time, many municipali-ties are entering into projects on green transition because they see a number of

benefits by such initiatives. The Dan-ish municipality Middelfart has made an innovative tender of the street lights – and a number of other Danish munici-palities have with the Carbon20 project done efforts for encouraging the private enterprises to think in a more energy-efficient way.

We do an extra effort when it pays offSeveral municipalities conclude that the cost savings by a traditional approach to

the core tasks is very little. The savings by innovative solutions, for instance through co-operation between munici-palities and private enterprises, on the other hand, can pave the way for a “new municipal administration of environ-ment and supply”. In other words: An administration which solves the tasks in new ways – in co-operation with non-municipal actors. In this way, we in the municipalities are able to use the green transition for developing an organization that attracts and keeps skilled staff.

Local Governments Favour Green TransitionIn the field of environment and supply, many municipalities have shown that they, with their

enormous professional expertise and extensive operational organization, are capable of la-

unching projects which introduce new technological solutions and projects – and not least the

creation of local jobs. It is exactly here that the strength of local government is visible.

Jan Trøjborg, President of Local

Government Denmark and Mayor

Horsens Municipality

The municipalities can initiate and take part in concrete actions for green transition. The different actions are falling under one of the three categories, illustrated by the three circles below.

The municipalityas a mediator

The municipality as an enterprise

The municipality as an authority and planning

body

United Federation of Danish Workers


Inspiration for local political initiatives

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