Neudörfl, 08.08.2023 - ‘The past year has shown us how important it is to make ourselves a little more independent of external influences in the energy sector,’ emphasises Alexandra Stockner, a committed Neudörfl resident and member of EEG Neudörfl. ‘We have therefore decided to install a photovoltaic system and want to make the electricity we produce, which we cannot use directly, available to our fellow citizens via the energy community.’
EEG Neudörfl acts as a link between decentralised energy generation and local demand. One significant advantage of the community is the opportunity to share knowledge. ‘We also see a major advantage of the community in the fact that we share our knowledge in the energy sector with each other, which means that questions that arise can often be answered quickly and easily. The EEG regulars‘ tables and consultation hours also contribute to this to a large extent,’ adds Stockner.
The Jakob family, owners of a roof that is not ideal for generating electricity due to its shape, are also relying on the EEG Neudörfl community to make their contribution to the energy transition. ‘Unfortunately, the shape of our roof makes it very unsuitable for generating electricity. Nevertheless, it is important to us to make a contribution to the success of the energy transition, also and above all for the sake of our grandchildren,’ emphasises the Jakob family. ‘Through our membership of EEG Neudörfl, we still purchase locally generated renewable electricity, but we also share our knowledge with other members about climate-friendly behaviour. In this way, we can also make a contribution to an environment worth living in.’
EEG Neudörfl not only contributes to climate protection, but also to promoting solidarity and responsibility within the community. ‘With the Renewable Energy Community, Neudörfl is consistently pursuing its path in climate protection - by generating and consuming clean energy locally at fair prices,’ explain Dieter Posch and Raphael Fink, the founding chairmen of EEG Neudörfl. ‘This is not only climate-friendly, but also shows solidarity - energy poverty must have no place in Neudörfl.’
However, EEG Neudörfl goes beyond local energy generation. The accompanying research project entitled ‘RES² Community’ aims to explore what the ‘energy community’ model can do. The focus here is on solutions in the area of blackout prevention and storage, the connection of the energy sectors of electricity, heat and mobility, the use of real-time data to visualise and optimise the energy situation and the sharing of knowledge and experience between experts and members. In addition to the market town of Neudörfl, the project involves Forschung Burgenland GmbH, the Vienna University of Technology with the Institute for Systems and Automation Technology, FunderMax GmbH and the two energy supply companies KELAG Energie & Wärme GmbH and Burgenland Energie AG. ‘The accompanying research project will generate knowledge that will contribute to using energy in Neudörfl more economically, efficiently and smartly overall,’ emphasise Posch and Fink. ‘We are therefore delighted with the successful launch of EEG Neudörfl and cordially invite all interested parties to take part.’
Project manager Markus Puchegger from Forschung Burgenland GmbH adds: ‘EEG Neudörfl will show how local communities can make a sustainable contribution to climate protection through joint efforts and knowledge transfer. The knowledge gained from the research project will not only increase energy efficiency in Neudörfl, but can also serve as valuable guidelines and best practices for similar initiatives in other communities. These transferable findings should help to achieve a broader impact on sustainable development and climate protection beyond the borders of Neudörfl.’
