[E&E seminars] Today - Denmark's renewable energy island - Soren Hermansen

[MIT Energy Initiative]

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Denmark's renewable energy island

A Danish example of strategic energy planning - that works!

Monday, November 8

3:30 PM Refreshments to follow  Room 4-270

 A presentation of a community development pursuing 100% renewable
energy supply in a timespan of 10 years and based on Danish policy,
widespread public participation and local ownership

About the Speaker

Søren Hermansen is the director of Samsoe Energy Academy and the head
of the Samsoe renewable energy island project, which he has been
working on for 10 years. His mission is to demonstrate that it is
possible to create a society which is self-sufficient and 100% based on
renewable energy.



In 2008, Søren Hermansen was named one of the 'Heroes of the
Environment' by Time Magazine. And in 2009 he was awarded the
Gothenborg Award - the Nobel prize of the environment. Other and Awards
include the Energy Globe 2008 and Eurosolar 2002 Søren Hermansen is
Adjunct Professor at Aalborg Universitet.



The history of Samsoe Energy Academy:



In 1997, the Danish government offered a challenge to five populated
islands to cut their carbon footprint and increase production of
renewable energy. Samsø, an island of 4,100 people west of Copenhagen,
won the contest.



The effort started with Hermansen, a former high school environmental
studies teacher, going round to community meetings talking up the
benefits of clean energy. He set up investment plans for island
residents to buy shares in giant wind turbines, large solar panels and
straw-fired central furnaces for homes and buildings in heating
districts.



Today, the island exports wind-powered electricity to the Danish
mainland and has cut its carbon footprint by 140 percent. Most
Samsingers still use gasoline for their cars, as the island works on
this last step to achieving energy independence. In the meantime, wind
power exports more than make up for the carbon from Samsø's tailpipe
emissions.



The island's energy revolution now draws thousands of visitors from
around the world eager to learn how this was accomplished.



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