Globally, many towns and cities are looking to use renewable energy (RE) to gain energy independence. In Germany, the movement towards 100 percent renewable heat and electricity is being implemented through decentralised energy generation – using many small energy sources to generate energy rather than large centralised facilities. The 100% Renewable Energy Regions conference took place in September 2010 in Kassel, (Germany), and examined the issues around this topic.

The conference illustrated that renewable energies can contribute to the economic success of local governments through improved salaries, taxes and profits at local level. Dr. Peter Moser, coordinator of the Network for decentralised energy technologies (deNEet) in Germany, pointed out that more than 50 percent of Germany´s total land area is intended to be used for generating renewable energy. The decentralised conversion of the energy system is a rapidly growing movement, thanks to the political will of the many local authorities that are implementing RE.

The RE Regions project cooperates with deNEet and contributes from the scientific angle. A group of junior researchers led by Dr. Chantal Ruppert-Winkel investigate various aspects of the transformation process. The results of this research will be compiled in a guide when the project ends. RE Regions will hold a conference entitled Changing the Energy System to Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency (RESS) – An Inter- and Transdisciplinary Approach, in Freiburg (Germany) in September 2011. The event will encourage scientific discussion on the transition to more sustainable energy systems.

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