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Wind turbines are a common sight on Samso Island.
One of Samso's district heating plants uses solar hot water panels to make heat for surrounding houses.
Randy Udall, leader of the Aspen program, hopes to see more communities achieve energy independence.
Changes in Aspen's building code have encouraged the use of renewable energy.
Solar hot water systems are being used on affordable housing.
Viessman boilers help to heat the new Iselin pool.
Communities that Inspire

Samso, Denmark

Samso was chosen by the Danish government as "the renewable energy island" with a goal of making their island totally sustainable energy-wise by 2008. In many ways, they have already met that goal.

Samso is a small island in the heart of Denmark, about 1/3 our size: both geographically and year-round population-wise. Farming and tourism are the main sources of employment.

They have been converting their energy supply from one almost solely reliant on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy. The most important aspects of the plan are:

  • Cuts in energy consumption by working to alter people's behavior patterns and increased efficiency for heating, electricity and transportation;

  • Expansion of their heating plants using local bio-mass resources and solar hot water panels. Biomass heat is supplied by the burning of straw, potato tops and wood at small district heating plants. Landfill gas and bio-gas (from animal manure and organic waste) and surplus heat from the ferries will be used as well.

  • Heating of individual rural homes with heat pumps, solar thermal heating, farm-based bio-gas units, and wood/straw-fired heating plants.

  • 11- 1 MW onshore turbines and 10- 2.3 MW offshore wind turbines with additional supply from solar electric systems, providing all of their electricity and, allowing them to sell surplus electricity to the rest of Denmark.

  • Gradual conversion of the vehicles from the use of petrol to that of electricity. The surplus electricity currently being generated and subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions offsets the environmental impacts of their current use of combustion engines for transportation on the island.

Aspen, Colorado
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Aspen and Pitkin County in Colorado have made a commitment to reducing their energy use through changes in the energy section of the local building code. The building code defines the energy use of a given property as going from lot line to lot line. It requires new construction projects to meet a strict energy "budget" for the building as well as for exterior uses of energy.

In 2000, as part of this effort, they launched the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP). Homeowners who wish to construct a house over 5000 square feet or, those using energy for snowmelt or outdoor pools, have the option of installing a renewable energy system or paying a renewable energy mitigation fee. REMP fees are dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the community.

By requiring new homes to mitigate their environmental impacts, energy efficiency has been increased in home construction and REMP has raised over $5 million for publicly beneficial energy projects. The long-term goals of the program are to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while speeding the Valley's progress toward a sustainable energy future.

A Few of Their Projects:

  • Iselin Pool & Ice Rink. Funds were used to enhance the energy efficiency of Aspen's new pool and rink complex. The facility includes efficient boilers, pumps, motors, and fans, as well as a heat recovery system and micro-turbine to make electricity.

  • Affordable Housing. Funds paid for the installation of large solar hot water systems at the affordable housing projects built since 2000, including MMA Burlingame, 7th and Main, and Baby Burlingame.

  • Aspen High School used funds to incorporate energy efficient lighting at the new school.

  • Green Design. Funds were used to incorporate sustainable design principles and green building materials into public buildings and affordable housing projects.

  • Solar Incentives. A solar production incentive program was instituted, paying $2 per watt for energy produced by solar electric systems, and also provides $1,000 rebates on solar hot water systems.

  • Zero Interest Loans have been offered to help residents and businesses purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. REMP funds pay the interest on the loans.

  • Zero Energy Housing. A low to zero energy house was built as affordable housing to demonstrate energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.