With the desire for more wind energy came the “wind caretaker”. He supports municipalities with wind projects - like wind expert Elisabeth Lux from the Ebersberg-Munich energy agency, who advised the Dießen market town council.
Dießen –
The new profession of “wind caretaker” has emerged from climate change and the efforts to find solutions.
On behalf of the state, it offers municipalities professional support for wind projects. This includes the analysis of the space potential, the assessment from a construction planning perspective and of course the economic viability. What is particularly important, however, is increasing acceptance among the population and the generally skeptical or insecure local politicians.
Wind collector in the Dießen market town council: little reciprocation for the chosen priority area
That's exactly what the presentation by wind expert Elisabeth Lux from the Ebersberg-Munich energy agency to the Dießen market town council was about. The wind priority area chosen by the regional planning association with 420 hectares on the ridge of the western bank of Ammersee between Dießen, Entaching and Utting has so far met with little approval. Local councilor Michael Hofmann (BP): “We must not spoil the entire Ammersee area. These abominations are 300 meters high with wings and can be seen from every corner of the lake!” The abbreviation NIMBY comes from the USA for this shot, which means “Not In My Backyard”. Everyone knows that wind power needs to be expanded as an energy source, but ideally far away...
However, the municipality has little chance of rejection, because according to the “Wind-on-Land Act WaLG”, 1.8 percent of the state's area must be designated as priority or reserved area for wind energy by 2032. In addition, according to wind expert Elisabeth Lux, possible conflict constellations have already been taken into account in the areas designated by the planning association. Such as at least 900 meters from the nearest village or 550 meters from an outdoor development. In addition, possible problems with protected areas for nature, water or monuments as well as with civil and military aviation were examined. Ultimately, a “location quality” of between 55 and 60 percent was calculated. With a wind speed of 5.6 m/s at a height of 180 meters, there would be an output of around 10,000 megawatt hours per year.
Wind energy on Lake Ammersee - perhaps with citizen participation?
The national forests, which make up the majority of the designated priority area, play a crucial role in all considerations. If the market town of Dießen responds positively to the planned wind turbines, they will advertise the corresponding areas. The discussion also included considerations for citizen participation of up to 24.9 percent, which would have a positive effect on the population's approval behavior.
The municipality of Diessen now has until the end of May to comment on the current participation process. With three votes against, the administration was commissioned to prepare a community statement with the support of wind expert Elisabeth Lux. It is to be presented as a resolution at the next local council meeting on May 6th.
Geothermal energy is also being discussed on Lake Ammersee. You can read more about this here and here.
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