Project Overview

Professional Good Practice Exchange Programme In Building & Sustaining Low Carbon Economies III _ in Partnership with BCS BILDUNGS-CENTER SÜDTHÜRINGEN E. V

www.bcsev.de

The relevance of this project is to give participants the opportunity to experience the first-hand information of how Germany deals with integration of renewable energy technologies as part of their energy mix. It also gives participants the opportunity to exchange methodologies and experiences of good practice in particular fields of work oversea.

There are many lessons that can be learnt and mistakes can be avoided in this country as they have fostered renewables energy strategies since 1990s. UK has made a lot of progress in past few years, so that this project is carrying a good opportunity for young people and professionals to get understand the practical side of vocational training in renewable technologies in Germany, enables participants to effectively evaluate their own provision, qualification and share best practising experiences between each other.

Finally, this project makes participants become more knowledgeable by implementing updated renewable energy technologies, environmental and financial measurement of work settings in Germany. In addition, it also gives a great opportunity for participants to meet their own targets, develop professionally and fulfill their own ambitions.

More about the objectives and the contents of this exchange programme:

1. Observe, shadow and experience the vocational training systems and methodologies in practice for renewable energy technologies such as Solar PV and its production, Solar Thermal, Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP), Waste Plant, Heat Pumps and Electrical System in Germany.
2. Collaborate with peers and learn from them in order to foster the exchange of knowledge and technologies within the particular areas of renewable energy and sustainable construction department, and facilitate update vocational training in every work place.
3. Improve foreign language skills through self- study and visit them. All participants are advised to have his/her own German phase book and better with a glossary of terms for renewables (German/English), so that they can be used during the exchange programme and after the exchange programme.
4. Foster cultural understanding by sharing knowledge, expertise and networks with German counterparts, also by living and being in a professional setting for a week from going shopping, using local transport, demonstration and evaluation of concepts and different strategies.

Friday 22nd May 2015

Unbelievable, how time flies. Today is already the last day of the program; and a very exciting day as well. We went to the only solar panel producing company in Germany, called Solarworld. On the site, we had the chance to see almost the complete production line from silicon to solar modules which takes about two days in real time. From small balconies, we had a good overview over the production that includes innumerable steps, as well as lots of different machines and robots. Unfortunately, it was not allowed to take any pictures due to data protection reasons.

The day was concluded with a reflection and feedback about the program and the handover of everyone´s certificates of participation. The whole group agreed that the week in Germany was full of fabulous and unforgettable experience. We got entrance to sites and companies which are usually closed for the public and learned so much with the help of various practical and theoretical means. Additionally, we were able to discuss and share lots of important information and best practice about renewable energy. Last but not least, it was also great fun to get to know new people and be part of an amazing group.

Thursday 21st May 2015

Day four started with the visit of the water treatment of in- and outdoor pools in Meiningen. We were given entrance into the cellar of the swimming pool which is run by the municipal power supplier. There, we could see how the water is cleaned and how it is heated, for example. Many monitoring screens in different locations make sure that the temperature and the amount of chlorine is always appropriate. During the following proper German lunch, we could enjoy the beautiful view from the terrace of the swimming pool.

After visiting the indoor and outdoor pools and their technical background, we also got the possibility to see and test an electric car. It was presented by one employee of the municipal power supplier who decided to buy this car in order to be a role model for other people. However, they are also quite conscious about the remaining challenges of electronic cars. Many private people cannot afford the high initial costs and there are still not many places to recharge such cars. Additionally, the question arose, if it is still meeting the purpose of the cars if it is recharged with nuclear energy. After the discussions and theoretical explanations, we all had the chance to take part in a short test drive revealing how quiet the car it. There is even an artificial sound integrated so that people walking on the streets can hear the car coming.

Wednesday 20th May 2015

Sustainable construction was the topic of today´s program. In a nearby town, we got an informative overview about German regulations and solutions of sustainable housing, including insulation and the construction of solar panels. Since May 2014, an energy performance certificate is compulsory for German houses and flats – as it is in the UK.

We also had the chance to see a short movie about the concept of a passive house, a house which can be described as almost self-sustaining in terms of energy. The interactive exhibition which we visited after the presentation showed best practice but also deliberately wrongly installed energy saving methods. This exhibition is also used by young people in vocational or further training. Various different traditional and modern types of houses and instruments were presented, from a timbered house to an infrared panel for heating. Another interesting feature was the on-site solar cooling system for hot days in summer, a so-called absorption refrigeration, which is able cool the room temperature down with the help of the energy of the sun.

The institution the exhibition belongs to also offers various possibilities for vocational and/or further training. One of the greatest tools we were able to explore was the 3D-lasering. The group was impressed by the preciseness and endless possibilities this machine offers in creating objects. It is even possible to build objects composed of various intertwined parts which are produced as one piece that is impartible.

Tuesday 19th May 2015

Today, we had the possibility to visit the pump storage in Godisthal which was built between 1997 and 2004. A small model explained most of the techniques used in this pump storage station very well.

An additional on-river plant supplies the pump storage with energy to pump water uphill during the night where not much energy is used by the population. It also makes a black start possible, for example. Unfortunately, road blockings made it impossible to visit the upper basin of the pump storage. However, we were able to see the lower basin from the top of a newly built train bridge which we visited in the afternoon. The ICE information center made it possible to go inside the recently built tunnel which is not yet operating and get an exceptional insight into the construction of the new and fastest train connection between Berlin and Munich. Once accomplished, trains with more than 300km per hour will run on these tracks.

Monday 18th May 2015

After a safe journey from London to Frankfurt and then finally to Zella-Mehlis, the program of the professional exchange on renewable energies started on Monday morning with a presentation of Embrace´s program partner BCS. The abbreviation stands for Bildungs-Center Südthüringen (Educational Center South-Thuringia). We were impressed by all the different fields of vocational training the educational center offers, especially as it is located in the rural area of Zella-Mehlis. We - that are eight participants from the UK, mostly from London and South England, that are engaged with renewable energy, either in our daily work or due to a volunteer position in this field. We came to Germany to share our knowledge about renewable energies, to learn from our German partners on site and to share examples of best practice.

After this interesting introduction and a guided tour on the BCS site, which is partly supplied by its own solar panels, we spent the afternoon at the local waste treatment plant.

On our way to explore the waste treatment plant.

As no waste has been allowed to be stored without pre-treatment in Germany since 2005, there was the need to build a waste plant which burns the local waste, filters the smoke and produces energy out of the heat produced during burning. On the picture below, you can see the impressive crane transporting waste towards the burning camber. We all agreed that this visit was an amazing experience which would not have been possible without taking part in the professional exchange.

Introduction

A group of seven communities join a Professional Good Practice Exchange Programme organised by Embrace Cooperation to the Green heart of Germany.

During their visit, they discover different renewable sites with significance importance and are inspired by a large scale of city network. They also have the opportunity to gain first- hand experience of how Germany has gone about their renewable energy technologies, focusing on powering and heating their local communities.

As we fly into Frankfurt, we were being delivered to Suhl straight away by taxi. Once we arrived at the guest house, our accommodation, we were starting to enjoy our first dinner in there and relax afterward.

We are a guest of a training College (Bildungs-Center Sudthuringen, BCS) that located in the Central of Germany, in the region of Thuringen. For Shul, it is in the Thuringen Forest known as the green heart of Germany and it is a UNESCO Biosphere area.