Pioneering Experience: The Energy Village of Nechlin, Germany
Nekhlin Wind Thermal Storage Unit
In Nechlin (Germany), an entire village (35 homes) is heated using a wind-powered thermal storage system. This system utilizes excess wind energy that cannot be fed into the power grid. The wind turbines in the nearby Nechlin wind farm generate about 70 million kWh of electricity per year. A small portion of this generation (about 5%) occurs on particularly windy days. The idea is to use the excess energy to heat water in a tank, which is then used to supply heat to the village. So, instead of shutting down the wind turbines in Nekhlin, the principle of prosuming is applied. The wind thermal storage tank is heated solely by electricity that cannot be fed into the grid due to capacity constraints. The heating elements in the wind thermal storage tank are activated automatically via the ENERTRAG power supply system. As soon as the system operator sends a signal to disconnect from the grid, the heating elements of the wind thermal storage tank are automatically activated.
The technical implementation is as simple as it is ingenious: wind turbines are connected directly to a 2-megawatt instantaneous water heater via a 20,000-volt medium-voltage cable. In the tank, the water is heated to 93 degrees Celsius and fed into a wind-powered thermal storage unit, from which the hot water is supplied to the local heating network as needed. The wind-powered thermal storage unit holds up to one million liters of water. On windy days, the tank heats up in a few hours and then, as needed, transfers its energy to the local heating network, which supplies 35 homes with an annual heating energy requirement of 720,000 kWh. The wind thermal storage tank has a total capacity of 38,000 kWh. Once heated and charged, it can supply Nechlin for up to two weeks. Since, given the natural climatic conditions of this area, windy weather occurs every one to two weeks, this makes it possible to supply the village with 100% renewable thermal energy.
FROM LEADERSHIP TO “GREEN” ENERGY
Almost every medieval town had a granary. These massive buildings stood forlornly in the center of the village and were hardly ever used. In 1999, the Müller family purchased the Nechliner granary in Nechlin.
Renovation of the building began in 2006. During the renovation, great importance was placed on using fragments of antique—one might even say historic—building materials to preserve the building’s cultural value. However, the renovation also incorporated modern technologies to provide energy from alternative sources (solar panels and a wood pellet boiler) instead of relying on traditional energy sources. Since all electrical and thermal energy comes from renewable sources, the building fully complies with sustainability principles. On the exterior of the granary, an informational display panel has been preserved, showing current energy generation readings on vintage gauges, which attracts the attention of passersby. Today, the granary serves as a restaurant and hosts various special events.
HOW AN OLD DISTILLERY BECAME A LUXURY HOTEL.
Distilleries that produced schnapps were very common in Germany. They were built in every major city, but were also frequently found in small villages. Built in 1887, this distillery belonged to the Nechlin estate. Since 1993, the distillery had been in a state of disrepair, with broken doors and windows and brick walls haphazardly patched with cement... Decisions regarding demolition or renovation were repeatedly postponed. With the growing demand for overnight stays following festive events at the restaurant, the idea arose in 2013 to convert the distillery into a hotel. By the summer of 2014, most of the work had been completed, and by winter, the first guests were already being welcomed.
