How did you decide to work for Grüner Strom Label e.V., and what is your personal motivation?
I joined the Green Electricity Label Certification program directly after completing my business administration master's degree in the fall of 2020. I was never a typical business student and even during my studies I didn't believe in the paradigm of eternal economic growth that applied there. When I was looking for a job, I was driven by the desire to make a contribution at work as well so that our economic system could find a way back within the limits set by nature. The energy transition towards 100 % renewable energies is one of the most important pillars of this mammoth task. I am very grateful to be able to actively participate in the energy turnaround as part of the Grüner Strom Label e. V. team!
What exactly do you do at Grüner Strom Label e.V.?
At the association, I check whether the label recipients comply with the criteria of the Green Electricity Label and plan and coordinate the entire certification process. In the certification team, we are also always sparring partners for each other when it comes to making assessments for new findings - always with a view to the vision and mission of the association and the interests of consumers. Certification work is much more lively than I imagined before I started working for Grüner Strom-Label.
Which energy transition projects will be realized from the investment commitments of the utilities?
The label recipients realize a wide variety of energy transition projects from the investment commitments associated with the label: from PV systems on a private roof to customer support programs for increasing the energy efficiency of household appliances to highly innovative peak shaving projects - many of these important energy transition projects would not be realized without our subsidies. The 2021 Criteria Catalog, which was revised even more recently, contains manifold funding opportunities - all with one goal: directing label recipients' investments toward a rapid and sustainable energy transition. With voluntary additional investments by label holders, they have already been able to realize exciting nature conservation projects such as flowering meadows or renaturation of biotopes with green electricity funds.
What are the biggest challenges in certifying green electricity tariffs?
With all the (digital) documents that you check every day in the certification process, your head can easily spin. Yet it is important to be very careful to ensure that consumers receive premium green electricity with their Grüner Strom-certified product and make a real contribution to the energy transition.
What's your favorite energy-saving tip?
I am a very efficiency-minded person and therefore like small measures with a big effect. Finally switching old light bulbs to LED lights and disconnecting unneeded appliances from the power supply are good examples of this. I also think it's important not to condemn yourself and others for past "climate sins", but to keep exploring how you can make your life more sustainable and inspire others to do the same.
