This year's series of events of the Energiewendeforum Digital started on April 28. Current perspectives and developments in tenant electricity were discussed with Daniel Craffonara, (Managing Director, Grüner Strom Label e.V.), Florian Henle (Founder & Managing Director, Polarstern Energie GmbH) and Carsten Buschmann (Managing Director, RVI GmbH) and an insight into the tenant electricity project in Esslingen was given. If you couldn't be there, we have all the important information for you here.
What is tenant electricity?
Tenant electricity models are based on the interaction between landlord, electricity provider and tenant. The landlord provides the roof space for the installation of a solar system, which is operated by the electricity provider. Preferably, the electricity produced is fed into the building's grid and sold to the tenants. The tenants can either cover their energy needs directly or use the electricity flexibly by means of a battery storage system. If too much energy is produced, the surplus electricity can be fed into the public grid.
Advantages of tenant electricity
Tenant electricity enables falling electricity costs and promotes independence from energy supply and electricity price developments. In addition to power supply, tenant electricity also links heat supply and mobility solutions. For example, electricity generated on site can supply charging stations for electric vehicles.
When tenant electricity is not enough - rely on certified green electricity
If the energy produced does not cover demand, tenants obtain electricity from the public grid. They should opt for green electricity with added value, which is marked with the Grüner Strom-Label. TheGrüner Strom-Label guarantees that 100 percent genuine green electricity is generated and purchased. The core criterion is also that the electricity providers promote the expansion of renewable energies with a fixed amount per kilowatt hour sold.
New urban quarter in Esslingen
The green energy provider Polarstern from Munich and the real estate company RVI from Saarland, are already successfully implementing a tenant electricity project: A completely new urban quarter is currently being built in Esslingen on the former freight station. On a total area of 26,500 square meters, 5 residential and commercial buildings with around 500 apartments as well as green spaces and courtyards are being built. The city of Esslingen is calling for 100 percent CO2 neutrality. In addition to efficiency measures, this requires an intelligent, decentralized energy supply through tenant electricity, which will be combined with the generation of green hydrogen.
70 percent supply from tenant electricity
The first of the five buildings in the quarter was completed at the beginning of 2019 and the third residential block is currently under construction. A photovoltaic system is being installed in conjunction with a combined heat and power plant to supply tenants with electricity, which will cover 70 percent of the electricity requirements. For a typical three-person household, savings of up to 25 percent are expected compared to the basic supplier. An intelligent mix of measures with smart solutions will promote energy-conscious behavior among tenants.
Tenant power models
The contracting model was chosen for this tenant power project. The developer, RVI GmbH, invests in the plant technology and the energy provider, Polarstern, takes over all other tasks, such as the conception, the plant operation or the supply of the tenants.
Alternatively, Polarstern offers the enabling model, in which the energy provider buys the electricity produced from the operator of the energy generation plant and uses it to supply the tenants. Other special forms can be individually adapted to the property and the situation.
Overall, tenant electricity is a win-win situation for all sides: The landlord can use his roof space economically, the electricity provider gains customers, and the tenants contribute to the energy transition while benefiting from falling electricity costs.
