Bonn, March 16, 2017: The Aktiv-Stadthaus in Frankfurt and the Konstanz tenant electricity model are two Green Electricity-supported projects that have been awarded the 2017 Innovation Prize of the Association for Municipal Enterprises (VKU). By purchasing Grüner Strom-certified green electricity, customers generate subsidies that are used to implement energy transition projects such as wind and solar power plants. For example, Frankfurt-based Mainova and Stadtwerke Konstanz were able to invest a total of around 480,000 euros in the two projects with the help of their certified green electricity products.
Both projects prevailed against 40 competitors. The five winners received their awards on March 14, 2017, at the VKU Association Conference in Berlin.
"We are delighted that two Grüner Strom-funded projects have been awarded the VKU Innovation Prize 2017. This confirms once again that our funding logic is advancing the energy transition," explains Rosa Hemmers, Chairwoman of Grüner Strom Label e.V. "So far, more than 1,000 projects have been realized this way, and 300 more are currently being implemented." The core criterion of the Green Electricity Label is that electricity providers invest a fixed amount per kilowatt hour of green electricity sold in the expansion of renewable energies.
The Aktiv-Stadthaus, located in the heart of Frankfurt's city center, receives the award in the 'Municipal Energy Management' category. Over the course of the year, the 74-apartment rental building produces more electricity from solar energy than the residents consume. Photovoltaic modules were not only installed on the roof, but also integrated into the facade. In addition, the building has electricity storage units that make unused solar power available to the building's own e-car sharing system. Around 330,000 euros of the project costs came from Green Electricity funding.
The concept of direct energy consumption at the point of generation is also implemented by Stadtwerke Konstanz in its 'Konstanz Tenant Electricity Model': The Stadtwerke sells electricity and heat from a combined heat and power plant in the building and a photovoltaic roof system directly to the tenants. The special feature of this tenant electricity model is the differentiation according to actual electricity use and electricity generation. This allows tenants to adjust their consumption patterns to electricity generation and also benefit financially. Around 150,000 euros were used to implement the project in line with the Green Electricity Criteria. The 'Constance Tenant Electricity Model' received the special award 'Regional Energy Transition'.
About Grüner Strom Label e.V.
The Grüner Strom Label e.V. certifies green energy products. The association awards two seals of approval for this purpose: the Green Electricity Label for green electricity with added value and the Green Gas Label for environmentally compatible biogas. The association is backed by seven non-profit environmental and consumer associations and peace organizations. The Green Electricity and Green Gas labels are the only quality seals for green electricity and biogas in Germany that are supported by leading environmental associations.
