“Energie und Umweltzentrum” – Energy and Environment Centre – is an independent, self-managed association that has been working since 1981 on renewable energy, energy and water conservation, sustainable building and environmental education.
Its story begins as follows: in order to give practical form to these ideas, in the 1980s a group of young people involved in the anti-nuclear movement purchased and renovated a former school near Hanover, through a nationwide fundraising campaign, transforming it into a working demonstration model.
The integration of sustainable building methods, energy and water saving systems, and renewable energy sources has reduced the building’s overall energy consumption by 70% and drinking water use by 50%.
Their slogan, “There is another way”, initially referring to nuclear power, thus became a tangible example that would later inspire citizens, associations, builders and public institutions alike.
Today, on the Centre’s 18,000 square metres of land, there is an additional low-energy house built in 1991 and a passive house with virtually zero energy consumption, built in 2000. These are complemented by an organic garden, a constructed wetland system, rainwater harvesting systems, a pellet heating system, several solar thermal collectors for hot water production, and photovoltaic systems feeding the electricity produced into the grid.
Over the years, the hundreds of citizens, designers, system installers, builders and public administrators who have passed through the Centre were able to see clear proof— even before attending the theoretical courses—that these so-called “utopias” could quite easily be turned into reality with a bit of practical common sense, both ecological and economic.
And in some way, EUZ seems to have succeeded in influencing its wider context: not far away is the Solvis solar panel factory—the world’s first “passive” factory—while the Kronsberg district of Hanover stands as an example of low-energy social housing, with passive houses and wind power installations.
“Practice is our strength” is another of its mottos, and indeed the e.u.[z.] academy has been offering professional qualifications for 30 years, with a strong focus on practical experience, through seminars and conferences. Here, participants can acquire practical, structured and professional knowledge that can be directly integrated into their own work.
Three core principles underpin the Centre:
• Building for energy efficiency and without wasting resources,
• Rational energy production and the use of renewable energy sources,
• Intelligent use of energy in schools and public administrations.
For further information, we invite you to visit the website.
