In the middle of March 2024, a delegation of representatives of Polish local governments visited Dresden as part of the DUET project. The main purpose of the study visit was to learn about Dresden's approach to the topic of energy management, renewable energy sources, energy-efficient infrastructure, and to gain inspiration on sustainable practices in the city.

The event started on the 13th of March at Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden). Anna Jaskuła from PNEC and Hanna Lewandowska from the City of Bydgoszcz officially opened the meeting. The purpose of DUET project was presented by Justyna Janosz-Klus from PNEC. Romuald Meyer from PGK SA introduced the topic of hydrogen in the production of energy and the transportation sector. The official opening session was an opportunity for introduction and networking between all the participants of the event.

After the opening meeting the entire group visited the experimental CUBE building made of carbon concrete . The building was constructed as part of the "C3 - Carbon Concrete Composite" project (funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and is located on the university campus. It represents an example of architectural and construction innovation and combines the function of a laboratory and a conference room. Berk Gündogdu from the Institute for Concrete Structures of the TU Dresden introduced participants to the university's research in innovative construction. He also presented the properties of carbon concrete, which is up to four times lighter and stronger than ordinary concrete, and its use would help minimize resource consumption in construction processes and reduce CO₂ emissions from the construction sector by up to 50%.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Transparent Factory (Die Gläserne Manufaktur), the factory where the Volkswagen ID.3 electric car is produced. It is the first CO₂-neutral factory. The building is the leader in implementing green solutions, and its operation has been based exclusively on the use of green energy for a long time. The factory has unique heat regulation system, which is environmentally friendly. The system involves the use of the external stairwells as a climate buffer along with a double-walled external façade. Next to the Transparent Factory is located the largest public charging station for electric vehicles in Dresden, whose columns are powered by a PV system. Oznacza to, że ładowane tam samochody są neutralne pod względem emisji CO₂. Any surplus electricity that occurs is stored or transferred to the building's grid. During the visit, participants also had the opportunity to see a CO₂-neutral electric cars production station.

Another point of the event was a visit to a biogas plant located in the Klotzsche district. Sven Wegeleben, Head of the Department of Decentralized Generating Plants, discussed the operation of the facility, which was launched in September 2010. Biogas is produced there by a multi-stage anaerobic digestion process of a mixture of renewable raw materials and cattle manure, at a temperature of about 38-40°C. Biogas is produced there by a multi-stage anaerobic digestion process of a mixture of renewable raw materials and cattle manure, at a temperature of about 38-40°C. Each day, the biogas plant in Dresden-Klotzsche processes 27 tons of corn silage and 14 tons of cattle manure, producing about 6,000 m³ of biogas, which is then converted on-site at the CHP plant in a cogeneration process into electricity and heat using a CHP engine with an electrical output of 834 kW and a thermal output of 967 kW. Electrical energy is supplied to the medium-voltage grid, and the heat generated is fully released into the 21-kilometer-long Dresden-Klotzsche district heating network and supplements the supply to more than 200 industrial and private customers. Operation of the biogas plant allows to save 3,051 tons of CO₂ per year. After the presentation, the group was given a site tour and was able to see the corn silage tank, the cattle manure tanks and the CHP engine.

The group started the second day of the study visit with a meeting at City Hall held at the Bürgerlabor Dresden, which is the Dresden Citizen's Lab. The place provides a transfer space for dialogue between the city administration and citizens. Sustainable and innovative ideas for a modern urban society are being developed there. The meeting with representatives of Polish local governments was opened by Eva Jähnigen, Mayor for the Environment, who presented the city's climate protection activities. After her speech, the floor was taken by Romuald Meyer, who gave a presentation on Bydgoszcz's road to energy self-sufficiency. Next, Michael Anz, SmartCity Manager, introduced participants to the MAtchUP project, which aimed to transform Dresden into a leading European smart city and create a more efficient, sustainable and cleaner living space for citizens to meet the challenges of climate change. The project focused in particular on the topics of energy efficiency, renewable energy, mobility, digitalization and citizen participation. In the end, Anh-Minh Vu gave a presentation about the NEUTRALPATH project, which aims to develop clean energy districts and co-design efficient and climate-friendly solutions. The project involves two frontrunner cities (Dresden and Zaragoza) and three fellow cities (Vantaa, Istanbul and Ghent). The project will contribute to the European mission to achieve at least 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, and thus set an example for others to replicate the process by 2050. During each presentation, participants actively asked questions, which were a chance to develop the topics discussed and thus expand their knowledge.

The final part of the study visit was a guided city walk through Dresden to learn about the city's other sustainable activities. During the walk, the group learned about the numerous initiatives implemented by the city focusing on climate change adaptation, sustainability and mobility, among others. The guide told participants about the KLIPS project, which developed an AI-based information platform for locating and simulating urban heat islands for innovative urban planning. The platform uses a network of sensors located around the city to measure temperatures, providing an accurate overview of the real-time occurrence of heat islands and offering predictions on where they will appear in the future. These forecasts are used to warn citizens about heat islands in the short term and enable planning that prevents or minimizes their occurrence in the future. Participants of the study visit also learned that Dresden has so-called " Library of Items," that offer a collection of loanable items that residents want to use, but which they don't need all the time, or which are too expensive for them. The service enables city libraries to sustainably contribute to the global "Sharing Economy" movement and help promote resource-saving and environmentally friendly consumer behaviour.

To sum up, the visit to Dresden was a great opportunity to expand networking and learn more about sustainable energy management activities. Dresden's representatives shared inspiring ideas that provide a solid foundation for the further development of Polish cities towards a more sustainable energy future.

Program

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Presentations

1. (PL) Energy management in the city , Justyna JANOSZ-KLUS, The Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités"
2. (PL) Biogas, biomethane, hydrogen - what is the future of public transportation? , Romuald MEYER, PGK SA
3. (DE) Update of the Integrated Energy and Climate Protection Concept 2023 - Dresden's path to greenhouse gas neutrality and security of supply , Eva JÄHNIGEN, City of Dresden
4. (PL) Bydgoszcz on the road to energy self-sufficiency , Romuald MEYER, PGK SA
5. (ENG) Smart City Dresden: MAtchUP project , Michael ANZ, City of Dresden
6. (ENG) Introduction: Project NeutralPath in Dresden , Anh Minh VU, City of Dresden
7. (DE) Biogas Plant Dresden-Klotzsche , Sven WEGELEBEN, SachsenEnergie AG
8. (DE) New construction, maintenance and recycling with carbon concrete , Berk GÜNDOGDU, Institute of Concrete Structures, TU Dresden
9. (DE) CUBE building: roof and wall construction made of carbon concrete , Berk GÜNDOGDU, Institute of Concrete Structures, TU Dresden

Gallery

The study visit was organised as part of the DUET project: Driving Urban Energy Together, which is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).