Economy and municipality: How the energy transition works

Economy and municipality: How the energy transition works

What was and is special about this project for Stadtwerke Cham?

For a long time, the term "energy transition" was more or less only interpreted as an "electricity transition". In other words, a change in electricity generation away from fossil fuels and nuclear power towards generation from renewable raw materials. By embarking on the biomass cogeneration plant project in Cham, not only was a cross-sectoral electricity turnaround tackled, but also a heat turnaround in Cham. Today - more than 10 years later - this rethink has reached the general public. Today, when someone talks about the "energy transition", they are thinking not only about the electricity sector but also about heat and, more recently, transport.

In Cham, the company had already correctly interpreted future developments and recognized the signs of the times. By starting to generate heat, steam and electricity from natural biomass, the operators of the biomass cogeneration plant are making an important contribution to implementing the energy transition in our home town of Cham. As the local municipal utility, we are proud to be involved in this and to be able to carry out the technical and commercial management.So the expectations you had of this project in the run-up have been fulfilled?

In order to answer this question, it is important to ask this question first: What were actually our expectations in advance?

• The customer expects a reliable, uninterrupted and affordable supply from municipal utilities.
• In addition, the customer assumes that they will not experience any other disadvantages (noise, dirt, visual impairments, hazards) as a result of the operation of such a system.
• As a municipal utility company, you want to and must meet these requirements because you are also in contact with customers as a water and electricity supplier.
• Economical operation must be possible
• The investment must be amortized within a reasonable time frame.
The investment must be secure and future-proof.The system must run as smoothly as possible.
• Broad acceptance among the population.

Have these expectations been met? Yes, completely! The technology works, it is cost-effective and acceptance has been achieved in full.

How would you rate the collaboration with Gammel Engineering?

As the company responsible for the project, Gammel Engineering fully supported the project from the planning stage through to approval, construction and finally acceptance. Not only was their enormous, broad technical expertise and experience from many similar projects in demand, but the economic evaluation of the project was also crucial. In countless public meetings and other events, they presented the project side by side with us and defended it when necessary. The long-standing business relationship has developed into a very trusting working relationship.

It works like a good marriage! We can certainly discuss certain topics controversially, but always with the aim of achieving the best result together.I still believe that we could not have found a better partner for the implementation of this project!