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EPIB Trail
Volume 7, Issue 4
So it is Possible… By Tom Armstrong 15 kilometers off the coast of the Jutland Peninsula lies the Danish Island of Samso, or what an environmentalist might consider a utopian society. Samso, Denmark’s renewable energy island, is a society that generates all of its electricity using wind turbines and one which is 100 % carbon neutral. The island came together as a community in 1998, accepting a challenge from government officials to become a completely energy self-sufficient society. The residents of Samso decided that it was in the islands’ best interest to invest in renewable energy sources. Community residents, many of whom are farmers, saw the benefit to the environment as reason enough to invest in new energy infrastructure. What they did not necessarily predict however were the substantial economic benefits. Having 15 plus years of continued prosperity can provide insight for the rest of the world as to the net benefits of a renewables-based economy. A society and thus an economy should not be based solely on one or two commodities. Sadly all too often it is. Many nations are frequently reliant on the prosperity of petroleum fuel companies and coal mining operations to economically sustain various regions and sectors of the country. As a result, we look at energy as a commodity and not as a natural resource. It is important to realize that energy production does not have to be, and ought not to be, as large scale as it currently is in most places around the world. By having localized energy production, infrastructure needs are reduced, a varied assortment of energy sources is more easily used, and efficiency is maximized. In setting up energy systems, localized production and distribution reduces the need for energy infrastructure. Pipelines to transport fuels or railway systems used for fuel transportation are limited and only have to be built big enough to satisfy the needs of the locals. This reduces costs to companies and thus consumers all while minimally effecting local ecosystems. Not only does localized production save
everyone money, it proves to be a sustainable way of living. Residents of Samso use nearly every renewable resource or technology available, ranging from various biofuels and wind turbines all the way to geothermal heating and solar panels. This wide array of sources is available due to the localized production and availability of resources. The abundance of resources led to not only the outright powering of Samso, but also various other places in Denmark. As the people of Samso have shown, it is imperative we use what resources we have locally and regionally if we want to truly live in a sustainable manner.
Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/danish-islandis-energy-self-sufficient/ http://www.visitsamsoe.dk/en/ http://ecowatch.com/2014/05/01/samsorenewable-energy-island-sustainablecommunities/
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