Sustainability - Kötschach Mauthen in Austria as an energy independent model community

My first visit to Kötschach Mauthen was as a 6-year-old boy in 1975 while on summer holiday with my parents and brother Jurgen. My parents love mountains, good food and being far away from the busy tourist areas so we found our ideal destination in Kötschach Mauthen!! Many years later we made many friends and consider Kötschach Mauthen as our second home.

Kötschach Mauthen is situated in the Gailtal; nestled between the Gailtaler Alps in the north and the Carnic Alps in the south – called the most delicious corner of Carinthia.

Not only is Kötschach Mauthen known as a holiday destination but to meet the challenges of climate change Kötschach Mauthen has set the goal to become energy independent in 2020. In 2006 the platform “Energie: autark Kötschach Mauthen” was created to deal with renewable energy subjects. The work within this platform resulted in the foundation of an association in May 2008 where politicians, managers, touristic experts and energy producers work together towards the goal.

History;

Kötschach Mauthen has been using renewable energy since a very long time. Already in 1886 the first hydro power plant was built by Anton Klauss. A power grid existed in Kötschach Mauthen already in 1899, almost 14 years before a grid was built in Klagenfurt, the Carinthian capital. The grid was developed during the following years by the family Klauss, today’s owner of the grid and operator of Alpen Adria Energie. (AAE)

Renewable energy production;

Biomass;

This is energy obtained from biomass (entire organic substances). Local wood as solid fuel has been very important but the past years the agricultural products and organic remnants have become increasingly relevant for the energy supply.

In 1997 one biomass heated district heating system was installed due to an initiative of Walter Hartlieb, the former Mayor of Kötschach Mauthen, to connect all public buildings. Two other biomass installations followed over the years.

Biogas;

A biogas plant uses the fermentation of biomass to produce biogas. The raw material of agricultural biogas plants is liquid manure and silage. The by-product of the process is called digestate and is used as fertilizer. Most biogas plants use the produced gas in a cogeneration unit to generate electricity and heat.

Note: The biogas plant is no longer operating.

Solar energy;

We can produce electricity with photovoltaic assets, and we can generate thermal energy with solar cells. Kötschach Mauthen has many sunshine hours per year making it a good place for solar energy production.

Wind energy;

At 1,360 m sea level at the Plöcken paß there are 2 wind turbines installed. One 500 kW and the other one 800 kW. The location is challenging because there are extreme alpine weather conditions where gust wind speeds of 140 km/h occur frequently in wintertime. 

Hydro energy;

The alpine location of Kötschach Mauthen is one of the most important benefits for the usage of hydropower. The first hydropower plant was built in 1886 and today there is a network of 21 private small hydro- electric power stations.

 There are two different types of hydro-electric power plants in Kötschach Mauthen; 

- Run-of-river power station.

- Pumped storage hydro power station.

The naturally built alpine water reservoirs Grünsee, Cellonsee and Valentinsee are not only energy storage but also used as popular tourist destination. 

Combination of wind and hydro power;

The electricity of the wind power plant can be buffered in the alpine water reservoirs to cover the peak load which makes the system quite unique!

Energy experience

The energy experience “Energie Erlebnis Kötschach Mauthen” offers schools, tourists and everybody who is interested the possibility to visit, get to know and understand the different production methods of renewable energy. Tourist and culinary attractions are integrated in the energy experience.

There is a 300m2 experiment area where school pupils can experiment with wind, hydro, solar, biomass, energy saving and mobility themes.

Kötschach Mauthen – a place to feel, look and experience energy and so much more!

As a long-time visitor I would like to introduce a hidden gem where my friend Franz Guggenberger, together with his wife Sabine, owns and operate Hotel Erlenhof.

Hotel – Pension – Restaurant Erlenhof ****

This family business is operated by Sabine and Franz Guggenberger. Here hospitality and friendliness come first and the focus is on regionality and regional products. For me it is always like coming home as the Guggenberger family create a second home in close relationship with nature for every guest.

Master chef Franz serves Italian delicacies and local Austrian food – all made from fresh regional ingredients.

At the Erlenhof hotel the cozy rooms are decorated with original Austrian furniture and you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Carnic and Gailtal Alps from your room!

The hotel is very centrally located to Munich (Germany) – Italy and South Tirol.

To conclude; 

Kötschach Mauthen is a school example to showcase “sustainability” as a holistic concept where tourism, renewable energy production, energy independency and personal well- being are in harmony.

Many thanks to Mrs. Maria Zobernig and energie: autark Kötschach Mauthen to provide all information and pictures.

References:

www.energie-autark.at Verein energie: autark Kötschach Mauthen 

www.aae.at AAE Naturstrom seit 135 Jahren

www.erlenhof.at Erlenhof Hotel, Pension, Restaurant

www.koemau.com Kötschach Mauthen