Extract from the potential analysis for the DLR site in Neustrelitz
Photovoltaic systems will be installed on buildings and open spaces at the DLR sites in order to maximise self-sufficiency in electricity and thus move closer to becoming climate neutral by 2035. For the Neustrelitz site, for example, a potential of around 2600 kilowatts peak (conservatively calculated 1300 kilowatts peak) was determined in a potential analysis. The difference is defined by the actual conditions on site.
Credit:
DLR/Google Maps/IBC SOLAR
The Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has decided to take a major step towards achieving the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035: Photovoltaic systems are to be installed on roofs, facades and open spaces in order to maximise its electrical self-sufficiency.
The resolution calls for DLR to install photovoltaic systems to produce its own electricity up to the amount of its annual self-consumption. DLR's current total electricity consumption amounts to approximately 80,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year. "The funding required for this measure is estimated at 130 million euros, making it one of the largest construction budgets ever approved for a single activity at DLR," confirms Jörg Jaspers, Head of Technical Infrastructure at DLR. The project is to be refinanced through the expected savings in electricity procurement costs, among other things. The return on investment for the photovoltaic systems is in the order of 14 to 21 years. To ensure that the target is achieved by 2035, a monitoring system will be set up to continuously adapt the measures.
Possible timetable for energy self-supply
The chart shows the electricity generation already achieved from cogeneration plants and wind power as well as a possible timetable for further expansion. In addition to self-supply, supplementary electricity procurement and power transport between the properties is also required. The aim is to minimise external electricity procurement as quickly as possible by installing the systems at an early stage. The company is also looking into utilising other electricity-generating plants, renewable energy sources and energy storage systems in order to increase the share of electricity generated in-house. Future electricity procurement contracts will therefore be expanded to include balancing group management.
This decision is based on the action areas defined in DLR's sustainability strategy dated October 2022, which sets out the vision of making DLR climate neutral by 2035. "By installing photovoltaic systems, DLR will not only be able to achieve its sustainability goals in this area, but also strengthen its energy resilience and contribute to the energy transition in Germany," adds Philipp Bergeron, DLR Executive Board Representative for Sustainability.
In an initial potential analysis, a conservative potential of approx. 12 MWp was estimated on the roof surfaces at 15 DLR sites. This corresponds to around half of DLR's roof areas. For example, a potential of around 2600 kilowatts peak (conservatively around 1300 kilowatts peak) was determined for the Neustrelitz site. The difference is determined by the actual conditions on site.
In order to ensure the target of maximum roof coverage by 2035, the potential in the regions will be examined by mid-2024 and incorporated into a binding list of measures. Given that the roof surfaces will only be able to cover around 15 percent of the electricity demand, photovoltaic systems will also be required on open spaces.
he DLR-wide preparations for implementation are being carried out by the interdisciplinary photovoltaics working group under the leadership of the Technical Infrastructure department. This group consists of representatives from the specialist areas, energy management, the sustainability department and members of facility management in the regions.
