EnergiMidt - Private-public partnership creates green evolution

The Danish island Fur is in full swing with a green evolution: The island is turning into a mini-model of a future sustainable welfare state. Thanks to new partnerships that create innovation.

The latest forecasts from the World Bank indicate that the rise in global temperatures will reach 4 degrees this century unless we are able to reduce our CO2 emissions. It is fatal for our climate conditions, and therefore there is a broad consensus that we need to do something. But the problem is often what should be the concrete action.

But on the island Fur something is happening. Fur in the process of developing a mini-model of the future society. “And that is exactly what Denmark needs, says Mayor of the Municipality of Skive” says, Flemming Eskildsen:

“Denmark has a great need for an innovation project like Fur. The green transition to more renewable energy, energy saving and increased digitisation, require new solutions and new ways of thinking in our society. It also requires new forms of partnerships. In Innovation project on Fur we have a strong cooperation between private citizens on Fur, the public in the form of Skive Municipality and EnergiMidt as a private company. It creates new synergies, initiatives and results”.

Free energy audits and Smart Grid

The manager for the innovation project on Fur; Gitte Wad Thybo, is also extremely pleased with the years that have passed. Thanks to strong support from the people on Fur and partners we can present results as solid as a rock.

-“Over 130 households have used the offer of a free energy audit. Fibre for quick data transport has been rolled out in large parts of the island, an alternative photovoltaic campaign has started, as well as a computer courses for seniors just to name a few things as the project just started”, says Gitte Wad Thybo.

2013 will be an eventful year for the innovation project Fur: the project includes a major project on the future Smart Grid, which is granted by EU funding. In addition, there are also full-time exciting project at Fursund School, which is creating a digital learning universe through a combination of outdoor education and tablets.