TU Dortmund University and DEW21 Sign Letter of Intent

Such repowering projects make it possible to further develop existing sites in an efficient way: Modern turbines produce far more electricity, are quieter and better satisfy environmental and spatial planning requirements. Simplified approval procedures are a further benefit.

“Expanding the use of renewable energies is key to a secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy supply in Dortmund. To achieve this, we must use every suitable site in a smart and responsible way,” says Peter Flosbach, Technical Managing Director of DEW21. “Through repowering, we want to take wind energy at this tried-and-tested site in the immediate vicinity of TU Dortmund University’s campus to a new level. The project is a sign of our commitment to implementing the energy transition in our region at eye level with our partners.” 

Renewable energy for a sustainable campus

TU Dortmund University’s aim is to produce and use more of its own power and heat from regenerative energy in the future, and in this way reduce its dependence on non-renewable energy sources. To this end, the university is in the process of installing a wood pellet plant and erecting a ground-mounted photovoltaic system on North Campus. In addition, the university is forging ahead with the installation of further solar panels on the roofs of its buildings, where suitable. The planned wind turbine can potentially use regenerative energy supplied locally to replace, at some point, all the electricity that TU Dortmund University currently generates from natural gas in its own combined heat and power plant on campus.

Professor Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, says: “Our university supports the regional government’s climate policy objectives and is participating in the initiative ‘Climate-Neutral State Administration in NRW’. The planned wind turbine is a key enabler, allowing us to produce more climate-neutral electricity and in this way contribute to the energy transition. I am delighted that we have found a regional partner in the shape of DEW21 who is keen to put this project into practice with us.”

Close liaison with all those involved

Preliminary studies, conducted by the two partners and covering technical, economic and organizational aspects, among other things, are the first task foreseen by the Letter of Intent (LOI). DEW21 and TU Dortmund University are also exploring the possibility of setting up a joint financing and operating company sometime in the future. The State of North Rhine-Westphalia, represented by BLB NRW (its building and real estate management agency), which is also involved in the project, owns the sites in question. Both partners highlight the project’s collaborative approach: The LOI is not legally binding, but it underscores their shared determination to expedite the project in close liaison with all those involved.

“AirWin” is one of Dortmund’s first wind power projects. The plant has fed electricity into the grid since 1997 and is a prominent example of the city’s early introduction of wind energy. The planned repowering project should continue this success story and adapt it to the requirements of the current energy transition. The existing plant generates 650 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year. Once the repowering project is completed, annual electricity production of around 10,000 MWh is expected. Mathematically, this means supplying 3,000 households with electricity rather than 200.

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