Green energy. A contribution on current events



The current events around the Hambach forest, the absurdity to clear a huge forest area, and thus a valuable, diverse ecosystem for brown coal mining, and at the same time, to discuss politically the coal exit, I do not want to discuss here at all. Especially since the Internet is now “flooded” with various articles on the subject. Probably everything has already been said. Somewhere. But words should be followed by actions, and not only some “Likes”, “Dislikes” and Emoji expressions in the vastness of the world wide web. Everyone can actually do something specific. And this is, every single one of us. Actually, it’s simple. It’s all about the most personal answer to the current Gretchen question, to be answered not by Faust, but by you and me:

“Now say, how do you feel about electricity? Tell me.”

Electricity actually doesn’t just “somehow” get into your socket. You can choose your electricity provider. And also the type of electricity you use.
Admittedly, this is quite banal on the one hand as an insight, but on the other it is highly effective. Because it is actually a personal decision with a rather large lever, as soon as many individuals become a group. Attention: Swarm intelligence, so to speak.

We recently made a very conscious decision in favour of 100% green electricity and “climate-neutral natural gas”. By opting for an energy supply based on 100% renewable resources and climate-neutral natural gas, we are not saving the universe. We know that, and we don’t presume to. But we are convinced that every single step towards sustainability is effective. And thus, every single step by each and every one of us.

Green electricity does not have to be eyewash and false promises. “It’s all on the Internet.

It certainly makes sense to take a closer look when deciding on the type of electricity supply. Surely, there are also “green electricity” offers which, on closer inspection, are actually not „green”, at least not that „green”. Because it is important with regard to the environment, that it is not “only” about energy from renewable sources, but that the green electricity suppliers also invest in new technologies and plants. And the environmental balance is not only “nicely calculated” with the waste heat from combined heat and power plants. That the suppliers are also demonstrably and actively committed to funding programmes and research projects for renewable energies.

At first glance, the multitude of offers seems a little confusing. The pure proof of electricity origin is not quite enough to ensure that the supposedly “green” electricity does not actually come across as quite “grey”. There is a  large number of different test seals and certificates. And that does not necessarily contribute to transparency and orientation. The Verbraucherzentrale (=consumer advice and information centre), for example, gives good information as to how to navigate the “thicket of electricity”. It is also worth taking a look at the ok-Power label or the TÜV test seals. A look at the respective criteria catalogues and the regularity with which a seal awarded is checked is revealing. So, yes there is everything is on the Internet.

Energy supply and consumption. The two ends of a line

Of course, especially all the electricity that is not used in the first place, has a great environmental benefit. As a three star superior hotel we are – quasi by profession – not necessarily among the declared energy savers. Especially, since we are actually never quite among ourselves, but always have guests in the house. And a friendly, bright environment also contributes to the fact that our guests feel comfortable. Even those who arrive late or those who come home at night are welcomed with a comfortable light. No, no „festive holiday lighting”, but in fact, it’s never completely dark with us.

With regard to sustainability, we are working intensively on how to combine this comfort with sensible energy management. From the very beginning, energy-saving lamps and energy-efficient machines have been among our well-established classics. Regardless of whether they are refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers or computers. Furthermore, we also take a critical look at our suppliers. For example, it is important to us that our WebHost and the cloud services we use guarantee 100% energy supply from renewable sources.

We regularly check our work processes, and we are sure that we have to „stay in the game” continuously. Certainly, we certainly still have a lot to do. So that “habit” does not become “comfort”, or even a “standing storm run” into nowhere, as to quote Franz Kafka’s impressive picture.

The energy turn is a powerful movement, but it only works if each individual actually moves. Every step counts. And yes, even in the direction of another electricity supplier. For green electricity. That’s certainly worth a nice emoji or two, or a like. Thumbs up!