NEW ULM — Renewable energy alternatives and the obstacles to implementing them in Minnesota were the topics of discussion Tuesday at Turner Hall.

Region 9 hosted a panel with community stakeholders to discuss clean energy options. The discussion was led by Guido Wallraven via videoconference, the technical director for the city of Saerbeck, Germany’s climate-smart municipality project.

Saerbeck is a community of 7,200 residents in Germany that began implementing climate-smart projects in 2009. Wallraven was in charge of implementing about 150 individual initiatives that promote and implement local climate protection. Working with local citizens, the community transformed a former ammunition depot into a bioenergy park with a mix of renewable sources such as solar, wind and biomass.

The result is a community that produces three times more electricity than the community needs and cut its carbon footprint in half.

Following the success of Saerbeck, Wallraven has been working on municipal climate protection issues for more than 15 years. Together with local stakeholders, he develops plans for adapting to climate change. Wallraven now serves as a consultant to municipalities and cities on local measures that support sustainability.

Wallraven made it clear that Saerbeck’s success was connected to citizen involvement. The residents of Saerbeck got behind the smart-climate work; including farmers and businesses.

He said one of the most important aspects of the project was educating the youth. By educating students as young as kindergarten, they were able to raise the next generation to be aware of energy alternatives. Wallraven said kids are some of the best ambassadors for clean energy alternatives because these kids go home and ask their parents questions. It is also a method of getting everyone involved in the project.

The personal motivation was also a big factor in the project moving forward. Wallraven said the community wanted to be energy independent and that has been a significant benefit; especially recently. A lot of Germany’s oil was imported from Russia. Now more than other communities do not want to be dependent on Russia for energy.

TOMORROW: Local officials give their takes on how local government can take the lead role in transitioning communities to clean energy.