This article is about the island of Samso, which won a national competition to conduct an experiment to convert all its energy supply to 100% renewable energy within 10 years.
How Denmark is leading the way in renewable energy03.04.2006
...100% of its electricity comes from wind power and 75% of its heat comes from solar power and biomass energy.
...With the completion of an offshore wind farm comprised of 10 beautiful turbines, Samso has become carbon neutral. The energy produced by these wind turbines compensates for the island’s transportation emissions, including the ferries, and all other non-renewable energy sources. In fact, sometimes Samso’s wind turbines produce so much energy that the island sells it back to the mainland!
...On Samso, it’s much more effective to use solar power for heating. Because of the expense of solar modules, the island has put them to use in a “collective” environment. Instead of installing solar arrays on individual homes for electricity, Samso uses solar power for heat at its district heating plants.
District heating plants pump hot water to nearby homes for individual heating purposes. The water is heated using a combination of solar panels and renewable wood pellet or straw-furnaces. Studies have shown that it’s about 20% cheaper get heat from the local district heating plants than it is to buy oil for heat.
...Through investing in co-ops that financed wind power and district heating plants, islanders took personal control over their quality of life. By introducing these renewable energy projects, Samso has created new, better-paying jobs, increased tourism, and added to its economy.
http://www.moneyweek.com/file/10587/how-denmark-is-leading-the-way-in-renewable-energy.html