1. Pilot community:
SCHÖNINGEN
GERMANY
Population: 12650 inhabitants
Area: 35 km2
Address: Rathaus, Markt 1
Zip code: D-38364 S c h ö n in g e n
Phone: +49 5352 512 0
Fax: +49 5352 512 199
Mayor Matthias Wunderling-Weilbier
e-mail: stadt@schoeningen.de
website: www.schoeningen.de
www.schoeningerspeere.de
It is a small town in the east of the region, very close to the former border in Germany. It consists
of the town Schöningen and the two villages Esbeck and Hoiersdorf.
Near the town is the historical site of a worldwide sensation. 400,000 years old wooden spears
are found. This discovery in a part of a brown-coal mining area has changed the history of mankind.
The traditional occupations of the inhabitants are in the brown-coal mining company and a power
plant, agriculture, administration and trade.
Schöningen will build up an interdisciplinary center of research and experience about the spears.
It is for tourism and to clarify geologic tasks. In the area of the brown-coal mining some protected
species of plants and animals can be found.
Renewable Energy Sources
Now: Schöningen has 2 combined heat and power units, one in the town hall building and one in
the school. Many photovoltaic panels are built on several roofs, one of them on a church.
Future: A new industrial area is planned near by the waste incineration plant to use the heat for
production. More photovoltaic panels should exist on public buildings.
Rational Use of Energy
Now: The town of Schöningen offers their citizens a first consulting to save energy free of
charge for owners of private buildings.
Future: Great efforts in saving energy in public and private existing buildings with thermal
isolation in combination with using renewable energy will be necessary.