Gussing, Austria was for years a rusted Cold War relic of a town, never attracting much attention and struggling to survive. However, thanks to the work of a few energy-savvy local leaders and a population that was willing to lead the way for change, Gussing is the first European community to reduce its carbon emissions by 90%. It does so by relying on the sun, sawdust, corn and cooking oil to produce the fuel it needs to sustain itself, with the added bonus of creating new jobs and attracting investors from around the world.

The town was struggling to meet its electricity bill some 15 years ago when local leaders brought in engineers and other energy experts to construct a wood-burning plant that heats homes in addition to technology that manufactures rapeseed to fuel cars. Other breakthroughs came later, when technology to create natural gas from scrap lumber helped run the town's power plant. Solar power technology companies have also taken note of Gussing's innovative platform, and Germany's Solon AG Fuer Solartechnik is expected to finish construction on a solar-fueled power plant in the town soon.

Gussing is an example of what is possible when local and national leaders come together to make realistic goal to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time creating growth economically. Europe has long been a leader in green technology and manufacturing, most likely brought on from their desire to detach themselves from the stronghold of foreign-produced oil and the reality of shrinking natural resources. The model of Gussing's success is something to be studied and duplicated for other small towns with the capability of overhauling their infrastructure, however, larger cities and regions will undoubtedly face more challenges in overcoming legacy systems and weening populations off of oil addiction.

'Dead-End' Austrian Town Fuels Boom With Green Energy

Labels: Advanced Energy