Small wind turbines
We only add small wind turbines when the site-specific conditions allow it, such as at our green store in Dongguan/China which was opened in 2016. There, the LED car park lighting is operated autonomously by small 300-watt wind turbines and a photovoltaic cell, as well as a battery storage system. At the warehouse in Groß Gerau/Germany, we conducted trials with horizontal wind turbines. However, our expectations in terms of performance and maintenance of these systems were not met yet.
Solar chilling systems
In Rome/Italy and Antalya/Turkey we installed solar chilling systems. However, they required heavy maintenance. Since the roof surfaces can only be used once, we decided to give priority to photovoltaic power generation on the roofs.
Purchasing green power
Insofar as we can purchase renewable energy surpluses from neighbours, we have entered corresponding physical commitments. This includes electricity from a wind park in Bangalore/India, electricity from a biomass power plant in Reichenbach/Germany for a large warehouse or heat from a wood chip heating plant in Brunnthal/Germany.
Certified green electricity is only purchased by METRO if and for as long as it comes with a steering effect. Currently, we do not purchase green electricity for own consumption in Germany, because renewable energy is usually regulated by the EEG. However, we offer hydroelectric power produced in Germany to our Real customers. A steering effect is achieved via climate protection projects, such as rain forest reforestation projects in Ecuador. These projects are associated with every green electricity and green gas contract concluded.
http://www.real.de/ökostrom.html (in German only)