Fresh energy for the energy transition in Salzgitter: in cooperation with Klimaschutzagentur Weserbergland gGmbH, the city of Salzgitter brought "plenergy - From simulation game to energy transition" to Salzgitter-Bad secondary school from November 9 to 11, 2022. The project promotes exchange and networks young people, local politicians and local initiatives in the interests of climate protection and the energy transition.

Climate-neutral construction of new public buildings, renovation and expansion of the cycle path network, consumer advice days at schools and numerous other ideas: over the course of three exciting project days, around 90 pupils have brought new momentum to climate protection and the energy transition in their town with their approaches. They come from the 10th grade at Salzgitter-Bad grammar school. In the plenergy simulation game, they consulted in specialist committees on Wednesday, on Thursday they voted on their draft resolutions in the large Energy Transition Council, and on Friday the implementation of their project ideas on climate protection and the energy transition was on the agenda. A moderation team, a media educator, experts from various disciplines and active members of local initiatives supported the young people. A documentation group of eight pupils provided a direct insight into the simulation game via a blog. This means that even after the project days, it is still possible to see what the expert committees on electricity, buildings, mobility and consumption have worked on or what the Energy Transition Council has decided. Photos, texts and film clips are available online at www.plenergy.de/salzgitter22. (opens in a new tab)

Second Mayor Christian Striese was quickly persuaded to play an active role in the simulation and to chair the Energy Transition Council on day two. "Climate protection and the energy transition are topics that are important today and affect us all - young and old. I think it's great that the pupils formulated and decided on so many innovative ideas in this simulation game," said Striese. He chaired the large committee in the hall of Arche 4. Striese presented the young people's draft resolutions from the specialist committees, led their discussion and put them to the vote. Climate protection manager Jan Holzenbecher, who has campaigned for plenergy in Salzgitter and is one of the people who want to pursue the results of plenergy in the city, listened with particular interest. Hans-Günter Gerhold, principal of the Salzgitter-Bad grammar school, was also there with his pupils and emphasized: "plenergy, these are great, pragmatic ideas from our pupils, from small to large. They do a great job at plenergy. The team running the simulation game motivates the participants in a unique way to help shape our energy future."

On day three, local initiatives such as the regional climate protection and energy agency, the youth parliament of the city of Salzgitter and the nature conservation youth were represented. They were eager to see what project ideas the pupils would present and offered advice and support in implementing the new approaches. In the long term, the aim is to create new connections between the young people and energetic stakeholders in order to successfully implement the plenergy ideas in Salzgitter. Because plenergy should have an impact beyond the three project days.