Erik Koch Andersen

Tuesday, March 06, 2007   (updated Tuesday, June 19, 2007)

Did some particular event spark your interest?
Samsø was acclaimed a renewable energy island and I wanted to contribute. Our first project was an attempt to accumulate methane gas from an old garbage site I had bought.

How has the economics of renewable energy influenced your involvement in these questions?
It’s had no bearing on these decisions whatsoever. I’ve haven’t done the maths and can only say that it has been both interesting and enjoyable to help extract energy from nature without digging for it. It’s been a very gratifying process.

The rest-product is used as protein food for Eriks cows.

Has your renewable energy system changed your daily routines?
I’m happy when the sun shines, especially when the solar collectors make a surplus of energy.

What do you think about the objective to make Samsø a renewable energy island?
The energy island project is a fantastic initiative and we’ve come much farther than many other projects. Is it possible to reach 100%? There’s a tremendous amount of focus on the island because of the energy island project. I’ve just been on a trip to the USA – 40 degrees and air conditioning everywhere. They could make a lot of energy with all that sunshine.

Do you have good advice to others who might like to invest in similar domestic heating systems?
I’d like to see more joint ventures, at the local level! It’s expensive to do things on your own. For example, my seed mill for pressing rapeseed should be something several could develop together. Other than that, we just have to roll up our sleeves and get at it.

Erik Koch Andersen grows hes own rapeseed on his field.

Would you have done things differently if you had to start over?
No, but there have been some problems with my rapeseed fuelled tractors because we don’t have an expert on the island. It would be nice to have a motor expert on the island.