Leck Air Base. Conversion of Military Property as a Chance for Renewable Energies

Academic Paper from the year 2014 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Environmental Studies, grade: 1,0, Aalborg University, language: English, abstract: This paper copes with the topic of military conversion at hand of the lead example Leck Air Base. This former military airport of the German Forces is located in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Theaim of this paper is to outline the chances for the integration of renewable energy based concepts. Hereby, the special, manifolded problematic of conversion processes but alsosolutions are discussed.The first introductory chapter illustrates the basic idea of this paper together with an outline of the Leck Air Base conversion project and a definition of relevant terms. The second chaptergives explanations about the region, involved municipalities and the special linkage to the Southern Denmark Region. This is containing information about geographic and socio-economicrelations. A deeper economic analysis and an analysis of the overall energy potential is following in the third chapter. Furthermore, case studies of similar projects in Germany are analyzed in the subsequent fourth chapter. Both, the third and the fourth chapter, built up relevant information for the fifth chapter. Here, the results of both chapters are combined, problems are discussed and possible solutions introduced. The final sixth chapter summarizes the results of this paper. The results leads to specific suggestions for the conversion of Leck Air Base and to more general suggestions for the overall conversion process. This paper shows that the usage of mixedconcept out of renewable energy park, industrial park, tourism and natural reserve is indicated for the example of Leck Air Base, but also explains that due to structural, economic characteristics a focus on renewable energy concepts alone is not of advantage. General problems as the resistance of affected residents, especially through the suggested lead technology of wind energy, can partly be avoided by alternative financial concepts as theBürgerpark. Still, it is shown that conversion projects are facing highly individual problems and an assessment on a general basis is not sufficient.