How green is our electricity and what does that mean for us? “Strom der Zeit” makes data on the energy transition in Germany visible and communicates affectively in public space how we all benefit from it. The work creatively examines how abstract ecological information can develop personal meaning and strengthen public participation - a challenge for the success of the energy transition.
The climate crisis is largely taking place beyond intuitive human perception. We use scientific instruments to quantify complex biotechnospheric processes. But number-based discourses often fail to generate resonance. What is the affective meaning behind “1038 grams of CO₂ equivalents per kilowatt hour of lignite-based electricity”? The bachelor thesis “Strom der Zeit” makes complex data on the energy transition visible. From July 22 to 26, 2024, an installation at Ebertplatz in Cologne showed live how “green” the electricity in Germany is right now and how much money is saved through the avoided greenhouse gas emissions. A projection made the ratio of renewable and fossil fuel-generated electricity visible, while an ever-lengthening receipt documented the avoided environmental costs every quarter of an hour. An accompanying website offers opportunities for local involvement. Our energy transition is a challenge whose success depends largely on public understanding and participation. It is crucial for achieving our climate targets. Even today, electricity from the sun, wind, water or biomass is displacing fossil fuels, protecting health and the environment and leading to a sustainable energy system. How can we motivate people to do this?
“Strom der Zeit” makes the complex change and its impressive successes tangible. Based on case studies and the current state of research, design criteria were developed at the interface of data physicalization, numerically induced apathy and visual-narrative communication. The project uses data from Fraunhofer ISE (energy-charts.info) and the Federal Environment Agency.
Photos by Patrick Schwarz and Sebastian Wilsch
