The historic Hofgut Sternen in the Breitnau region of the upper Black Forest may appear to be a traditional space with its classic Bavarian structure, rainbow-hued flower boxes, giant cuckoo clock, and towering stone viaduct. However, this complex is more than just a standard hotel. It is a marvel of energy self-sufficiency.
Hidden behind doors within one of the seven buildings on the property lies the hotel’s sustainable engineering masterpiece. Pipes, power stations, and digital readouts create a complex system powered by water and heat that generates 100 percent of the property’s power without relying on the local grid.
This commitment to energy self-sufficiency is not new to the 500-year-old hotel, which originally used water mills along the gorge rivers for power. Inspired by this history, the Drubba family, now in its second generation of ownership, implemented a high-tech system in 2010 that powers and heats the entire property.
Water plays a central role in this sustainable energy system. The property now pumps wastewater to a nearby treatment plant, where the treated water returns to provide power and heat. Additionally, a wood chip power plant and a spring water catchment system contribute to the property’s energy needs.
Even the building itself contributes to the power network, with exhaust air from various operations being used to generate electricity. The clean water for the bathrooms and kitchen comes from a nearby spring and is warmed by the same water used for heating.
Owner Thomas Drubba views this intricate system as a series of processes that make sense, ensuring maximum efficiency and sustainability while protecting the surrounding Black Forest. The property has successfully returned to its renewable roots, offering a sustainable place for guests to rest and explore.
