Schladen is a rural community located in northern Harz Mountains of Germany with a population of 9,700 inhabitants spread across four villages - Schladen, Hornburg, Gielde and Werlaburgdorf. The areas have historically different backgrounds, with Hornburg being an over 1,000 year old timber-framed village and Werlaburgdorf home to a small imperial palace dating back to 931. The main occupations of residents include agriculture, animal breeding, forestry and many work in administrative roles in nearby towns. Schladen is focusing on renewable energy and rational energy use through existing solar panel installations, plans to make Beuchte the second low-emission community in Lower Saxony using a wood chip boiler and steam pipes