Stadtwerke Gießen AG (SWG) is writing a little piece of history this year: 150 years of gas supply in Gießen is on the programme. The Giessen-based energy and water supplier can look back on a rapid development. Nowadays, gas has evolved from a pure source of light to an energy source that most households can no longer imagine living without.
The history of gas in Giessen
On 24 December 1856, night was turned into day in Giessen - the first street lighting was put into operation by the Giessen gasworks, which was founded by the Riedinger company and has been part of the Giessen municipal utilities since 1938. The first 190 gas lanterns were a real revolution for the citizens of Giessen. After all, some social groups were up in arms, because from then on the riff-raff, i.e. thieves and robbers, were given even more opportunity to pursue their sinful profession. 30 years later - in 1886 - the gasworks, which had previously been privately run, became the property of the city of Giessen. The following year, the city merged the water and gas works. Even when street lighting was switched from gas to electricity in 1923/24, gas sales continued to rise. New gas appliances for cooking or heating water, as well as gas engines for driving machines, came onto the market. Wieseck was the first district to be connected to the gas network in 1929. In 1938, the gas works, the electricity works and the waterworks became the Giessen municipal utilities - as they are still responsible for the region's energy and water supply today as a public limited company. When the Giessen gas works stopped producing its own gas in the mid-1950s, SWG obtained gas from the Ruhrgas AG long-distance gas network in Essen. At the beginning of the sixties, the spherical gas tank, which is still an eye-catcher today, was erected in Schlachthofstraße. In the past, the gas sphere served as a reserve and covered 70 percent of Giessen's daily requirements with its 20,000 cubic metres of natural gas. Today, this amount would be enough for just under 30 minutes. In 1969, Giessen switched from town gas to natural gas. In the 1970s and 1980s, Pohlheim, Heuchelheim, Lahnau, Staufenberg, Linden, Fernwald, Reiskirchen and Buseck were connected to the natural gas network. In 2002, a new era dawned at the municipal utilities in terms of natural gas: SWG's first natural gas vehicles were in use. Initially, they were only refuelled at the natural gas filling station on the SWG premises. Two years ago, the municipal utilities opened the first public natural gas filling station at the Aral petrol station in Marburger Straße 229 in Giessen. In the future, the municipal utilities are planning a gas fuelling station for their own local public transport.
The energy of the future
The former light source has developed into the energy source of the future. Natural gas offers an enormous variety of applications: Whether for heating, hot water preparation, cooking, washing, drying, barbecuing or as a patio heater, natural gas also provides inexpensive and environmentally friendly mobility with natural gas vehicles. Today, natural gas stands for warmth, comfort, versatility and environmental compatibility.
Natural gas and its advantages
There are many reasons to opt for a natural gas supply: Its cost-effectiveness and high security of supply speak in favour of natural gas. In addition, natural gas is environmentally friendly and is characterised by very low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Fascinatingly simple
Natural gas is delivered directly to the customer's home via underground pipes. The heating runs quietly and cleanly in the background, without the unpleasant odours associated with oil tanks.
Easy on the wallet in every respect
With many heating systems, there are costs that are not incurred with natural gas heating. For example, these customers do not need a fuel storage system or a fuel supply, which may have to be pre-financed. Natural gas heating with modern technology works efficiently and saves energy - which also saves costs.
Natural and environmentally friendly
Natural gas has the lowest specific CO2 emissions of all fossil fuels. It burns almost residue-free. This means that emissions from natural gas firing systems are virtually free of sulphur dioxide, dust and soot. After hydrogen, natural gas is the fuel with the lowest emissions.
Always well supplied:
If you heat with natural gas, you don't have to worry about anything and yet you are always well supplied: no ordering of fuel, no storage, no delivery dates. Instead, customers have heat at the touch of a button. Modern appliance technology for natural gas saves additional energy. The use of sophisticated technology such as low-temperature or condensing boiler technology achieves high efficiency with low energy consumption.
Partner for extra energy
Stadtwerke Gießen has experience in supplying natural gas: since the first gas lighting was installed in the streets and squares of Gießen, SWG has continued to provide its customers with added convenience and comfort. Modern natural gas technology and the professional expertise and commitment of SWG employees make this possible. A secure and favourable supply for customers is the measure of all things - and has been for 150 years.