More than 350 interested visitors took the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the second thermal waste treatment and energy utilisation plant yesterday, Sunday.
Open day at TREA II: over 350 visitors came to Leihgesterner Weg last Sunday to find out more about Stadtwerke Giessen's (SWG) second thermal waste treatment and energy utilisation plant. Since December 2022, the combined heat and power plant has been producing electricity and heat
from processed waste. "We are delighted to welcome so many guests, as this shows the growing interest in the local energy transition. Together with its sister plant TREA I, TREA II is making an important contribution to this," says Matthias Fink, Head of the Heat Supply Department.
Energy from processed waste
The informative guided tours, which familiarised the guests with how the sustainable plant works, were a magnet for visitors. TREA II utilises energy-rich, processed waste to produce electricity and heat. The special feature: In addition to a steam turbine, two combined heat and power units, or CHP units for short, are used here. "Combined heat and power plants produce electricity and heat at the same time. That's what makes them so efficient," explains Jens Hanig, Head of Solid Fuels Heat Supply at SWG. Only with the help of the CHP exhaust gases does the steam from the waste fire reach the required temperature - and drive the turbine. "It is the use of combined heat and power plants to support thermal waste utilisation that makes the TREA II so effective," explains Jens Hanig. Matthias Fink adds: "Only if we make the heat supply in Giessen more and more sustainable and gradually make it less dependent on fossil fuels will we be well positioned for the future. With TREA II, we are making a significant contribution to ensuring that Giessen is one of the pioneers in climate-friendly energy supply."
In addition to the guided tours, visitors were able to watch a time-lapse film about the construction of the plant and have fun at the SWG stand with "Four Wins" and a wheel of fortune. There was also plenty of food and drink on offer.