Giessen. The numerous biomass boilers, combined heat and power plants and heating plants operated by Stadtwerke Giessen (SWG) now cover around 40 per cent of Giessen's heating requirements. A significant proportion of the heat is produced by the thermal residue treatment and energy utilisation plant (TREA) in Leihgesterner Weg. At an open day on Sunday, 2 September, interested citizens from Giessen and the surrounding area had the operating principle explained to them in detail. "District heating is used in many buildings in the city. However, very few people know where we produce it and what technology is behind it. For example, there is a widespread opinion that the TREA is a waste incineration plant. That's not true," assures Reinhard Paul, Technical Director of SWG. The company fires the boilers in the heating plant exclusively with previously processed residual materials that accumulate in households or commercial operations - the majority of which is wood, cardboard, pallets or paper. Metals, plastics, residual waste and hazardous waste are sorted out beforehand by a specialised company on behalf of SWG.
Environmentally friendly and economical
Every year, TREA converts around 25,000 tonnes of substitute fuel into around 75,000 megawatts of thermal energy - and operates extremely economically with a utilisation rate of over 90 percent. "The media is currently frequently reporting on innovative projects for the modern energy supply of tomorrow. Here in Giessen, it's right on our doorstep, so you can actually touch it. We only use waste materials that are produced in the region. The heating plant is therefore an example of decentralised energy generation that does not require any additional fossil fuels such as oil. This has a positive effect on the CO2 balance," explained Reinhard Paul.
Visitors learnt about the concept and construction of the plant in an exhibition, among other things. They were also able to take a look inside the TREA operating rooms and ask the SWG experts questions about the technology. The complex filter system, which purifies the exhaust gases to such an extent that the pollutant emissions are well below the legal limits, aroused particular interest. Reinhard Paul was delighted: "We are pursuing a concept here that works. The citizens of Giessen and the surrounding area can see this for themselves today. As an energy company, we must utilise such potential in order to advance the energy transition - which also includes a modern heat supply."