14 environmental consultants and energy officers from towns and municipalities in the district of Giessen accepted the invitation of Stadtwerke Giessen AG (SWG) to the eighth municipal environmental meeting. The municipal utilities continued the information series from previous years and focussed on the rational use of energy and innovations on the energy market. Michael Rösner, Head of Private Customer Sales at SWG, hosted the event and welcomed the representatives of the towns and municipalities. Heat from the groundThose who followed the presentations by Dr Erich Mands, a qualified geologist from UbeG GbR Wetzlar, and qualified geologist Marc Sauer quickly recognised the possibilities and potential offered by geothermal energy. The aim of geothermal energy is to utilise the heat from within the earth. Most people today want to know the benefits of an energy source. However, they don't just associate this with a low price for the energy provided. Benefit also means climate and environmental protection, sustainability and future viability, as well as quality of life and comfort. Requirements for building technologyThe introduction was followed by a presentation by state-certified technician Benedikt Förster from "Gebäudetechnische Planungen Förster" in Wetzlar. Before the two speakers presented practical examples, Benedikt Förster explained the requirements that geothermal energy places on building services. Using practical examples, the two speakers demonstrated that the use of geothermal energy in conjunction with heat pump technology is a perfectly sensible alternative to conventional heating technologies. The information on the use of geothermal energy in the development of new housing estates was particularly well received by the representatives of towns and municipalities. Equally interesting was the information on equipping public buildings with a geothermal heating system. The participants then learnt how a building is heated or cooled with a geothermal system during a tour of an office building in Wetzlar. Further informationThe SWG energy consultants are available to answer all questions relating to the use of efficient energy at the infoCentre on the market square. The SWG advisors are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 0641 708-1177 or in person at the infoCentre.