Sanem Maximises Potentials of Innovative Heating Technologies

Luxembourg municipality Sanem is the first in Europe to test a micro-cogeneration power plant powered by fuel cells, which may reach a CO2-reduction of up to 50 per cent. The project is a joint venture between a specialised engineering and research firm, the technical service and public administration in Sanem as well as local craftsmen and electricity and gas providers. The municipality carries the costs of 85.000 Euros.


	Sanem tests innovative fuel cell heating technology in a school building.

Energy Demand Sunk by 20 Per Cent, 50 Per Cent Less CO2


Sanem runs the fist micro-cogeneration power plant and saves 20% primary energy.

The first micro-cogeneration power plant delivers stunning results in Sanem, a Climate Alliance member since 1998. The heart of the project is a low temperature module PEM-fuel cell stack with integrated gas treatment. The plant is specifically designed for the decentralised supply of single family detached houses. The excellent energy-heating-relation suggests high annual operating times of up to 6.000 hours. In Sanem, it is integrated into an energy-efficient, wood construction school building and has been running uninterruptedly since 2011. During the first four months, it has generated over 3.000 kWh of electricity and heated the building in an "intelligent" manner. The demand of primary energy sunk by one fifth.

Climate Star 2012 for the Innovative Project

Whilst the power plant offers new fields of activity for local craftsmen, Sanem aims at bringing this innovative technology closer to its citizenry. The municipality itself is studying its energetic efficiency, cost effectiveness and reliability. What's more, it evaluates the integration into future communication concepts such as virtual power plants and SmartGrids. Such pioneering spirit has been awarded a Climate Star in 2012.


	Climate Star for Sanem: Councilwoman Myriam Cecchetti (centre) is pleased.

Picture credits: Municipality of Sanem, Climate Alliance

Links

Further information on the websites of the engineering office Siegel Schleimer www.siegelschleimer.lu (English, French and German) and of the manufacturer www.baxi-innotech.de (English and German).

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