As is well known, the Grasse Energy Plant is expected to generate 20 percent of Grasse’s district heating from local, non-recycled waste from 2029. This means that, in the interest of climate protection, the use of natural gas, fossil CO2– Emissions and traffic significantly reduced. At the same time, dependencies of district heating on international energy markets are reduced and price stability is positively affected.
The Grass Energy Plant is to be built immediately adjacent to Holding Grass’ waste treatment plant in Rumbgas and connected to it by a conveyor belt. This will create 40 new, long-term secure jobs directly at the Cross Energy plant.
According to the project schedule, the preparatory work for environmental impact assessment has already started in 2023. In parallel, Holding Cross implemented detailed information for citizens – especially those living in the affected districts – and together with Energy Cross held regular information meetings, primarily with the district councils of Gries, Bundikum, Liebenau and Jakomini. As scheduled in June 2024, the Environmental Impact Statement was received by the responsible state authority.
Since spring 2024, the project team has been actively working under the leadership of Energy Grass Architectural and complementary functional design of power plant. Its aim is to ensure optimal urban integration and at the same time provide additional benefits to the people of Graz.
With the close involvement of the Advisory Board for Building Culture, the City Building Directorate and the Town Planning Office of the City of Graz, further significant improvements and integration capabilities for the Graz Energy Plant were identified:
- Promoting integration of photovoltaics
The entire outdoor area of the Grass Energy Plant is to be used for photovoltaic systems to generate additional electricity for Grass and thus further protect the city in the event of large-scale “black-outs”. With an output of up to about 1,000,000 watts, the designed PV capacity will fully cover the annual electricity needs of about 400 additional homes.2– Can hide freely. - “Circular Economy Experience World” and “Botany Forum”
The available space has been expanded to around 1,000 m² to ensure that the important orientation towards basic circular economy principles can be experienced “on site”. This should extend to the younger members of our society – kindergartens, primary schools – and university-related benefits. Due to the above-average room height on the top floor of approximately 10 meters, botanical areas can be integrated or collaboration with palm houses or tree nurseries can be considered, as the energy needed to ensure adequate climate is required. Available directly on site. Detailed design for this will take place over the next few months with the involvement of relevant stakeholders. - Additional spatial application options
- The best possible additional use potential still needs to be identified, taking into account legally and operationally restricted access to the grass energy plant in the interests of operational security. For example, this can be extended to small format spaces for exercises and rehearsals. Climbing options for smaller groups are also conceivable, as the room height on the top floor is up to about 10 meters.
- Viewing site
A viewing platform will be installed on the roof of the Grasse energy plant, which will provide a panoramic view of the south of Grasse in all weather conditions at a height of about 40 meters. Whether and to what extent multi-rope climbing privileges can be implemented from this viewing platform in a safety-related and legal manner will be investigated in the future. - Architectural design
An even clearer commitment to clear lines and boundaries leads to an optimal perception of the entire large-scale building cubature. The integration of color-designed photovoltaic modules, which are spatially interspersed and moved, will not only symbolize the innovative demands of the entire project, but will also ensure a pleasant perception from all urban perspectives. - Artistic features
Design of district thermal storage with height of about 60 meters, diameter of about 20 meters and circumference of 12,000 m3 One of the largest urban district heating storage systems in all of Austria, the conveyor belt and other related system components are to be advertised in the form of an art competition. The exact concept of these matches is as follows. Street art aspects can also be taken into account here, and there are no limits to creative design, including cyclical design phases lasting several years.
Participating City Council Member Manfred Eber: “The years of the crisis and the current discussions about finding affordable district heating prices show the need for Graz to become more independent from the energy market. The energy plant is a key factor in this. In addition to the future energy supply, the responsible departments at Haus Graz are also currently working on designing the building’s architecture so that Graz’s Additional applications are possible for the population.We would like to get the cross population when it comes to the application and design options for the energy plant.
Deputy Mayor Judith Schwendner: “Through this project, the city is taking a decisive step towards greater independence and sustainability – all in the spirit of a local circular economy. In terms of design, the energy plant fits into the cityscape and will provide additional electricity to cross houses through PV modules. I am very happy to see this building open to public use. .so our energy plant offers complete added value to our citizens – from sustainable energy supply to children’s adventure world, viewing platform, greenery and more.
Club President Daniela Schlusselberger: “With the energy plant, we will sustainably improve the living space for ourselves and our future generations: with independence, for climate protection and ecology, and for greater safety. In addition, 40 new, long-term secure jobs will be created directly at the Grass Energy Plant, as well as a total of around 100 jobs upstream and downstream.”
Holding cross-CEO Wolfgang Malick: “Our strategic circular economy projects should make a significant contribution to the independence of district heating and electricity supply for the state capital. We are an innovative partner and pioneer in House Cross regarding our sustainable climate protection plan 2040. In close cooperation with specialized departments in House Cross, we are also in the architectural and extra-functional design of the main energy. We are now playing a pioneering role in the plant project.”
Holding Cross Board Director Gert Heigl: “Always balancing the need for basic urban infrastructure with the additional wants and needs of the people of Grass is a key concern for us as Holding Grass. We are therefore very pleased to now know that this claim has been warranted at the Grass Energy Plant.
The final choice from this wide range of possible uses and design options must be made through the close involvement of the people of Grasse to ensure that the added value is created that the people of Grasse want. District councils should also act as central coordination points for this as they are well aware of local conditions. Once the building resolution is passed by the local council, which is planned for early 2026, the exact implementation schedule is currently being developed and is scheduled to start soon.
EEC in detail:
Constant power supply
In the future, the Grass Energy Plant will generate 180 GWh of environmental district heating per year, which can supply 23,000 residences. In addition, we produce 50 GWh of electricity, which can supply 15,000 apartments or, alternatively, generate hydrogen. In this way, we reduce natural gas in district heating production and generate annual CO2-15,000 tonnes of storage.
Safe recycling
Non-reusable, harmless waste is recycled into energy on site thanks to the local circular economy. We guarantee waste disposal security, stable prices and 40 years of new jobs for 450,000 Styrians in the Grosse region. We are becoming more independent from international energy and recycling markets. It ensures price stability for waste charges and district heating. Also, we are creating 100 new jobs regionally.
Invest in the future
We are investing in a sustainable future at the industrial site on the Puchstrasse location directly adjacent to Holding Gross’ waste treatment plant. We produce heat and electricity year-round using a combination of state-of-the-art cogeneration and highly efficient heat pump systems. The best technology is used, ensuring efficiency and environmental protection.
Traffic relief
Local energetic use of non-recyclable residues saves 9,000 truck trips each year. In this way, we reduce emissions, increase traffic safety and improve quality of life.
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