A huge heat storage facility will be built on the site of a basalt quarry near Wildon in Styria, which could in the future cover a quarter of Graz’s district heating needs from ‘green’ energy sources. There is also resistance: critics fear for the natural monument and the unique mineral discovery site.
A spectacular energy project is currently being planned in Wildon, south of Graz. The Weitendorf basalt quarry, currently still in operation, will be closed and converted into a gigantic heat storage facility. Roughly speaking, it should work like this:
The quarry is flooded once with water from the Kainach and becomes a storage lake for approximately 1.5 million cubic meters of warm water. The storage tank is covered and heated to 90 to 95 degrees by surrounding solar collectors. With the help of a biomass heating system and a powerful heat pump, the water is then brought to the 120 degrees required for the district heating network. A pipeline of approximately four kilometers long will lead the water to the network at Mellach.
272 million euros Investment volume
According to the project applicants, a quarter of Graz’s district heating needs could be covered by “green” energy in the future. Styrian entrepreneurs Heimo Ecker-Eckhofen, also owner of the quarry, and Gilbert Frizberg are behind the ambitious project. A year ago they went public with the project, which would raise around 272 million euros. What is the status today?
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
