< img src="https://www.tu-dortmund.de/storages/tu_website/_processed_/a/8/csm_pelletheizung-tu-dortmund-1_Ausschnitt_BLB-NRW_702de9d7cd.jpg" alt ="" > A 150‑tonne crane hoisted the steel colossus into the brand-new extension of the building on 10 February. The extension had been constructed specifically for this function by the Bau und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB NRW, Building and Real Estate Management North Rhine-Westphalia) at the heating plant on Emil‑Figge‑Straße 71. At a later stage, 2 13‑metre‑high silos for the pellets that feed the boiler will be provided, in addition to a similarly sized heat tank to pre‑produce heat overnight for daytime operation. The accredited wood pellets include dried, unattended sawmill residues, mainly sawdust and wood shavings.
With a combustion heat output of 2 MW, the brand-new wood pellet system can cover a significant share of the school’s base load for heating and warm water. On one third of the days in a year, this capacity is sufficient to fulfill overall demand; on chillier days, extra heating is required. For this function, TU Dortmund University operates 3 gas boilers that conventionally provide heat from gas, along with 3 combined heat and power units that produce heat and electrical power highly efficiently from natural gas. Compared with conventional gas combustion, the new pellet shooting system substantially enhances the balance values for CO two emissions and main energy use, making it possible for the university to fulfill the target values of the Gebäudeenergiegesetz (GEG, Structure Energy Act) for brand-new buildings in the future. Commissioning of the new system is planned for late summer so that it will be all set for the brand-new heating season in autumn 2026.
Electrical energy from photovoltaics and wind power
The brand-new wood pellet system is the primary step towards making higher usage of renewable sources and producing energy sustainably. In addition, a ground‑mounted photovoltaic system is scheduled to be integrated in 2026 on Emil‑Figge‑Straße beside the Proving Ground for High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission. With an output of around 1.65 MWp, it will cover about five percent of the university’s own electrical power need. When more electrical power is created than taken in at times, a battery storage system can soak up the surplus energy. After archaeological preliminary investigations on the 14,000 square‑metre open area were completed and small discovers protected, building and construction of the system can start in the summer.
Preparatory preparation has likewise begun with BLB NRW and a potential operator for the building and construction of a wind turbine on a field at School South. A wind turbine around 110 meters high– from ground to center– could generate an estimated 10,000 MWh per year and hence in theory cover to 25 percent of TU Dortmund University’s own electricity need.