One of the first local climate protection projects implemented in the Saerbeck municipality was the "Gläserne Heizzentrale", which went into operation in 2010. The heating centre is located in the middle of Saerbeck - within sight of St. Georg Parish Church - and supplies the school and sports centre and other buildings with hot water via a local heating network. The heat is generated by sustainably produced, renewable wood pellets.  

The large heating system is located on the ground floor of the old school— a glass facade offers a view of the technology. The intention is to showcase future energies in everyday life. The heating centre also includes a room for seminars and lectures, which is often used for groups of visitors. In this way, sustainable technology and education are combined.

• Further reading: CLEW dossier The People's Energiewende, CLEW factsheet Citizens’ participation in the Energiewende, CLEW news digest item “From swords to solar, a German town takes control of its energy”
• CLEW research tour: Decarbonising Europe’s industrial heartland
• Date of publication: July 2016