Biogas plant of Schloss Wissen

Since 2003, Schloss Wissen operates its own Biogas Plant. It is thanks to the efforts of many millions of bacteria that the cattle slurry from neighbouring agricultural operations is processed in such a manner that it is much more readily available for the plants on the field. Apart from slurry and maize, we also ferment silage from intermediate fruits (cultivated to maintain the soil fertility) in the Biogas Plant.

At the time of being taken into operation, the Biogas Plant of Schloss Wissen was one of the few which, as an autonomous branch of an agricultural operation, disposed of an ingenious heating concept. Since that time, the Biogas Plant not only provides the farm buildings, but also all apartments and rooms belonging to the castle complex, with the required heating.

For the, at that time, rare combination of electricity- and heat utilisation and the pioneer work relating thereto, Schloss Wissen was awarded the Eurosolar Price in 2003.

(v. l. n .r.: Dr. Hermann Scheer, Raphaël Freiherr von Loë, Franz Alt)

In the meantime, the capacity of the Plant could be more than doubled (1,3 MW), whereby the plant delivers electricity for nearly 2100 and heat for approximately 430 single family households. At the same time, a satellite cogeneration plant was erected in the nearly 4 km distant Kevelaer. From there, the open air swimming pool can be heated to 23° from May to September and further bulk consumers such as the “Priesterhaus” and the local hospital can be supplied with bio heat.