CERN's Large Hadron Collider to Heat Homes in Ferney-Voltaire Using Waste Energy
CERN's Large Hadron Collider has started supplying waste heat to the French town of Ferney-Voltaire, providing heating for several thousand homes through a new heat exchange system. This initiative, which began in mid-January, aims to reduce CO2 emissions and could potentially double its output when fully operational. However, the LHC will enter a Long Shutdown 3 in mid-2026, temporarily decreasing heating capacity, while CERN also plans to implement additional waste heat recovery projects.

CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has begun supplying waste heat from its cooling system to the French town of Ferney-Voltaire, aiming to heat several thousand homes. The initiative, active since mid-January, utilizes a new heat exchange system that channels heat from the LHC's cooling network into Ferney-Voltaire's district heating system, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
The setup utilizes two 5 MW heat exchangers and could potentially double output when CERN is fully operational. However, the LHC is scheduled for a Long Shutdown 3 beginning in mid-2026, which will temporarily reduce heating output. CERN is also exploring additional waste heat recovery projects, including at its Prévessin data center, expected to be operational by late 2026.




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