CERN's Waste Heat Powers New Heating Network for 5800 Homes in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The Pays de Gex agglomeration in Ain, near Geneva, inaugurated a major heating network on December 12, 2025, designed to supply 5800 homes, a swimming center, and offices. The project, costing €47 million and supported by the ADEME heat fund, will deliver a maximum of 45 GWh annually.
It utilizes waste heat from the CERN particle accelerator, built by Dalkia and operated by a mixed economy company. The network integrates multiple heat sources, including low-temperature waste heat from CERN, geothermal energy installed by Celsius (a Schlumberger subsidiary), data center heat, and biomass boiler heat.
Energy storage is included, with excess heat stored underground during summer and used in winter. By the end of the decade, Gex aims to connect with Geneva's Genilac network for better heat exchange.
