A Vision for the Future

Brașov is exploring a groundbreaking transformation of its former CET (Combined Heat and Power) platform into what could become the most modern energy hub in Romania. According to a report by Radio Brașov FM, specialists from the Ministry of Energy presented an opportunity study to the Local Council, outlining a visionary project for the site, which was acquired by the previous administration for approximately 19 million euros.

The study, requested by the Brașov City Hall, aims to repurpose the vast 55-hectare platform to align with current environmental and climate regulations. Mayor George Scripcaru emphasized the need to capitalize on the investment, stating, "We asked them to identify a solution... so that we can harness that site to produce for Brașov." The proposal focuses on converting the industrial area into a beacon of sustainable energy and innovation.

Key Components of the Green Energy Park

The proposed energy hub is designed to be a comprehensive green energy park, integrating multiple renewable sources. Dr. Eng. Emil Iakaboș, a representative of the Society for the Administration of Energy Participations (SAPE), highlighted Brașov's strategic central location and its potential to integrate five different energy types. The project, estimated to cost half a billion euros and likely developed with private partners, includes several key components:

Renewable Energy Generation

  • Photovoltaic Park: A 15 MW solar park consisting of around 20,680 panels, expected to generate 22–23 GWh of electricity annually. This would reduce CO₂ emissions by an estimated 15,000 tons per year.
  • Wind Turbine: The installation of a modern 3 MW wind turbine, contributing further to the renewable energy mix.
  • Biomass Cogeneration Station: A high-efficiency plant using biomass gasification to produce syngas. This would supply the city's heating network, help replace natural gas consumption, and utilize regional renewable resources.

Advanced Energy Systems

  • Trigeneration System: A highly efficient system that produces three forms of energy: electricity, heat, and cold air. This is a significant upgrade from current cogeneration methods.
  • Green Hydrogen Station: This facility will convert renewable electricity into high-purity green hydrogen for use in the cogeneration plant and to supply a public hydrogen refueling station, promoting sustainable mobility.

Advanced Infrastructure and Innovation

Beyond energy production, the hub is planned to feature cutting-edge infrastructure to support its operations and foster innovation.

  • Data Center: The cold air from the trigeneration system is intended to cool a future 12 MW data center. The plan also considers a geothermal network of 150 boreholes to naturally achieve a temperature of 15°C.
  • Energy Storage: A large-scale electricity storage station with a capacity of 300 MW and a delivery power of 600 MWh will ensure a stable and reliable energy supply.
  • University Campus: The project includes preserving parts of the old CET buildings to create a university campus focused on research and technological innovation, allowing equipment to serve as educational subjects.
  • Command and Control Unit: A central unit will monitor, optimize, and securely manage the entire campus's physical and digital infrastructure.

A Transformative Opportunity

As reported by Radio Brașov FM, this project represents a unique opportunity to convert a former industrial site into an innovative energy hub. Integrating a 1.2 GWh energy storage system, a 20 MW photovoltaic park (potentially linking the one from Stupini), and advanced solutions like hydrogen and trigeneration demonstrates both the technical and economic feasibility of the plan.

If realized, the CET energy hub will have a significant positive impact on the community and the environment, solidifying Brașov's commitment to a green transition and enhancing its capacity for renewable energy generation in the region.