The architect of the Sprudelhof thermal baths spent almost an hour guiding a dozen citizens through the large construction site in Bad Nauheim, which raised the question of the energy concept.

His answer: The thermal baths next to the Art Nouveau ensemble in the vicinity of the Kurpark are supplied with district heating, which in turn is generated with gas.

Thorsten Winter

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for central Hesse and the Wetterau.

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The architect is aware of the fact that gas prices have multiplied since the start of the Ukraine war and, in view of this, adds: This concept was created to the best of our knowledge and belief – before there was any talk of the gas crisis.

Photovoltaics on the roof of the thermal baths?

shaking his head.

But apart from natural gas, the waste heat from the brine should be used.

30 degree warm brine available

"The gas component is being reconsidered." He announced this in mid-September.

However, an inquiry in the town hall does not allow the conclusion that the city administration is now distancing itself from the volatile energy source.

In addition, Mayor Klaus Kreß (independent) is more reserved than the builder about the waste heat from the highly saline water from the spa town's subsoil.

The Sprudelhof-Therme is supplied with energy by a gas-powered combined heat and power plant, a spokeswoman said.

"In the long term, the energy supply could possibly be changed over," she quotes Kreß as saying.

The use of the Bad Nauheim brine for heat generation is "discussed".

Experts should judge whether it might be worthwhile.

The city has just commissioned a feasibility study.

Bad Nauheim has a basic locational advantage: the salty water gushes out of the ground at around 30 degrees.

For comparison: the brine in Bad Salzhausen is only a good half as warm and is therefore not a source of waste heat.

Against this background, the city of Nidda closed the Liebig-Therme at the end of September despite numerous protests from citizens and customers.

The decisive factor was the escalating energy costs.

With a view to the solar cells on the new building, Kress sticks to the line of not using the sun as an electricity supplier for the thermal baths.

"There will be no photovoltaic system on the roof, which is due to monument preservation and aesthetic aspects." Future hotel visitors will look at the roof of the thermal baths, which is why it will be greened and thus form the optical front garden for the hotel, as he explains.

Underground car park for Therme now under construction

However, a solar system is to be installed on the roof of the hotel that is still to be built in the vicinity of the thermal baths.

How high their total output will be and how much the electricity generated by the system will be enough for many households remains to be seen.

Municipal utilities and hotel operators clarified this question.

Meanwhile, workers have started building the underground car park under the thermal baths.

The sheet piling would be rammed into the ground over a period of five to six weeks, it is said.

This will be associated with noise throughout the day.

In addition, there are vibrations.

With a view to possible damage, measuring devices will monitor the work - "to preserve evidence".

According to Kress, the work on the construction site of the spa is on schedule.

He expressed his confidence that the underground car park will be ready by the time the new bathing facility is scheduled to open next autumn.