The German Reichstag will become home to an engine-based cogeneration system before the end 1998. The new system will be in place before the Federal Parliament officially moves to the German capital.
The plant will run on biodiesel and will provide all the energy required by the building. Engine emissions will be controlled using catalytic systems.
The power generation unit is to be supplied by Siemens. It is expected to achieve an energy utilization of almost 90 per cent.
The plant will generate 1600 kW of electricity and 1840 kW of heat. Some of this energy will be used in surrounding government buildings. Heat from the plant will be used for heating, while surplus heat will be stored in an underground accumulator so that it can be made available during winter periods of high demand.