Research using particle accelerators uses a lot of energy. This applies to ESS as it does for all other similar research facilities.

ESS will have a power requirement of approximately 40 megawatts. This is just as much as is used by a medium-sized paper mill or another major industry.

It is the objective of ESS Scandinavia to reduce its energy requirement by 20 per cent through energy-saving measures. Thus, the actual power requirement will be around 32 megawatts. ESS Scandinavia also works in other ways to reduce the strain on the environment.

The aim is to become the world’s first climate-neutral research centre - an ambition that has lead to ESS Scandinavia, in its only research project to date, being accepted as a partner in the Sustainable Energy Europe campaign.

All electricity will derive from renewable energy sources. Through direct investment in wind and/or biopower, renewable energy will be able to supply the electricity market. This also means that there would be a buffer against fluctuations in the price of electricity, something that has aroused great interest across Europe, since it implies huge economic benefits.

The excess heat that arises in the facility will also be able to be reused. ESS Scandinavia is working together with Lunds Energikoncernen AB to find solutions for reusing excess heat in the local district heating system. The electricity used does not only derive from renewable energy sources, a large proportion will also be recycled. Thus, doubling the environmental benefits.

If ESS is built in Lund, the research centre will have several advantages compared to other accelerator-based laboratories, which are used to being operated with conventional electricity production and ventilate waste heat via large cooling towers.

Compared to similar facilities, ESS Scandinavia will both use less energy and act to ensure the used energy is not ventilated directly into the atmosphere. This is an energy concept that both spares the environment and saves money!