A forward-looking residential neighborhood is taking shape in Cologne-Ehrenfeld, setting new standards in sustainable energy supply. The LÜCK project, developed by the wvm Group in collaboration with naturstrom AG, uses municipal wastewater as an innovative heat source, thereby actively contributing to the energy transition.
Commitment to Society and the Environment
With the LÜCK residential neighborhood, the wvm Group aims not only to create sustainable housing but also to set an example for an environmentally friendly and economically viable energy supply. The project aims to improve residents’ quality of life while contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
“Our goal is to take a leading role in the use of sustainable energy sources,” emphasizes Erika Werres. “The LÜCK Köln neighborhood impressively demonstrates the potential that exists in urban areas and how the use of wastewater can make a significant contribution to the municipal heating transition.”
The innovative technology is complemented by decentralized residential units that handle drinking water heating in individual homes. This enables a particularly efficient and sustainable supply of heat.
A Project with Significant Impact
Construction work on Subbelrather Straße began in 2023. Four apartment buildings with a total of 216 residential units and a neighborhood-based kindergarten are currently being built on the former factory site. The solar panels on the roofs of the buildings have a total capacity of 99 kilowatts peak, contribute to the local energy supply, and help stabilize heating costs for residents by supplying the heating plant with affordable solar power.
Erika Werres adds: “From the very beginning, it was important to us to plan LÜCK’s energy concept to be as sustainable as possible. With wastewater, we have not only found the ideal energy source for our residential neighborhood, but we are also demonstrating that heat recovery from wastewater is economically viable and scalable.”
The implementation of this project is only possible through close collaboration with the Cologne Municipal Sewerage Authority, which provides the sewer line and thus the wastewater source. “The willingness to cooperate and the support from local authorities were crucial to the success of this project,” says Werres. “We hope that this project will serve as a model for other cities and that the potential of wastewater heat recovery in urban areas will be utilized more fully.”
The wvm Group has long made it its mission not only to create physical structures but also to provide safe and secure places for families. “Our projects are the pillars of stability on which your investments rest securely,” emphasizes Werres. “With the LÜCK neighborhood, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable and stable future that not only provides housing but also strengthens a sense of community and promotes social progress.”
LÜCK is not only an innovative construction project but also a step toward a more sustainable and livable future. “Our commitment to society is evident in every aspect of this project,” Erika Werres concludes. “We’re not only creating housing but also a new chapter in urban energy supply.”
