Photovoltaics, wood chips and pellets, a local heating network, low-energy buildings and the partial cooperative organisation and co-ownership of plants and distribution – the municipality of Beckerich will soon be energy independent, making it a pioneer in energy supply.
A look back at history shows that Beckerich has always been at the forefront of energy, with the mill playing a central role. For centuries, its task was to use water power to operate heavy millstones, but from the 19th century onwards, it powered the sawmill’s machines before converting water power into electrical energy at the beginning of the 20th century and supplying the inhabitants first with light and later with electricity to power household appliances such as electric cookers.
The history of energy and its use in Beckerich – from the mechanical power transmission of the mill to today’s biogas plant, from the corvée labour of the inhabitants in the past to cooperative energy production today – is the central theme of the new exhibition.
This approach makes it possible to present Beckerich’s current situation as a development that has grown out of the past and, beyond that, to highlight future issues.
The exhibition consists of several rooms:
- Energy production
After a general introduction to the energy industry in Beckerich, the first room focuses on the topic of energy production using water power. Original exhibits such as a turbine, switchboard and generator are used to illustrate the technical side, while large photos and texts provide a picture of the working conditions and social circumstances.
The final topic is the current and future resources for energy production.
- Energy use
On the topic of energy use, visitors can see the impressive drive technology of the millstones, while other exhibits provide an insight into how the mill operated at that time. At the same time, text and images tell the story of the mill, its operators and workers, as well as the social conditions since the Middle Ages.
Another topic is the electrification of the community: generation, construction of a network, later sale, and finally today’s cooperative electricity generation.
The third room focuses on ‘energy in the household’: from muscle power for washing clothes to smart-controlled household appliances.
In the media room, various films on old craft techniques and the mill are shown. Visitors can select the films on a tablet.
- Heat
The existing baking room deals with the topic of heat energy and illustrates the changes in baking, cooking and heating. Many kitchen exhibits have found a home here. In addition, the local heating network and the pellet heating system are discussed.
- Water
In the last room, starting with ‘water in the household’ (hygiene and personal care, washing and cleaning, etc.), the topic of water supply and treatment is presented.
- Energy use Sawmill
Here, the machines are shown in operation. In addition, text and/or image information is provided for the individual machines.