Jointly with teachers and trainees it tested CO₂-reducing measures in the area of energy supply on its own premises. The trainees in the scientific laboratory, operator and eco-technical professions worked on a data inventory for the heat supply of the SBG, determined the existing energy use and compared variants for existing and alternative energy supply systems. In order to improve the own eco-balance, they examined under particular consideration of the CO₂-minimisation and of regenerative energies the most promising measures as an alternative of the gas turbine power station of the city of Dresden.

Trainees improving an ecobalance
The model calculation showed that a heat pump with groundwater utilisation leads to an annual saving of 32 tons of carbon dioxide. The two-valued energy supply in the heating system reduces the costs by approximately € 9,500 per year. Based on these figures, the institute built a bivalent heat pump using geothermal power. It went on line in 2006 and since then has been serving for educational and presenting purposes.