World's largest particle accelerator begins warming thousands of local French residents with waste energy from the 16-mile Large Hadron Collider — CERN's accelerator leverages its massive cooling network to help slash local carbon emissions

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN is now using waste heat from its cooling system to warm thousands of homes in a nearby French town, reducing carbon emissions. This initiative is part of CERN's move towards more environmentally responsible research. The heat exchange system transfers heat from the LHC's cooling system to a new district heating network in Ferney-Voltaire. While the system is currently operational, it will undergo upgrades in 2026, temporarily reducing its output. CERN plans to expand waste heat capture to other facilities, showcasing innovative ways to repurpose energy for community benefit.