immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Author: immovestuser

  • Zurich moves into the bubble zone

    Zurich moves into the bubble zone

    UBS explains in a press release on the current edition of the UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index that the euro area has the most overvalued housing markets of the 25 cities observed around the world. For Munich, Frankfurt, Toronto, Hong Kong, Paris, Amsterdam and Zurich, the analysts even identify a bubble risk. Overvaluations of residential real estate are attested in the cities of Vancouver, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Stockholm, Geneva, San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Sydney, Moscow and New York.

    This year, Zurich has risen to the bubble risk category for the first time, the analysts explain in the press release. You have also observed the strongest price increase of all Swiss economic regions for the metropolis. The supply on the housing market grew relatively quickly in the reporting period. If, according to the announcement, the market for owner-occupied properties has dried up, the majority of the newly built apartments will ultimately be rented out.

    The analysts put Geneva at a lower price level and a lower index value than Zurich. However, the city made up for its losses from 2013 to 2016 in the wake of the recent price hike. Despite the overvalued housing market, the city can benefit from its international orientation and its attraction to foreign nationals.

    Compared to last year's Bubble Index, prices in many European metropolises have risen by more than 5 percent, the press release explains. "At this point in time it is impossible to say to what extent higher unemployment and a bleak outlook for household incomes will affect house prices," said Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management, quoted there. "It is clear, however, that the current acceleration is not sustainable in the short term."

  • Wolkenkratzer sollen Solarstrom produzieren

    Wolkenkratzer sollen Solarstrom produzieren

    Gebäude gehören zu den grössten Energieverbrauchen. In Europa sind sie für ungefähr 40 Prozent des Stromverbrauchs und für 36 Prozent des CO2-Ausstosses verantwortlich, wie Venture Kick in einer Mitteilung schreibt. Insbesondere hohe verglaste Gebäude verbrauchen viel Energie. Im Sommer müssen sie aufgrund der grossen Fenster stark gekühlt und im Winter stark beheizt werden. Das Tessiner Jungunternehmen iWin will diesem Problem entgegenwirken.

    Die Firma arbeitet an einer Lösung, mit der vor allem grosse Gebäude mit Glasfassaden selbst erneuerbare Energie produzieren können. Konkret entwickelt sie spezielle Jalousien, welche als Photovoltaikanlage fungieren. Die zugrundeliegende Technologie wurde bereits an der Fachhochschule der italienischen Schweiz (SUPSI) validiert und zum Patent angemeldet.

    Die Jalousien von iWin sind den Angaben zufolge in einer Isolierglaseinheit versiegelt. Ein Vorteil der Lösung ist, dass sie nicht nur zur Energieproduktion dient, sondern gleichzeitig auch einen Licht- und Sonnenschutz bietet. Ausserdem stört sie die optische Erscheinung des Gebäudes nicht und kann auf einer grossen Fläche installiert werden.

    Mit seiner Entwicklung konnte das Start-up nun die Jury von Venture Kick überzeugen. Es gewinnt einen Förderbeitrag in der Höhe von 150’000 Franken. Damit will es die Entwicklung eines anwendungsfähigen Produkts vollenden, sodass es mit dem Verkauf starten kann.

  • Urdorfer S+U Bau baut Spitalskapelle wieder auf

    Urdorfer S+U Bau baut Spitalskapelle wieder auf

    Bei Errichtung des Neubaus des Spitals Limmattal in Schlieren musste die alte Spitalskapelle weichen. Der Schlieremer Stadtrat beschloss deshalb vor sechs Jahren laut einem Artikel in der „Limmattaler Zeitung“, die Kapelle aus dem Inventar der kulturhistorischen Objekte zu streichen. Sie stand ab da nicht mehr unter Schutz. Allerdings hat der Stadtrat auch einen Vertrag mit dem Spital abgeschlossen, der dieses zu einer möglichst detailgetreuen Rekonstruktion der Kapelle verpflichtet. Es wurde sogar vereinbart, dass es auch wieder einen Teich an der Spitalskapelle geben müsse,

    All das setzt jetzt Stefan Schmid mit seinem Team der S+U Bau AG in Urdorf um. Den Bauauftrag hat sein Unternehmen von Losinger Marazzi erhalten. Das Berner Bauunternehmen hat den Neubau des Spitals Limmattal verwirklicht. Der Auftrag lautet auf originalgetreuen Wiederaufbau der Kapelle aus den 60er Jahren und alle damit verbundenen Baumeisterarbeiten. Die Bauarbeiten sollen rasch beginnen, den ersten Baukran hat Schmid schon aufstellen lassen. Bis zum Frühjahr 2021 hofft man, fertig zu sein und die Kapelle wieder allen Einkehr und Ruhe suchenden Patienten und Besuchern öffnen zu können. Bisher hatte ihnen dazu nur ein dafür freigehaltener Raum im Spital dienen können.

    Die alt-neue Kapelle soll auch wieder unter Schutz stehen. Sie werde nach der Rekonstruktion wieder ins Inventar der kulturhistorischen Objekte aufgenommen, hatte der Schlieremer Stadtingenieur Hans-Ueli Hohl beim Beschluss über den Abriss versichert.

  • Houzy gewinnt die Baloise als Investorin

    Houzy gewinnt die Baloise als Investorin

    Die Baloise investiert laut einer Medienmitteilung in das Zürcher Proptech-Start-up Houzy. Damit will der Basler Versicherer sein Portfolio an innovativen Technologien rund um das Wohnen erweitern.

    Houzy betreibt eine digitale Plattform, die Daten intelligent verknüpft und daraus Empfehlungen für Wohneigentümer ableitet. Sie kann beispielsweise errechnen, wann die Heizung saniert und wie viel Geld dafür auf die Seite gelegt werden soll. Sie kann Eigentümer aber auch mit passenden Partnern für den Unterhalt oder andere Aufgaben verknüpfen. Dabei zahlen die Anbieter eine Fixgebühr pro Jahr, um auf der Plattform gezeigt zu werden. Für die Nutzer ist die Plattform kostenlos.

    Mit der Investition von Baloise schliesst Houzy eigenen Angaben zufolge seine Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde ab. Im Rahmen der Runde habe das Start-up „mehrere Millionen“ Franken für das weitere Wachstum in der Schweiz gesammelt. Neben der Baloise konnte sich Houzy im Sommer auch eine Investition von der Zürcher Grossbank UBS sichern. Die Aktienmehrheit halten nach wie vor die Gründer.

    „Wir haben gezielt Partner gesucht, die nicht nur in Houzy investieren, sondern als strategische Partner zu uns passen. Mit der Baloise und ihrem Home-Ökosystem werden zahlreiche Synergien entstehen, die unsere Entwicklung schneller vorantreiben, worauf wir uns alle sehr freuen“, sagt Stefan Schärer, CEO von Houzy.

  • Coop and Energie 360 ° are building charging stations in shopping centers

    Coop and Energie 360 ° are building charging stations in shopping centers

    According to a press release , Energie 360 ° will start construction work at the first Coop locations this autumn. The charging stations are built both at Coop sales outlets and in shopping centers. The Zurich-based energy and mobility service provider plans to equip 20 of the around 100 planned Coop locations by the end of the year. The other charging stations will follow by mid-2023.

    Martin Kessler, Head of Mobility at Energie 360 °, is quoted in the communication: “Our goal is to make electromobility easily and widely available. No region in Switzerland should have to wait longer than the other. ”This means that in the implementation of the joint Energie 360 ° and Coop project, all regions – from Basel to Ticino and from Geneva to St.Gallen – will be right from the start should be taken into account equally.

    Salome Hofer, Head of Sustainability / Economic Policy at Coop: “With the electric charging stations, we want to meet the needs of our customers for charging options at our sales outlets and at the same time promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

    The construction of the charging stations, which is now starting, was preceded by a two-year pilot phase. Then Coop decided to work with Energie 360 ° and its subsidiary swisscharge.ch .

    The charging current offered at the stations – 22 kilowatts of alternating current – comes mainly from ecological production, emphasizes Energie 360 °. Depending on the charging strength of the electric car, it charges energy for up to 150 kilometers in one hour. The electricity price is the same at all Coop charging stations. The charging stations are integrated into the swisscharge.ch network, which includes over 48,000 charging options across Europe.

  • The hotel construction site in Geroldswil has been secured

    The hotel construction site in Geroldswil has been secured

    With more than 60 percent, the Geroldswilers approved an additional loan of 650,000 francs, which increases the project planning loan, which was too tight in 2017, to around 2.6 million francs. This means that work on the project can continue. A center development with a lower level garage, a major distributor in the basement and apartments on the upper floors are to be created. According to a media release by the municipality of Geroldswil , 872 voters voted for the approval of the additional funds. In contrast, there were 559 no votes with a participation of 50.45 percent.

    The leases for the Hotel Geroldswil and the pizzeria on Dorfplatz are limited in time and will expire on December 31, 2021, the municipality announced when the project was presented . Based on an economic and feasibility study, the two floors with the hotel rooms are to be converted into apartments. As a supplement, a new building with family apartments is to be built as a so-called point building in the north-western part of the property. The current community hall is to be demolished and a new, modern and well-equipped community hall will be implemented as a connecting wing between the current Hotel Geroldswil and the apartment building. There should be space for one or two restaurants on the village square, it said.

    The independent mayor Michael Deplazes is quoted in an article in the “Limmattaler Zeitung”: “The voters recognize the necessity of the project and understand why we are investing in age-appropriate apartments and in new buildings.” According to Deplazes, the planners and architects can now do their work again record: "We put a project freeze until the additional loan was approved because we cannot spend money that we don't even have."

    The next ballot will take place on June 13, 2021. Then the people should decide on the building loan. "We expect an estimated 26 million francs," said Deplazes.

  • Federal government specifies requirements for wind energy

    Federal government specifies requirements for wind energy

    "Since 2018, the Energy and Spatial Planning Act explicitly oblige the cantons to define areas in their structure plans that are suitable for the use of wind energy," the Federal Council explains in a press release . At its meeting on September 25th, it approved the necessary adjustments to the wind energy concept. All planning and project sponsors must orient themselves to this concept.

    In the wind energy concept, usage and protection interests are weighed up against each other. From this consideration, the federal government derives areas that it believes are suitable for the use of wind energy. The interests of the federal government in nature and landscape protection areas as well as military and civil technical systems of the federal government must be taken into account by the cantons when designating areas for the use of wind energy. The adapted concept stipulates that under certain conditions wind turbines can be erected in landscapes of national importance. In biotopes of national importance, however, the construction of wind turbines is excluded.

    The cantons continue to have the authority to determine the specific areas that come into question for the use of wind energy. In the structure plans already approved by the federal government for the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Freiburg, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, St.Gallen, Waadt and Wallis, more than 50 such areas have already been defined. In addition, the communication points to a number of wind energy projects that are already well advanced in the planning stage.

  • Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Stierenmatt school pavilion

    Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Stierenmatt school pavilion

    The new construction of the Stierenmatt pavilion on the Hunziker area in the Limmatfeld area is scheduled to begin on October 1st. A temporary school building for the Stierenmatt school unit will be created. According to the city of Dietikon , this should offer space for nine primary classes. The creation of classrooms in the Limmatfeld district has been planned for some time. "Due to outstanding cantonal plans, the construction of the planned school building on the Stierenmatt area belonging to the city is delayed and will probably be completed in 2028 at the earliest," said a message from the city of Dietikon on the occasion of the vote on the loan financing of the project to justify a temporary solution .

    In the vote in June, according to the city, 2,056 voters were in favor and 735 were against the loan. This approved the submission for a loan of CHF 15.2 million.

    Construction work for the temporary school is expected to be completed in August 2021. The entire population is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, October 1st at 5.30 p.m. Registration is not necessary. Due to the current pandemic, however, there are no tables, benches and no toilet facilities available. Every visitor is legally obliged to register on an attendance list for contact tracing, the invitation draws attention to.

  • Axpo and EKZ secure supply in Stäfa

    In the communities around Stäfa, the demand for electrical energy has been consistently high for years. Axpo and Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich ( EKZ) have therefore taken extensive measures to ensure that the region continues to have a reliable power supply, according to the joint media release from the two energy providers

    EKZ built, tested and commissioned the new Stäfa substation in just two years. The new system is much smaller and significantly more powerful than the old, around 45-year-old system. It is also less prone to failure than the outdoor switchgear, which has since been dismantled, because all high-voltage circuits are in the building. The total cost of renovating the Stäfa substation is around 8 million francs. This includes the renaturation of the area freed by the demolition of the old substation with ponds, hedges and a wet meadow. The Stäfa substation is connected to the Axpo high-voltage network via two 110-kilovolt lines.

    As part of the Axpo and EKZ project, Axpo is laying the 110 kilovolt line between the Brunnenwisli area and the cable that has already been laid in front of the Stäfa substation. The open-air pipeline has so far run on this section along a forest area, so that there is an increased risk of failure due to kinked or uprooted trees in the event of strong storms. gba

  • Primeo Energie is building a new heating center in Allschwil

    Primeo Energie is building a new heating center in Allschwil

    According to a media release , Primeo Energie is building a new underground heating center for the existing heating network between the indoor swimming pool and the music school in Neuallschwil. The foundation stone was officially laid on Wednesday. The system is operated with two wood-burning boilers with an output of 840 kilowatts each. In addition, a heat pump uses the environmental heat and waste heat from the indoor pool. This generates 80 percent of the energy required. The plant will go into operation in early summer 2021.

    "The community and Primeo Energie are setting another example for a renewable, CO2-neutral heating supply", said Nicole Nüssli-Kaiser, President of the City Council. "With this central heating system, we not only heat the school building, but also enable the entire district to rely on renewable thermal energy."

    This new heating center is another piece of the puzzle in the heating network, the message goes on to say. It will be connected by a pipeline to the heating network, which is also primarily fired with wood chips, at the old people's center at Bachgraben. This enabled synergies to be used between the two district heating networks. Further properties are to be connected to the network. By merging several centers, security of supply will also be increased.

  • Elderly apartments in Bergdietikon are to be modernized

    Elderly apartments in Bergdietikon are to be modernized

    The Foundation for Age-Appropriate Living in Bergdietikon (AGW) built the facility in Schlittental 25 years ago according to the then modern standards of equipment and technology. The Bergdietikon municipality made the area available at the time. Today demands and needs have evolved. That is why the Board of Trustees wants to analyze the situation by examining not only the mix of apartments and the standard of construction, but also the question of pricing and, last but not least, the individual types of housing that are particularly suitable for handicapped people, as stated in a communication . A proposal for the renovation of the building to meet contemporary needs should be available by the end of the year.

    The rental apartments, which, unlike in old people's homes, are offered without services, are "a little old" and no longer meet today's standards. Some of the total of 18 apartments could therefore no longer be rented out despite the overall clear demand.

    In order to determine the real needs, residents and interested parties should be asked about their ideas. But one thing is certain: services such as those offered in old people's homes or larger institutions are not economically viable.

    The residential building for age-appropriate living is located directly in the center of Bergdietikon. The post office, the center, the Volg store, the cemetery and the bus stop can be reached in a few minutes, the foundation describes the property. And adds: With a distant view of the Limmat Valley and a view of the hilly landscape on the mountain side.

  • Helvetia invests in the RhyTech quarter

    Helvetia invests in the RhyTech quarter

    The RhyTech quarter, which consists of two high-rise buildings, an apartment building and the converted historic Hall 22 of the former Alusuisse area, is intended to combine public and private uses, said Halter AG in a press release . The Zurich-based construction company will implement the RhyTech quarter as a general contractor. Construction work is scheduled to begin in November this year. Completion and occupancy of the quarter are targeted for the first quarter of 2024.

    The general contractor Helvetia Versicherungen was able to win over an investor for the smaller of the two high-rise buildings. The insurance company will realize the planned apartments as rental apartments and also market the restaurant on the 17th floor, explains Halter. "The project is perfectly tailored to the market environment and offers a sustainable investment in an up-and-coming community in the Schaffhausen region", Daniel Wehrli, the responsible project manager at Helvetia, is quoted in the press release. According to her, a tenant has already been found for the restaurant in the high-rise.

    The second high-rise and the apartment building are designed as condominiums. Of the 96 condominiums in the high-rise building, 39 and around a quarter of the apartments in the multi-family house are already taken, writes Halter. In view of the reference date, which is around three years away, this is "a very good reservation status", says Halter CEO Markus Mettler. In addition, Halter has already been able to win Migros as anchor tenant for Hall 22.

  • Zurich's real estate fund is now in the top 3

    Zurich's real estate fund is now in the top 3

    In just two years, Zurich Invest AG has become an important provider of real estate investments, the company writes in a press release . With the capital increase in September and a future total volume of CHF 1.3 billion, your fund “ZIF Immobilien Direkt Schweiz” will become one of the largest unlisted Swiss real estate funds. Zurich Invest Ltd launched the fund in October 2018. The first capital increase took place last year.

    The real estate fund's rapid growth is possible "because Zurich , as a global insurer, is one of the most important property owners in Switzerland and has been able to build up a portfolio of attractive buildings over a long period of time," the press release said. The changed range of life insurance companies also accounts for the 80 percent share of first-class real estate in the Zurich fund. Since they now contain fewer guarantee products, less real estate is required to guarantee the obligations. "This is why Zurich has the opportunity to transfer properties in the most desirable locations to a fund."

    As it is said, the second capital increase will run for around 340 million francs and will take place on October 21. The subscription period is from September 21st to October 2nd. The new tranche comprises a total of 20 properties. "In addition to their prime location, the buildings are characterized by the fact that we are pursuing the goal of operating them in a CO2-neutral manner in the future," said Martin Gubler, CEO of Zurich Invest AG. The first two tranches of the fund in 2018 and 2019 were heavily oversubscribed. He is "extremely satisfied" with his performance.

  • Clevertrailer is now also an advertising medium

    Clevertrailer is now also an advertising medium

    Clevertrailer GmbH has expanded the application possibilities of its lightweight trailer again. As announced by the Lyss-based company, it can now also be rented with an LED screen. This has a height of 160 centimeters and a width of 208 centimeters. It can be used for advertising stills as well as for playing advertising films or for television broadcasts.

    Thanks to its battery with solar panel, the LED trailer will also have an autonomous energy supply in the future and can therefore be used practically anywhere. This makes it equally suitable for events by companies, organizations and private individuals.

    Inquiries for rental purposes are possible via the LEDtrailer's own website or via info@clevertrailer.ch .

  • ABB supplies chargers to Chinese electric car factory

    ABB supplies chargers to Chinese electric car factory

    ABB chargers ensure the charging capacity for up to 120,000 vehicles in an e-car factory owned by the Chinese Dongfeng Motor Group and the Japanese Honda Motor Company . Dongfeng Honda will use it to equip the assembly and test lines in its more than 980,000 square meter plant in Wuhan.

    As the company writes in a press release , Dongfeng Honda has selected a range of different chargers “based on its previous positive experience with low and medium voltage products from ABB”.

    As part of its industrial development plan for energy-efficient and new-energy vehicles by 2035, China expects that one in four new vehicles sold in the country will be an electric car by 2025. More than 64 million are expected to be on Chinese roads by 2030.

    "The development of charging capacity must go hand in hand with the booming sales figures for electric cars," said Frank Mühlon, Head of E-Mobility Infrastructure Solutions at ABB. "We are excited to support Dongfeng Honda in implementing their electric vehicle strategy."

  • Hightech Zentrum Aargau was successful in the e-mobile rally

    Hightech Zentrum Aargau was successful in the e-mobile rally

    Beat Christen and his co-pilot Peter Morf from the Hightech Center Aargau ( HTZ ) have successfully completed their first participation in the Wave Trophy , according to a media release. The e-mobile team Mission Innovation Aargau covered 1818 kilometers without breakdowns in eight days in its Tesla Model S P85D. The start was in Brugg-Windisch, the final in Entlebuch. In the overall ranking, it came second out of around 30 participating teams. It also won the audience award given by students.

    This year's route led along the Grand Tour of Switzerland through all four language regions and over nine Alpine passes. The teams did not only advertise electromobility in action, but also during their planned stays in 23 towns and at a further 23 stops, according to the announcement. Most of the information meetings with authorities, schools and the population were well attended. Interested parties could follow the travel blog of the two drivers on the HTZ website.

    Because the motto of this year's Wave rally was “Energy Tour”, numerous energy projects were also visited, including the first floating solar power plant in the Alps on the Lac des Toules in Valais and the wind turbines on the Rengg Pass in Entlebuch. "Renewable energies go well with e-mobility and the Wave has shown that this combination works," said Peter Morf, co-pilot and head of energy technologies and resource efficiency at HTZ, quoted in the communication. Only the “consistency of the various charging systems” is “still a challenge,” says pilot Beat Christen.

  • Federal government continues electricity saving program

    Federal government continues electricity saving program

    The ProKilowatt office received a total of 16 applications for the 2020 competitive tender for programs. According to a press release , twelve of them received funding approval. The programs with the best cost-benefit ratio, i.e. with the cheapest kilowatt-hour saved, were awarded the contract. These programs range from energy saving measures for companies in the food and feed industry to energy optimization in data centers.

    In addition, nine new projects were selected at the beginning of July. In this way, the Federal Office of Energy supports, among other things, the renovation of ventilation systems in a food company and the replacement of motors in industrial production processes. This year the Federal Office of Energy has awarded applicants CHF 29 million in funding.

    A total of 50 million francs is available to the federal government for calls for tenders for projects and programs in 2020. The deadline for submitting the third project round of the year and for programs to promote energy-efficient household appliances expired on September 4th. The applications received are currently being examined. The applicants will receive the funding notices in mid-November. Applications for the 2021 competitive tenders can be submitted from the beginning of November. The submission deadlines for projects are February 5, April 23 and September 3, 2021.

  • Peach Property wins Ares as anchor shareholder

    Peach Property wins Ares as anchor shareholder

    The Peach Property Group is planning to make further portfolio acquisitions in Germany, explains the Zurich-based company, which specializes in residential real estate, in a press release . Peach Property intends to raise the funds by increasing the capital base by CHF 200 million. A mandatory convertible bond is to be placed for this purpose.

    The subscriber of three quarters of the mandatory convertible bond has already been determined, Peach Property informed in the message. Specifically, a fund of the globally active manager of alternative bonds, Ares Management Cooperation , will subscribe to 150 million francs. This means that Ares will secure a stake of around 30 percent in Peach Property and become the largest single shareholder in the Zurich real estate company, according to the announcement. In the course of the entry, the Managing Director of the Ares Real Estate Group, Klaus Schmitz, is to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Peach Property Group.

    "We are very pleased to be able to win Ares as a new anchor shareholder with extensive experience in the German residential real estate sector", Thomas Wolfensberger, CEO of the Peach Property Group, is quoted in the press release. Ares, in turn, sees the stake in the Zurich real estate company "as an excellent opportunity to invest in one of the more defensive asset classes in Europe and at the same time to benefit from the attractive growth of the Peach Property Group", explains John Ruane, Co-Head of the Ares European Real Estate Group.

  • Energy suppliers rely on cooperation

    Energy suppliers rely on cooperation

    Increasing digitization and cross-sector cooperation are opening up new business areas for energy supply companies in Switzerland. According to the results of the 2020 municipal utility study by the consulting firm EY and the Federal Association of Energy and Water Management , 80 percent of energy providers see great synergy potential in telecommunications, 71 percent in the housing industry and 69 percent in the heating industry. According to a press release , the survey was carried out in Switzerland and Germany, among 49 EVUs across Switzerland.

    According to a media release from EY, the potential for cooperation has increased once again from the EVU's point of view: in 2019, only 50 percent saw great synergy potential in telecommunications and 67 percent in the housing industry. The heating industry was not queried at that time.

    When looking for promising business models, EVUs would look even more outside the box in the future, says Benjamin Teufel, Head of the Energy Sector in Switzerland. “The housing industry, in particular, lends itself to being a cooperation partner: decentralized and climate-friendly energy solutions are becoming increasingly important.” As EY explains in another article , platform transactions based on digital data are conceivable for the housing industry. "Stadtwerke are predestined to be the operator of these platforms," it says there.

    A total of 71 percent of the EVU expect to be able to act as platform operator in decentralized electricity generation, 67 percent in electromobility and 71 percent in the area of smart metering, i.e. the use of intelligent electricity meters. Accordingly, the 2020 municipal utility study also shows that 84 percent of energy suppliers consider smart metering to be the most important technology in digital transformation. "As a data hub, the smart meters will lead to numerous new applications, products and business models," Teufel is quoted as saying.

    In the article “How municipal utilities can benefit from smart metering in the future”, EY explains: “The more companies use smart meter data for their business and the more these services can be networked with one another, the stronger the platform business will grow. Typically, the platform operator, in this case the municipal utility, participates in the transaction proceeds. "

  • LafargeHolcim intensifies efforts to achieve climate goals

    LafargeHolcim intensifies efforts to achieve climate goals

    As the first globally active building materials group, LafargeHolcim has committed itself to scientifically sound goals for reducing its CO2 footprint, explains the Zug-based cement giant in a press release . Specifically, LafargeHolcim will participate in the Science-Based Targets Initiative ( SBTi ) campaign. Its aim is to motivate companies to set scientifically sound, measurable objectives with which the climate target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius can be met.

    As part of the campaign, LafargeHolcim will reduce CO2 emissions per tonne of cementitious building materials to 475 kilograms, the company explains in the press release. Furthermore, the Zug-based building materials group wants to increase the use of low-carbon and CO2-neutral building materials. In addition, the company's footprint is to be reduced by increasing the reuse and recycling of waste and by-products. Overall, LafargeHolcim aims to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 emissions from purchased electricity by more than 20 percent by 2030 compared to 2018.

    "As the world's largest cement manufacturer, we are playing a key role in overcoming the challenges of today's climate crisis," said Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer of LafargeHolcim, quoted in the press release. "On our way to becoming a 'net-zero' company, we are not only part of the solution, but we also support our customers in achieving their carbon reduction goals."

  • Decommissioning and disposal funds show profits

    Decommissioning and disposal funds show profits

    The decommissioning and disposal funds ( STENFO ) to be accumulated by the operators of nuclear facilities are intended to cover the costs of decommissioning Swiss nuclear power plants and the disposal of radioactive waste, explains the Federal Council in a communication . At its meeting on September 18, it approved the annual reports of the two funds for the 2019 reporting year. The two funds currently have a total of CHF 8.492 billion. At the end of 2018, the fund amounts had totaled 7.492 billion francs.

    The decommissioning fund currently has CHF 2.724 billion available for the decommissioning and demolition of the nuclear facilities and the disposal of the radioactive waste generated. The funds exceeded the target amount of CHF 2.525 billion targeted for the end of 2019 by CHF 198.8 million, writes the Federal Council. A return on investment of 12.26 percent resulted in a profit of CHF 297.9 million in the fund's income statement.

    The disposal fund set up for the costs of disposing of radioactive waste showed funds of 5.768 billion Swiss francs at the end of 2019. The fund was thus quoted at 615 million francs above its target amount of 5.153 billion francs, informs the Federal Council. Compared to the end of 2018, a profit of 666.8 million francs was posted. It resulted from a return on investment of 13.09 percent.

  • Strabag relies on 3D models in the Fahrweid

    Strabag relies on 3D models in the Fahrweid

    Geroldswil , Weiningen and Limeco are part of the owner of the joint project drainage Fahrweid. As part of the project, a new sewer system is being implemented. For the central shaft structure, the construction company Strabag relies on Building Information Modeling (BIM), as stated in a message . A software is used for the planning, through which, among other things, 3D models of the buildings to be realized are created.

    "We are carrying out the central manhole structure together with the planners from ILF Switzerland using OpenBIM2Field as a pilot project," is how Stijepan Ljubicic, BIM manager at Strabag, is quoted in the message. The 3D models in particular have proven to be helpful. “The visual representation is a big advantage. Plans in 3D are easier to understand than complicated paper plans, especially for people in the team who speak other languages – they understand the 3D model better and faster, ”says foreman Adrian Wildhaber. But changes are also easier to implement than with plans on paper, says site manager Sven Landis, "in the model they are easily generated at the push of a button".

  • Basel begins converting to electric buses

    Basel begins converting to electric buses

    Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe ( BVB ) are planning to procure a total of 126 electric buses by 2027. The BVG are thus implementing the statutory mandate to operate their public transport services in the canton of Basel-Stadt with 100 percent renewable energy by 2027. In the coming days, BVB will tender the first procurement phase for 62 e-buses. They are scheduled to go into operation in 2022. "I am pleased that after a long planning phase we can finally take the first concrete steps towards an environmentally friendly and modern e-bus system", BVB director Bruno Stehrenberger is quoted in a media release .

    The services for the general planner of Garage Rank are also being put out to tender these days. It will be completely rebuilt between 2023 and 2027 because it no longer meets today's requirements. At a later point in time, living space is also to be realized there. During this construction phase, the buses will be parked on two replacement areas.

    Industrielle Werke Basel ( IWB ) is responsible for setting up a corresponding charging structure in Garage Rank and in the provisional parking areas. In addition, the IWB will install so-called occasional charging points at five terminal stops, where buses can recharge electricity while they are waiting. This increases their range and makes the entire bus network more flexible.

    Converting the bus fleet will cost a total of around 360 million francs. Of this, around 147 million Swiss francs go to the procurement of the e-buses. The construction of the new Garage Rank, the temporary fixtures and other minor infrastructure adjustments cost around 161 million francs. The costs for setting up the charging infrastructure by IWB amount to around 52 million francs. The corresponding loan application is now with the Grand Council.

  • Real estate summit sheds light on change

    Real estate summit sheds light on change

    The topic of change was already the focus of this year's Real Estate Summit of Flughafenregion Zürich AG ( FRZ ) in the opening speech by André Ingold. Specifically, the newly elected President of the FRZ presented the around 20 major construction projects planned or under construction in the airport region, explained the FRZ in a communication on the event. Ingold had highlighted the planned Steinacker district in Kloten as an example. An urban area for 6,700 residents and 4,000 employees is to be created here along the Glattalbahn.

    The FRZ was able to win the longstanding Federal Minister and former German Vice Chancellor (SPD), Sigmar Gabriel, as the main speaker. The former top politician, who was elected to the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bank in May, addressed the challenges for Europe such as Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic and the trade war between the USA and China. With regard to Switzerland, Gabriel stated that the development of Switzerland indicated that “the path this country has taken so far has been the right one”. The country has "developed so well precisely because of the close and relaxed relationship with the EU," said Gabriel.

    Tobias Straumann outlined his view of developments in the real estate market. "In the next one to two years the probability of a real estate crisis is zero," the economic historian is quoted as saying in the press release. According to him, there is no threat of an interest rate shock or “ruinous cutthroat competition”.

    In other presentations, entrepreneurs such as André Wyss, CEO of Implenia AG , Christine Novakovic, CEO of UBS Europe SE , Romeo Deplazes, Division Manager Solutions and member of the management of Energie 360 ° AG , and Rudolf Tschopp, Partner at Asia Green Real Estate , presented the strategies their companies in dealing with the global transformation processes.

  • Eberhard wins the business environment award

    Eberhard wins the business environment award

    The business environment prize is awarded annually and is intended to honor companies for success and sustainable action. The winner of the 2020 award is Eberhard Bau AG, based in Kloten. The company has found a solution to reuse and recycle the large amounts of construction waste that are constantly generated. Under the heading of “ urban mining ” – the city as a source of raw materials – the family company has been one of the pioneers in the reuse of building materials that have already been used for a decade and a half. Today, according to a press release , up to 450,000 tons of mineral rubble are processed annually in its recycling center, which is available for new buildings.

    In the opinion of Patrick Eberhard, Head of Sales Building Materials, there is often a lack of awareness in the construction industry that construction waste is the largest waste stream in Switzerland. The Eberhard company recycles demolished houses to create completely new buildings from these raw materials. For example, 99 percent of the new Europaallee in Zurich was built with second-hand quality building materials.

    "Switzerland needs the environmental award for business, because changes begin with lighthouses that can be used for orientation," the press release quotes the jury president and former Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard.

  • Energy suppliers rely on cooperation

    Increasing digitization and cross-sector cooperation are opening up new business areas for energy supply companies in Switzerland. According to the results of the 2020 municipal utility study by the consulting firm EY and the Federal Association of Energy and Water Management , 80 percent of energy providers see great synergy potential in telecommunications, 71 percent in the housing industry and 69 percent in the heating industry. According to a press release , the survey was carried out in Switzerland and Germany, among 49 EVUs across Switzerland.

    According to a media release from EY, the potential for cooperation has increased again from the EVU's point of view: in 2019, only 50 percent saw great synergy potential in telecommunications and 67 percent in the housing industry. The heating industry was not queried at that time.

    When looking for promising business models, EVUs would look even more outside the box in the future, says Benjamin Teufel, Head of the Energy Sector in Switzerland. “The housing industry in particular lends itself to being a cooperation partner: decentralized and climate-friendly energy solutions are becoming more and more important.” As EY explains in another article , platform transactions based on digital data are conceivable for the housing industry. "Stadtwerke are predestined to be the operator of these platforms," it says there.

    A total of 71 percent of EVUs expect to be able to act as platform operators for decentralized electricity generation, 67 percent for electromobility and 71 percent for smart metering, i.e. the use of intelligent electricity meters. Accordingly, the 2020 municipal utility study also shows that 84 percent of energy providers consider smart metering to be the most important technology in digital transformation. "As a data hub, the smart meters will lead to numerous new applications, products and business models," Teufel is quoted as saying.

    In the article “How municipal utilities can benefit from smart metering in the future”, EY explains: “The more companies use smart meter data for their business and the more these services can be networked with one another, the stronger the platform business will grow. Typically, the platform operator, in this case the municipal utility, participates in the transaction proceeds. "Mm

  • Basel begins converting to electric buses

    Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe ( BVB ) are planning to procure a total of 126 electric buses by 2027. The BVG are thus implementing the statutory mandate to operate their public transport services in the canton of Basel-Stadt with 100 percent renewable energy by 2027. In the coming days, BVB will tender the first procurement phase for 62 e-buses. They are scheduled to go into operation in 2022. "I am pleased that after a long planning phase we can finally take the first concrete steps towards an environmentally friendly and modern e-bus system", BVB director Bruno Stehrenberger is quoted in a media release .

    The services for the general planner of Garage Rank are also being put out to tender these days. It will be completely rebuilt between 2023 and 2027 because it no longer meets today's requirements. At a later point in time, living space is also to be realized there. During this construction phase, the buses will be parked on two replacement areas.

    Industrielle Werke Basel ( IWB ) is responsible for setting up a corresponding charging structure in Garage Rank and in the provisional parking areas. In addition, the IWB will install so-called occasional charging points at five terminal stops, where buses can recharge their batteries while they are waiting. This increases their range and makes the entire bus network more flexible.

    Converting the bus fleet will cost a total of around 360 million francs. Of this, around 147 million Swiss francs go to the procurement of the e-buses. The construction of the new Garage Rank, the temporary fixtures and other minor infrastructure adjustments cost around 161 million francs. The costs for setting up the charging infrastructure by IWB amount to around 52 million francs. The corresponding loan application is now with the Grand Council. mm

  • Real estate summit sheds light on change

    The topic of change was already the focus of this year's Real Estate Summit of Flughafenregion Zürich AG ( FRZ ) in the opening speech by André Ingold. Specifically, the newly elected President of the FRZ presented the around 20 major construction projects planned or under construction in the airport region, explained the FRZ in a communication on the event. Ingold had highlighted the planned Steinacker district in Kloten as an example. An urban area for 6,700 residents and 4,000 employees is to be created here along the Glattalbahn.

    The FRZ was able to win the longstanding Federal Minister and former German Vice Chancellor (SPD), Sigmar Gabriel, as the main speaker. The former top politician, who was elected to the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bank in May, addressed the challenges for Europe such as Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic and the trade war between the USA and China. With regard to Switzerland, Gabriel stated that the development of Switzerland indicated that “the path this country has taken so far has been the right one”. The country has "developed so well precisely because of the close and relaxed relationship with the EU," said Gabriel.

    Tobias Straumann outlined his view of developments in the real estate market. "In the next one to two years the probability of a real estate crisis is zero," the economic historian is quoted as saying in the press release. According to him, there is no threat of an interest rate shock or “ruinous cutthroat competition”.

    In other presentations, entrepreneurs such as André Wyss, CEO of Implenia AG , Christine Novakovic, CEO of UBS Europe SE , Romeo Deplazes, Division Manager Solutions and member of the management of Energie 360 ° AG , and Rudolf Tschopp, Partner at Asia Green Real Estate , presented the strategies their companies in dealing with the global transformation processes. hs

  • Canton Solothurn wants to get out of Alpiq

    Canton Solothurn wants to get out of Alpiq

    The Canton of Solothurn is selling its stake in Alpiq . He currently holds 1'563'520 shares, a stake of 5.61 percent in the Lausanne energy company. As the government council writes in a press release, it wants 861,429 shares in Primeo-Energie based in Münchenstein BL and 331,104 shares in Regio Energie Solothurn . The government council is looking for further interested parties for the remaining 370,987 shares.

    The sale to the two regional energy providers is at a share price of 70 francs and brings the canton 113 million francs. Since the canton keeps the shares with a value of 56 francs in the books, the book profit is 16.7 million francs.

    The canton holds the Alpiq shares thanks to its stake in the predecessor company Atel, which dates back to the 1960s. With the sale, he is exercising a right that was granted in the shareholders' agreement of the three shareholder groups EOS Holding , the Credit Suisse subsidiary Schweizer Kraftwerksbeteiligung-AG and the Consortium of Swiss Minorities (KSM) from 2019. The canton of Solothurn belongs to the KSM. According to the 2019 clause, he can sell his shares either to existing members of the KSM or to regional energy providers.

  • Pandemie verzögert Erholung im Schweizer Hochbau

    Pandemie verzögert Erholung im Schweizer Hochbau

    Die Bautätigkeit im Hochbau werde in diesem Jahr um 3,1 Prozent geringer als im Vorjahr ausfallen, prognostiziert BAK Economics in einer Mitteilung zur aktuellen Bauprognose des Wirtschaftsforschungsinstituts. Im kommenden Jahr wird ein weiterer Rückgang um 1,8 Prozent erwartet. Als Begründung weist BAK Economics auf im Jahresvergleich gesunkene Zahlen bei im Bau befindlichen Projekten, Baubewilligungen und Baugesuchen hin. „Diese Indikatoren sprechen dafür, dass sich die Hochbautätigkeit in einem zyklischen Abschwung befindet“, erläutern die Analysten.

    Sie gehen von einem Abschwung in allen Sparten des Hochbaus aus. Dem Wohnbau käme dabei allerdings aufgrund des besonders hohen Anteils eine besondere Rolle zu, heisst es weiter in der Mitteilung. Hier hätten steigende Leerstände zu einem Rückgang der Baubewilligungen seit 2018 geführt.

    Der Betriebsbau werde hingegen vor allem von den Auswirkungen der Pandemie gebremst, da in dieser Sparte Bauprojekte von besonders betroffenen Branchen wie dem Tourismus erfasst werden, erläutern die Analysten. Den Abwärtstrend beim Infrastrukturbau führen sie hingegen eher auf zyklische Effekte zurück.

    Mittelfristig gehen die Analysten von einer wieder steigenden Hochbautätigkeit in allen Sparten und Landesregionen aus. Dem Wohnbau werden dabei schwächere Wachstumsraten als in der Vergangenheit prognostiziert. Gute Perspektiven sehen die Analysten aufgrund gewachsener Bedeutung von Transport- und Logistik für den Lager- und Hallenbau. Regional weisen sie der Region Zürich/Aargau sowie dem Genferseeraum die höchsten Wachstumsperspektiven zu.