immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Energy

  • Energie 360° gets green light for solar façade

    Energie 360° gets green light for solar façade

    According to a press release,Energie 360° has been given the green light for its planned photovoltaic façade. With this and the planned solar installation on the roof, it will be able to convert its headquarters accordingly. The specialist for sustainable energy and mobility intends to cover around half of its annual electricity requirements itself.

    Construction work began at the end of March 2023. After construction began, the canton of Zurich’s building insurance changed its authorisation policy for photovoltaic façades. Since then, proof has been required that a fire from the solar modules cannot spread over more than two storeys.

    In the absence of a suitable testing facility in Switzerland, two fire tests were carried out at the Leipzig Materials Research and Testing Institute for the Construction Industry(MFPA Leipzig). They made it clear that steel sheets act as horizontal fire barriers between the individual modules. This construction fulfils the test criteria specified by the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers.

    “Energie 360° will be the first company to realise a PV façade under the new requirements,” CEO Jörg Wild is quoted as saying. “The photovoltaic systems will turn the headquarters in Altstetten into a green power plant.”

  • Folding roof from dhp on sewage treatment plant receives German Solar Prize

    Folding roof from dhp on sewage treatment plant receives German Solar Prize

    Servicebetriebe Neuwied (SBN) in Rhineland-Palatinate has installed the first foldable solar roof in Germany on its sewage treatment plant. It covers 1600 square metres and can be retracted during maintenance work or storms and hail. The system from dhp technology AG, based in Zizers, is expected to generate 180,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. This will increase the company’s own electricity production from 9 to 24.5 per cent.

    The SBN were inspired by reports about role models in Switzerland, they write in a press release. “Our Executive Board then had the courage to tackle the project in Neuwied and the Board of Directors was also quickly convinced,” SBN Division Manager Joachim Kraus is quoted as saying.

    The large distances between the supports of the folding roof and its clear height of 5 metres enable solar production without interfering with the management of the sewage treatment plant. This also has economic benefits: “The system helps to reduce operating costs and ensure that the fees remain affordable,” Jan Einig, Mayor of Neuwied and Chairman of the SBN Board of Directors, is quoted as saying.

    SBN has now been awarded the German Solar Prize 2023 for the solar folding roof. “The lighthouse concept of the Neuwied service companies encourages the municipal implementation of renewable energies,” writes the jury of the prize awarded by Eurosolar together with the state organisation NRW.Energy4Climate.

  • AMAG expands photovoltaics

    AMAG expands photovoltaics

    AMAG has put a new photovoltaic system into operation at its Châtelaine site in Vernier near Geneva. According to a press release issued by the company, a total of 891 solar panels have been installed on the roof of the Audi, Seat and Cupra building, covering an area of 1,737 square metres. In total, the new photovoltaic system in Vernier is expected to produce around 400,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year. This will be used on site for the company’s own requirements. Any excess production will be fed into the public power grid, according to the press release.

    “The fact that we have also received a photovoltaic system fills me with great joy and pride,” Francine Varga, Managing Director of AMAG Châtelaine, is quoted as saying in the press release. “I consider it extremely sensible and sustainable to utilise the power of the sun to cover the majority of our company’s electricity requirements.”

    By 2025, 75,000 square metres of the roofs of AMAG plants are to be equipped with solar panels. The AMAG Group has gradually expanded its solar capacities in recent years. As a result, corresponding systems have been installed on the roofs of numerous plants.

  • Lake Thun WWTP clarifier gets solar roof

    Lake Thun WWTP clarifier gets solar roof

    ARA Thunersee will also generate solar power in future. As decided by the delegates of the municipal association on 1 November, a solar folding roof is to be installed on the roof of the wastewater treatment basin. They decided to invest 12.4 million Swiss francs in the project, according to a press release. This should be amortised within 17 years.

    The folding roof from the manufacturer dhp technology, based in Zizers, will have a solar module surface area of 23,000 square metres. This will make it the largest photovoltaic system at a Swiss wastewater treatment plant and one of the largest in the canton of Bern. It will have an output of 3,000 kilowatts peak and generate 3 gigawatt hours of electricity per year.

    In addition, ARA Thunersee already produces 13 gigawatt hours of biomethane per year and feeds this into the natural gas grid of Energie Thun AG.

  • Umwelt Arena shows special exhibition on solar power

    Umwelt Arena shows special exhibition on solar power

    The Umwelt Arena in Spreitenbach is presenting a special exhibition on solar power together with the electricity utility of the city of Zurich(ewz). According to the announcement, the special exhibition, which will be open all day from 3 November to 28 April 2024, will focus on the history of the development of solar power, the function and installation of solar power and the potential of the sun to generate electricity.

    The ewz special exhibition shows the huge potential for climate-friendly solar power production that lies dormant on rooftops and how fundamentally uncomplicated it is to take action yourself to have a solar system installed, according to the press release. However, there are still reservations and outdated myths about the construction and utilisation of solar systems. The exhibition therefore sheds light on various aspects, including, for example, how a solar system and flat roof greening can ideally complement each other. On a journey of discovery, visitors are given information about the development of solar energy over the last few decades. They can also take part in a solar quiz.

    The Umwelt Arena would like to point out that those particularly interested in the topic of solar power and visitor groups such as companies, clubs or schools can combine a visit to the special exhibition with a guided tour of the SonnenTrail. The possible uses of solar thermal energy and photovoltaics are presented.

    According to the Umwelt Arena press release, guided tours must be booked in advance by telephone or online.

  • Transitional document provides planning security for solar façades

    Transitional document provides planning security for solar façades

    Swissolar wants to create planning security for planning offices and building owners for photovoltaic (PV) installations on façades. As a first step, the association of the Swiss solar energy industry is presenting a transitional document for this purpose. The document “Planning and fire protection certification of rear-ventilated PV façades” was developed in collaboration with the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers(VKF), the Bern and Zurich building insurance companies and a number of photovoltaic and fire protection experts, Swissolar explains in a press release.

    The transitional document shows the conditions under which solar façades can be installed for mid-rise and high-rise buildings without a property-specific fire test. Swissolar explains that an argumentative verification procedure is now being used. It incorporates empirical values that could be derived from previous fire tests.

    This interim document is intended to create planning certainty for solar façades until a state of the art paper (STP) is available. Swissolar intends to develop such an STP by autumn 2024 together with photovoltaic and fire protection experts and in consultation with the VKF.

  • Solar industry wants to reuse used photovoltaics

    Solar industry wants to reuse used photovoltaics

    SENS eRecycling, the industry association Swissolar and the Biel-based Department of Engineering & Information Technology at Bern University of Applied Sciences are working with other partners to promote the circular economy in the solar industry. As part of the Swiss PV Circle project, they want to extend the lifespan of photovoltaics by creating business models for the reuse of used modules, according to a press release.

    The project is based on the observation that photovoltaic modules still have 90 per cent of their original output even after 20 years. Nevertheless, they are often discarded because they are either damaged or the operators want to upgrade to more powerful models.

    The partners want to collect data on the modules used in Switzerland and make this available to all stakeholders via a digital platform. The development of business models also involves ensuring an infrastructure for the dismantling, storage and testing of used modules, including their labelling. It should also be possible to track the modules throughout their entire service life.

    The module manufacturers Meyer Burger Technology and 3S Swiss Solar Solutions in Thun, Helion Energy in Cham ZG as an installer and operator of systems, the energy supplier CKW as well as KWB Planreal in Widnau SG and Reiling PV-Recyling GmbH & Co. KG from Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia, two specialists in the recycling of photovoltaic systems, are also participating in Swiss PV Circle.

  • RWB supplies first municipal property with district heating

    RWB supplies first municipal property with district heating

    According to a statement from the town, Regionalwerke AG Baden has connected a municipal property to its heating network for the first time. With the elimination of the previous gas heating system, emissions of 14 tonnes of CO2 can be avoided at Wiesenstrasse.

    The city of Baden wants to have converted all gas heating systems in its properties to district heating by 2028. The residents’ council has approved a planning credit of 750,000 Swiss francs for the first construction phase up to 2025. A second credit application is to be submitted in 2025 for the second construction phase up to 2028. RWB has evaluated 60 properties so far.

    The city anticipates an annual district heating potential of around 9400 megawatt hours and a CO2 reduction potential of 1900 tonnes in its properties. “The city wants to lead by example,” City Councillor Philippe Ramseier is quoted as saying in the press release.

    The energy for the district heating network comes from the Turgi waste incineration plant, among other sources. The proportion of CO2-neutral heat in the Baden North district heating network is over 80 per cent.

  • IWB to decommission distribution network for natural gas by 2037

    IWB to decommission distribution network for natural gas by 2037

    The canton of Basel-Stadt has decided to phase out fossil fuel heating by 2037. IWB currently supplies just under 11,000 properties in Basel, Bettingen and Riehen with natural gas. Of these, 9,000 use natural gas for heating.

    According to an IWB statement, 5800 properties can be connected to an existing or planned district heating network. For the remaining properties, alternatives must be sought. These could be heat pumps or pellet heating.

    About 2000 properties use natural gas for cooking. Therefore, about 14,000 gas cookers must be converted to electric cookers.

    IWB wants to decommission its natural gas network gradually, basically at the end of the respective service life. The first shutdowns are planned for 2026 and 2027. After that, around 1000 connections are to be taken off the grid each year.

    The canton supports the changeover to heat pumps, wood heating systems or heating networks with subsidies. For gas systems that have not yet been amortised, it also pays compensation for residual values. The canton expects to pay a maximum of 80.4 million francs for such compensation and bridging solutions.

  • PriceHubble acquires WhenFresh

    PriceHubble acquires WhenFresh

    PriceHubble, according to its own information the European market leader for performance data solutions in the field of real estate and finance, has acquired London-based WhenFresh ltd. Acquired. According to a media release, the wholly owned merger of WhenFresh into PriceHubble’s portfolio will lead to the expansion of its leading market position.

    WhenFresh previously provided data and decision systems to banks, insurers, the public sector and other Big Data users and is a leading specialist in residential property data in the UK. The company provides access to over 200 proprietary, private and public datasets. WhenFresh’s solutions and expertise now enable PriceHubble’s clientele to make faster, more informed and more cost-effective decisions around property risk.

    “PriceHubble has quickly established itself as the leading B2B SaaS provider of real estate performance data solutions for banks, insurance companies and asset managers globally,” Dr Stefan Heitmann, founder and executive chairman of PriceHubble, was quoted as saying in the statement. “Seeing our sixth acquisition successfully completed and our unique capabilities extended into the largest banking and real estate market in Europe and beyond fills us with respect and joy in equal measure. We are exceptionally pleased to welcome the WhenFresh team.”

    WhenFresh Ltd will become a wholly owned subsidiary of PriceHubble UK, led by Mark Cunningham, co-founder and director of WhenFresh. Alan Dean, Co-Founder and Technical Director of WhenFresh, will become Group Innovation Director of PriceHubble.

  • Bergeller Bevölkerung befürwortet vorzeitige Erneuerung der ewz-Konzession

    Bergeller Bevölkerung befürwortet vorzeitige Erneuerung der ewz-Konzession

    Die Konzession von ewz zur Nutzung der Wasserkraft im Bergell ist noch bis Ende 2039 gültig. Seit einigen Jahren verhandelt ewz mit der Gemeinde Bregaglia über eine vorzeitige Rekonzessionierung, mit dem Ziel, diese im Jahr 2026 zu erteilen, um sie ab 2035 in Kraft treten zu lassen. In der konsultativen Gemeindeabstimmung vom 26. Oktober 2023 wurde dieses gemeinsame Vorhaben von der Bergeller Bevölkerung bestätigt.

    Stadtrat Michael Baumer, Vorsteher des Departements der Industriellen Betriebe, zu dem auch ewz gehört, äußerte sich erfreut über dieses Signal und betonte die langjährige Partnerschaft zwischen dem Bergell und der Stadt Zürich.

    Die Gemeinde Bregaglia und der Kanton führen derzeit Abklärungen im Hinblick auf den Heimfall und die Konzessionierung durch. ewz steht bereit, diese Bemühungen zu unterstützen und konkrete Verhandlungen aufzunehmen, um das Verfahren bis Ende 2026 abzuschließen.

    Die Vorbereitungen für die vorzeitige Rekonzessionierung laufen bereits seit 2014, einschließlich der Erstellung einer Schutz- und Nutzungsplanung in Zusammenarbeit mit einer Begleitgruppe. Für ewz ist eine optimierte Energieproduktion bei gleichzeitigem Schutz der Gewässer von großer Bedeutung.

    Seit 1959 produziert das Unternehmen Strom im Bergell und betreibt fünf Wasserkraftwerke sowie den Stausee Albigna. Diese Anlagen erzeugen jährlich etwa 440 GWh Strom, was dem Durchschnittsverbrauch von rund 168.000 Vierzimmer-Haushalten entspricht. Eine vorzeitige Rekonzessionierung würde die Arbeitsplätze sichern und ermöglichte es, sein Engagement im Bergell fortzusetzen, einschließlich Elektroladestationen und einer hochalpinen PV-Anlage auf der Albigna-Staumauer.

    Sie investiert in erneuerbare Energien, wo die natürlichen Ressourcen optimal genutzt werden können und die wirtschaftlichen, umweltverträglichen und akzeptablen Anforderungen erfüllt sind. Die Rekonzessionierung bestehender Wasserkraftanlagen spielt eine wichtige Rolle bei der Förderung dieser erneuerbaren Energiequelle in der Schweiz.

  • Innovativer Akkuspeicher

    Innovativer Akkuspeicher

    Die Firma ist ein Spezialist für mobile Batteriespeicher, hat bekannt gegeben, dass sie in das Bürgschaftsprogramm des Schweizer Technologiefonds aufgenommen wurde. Dieser Fonds, der dem Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU), Abteilung Klima, angegliedert ist, unterstützt innovative Unternehmen, die wegweisende Technologien zur Reduzierung von CO2-Emissionen entwickeln und zur Förderung der Schweizer Wirtschaft beitragen.

    Die mobilen Batteriespeicher finden insbesondere in Branchen wie Bauwesen, Veranstaltungen und Filmproduktion Anwendung. Benedikt Domke, CEO mit Sitz in Dietikon, äusserte sich zur Aufnahme in das Bürgschaftsprogramm: “Diese Anerkennung zeigt, dass unser Engagement für wirtschaftlich und ökologisch sinnvolle Alternativen zu Dieselgeneratoren anerkannt und geschätzt wird. Mit der Unterstützung des Technologiefonds können wir unsere Skalierung, Forschung und Entwicklung beschleunigen und unser europaweites Vertriebsnetzwerk für mobile Energiespeicher in den Bereichen Bauwesen, Veranstaltungen und Filmproduktion erweitern.”

    Simone Riedel Riley, Leiterin der Geschäftsstelle des Technologiefonds, betont: “Die Produkte tragen durch den direkten Ersatz von Dieselgeneratoren zur erheblichen Reduzierung von CO2-Emissionen bei.” Das Unternehmen ist aus Axpo hervorgegangen. Ein Team von Axpo entwickelte über mehrere Jahre hinweg einen batteriebetriebenen Generator für Baustellen. Im November 2022 wurde die Technologie an ein Konsortium aus Management und Unternehmern verkauft, die das Unternehmen gründete.

  • Das Bündner Solarfaltdach goes global

    Das Bündner Solarfaltdach goes global

    Mit dem Solarfaltdach «HORIZON» hat dhp ein Produkt entwickelt, mit dem bestehende Infrastrukturflächen für die Solarstromproduktion genutzt werden können. Dies bedeutet, dass die darunter liegende Fläche weiter ohne Einschränkung genutzt werden kann, während gleichzeitig Solarstrom produziert wird. Anwendungsbereiche für das Solarfaltdach sind Kläranlagen, Parkplätze, Logistikareale und anderes mehr. Die Stromeigenversorgung dieser Anlagen kann dank «HORIZON» deutlich erhöht werden.

    Ein Solarfaltdach für 45 Autobahnrastplätze
    Die Kerntechnologie ist eine ästhetische Leichtbaukonstruktion. Diese ist nicht nur platzsparend, sondern auch ökologischer, da bis zu 50% weniger Material verbaut wird. Das Einfalten der Modulbahnen verhindert das Einwirken von Kräften, die durch Sturm, Hagel und starken Schneefall entstehen. In schneereichen Regionen fallen damit Winterverluste weg, denn die Module bleiben schneefrei und produzieren mit den ersten Sonnenstrahlen wieder Strom.

    Vor kurzem wurde bekannt, dass das Solarfaltdach über 45 Autobahnrastplätzen in der Romandie und in den Kantonen Wallis und Bern installiert werden soll. Den Zuschlag erhielt das Solarfaltdach deshalb, weil es grosse Höhen über Boden (>6 m) und weite Stützenabstände ermöglicht. Dies ist wichtig für grosse Fahrzeuge wie LKW, Sattelschlepper oder Cars, die die Rastplätze nutzen.

    Bereits neun Projekte in Deutschland
    «Das Interesse aus dem EU-Raum ist gross und fast täglich kommen Anfragen aus aller Welt in Zizers an», sagt Gian Andri Diem, Co-Founder und geschäftsführender Partner von dhp. Stand heute sind 16 Schweizer Solarfaltdächer realisiert, davon drei im Kanton Graubünden. In Deutschland werden dieses Jahr 2023 die ersten Projekte in Betrieb gehen. Rund 40 weitere Projekte stehen in unterschiedlichen Planungs- und Ausführungsstadien. Das Solarfaltdach wurde unter anderem ausgezeichnet mit dem Watt d’Or, dem Schweizer Solarpreis und dem Schweizer Zukunftspreis.

  • Schweizer Technologiefonds nimmt emost AG auf

    Schweizer Technologiefonds nimmt emost AG auf

    Die auf mobile Batteriespeicher spezialisierte emost AG ist laut einer Medienmitteilung in das Bürgschaftsprogramm des Schweizer Technologiefonds aufgenommen worden. Der Schweizer Technologiefonds ist beim Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU), Abteilung Klima, angesiedelt und unterstützt innovative Unternehmen, die wegweisende Technologien zur Reduktion von CO2-Emissionen entwickeln und zur Förderung der Schweizer Wirtschaft beitragen.

    Die emost AG ist ein Anbieterin von mobilen Batteriespeichern, die insbesondere in der Bau-, Veranstaltungs- und Filmbranche zur Anwendung kommen „Diese Anerkennung zeigt, dass unser Engagement für ökonomisch und ökologisch sinnvolle Alternativen zu Dieselgeneratoren anerkannt und geschätzt wird“, wird Benedikt Domke zitiert, CEO der emost AG mit Sitz in Dietikon. „Mit der Unterstützung des Technologiefonds können wir unsere Skalierung nebst unserer Forschung und Entwicklung schneller vorantreiben und unser europaweites Vertriebsnetzwerk für mobile Energiespeicher für die Bau-, Event, und Filmindustrie ausbauen“, so Domke weiter. „Durch den direkten Ersatz von Dieselgeneratoren werden durch die Produkte von emost grosse Mengen des Treibhausgases CO2 eingespart“, wird Simone Riedel Riley zitiert, Leiterin der Geschäftsstelle Technologiefonds.

    Die emost AG ist entstanden aus der Axpo. Ein Team von Axpo hatte in mehrjähriger Arbeit einen batteriebetriebenen Generator für Baustellen entwickelt. Die Technologie wurde im November 2022 laut einer Mitteilung an ein Konsortium aus dem Management und Unternehmern verkauft, das die emost AG gründete.

  • Trunz nimmt Solaranlage auf seinem Dach in Betrieb

    Trunz nimmt Solaranlage auf seinem Dach in Betrieb

    Die Trunz Holding AG hat am 18. Oktober ihre neue Solaranlage auf dem Dach des Trunz Technologie Centers in Steinach in Betrieb genommen. Ihre 2660 Photovoltaikmodule haben laut einer Mitteilung insgesamt eine Fläche von 8000 Quadratmetern. Die Module bestehen aus bifacialen Zellen und sind damit auch für die Stromproduktion bei diffusem Licht geeignet.

    Die Anlage hat eine Leistung von 1,1 Megawatt peak und soll pro Jahr 1,1 Millionen Kilowattstunden Strom erzeugen. Davon sind 750‘000 Kilowattstunden für den Eigenverbrauch vorgesehen. Das entspricht rund einem Drittel des Stromverbrauchs von Trunz in Steinach. Der übrige Strom wird in das Netz der Elektra Steinach eingespeist. Die Anlage wurde von Solar21 mit Sitz in Zürich installiert.

    An der Einweihung der Anlage haben auch die St.Galler FDP-Nationalrätin Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher und der Mitte-Ständerat Benedikt Würth teilgenommen.

  • Nanogence sichert Finanzierung und liefert nach Indien

    Nanogence sichert Finanzierung und liefert nach Indien

    Nanogence SAhat laut einer Medienmitteilung eine neue Finanzierungsrunde abgeschlossen. Sie wurde vom Investitionsfonds CirCap angeführt, der strategisches Privatkapital für innovative Unternehmen in Klimatechnologie, Gesundheitswesen und Bildung bereitstellt und über ein verwaltetes Vermögen von 500 Millionen Euro verfügt.

    Partner der Finanzierung von Nanogence mit Sitz in Renens bei Lausanne im Innovationspark der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule Lausanne (EPFL) sind weiterhin Planet First Partners und der EIC-Fonds, die Sparte für Beteiligungsinvestitionen des Europäischen Innovationsrats (EIC).

    Die kommerziellen Entwicklungen von Nanogence fokussieren zwar auf die Vereinigten Staaten, das Unternehmen unterstützt derzeit aber auch den Bau des Noida International Airport, der von der Tata Group gebaut und vom Flughafen Zürich entwickelt wird. Der Flughafen soll laut der Mitteilung nach seiner Fertigstellung der grösste Indiens sein und strebt an, der erste Netto-Null-Flughafen des Landes zu werden.

    Die neue Investition wird den Betrieb und die Produktionskapazitäten von Nanogence  in verschiedenen Regionen stärken. Die Nachfrage nach kohlenstoffarmen Lösungen in der Bau- und Gebäudeindustrie steige weltweit. Allein die Produktion von Zement sei für 8 Prozent der weltweiten Kohlenstoffemissionen verantwortlich, heisst es in der Mitteilung. Die patentrechtlich geschützte Katalysatortechnologie von Nanogence führe zu Einsparungen bei den Kohlenstoffemissionen von bis zu 40 Prozent, ohne dass der derzeitige Herstellungsprozess geändert werden muss.

    „Angesichts der weltweit wachsenden Nachfrage ist es für uns von entscheidender Bedeutung, uns mit gleichgesinnten, starken Geldgebern für unsere Wachstumsphase zusammenzuschließen“, wird Abhishek Kumar zitiert, CEO und Gründer von Nanogence.

  • EWD and Swisspower plan alpine solar plant in the Persenn area

    EWD and Swisspower plan alpine solar plant in the Persenn area

    EWD Elektrizität Davos is investing in domestic electricity production with the planned construction of an alpine solar plant in the Parsenn region. This should lead to more independence from electricity imports, according to a media release.

    The municipality of Davos and the municipal utility alliance Swisspower are participating in the planning. Other supporters are Energie Wasser Bern and the Basel energy supplier IWB, as well as Energie Thun AG. The annual production in full operation is estimated at 10 gigawatt hours, which corresponds to the electricity needs of 3000 four-person households.

    Totalp in the Parsenn area was chosen as the location for the photovoltaic plant. Due to its location in a skiing area with an existing mountain railway infrastructure, the site is well connected. The plans were made with consideration for valuable cultural and pasture land in the ski region. Electricity production in the immediate vicinity of consumers, chairlifts and gondolas reduces transport losses. In addition, the plant is shielded on the valley side, so that “no reflections or adverse effects on the population” are to be expected. Even before the power shortage, the sustainable energy future through photovoltaic systems in the mountains was a topic in Davos. Compared to the Central Plateau, the region benefits from many hours of sunshine, even in winter.

    Following the approval of the Davos government, the project will be debated in the Davos parliament at the beginning of November. Afterwards, the population will vote. If the referendum is positive, construction work is to begin in 2024. The goal is to put the first parts of the plant into operation by December 2025.

  • Aliunid turns Landis+Gyr electricity meters into real-time tachometers

    Aliunid turns Landis+Gyr electricity meters into real-time tachometers

    Aliunid and Landis+Gyr have successfully tested the aliunid gateway for the Landis+Gyr E450 smart meter. Combined with an aliunid gateway, the smart meter becomes “a real-time electricity tachometer”, Landis+Gyr, provider of energy management solutions. said in a media release.

    Founded in 2018, Brugg-based start-up aliunid is a digital energy provider, but without physical infrastructures. It provides its services using real-time data, connectivity and a platform based on the Internet of Things, as a white-label offering for energy suppliers, grid operators and energy producers.

    With renewable energy available in varying quantities depending on the time of day or season and ever-increasing electricity consumption, the power grid needs to become more flexible in order to respond more quickly to fluctuations. Aliunid calls this a “breathing supply“. And this only works with real-time data, which even smart meters alone cannot provide. “We are very pleased that, thanks to the cooperation with Landis+Gyr, we will be able to offer a tested solution for the energy world of tomorrow in the future,” Aliunid CEO Dr David Thiel is quoted as saying.

    “Landis+Gyr supports solution providers for real-time applications that build on existing smart meters and contribute to the Energy Strategy 2050,” explains Dr Christian Zaugg, Head of the Switzerland Business Unit at Landis+Gyr. “This creates additional added value for electricity consumers that goes beyond the primary purpose of automated energy metering and billing.”

  • Austrian Hasslacher Group relies on urb-x

    Austrian Hasslacher Group relies on urb-x

    The internationally active Hasslacher Group from Sachsenburg in Carinthia is taking a stake in urb-x. The young company from Basel-Landschaft develops innovative cycle paths that are assembled from lightweight wooden elements. “With its cycle highways, urb-x offers a real revolution in urban cycling,” Christoph Kulterer, CEO and owner of the Hasslacher Group, is quoted as saying in a corresponding statement by the Austrian timber construction company. “The renewable raw material wood is also a central element in the mission of our two companies, through which we create innovative products and solutions for the challenges of modern cities

    The urb-x cycle lanes are made of prefabricated wooden hollow box elements mounted on steel supports. The anti-slip coated lanes can also be used by ambulances and street cleaning machines. In addition, the paths are equipped with heating elements, sensors and control computers. The energy needed to operate them is supplied by solar panels on the side borders.

    “We are very pleased to have gained a partner with leading production expertise and a clear strategic vision in the Hasslacher Group,” Klaus Kirchmayr, CEO of urb-x, is quoted as saying in the statement. “Our focus is now on making our product known throughout Europe for the first projects.”

  • Zurich brickworks put first photovoltaic system into operation

    Zurich brickworks put first photovoltaic system into operation

    The Zurich brickworks recently started producing the first quarter of its total planned photovoltaic output. As the Regensdorf-based company reports on LinkedIn, this means that around 680 kilowatt peaks are connected to the grid: “Thanks to this first phase, we are already generating clean energy.”

    It is produced on two large roof surfaces that are completely covered with solar panels. An attached video shows in fast motion “how hard we have worked on our heart’s project over the last few months”. The company is “overwhelmed by the interest” it has received so far and thanks everyone for the positive feedback, “which spurs us on”. Now the remaining part of the roof surfaces will also be equipped with solar panels.

    The Zurich brickworks are now once again in Swiss hands as part of the swisspor Group. Before that, they were owned for more than 20 years by the Wienerberger Group, one of the largest brick producers in the world, based in Vienna. The company has existed as Zürcher Ziegeleien since 1912.

  • Schindler receives award for MetaCore platform

    Schindler receives award for MetaCore platform

    Schindler MetaCore receives the Award of Excellence 2023 from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The award is presented at the conference of the same name, where Schindler presents its new reprogrammable lift system. This year, the conference will be held in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from 16 to 21 October. Schindler is a Platinum Sponsor of this event, titled Humanizing High Density – People, Nature & the Urban Realm, which is about socially responsible densification of urban housing.

    MetaCore is an innovative solution for repurposing buildings. “When it comes to environmental compatibility, rapid market entry and investment costs, the conversion of existing buildings represents the most sustainable approach to urban development of the future,” Schindler explains in a media release. Architects, project developers and building owners can use the range of services, products and easily reprogrammable lift systems offered in this platform to develop solutions that seamlessly combine living, leisure and work in a single location, according to the statement.

    By eliminating the need for demolition and new construction, it can also reduce the carbon footprint. “The biggest benefit is that we are taking the most sustainable approach to change by converting existing buildings,” Florian Trösch, Head of Transit Management & Digital Solutions at Schindler, is quoted as saying.

  • Energie Ausserschwyz increases capital for district heating expansion

    Energie Ausserschwyz increases capital for district heating expansion

    In a media release,Energie Ausserschwyz announced the result of a capital increase of CHF 25.5 million completed at the end of September to expand the district heating network. The investors are the main shareholder EW Höfe AG and the 100-member Ausserschwyz Energy Cooperative.

    With the new funds, the energy provider is initially aiming for an accelerated expansion in the direction of Pfäffikon, it says. District heating pipelines are to be laid to the Ausserschwyz Cantonal School in Pfäffikon and to the centres of Lachen and Altendorf. Further expansion plans for the existing district heating network concern additional areas at the energy provider’s headquarters in Galgenen.

    On the initiative of Energie Ausserschwyz, a district heating network has been under construction in the districts of March and Höfe since 2021. From the energy centre, properties in Galgenen, Siebnen, Lachen, Altendorf and Pfäffikon are to receive their heat from renewable sources such as wood chips and biomass. In 2023, district heating infrastructure worth 20 million Swiss francs was installed. Further expansion plans call for total investments of 15 million francs in 2024.

    With the capital increase, Energie Ausserschwyz is also reacting to the inflation in construction costs, interest rates and raw material prices, the company says. “The business model of district heating means that considerable upfront investments have to be made in the expansion of the network before heat can flow and be sold. The higher the inflation, the more cost-intensive these upfront investments are

  • ARA Thunersee plans folding solar roof on the sewage treatment plant

    ARA Thunersee plans folding solar roof on the sewage treatment plant

    ARA Thunersee wants to expand the production of renewable energy. According to its annual report, which has just been published, it is planning a large folding solar roof system on the roof of the pre-treatment and biology basins. The folding solar roof is to be supplied by dhp technology AG in Zizers GR.

    The system is to be installed on an area of 20,000 square metres with a capacity of 3,000 kilowatt peak and an annual electricity output of 3 gigawatt hours. The plant’s capacity would cover up to one third of ARA’s own needs. Since the investment volume exceeds 5 million Swiss francs, it must be approved by the Assembly of Delegates on 1 November.

    Already under construction is a smaller solar roof system by dhp technology with 600 kilowatt peak above the basin for powdered activated carbon (PAH) dosing. It is to produce solar power from February 2024. This will cost 2.26 million Swiss francs.

    In addition, ARA Thunersee already produces 13 gigawatt hours of biomethane per year and feeds it into the natural gas grid of Energie Thun AG. Ingo Schoppe can also imagine converting the waste heat generated from wastewater during the purification process into electricity. “The technical solutions for this are ready; it is up to us and our partners to design these technical solutions in such a way that they are not only good for the environment, but also become economically feasible,” writes the managing director of ARA Thunersee in his report

    The board of directors submitted a credit application of 12.37 million Swiss francs for the entire plant to the assembly of delegates. The assembly also has to decide on awarding the contract to dhp technology, with whom a service contract is to be drawn up. Under Pronovo ‘s support programme, the plant operator can expect to receive a one-time investment grant (GREIV) of 985,000 francs for the planned plant. The timetable envisages the commissioning of the entire plant in the summer of 2025.

  • Cowa Thermal Solutions develops highly efficient heat storage system

    Cowa Thermal Solutions develops highly efficient heat storage system

    Cowa Thermal Solutions has developed a method that can increase the capacity of heat storage units for combined photovoltaic-heat pump systems many times over. The founders of the start-up from the canton of Lucerne already researched this technology for heating and hot water as part of their master’s thesis at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

    According to a statement from the university, they then worked for another four years to make their product, the cowa booster storage tank, ready for the market. During the past heating season, it was tested intensively in the field. The tests showed that the cowa technology doubled the autonomy of the heating system and halved the dependence on the electricity grid. The cowa Booster Speicher is now available in stores. The sales partner is the building technology company Meier Tobler. Initial talks for expansion into Germany and Europe are reportedly underway.

    According to the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, it increases capacity without taking up more space. “The core of our technology is the storage material,” explains cowa founder and co-CEO Remo Waser. “It is based on cost-effective salt hydrates, whose storage density is up to three times higher than that of water. Our heat storage units are correspondingly more powerful.”

    The salt hydrates are reportedly in capsules. The storage tank is filled about 40 per cent with heating water and 60 per cent with capsules containing the salt hydrates. “In this way, the cowa buffer storage tank can store two to three times more energy than a conventional water storage tank of the same size without capsules,” says CRO Jan Allemann.

  • Solar plant investment attracts a lot of interest

    Solar plant investment attracts a lot of interest

    The population of Frauenfeld is showing great interest in participating in large solar power plants. According to the municipal energy supplier Thurplus , it was able to sell all shares in a new photovoltaic plant planned for the roof of Keller-Stahl AG within just over a month.

    The plant consists of 300 modules on an area of 700 square metres. It has a capacity of 140 kilowatts/peak and is expected to generate 140,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Two years ago, a similar plant was built on the roof of Keller-Stahl, which was also financed by private investors.

    The new plant is Thurplus‘ seventh investment plant. These have a total area of 3500 square metres and a capacity of 690 kilowatt/peak. Thurplus customers can participate in solar power plants for as little as 300 Swiss francs. In return, they receive 100 kilowatt hours of electricity per square metre of solar area per year for 20 years.

    Thurplus CEO Reto Lüthy sees the active participation of the city’s residents as confirmation of the company’s strategy. “For them, we are the key player in achieving the local energy turnaround,” he is quoted as saying in the press release. Thurplus is now looking for other solar projects that can be realised through the participation model.

  • Soobr wins Purus Innovation Award at CMS Berlin

    Soobr wins Purus Innovation Award at CMS Berlin

    Soobr has received the Purus Innovation Award 2023 in the Digital Tools and Systems category. The technology company from the canton of Bern was honored by CMS Berlin, the leading international trade fair for the cleaning industry, for its artificial intelligence-based smart cleaning platform. It enables optimized and dynamic planning of building cleaning and also ensures transparency with a digital bill of quantities, Soobr quoted the jury as saying in a statement. Soobr also spread the victory news on LinkedIn. The company remains true to its mission of driving innovation and providing excellent solutions, it said there.

    All 18 final-round competition entries were on display in a special show at CMS Berlin, Sept. 23-26. According to CMS, the Award for Innovation Achievement in the Cleaning Industry recognizes products, tools and systems that impress with their high application quality and superior overall design.

    According to the release, Soobr Smart Cleaning replaces inefficient, rigid cleaning schedules with flexible deployment plans. Thanks to data evaluation based on artificial intelligence, cleaning is only carried out where it is really necessary. This saves water, chemicals, plastic and money. This allows companies to respond to fluctuations in building occupancy rates, for example. The cleaning staff receive their deployment plans via an app.

    Soobr was founded in Ittigen in 2020. The company maintains a subsidiary in Hamburg.

  • Parliament agrees on expansion of renewable energies

    Parliament agrees on expansion of renewable energies

    On 26 September, the National Council cleared the way for an agreement with the Council of States on the federal law on a secure electricity supply with renewable energies. The so-called Energy Decree sets binding target values for the expansion of renewable energies and extends previously limited support instruments. Special emphasis is placed on securing the electricity supply after the phase-out of nuclear power and, in particular, on the electricity supply in winter.

    Lastly, Kurt Egger (GP/TG) had cleared the way for agreement. According to the minutes of the National Council, he withdrew a motion by the minority that would have prescribed the construction of photovoltaic systems on new car parks from a size of 500 square metres from 2030. Egger also regretted that the new law only stipulates a solar obligation for new buildings from a floor area of 300 square metres.

    Previously, the Council of States had accommodated the large chamber. For example, less residual water in hydroelectric power plants may only be permitted if there is an imminent shortage of electricity. The small chamber also approved the introduction of a market for energy efficiency measures proposed by the National Council.

    Federal Councillor Albert Rösti thanked both chambers for their ability to compromise. He said he hoped that Parliament had thus achieved a “medium level of satisfaction” on all sides. He said that the law would lead to Switzerland generating 3 to 5 terawatt hours more winter electricity in the next five to ten years. “Then we will be back on the safe side,” Rösti said. But this would require new hydropower projects, namely Grimsel, Trift and Gorner, as well as alpine solar plants.

    The new federal law is to come into force on 1 January 2025. But the political debate continues. Kurt Egger pointed out that the Greens would launch their solar initiative for compulsory solar energy on roofs and facades of new buildings.

  • Ennetsee heating network starts work

    Ennetsee heating network starts work

    With the opening of the transport pipeline between Perlen and Rotkreuz, WWZ has put the first section of its Ennetsee heating network into operation. “From now on, waste heat from the Renergia waste incineration plant (KVA) in Perlen will flow into the Rotkreuz distribution network and supply the first properties in the municipality with regional, environmentally friendly and CO2-neutral energy for heating and hot water,” explains the Zug-based energy, telecommunications and water supplier in a corresponding press release.

    Once completed, the Ennetsee heating network will be able to supply not only Rotkreuz but also the village of Holzhäusern, which belongs to Risch ZG, the Bösch area in the municipality of Hünenberg ZG, Hünenberg See and Cham with waste heat from the Renergia waste incineration plant. WWZ expects that the heat network will then prevent more than 12,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The company is currently working on further district heating pipelines in Rotkreuz and on the next section of the main transport pipeline from the waste incineration plant to Cham.

  • Hydrogen project a location with potential

    Hydrogen project a location with potential

    The location in Domat/Ems, directly next to a main traffic axis in the Swiss Alps and in the immediate vicinity of electricity producers and an electricity plant operator, is creating a pioneering hydrogen project. Especially for HGVs that need to refuel with hydrogen at strategic junctions, the location in the Graubünden Rhine Valley is of great value.

    The technical performance spectrum of the newly planned facility is impressive: At full capacity, the 2 MW plant can generate over 300,000 kg of hydrogen per year. This corresponds to the energy content of 1,000,000 litres of diesel. Such a production rate not only affects the diversity of energy sources, but can also have a significant positive impact on the environment by reducing annual CO2 emissions by more than 3,600 tonnes.

    Energy storage as the biggest challenge
    Renewable energies have been the talk of the town for some time. However, storing them brings some challenges, especially because nature dictates when and how much energy is produced. This is where hydrogen comes on the scene as an optimal storage element. Especially in times of high energy production in summer, it can be advantageous to convert surplus electricity into hydrogen. However, constant production is essential for profitable operation. Current legal requirements suggest that such plants should be built near energy production sites.

    The first considerations in this direction were initiated in 2017. Soon after, Fanzun AG’s team of experts set out to find a suitable location. Urs Simeon, partner and project manager, expressed: “We were aware that the topic of hydrogen requires a lot of education. That’s why we started looking into it intensively at an early stage and were able to quickly build up comprehensive expertise.” According to Simeon, the biggest hurdle in the planning phase was the economic calculation – because the project only makes sense if it is economically viable.

    In the beginning there was a Norwegian investor

    When searching for the roots of this project, one comes across the name of Per Sandven, a visionary investor from Norway known for his pioneering and sustainable approaches. Sandven, as co-founder and former main shareholder, played a central role in the foundation and development of Calanda Solar. He also had a significant influence on the implementation of the adjacent Calinis photovoltaic project. This project, located in the former quarry of Felsberg and operated by Rhiienergie, was the largest photovoltaic facility in the canton of Graubünden in 2020. With a remarkable annual yield of 1,500,000 kWh, it supplies electricity to about 400 households.

    Further projects are in the pipeline

    In the past, Sandven and Fanzun have already worked hand in hand, for example on the 105%-PlusEnergie Hotel Muottas Muragl in Samedan, which also won a solar prize. Their cooperation illustrates the shared aspiration and vision to drive the change towards a more environmentally friendly and climate-neutral energy future. Fanzun AG is currently planning additional initiatives in the high-mountain solar segment, also known as the “Solarexpress”.

  • Enshift automates path from large buildings to net zero

    Enshift automates path from large buildings to net zero

    The young Baar-based cleantech company enshift offers owners of large commercial properties a complete digital solution for the path to net zero. According to a media release, it is designed to automate and simplify the entire transformation process towards local and renewable energies.

    Its toolset reportedly includes everything needed for design, contracting, financing, implementation and performance optimisation. It spans the life cycle of all currently available renewable energy technologies.

    “We have set our 2050 net-zero targets, but the path to get there is completely unclear for the construction and real estate sector,” founder and CEO Pierre Bi is quoted as saying. “We believe our solution can accelerate the transformation and increase energy retrofits in Europe by a factor of 3.” As a sign of its “strong will” to make a positive contribution to change, enshift offers free property and potential analyses to commercial building owners in Switzerland.

    Bi had already launched Aeris Cleantech. The company, which focuses on air purification, was acquired by iRobot, a North American specialist in cleaning robots, in November 2021.

    In the first stage of a seed financing round, Bis new company enshift raised 3.5 million Swiss francs. International investors such as Israel’s Sarona Ventures, Vevey VD-based OneCreation and, via Berlin-based Global Founders Capital, the founder of start-up accelerator Rocket Internet, Oliver Samwer, participated. Meanwhile, 20 engineers and developers reportedly work at enshift, while the first green energy projects are already entering the implementation phase.