immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Energy

  • Solar roofs from Megasol can prevent hail damage

    Solar roofs from Megasol can prevent hail damage

    The “Level” solar roof system from Megasol has been certified with the highest hail protection class 5. According to a media release, the company, which is based in the canton of Solothurn, is responding to increasingly extreme weather events with its “Level” solar roof system. Recent experience in Ticino has shown that many conventional roofs cannot withstand heavy hail.

    Solar roofs from Megasol are therefore tested in the laboratory against hailstorms. Hailstones with a diameter of about 5 centimetres would be shot against the panels at a speed of 110 kilometres per hour. “We have developed the solar roof ‘Level’ specifically to withstand violent environmental influences such as heavy hail, high snow loads and wind suction forces,” Michael Reist, Head of Communications at Megasol, is quoted as saying in the statement. The system is based on so-called glass-glass solar modules, which have a particularly high resistance.

    The Level Solar Roof is scaled, the solar modules do not need frames. The system is said to be quickly adaptable to all roofs, so that the entire roof surface can be used for the production of electricity. Thanks to the fastening hooks and short sealing rails, it can be installed quickly. “The Level solar roof is therefore cheaper over its lifetime than a conventional roof,” says Reist. This is because the additional costs for the solar system, which correspond to a quarter of the costs for the roof, are amortised in a few years. “After that, the solar system pays for the roof.”

  • LEDCity wins Green Business Award

    LEDCity wins Green Business Award

    LEDCity has won the Green Business Award 2023. The Zurich-based company, founded in 2017, has developed an intelligent lighting system that uses around 50 percent less energy than conventional LED lighting with motion sensors. This year, 28 applicants competed for the most important sustainability prize in Switzerland. In addition to LEDCity, Haelixa with its DNA marker for raw materials and namuk with its high-quality children’s outdoor label also reached the final, the organisers of the Green Business Award informed in a statement.

    “LEDCity’s solution convinced us because it shows how we can use technology and artificial intelligence to tackle the challenges in the energy industry,” jury president Doris Leuthard is quoted as saying in the release. For LEDCity CEO Patrik Deuss, the award shows “that we are on the right track with our energy-saving and at the same time quickly amortisable lighting system”. In addition, the win underlines “our commitment to sustainable innovations”.

    LEDCity uses up to five sensors per light source. In addition to brightness and movement, humidity, temperature and CO2 concentration are measured. The data obtained can be used, for example, by security systems or for planning cleaning work.

    The Green Business Award is being presented for the fifth year by the cooperation Green Business Switzerland. It honours “solutions that combine ecological innovation with economic success”, according to the press release. Green Business Switzerland is made up of actors from business and environmental protection. The cooperation was initiated by the Swiss Environmental Foundation and the Go for Impact association.

  • Heating control from Yuon Control saves 20 percent energy

    Heating control from Yuon Control saves 20 percent energy

    The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts has proven that the Yuon ONE heating control system from the start-up Yuon Control from Oberburg reduces the consumption of heating energy by an average of 20 per cent. Yuon Control and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts are working on a project to lay the foundations for efficient and intelligent control for heating systems, according to a media release. It is being funded by the Innosuisse Innovation Promotion Agency.

    Yuon Control AG says it has developed Yuon ONE, a predictive, self-learning heating control system that helps to heat more intelligently and save costs. It is thus also able to optimise the utilisation in district heating networks.

    The Assessment research group, led by Professor Dr Philipp Schütz at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Competence Centre for Thermal Energy Storage, tested this in seven buildings in the Bern and Lucerne regions, ranging from only moderately insulated houses from the 1970s to modern Minergie houses. The heating was regulated alternately for a fortnight with the Yuon control device and with a traditional control device without optimisation. The test persons turned off the heating via the Yuon app during absences. This increased the savings to as much as 23 per cent, they say. At the same time, a reduction in CO2 emissions was observed in all building types.

    According to the study, Yuon ONE is suitable for new and old buildings, regardless of the type of heating and the age of the building. Machine learning-based software takes into account the respective building characteristics such as thermal capacity, passive solar yields and tightness. “The innovation is that the system automatically learns the behaviour of the building, its thermal properties,” Dr Sebastian Hersberger, co-CEO of Yuon, is quoted as saying. In addition, the system incorporates the weather forecast from MeteoSwiss.

  • Axpo plans another alpine solar plant in Graubünden

    Axpo plans another alpine solar plant in Graubünden

    Axpo Holding AG is planning to build another alpine solar plant in the municipality of Ilanz in the canton of Graubünden. According to a media release, the project, called Ovra Solara Camplauns, will also become a prime example of how nature, leisure activities and energy production can be combined. Thus, the area will continue to be usable as pasture land after completion. There will continue to be a corridor for the Abahrtspiste from the Crap Masegn mountain station to Ladir. And hiking and biking routes should also be able to be used without restrictions.

    On an area of about 200,000 square metres, the plant with a peak output of 15 megawatt peak is to produce about 22 gigawatt hours of sustainable electricity per year. This corresponds to the average electricity consumption of more than 4,700 households.

    “The partnership with the municipality of Ilanz/Glion for the Ovra Solara Camplauns’project marks another important step in our solar offensive,” Oliver Hugi, Head Solar Switzerland at Axpo, is quoted as saying. Axpo plans to implement around 4,200 solar projects in the mountains and on the Swiss Plateau by 2030. Other Axpo Alpine solar projects include Alpin Solar Ybrig in the canton of Schwyz and the two Graubünden projects Ovra Solara Magriel at the Disentis ski resort and NalpSolar at the Nalps reservoir.

    According to the statement, commune president Marcus Beer sees the realisation of the project as a unique opportunity to generate long-term income for the commune’s coffers and to contribute to sustainable electricity security in Switzerland. The population of Ilanz has been informed about the project at an information event and will vote on the project in the coming months. If the vote is in favour, Axpo will be able to start construction of the plant in spring 2025 and partially commission it at the end of 2025.

  • Helion Energy and Meyer Burger enter into partnership

    Helion Energy and Meyer Burger enter into partnership

    Photovoltaic manufacturer Meyer Burger has agreed a strategic partnership with Helion Energy, a provider of complete solar energy solutions and AMAG subsidiary. According to a media release, the AMAG Group will give preference to Meyer Burger solar modules for all its own photovoltaic plants yet to be built. As part of its climate strategy, the AMAG Group will build around 75,000 square metres of solar plants at its own locations by 2025.

    Helion Energy and Meyer Burger Technology are committed to rebuilding the photovoltaic value chain in Switzerland as part of the strategic partnership, the statement added. Currently, Switzerland imports more than 90 percent of its solar modules from Asian countries.

    “Meyer Burger high-performance modules offer a number of advantages for customers: they are developed in Switzerland and sustainably produced in Germany,” Helion CEO Noah Heynen is quoted as saying. The modules show lower performance losses over the years and higher yields in all seasons due to better temperature coefficients and low-light behaviour. They are designed to last more than 30 years and come with an industry-leading warranty of at least 25 years, he said.

    According to CEO Gunter Erfurt, Meyer Burger is in the process of “massively expanding” its production for solar cells and modules. The Swiss solar modules have a technological advantage over the Asian competition and generate significantly higher yields over the entire lifetime.

  • Parliament decides on solar obligation for large new buildings

    Parliament decides on solar obligation for large new buildings

    The National Council voted 98 to 95 in favour of making solar energy compulsory for new buildings with a roof and façade area of more than 300 square metres. It thus followed a minority vote of its Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy, the parliamentary services inform in a press release. An extension of the solar obligation to include conversions was rejected. The decision of the National Council corresponds to a decision already taken by the Council of States in the context of the discussions on the Energy Mantle Decree.

    However, the two chambers have not yet been able to reach an agreement on other points of the Energy Mantle Decree. Deviating from the Council of States, the National Council on Monday continued to support a solar obligation also for car parks above a certain size. With regard to the residual water regulations for hydroelectric power plants, the National Council voted for a stricter limitation of the exceptions than the Council of States. However, there is agreement on the planning of hydropower plants whose residual flow would run through a protected area of national importance. Such projects should not be excluded from the outset.

    The federal law on a secure electricity supply with renewable energies, known as the Energy Coat Decree, serves to implement the energy turnaround. In order to avert the danger of a shortage of electricity as quickly as possible, the Energy Decree should be passed by the councils this autumn, if possible, according to a statement by Energy Minister Albert Rösti. After the National Council’s vote, the bill now goes back to the Council of States.

  • Netstal lime factory presents CO2 capture project

    Netstal lime factory presents CO2 capture project

    The Netstal lime factory(KFN) wants to liquefy around three quarters of its daily CO2 emissions from lime production instead of emitting them into the atmosphere. To this end, KFN is planning to install an oxyfuel firing system with exhaust gas recirculation in the lime shaft kiln. The company has now presented its corresponding CO2 capture project in the lime factory.

    Federal Councillor Albert Rösti also took part in the presentation, KFN announced in a press release. The head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications described the project as an important contribution to climate protection and attested to the high potential of the technology worldwide.

    With the help of the oxyfuel firing system with exhaust gas recirculation and various innovations in the construction of the lime kiln, the CO2 concentration in the exhaust gas is to be increased to more than 75 percent by volume. This makes it possible to subsequently liquefy the CO2 in an energy-efficient manner, KFN explains. The liquefied CO2 can then be fed into further processing or permanent storage.

    Simulations and tests have already confirmed the potential of oxyfuel firing on the planned scale. Currently, KFN and technology partner Maerz Ofenbau are busy with preparatory work for the implementation in Netstal. There are still questions regarding financing, KFN writes. However, Konrad H. Marti, Head of Corporate Development at KFN, expects that the project can be realised in an economically satisfactory manner in the near future.

  • Parlament einigt sich bei Solarpflicht für Gebäude

    Parlament einigt sich bei Solarpflicht für Gebäude

    Der Nationalrat entschied am Montag wie der Ständerat, auf Antrag einer Minderheit bei der Bereinigung des Energie-Mantelerlasses. Die Mehrheit der Kommission für Umwelt, Raumplanung und Energie (Urek-N) hatte indes auf der generellen Solarpflicht für Dächer und Fassaden bestanden, unterlag aber knapp.

    Energieminister Albert Rösti hatte vor dieser Formulierung gewarnt und gemahnt, die Vorlage mehrheitsfähig zu halten. Noch nicht einig sind sich die Räte bei der Solarpflicht für Parkplätze. Der Nationalrat will sie für grosse Flächen, der Ständerat nicht. Er hat nun wieder das Wort zur Vorlage.

  • Orientation for real estate and utilities in the complex energy sector

    Orientation for real estate and utilities in the complex energy sector

    The ongoing digitalisation of the energy industry is being driven significantly by the integration of energy management systems (EMS). They use advanced measuring devices and sensors to monitor energy flows in the building and beyond in real time and make targeted optimisations. These systems play a crucial role in the transformation from centralised to decentralised energy supply. They also support grid operators in meeting the challenges of uneven energy generation, consumption fluctuations and the increasing electrification of heat and mobility.

    The EMS market has experienced strong growth in recent years, but this has also led to increasing complexity. In this context, the comprehensive EMS market overview from EZS, provides an up-to-date orientation aid for Swiss users.

    The comparison tool enables an initial evaluation of different EMS systems and thus supports both property owners and energy supply companies in making informed decisions. It offers a filter function, detailed provider information and the possibility to compare different systems with each other.

    The new Energy and Electricity Supply Act, which is expected to come into force on 01.01.2025, provides, among other things, for the formation of local electricity communities as well as the exemption of electricity storage systems from grid fees. This will create new business models in which EMS will play an important role. The EMS market overview serves as a guide to prepare for these changes.

    The market overview is available free of charge at www.ems-vergleich.ch.

  • Wetzikon votes for the district heating network

    Wetzikon votes for the district heating network

    On 3 September, the voters of Wetzikon approved the foundation of Fernwärme Wetzikon AG. The district heating network with waste heat recovery will supply up to 50 per cent of Wetzikon households with CO2-neutral energy from 2025. According to a press release, the energy service provider Energie 360° and the town of Wetzikon will be joint shareholders in the new public limited company with 40 and 60 percent respectively.

    The new public limited company will conclude long-term heating contracts with the Wetzikon wastewater treatment plant and the Zürcher Oberland waste incineration plant (KEZO). The district heating is to be brought from the KEZO Hinwil to Wetzikon via a transport pipeline and distributed to the households from there. The energy centre is planned at the Wetzikon open-air swimming pool.

    “With energy networks, it is important to use locally available heat sources,” Romeo Deplazes of Energie 360° is quoted as saying. “In Wetzikon, district heating from waste recycling is available, which is ideal.”

    “The sooner we can realise district heating Wetzikon, the better,” thinks councillor Heinrich Vettiger. “This way we become less dependent on fossil fuels from abroad and use regional waste heat that accumulates anyway.” With its many years of experience and sound expertise, Energie 360° is the ideal partner.

    According to its own information, the energy service provider is already building and operating energy networks with lake water utilisation for various communities and companies around Lake Zurich. In Dielsdorf ZH, waste heat from data centres will be used to supply up to 3,500 households with heat in the future.

  • Ecospeed simplifies energy accounting for buildings

    Ecospeed simplifies energy accounting for buildings

    Ecospeed, the Zurich-based software developer specialising in environmental accounting, has integrated new functions into its software. According to a media release, these were developed as part of a relaunch of the Enercoach software and will be available to the company’s customers before the end of the year.

    The software shows users the energy status of buildings and provides an accurate picture of the development of consumption, emissions and costs over a certain period of time. Until now, when calculating the consumption of electricity, heating oil, gas and district heating, the difficulty arose that the accounts did not follow the course of the calendar year. With the software renewal, this problem is to be solved and the calculation simplified.

    “You simply enter the raw data in the corresponding mask, i.e. the current meter reading or the consumption value and the date of recording,” Thomas Herzberger, managing director of Ecospeed, is quoted as saying in the statement. “The software converts the values to the calendar year.”

    Thus, an exact comparison including descriptive visualisation is possible. The data can be displayed in the form of tables, graphs and over a period of several years. Likewise, the effectiveness of improvement measures can be precisely determined.

  • WWZ expands district heating business

    WWZ expands district heating business

    The WWZ Group is observing rising demand for district heating and cooling. The corresponding business area increased its sales by 15 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2023, the Zug-based energy, telecoms and water supplier informs in a statement. In the half year under review, the group was able to connect further properties to its Circulago and Ennetsee energy networks.

    In the future, WWZ plans to further expand this promising business area. A feasibility study for a heating network has already been carried out in Steinhausen, and the group is currently working on a feasibility study with the municipality of Baar. Investments in district heating and district cooling did “temporarily lead to higher operating costs, but the investments will pay off in the medium term with stable cash flows”, writes WWZ.

    In the first half of 2023, the expansion of the district heating and district cooling business also increased the company’s operating costs by almost 4 per cent. The operating result nevertheless increased by 27 per cent to CHF 13.6 million. The background to this is a year-on-year increase of 24 percent to 166.5 million Swiss francs in net revenues from deliveries and services. At 15.7 million Swiss francs, net profit was 8.4 million Swiss francs higher than in the first half of 2022.

  • Krüger acquires Innovida Swiss Technology

    Krüger acquires Innovida Swiss Technology

    Krüger + Co. AG, based in Degersheim, is acquiring heat pump manufacturer Innovida Swiss Technology SA, based in Sant’Antonio. The acquisition is intended to enable the indoor climate specialist to meet the growing demand for climate-friendly heating solutions, according to a media release. Nothing was disclosed about the purchase price.

    Innovida is to continue as an independent company within the Krüger Group. In order to make products and spare parts available from stock for customers, installers and resellers, Krüger is commissioning a new production facility in Cadenazzo TI. This should significantly increase production capacity.

    With the acquisition of Innovida Swiss Technology, Krüger Holding says it is underlining its commitment to “expand its range of environmentally friendly heating solutions and offer its customers first-class service”.

    Innovida Swiss Technology has developed an environmentally friendly heat pump for single-family homes and various types of heating. According to the media release, the patented solution is highly efficient, quiet and can be installed invisibly in light wells.

    Krüger was founded in 1931 and today employs 290 people at 21 locations throughout Switzerland. The family-owned company sells, rents, installs and maintains appliances and is particularly known for its Secomat room air dryer developed in the 1970s. In addition, Krüger + Co. AG offers products and services in the areas of humidification and dehumidification, construction and emergency heating, air conditioning, water damage drying.

  • Consortium brings solar folding roofs to motorway rest areas

    Consortium brings solar folding roofs to motorway rest areas

    The electricity producer Aventron from Münchenstein, BG Ingenieure und Berater from Lausanne, Cargo sous terrain(CST) from Basel and dhp technology from Zizers have founded the consortium ABCD-Horizon to install photovoltaic systems along motorways.

    According to a media release, innovative photovoltaic systems will generate electricity at 45 motorway rest areas “in French-speaking Switzerland and the cantons of Valais and Bern”. This electricity will primarily be used for charging infrastructure along the motorways. The total output of the systems is said to be up to 35 megawatts. This amount could supply around 7800 households with an average annual electricity consumption of 4500 kilowatt hours.

    The impetus for solar power production on unused areas of motorway service areas and noise barriers came from the Federal Roads Office(FEDRO), according to the press release. In a national tender, the Horizon folding solar roof from dhb Technology was awarded the contract for all motorway service stations in the French-speaking region of Switzerland and in the cantons of Valais and Bern.

    The energy generated will reportedly be stored in existing charging points and batteries. The buyers of the surplus electricity are Aventron’s three main shareholders: Primeo Energie, Stadtwerke Winterthur and ewb, as well as CST, which also belongs to ABCD-Horizon.

    According to the company, the Horizon folding solar roof is characterised by “an aesthetic lightweight construction with a rope-based support structure concept and a patented folding mechanism”. This allows for wide column spacing and great heights of up to 6 metres above the ground. It also has a weather algorithm so that energy can be generated even in winter. The construction phase is planned from 2024 to 2027.

  • Megasol commissions its own solar roofs on its car park

    Megasol commissions its own solar roofs on its car park

    Megasol has converted its parking spaces at the headquarters in Deitingen into a solar carport with 22 charging stations. “We developed it around our proven Nicer X solar roof,” Daniel Sägesser, member of the executive board of Megasol Energie AG, is quoted as saying in a corresponding press release from the internationally active Solothurn-based solar manufacturer. With the Nicer X quick mounting system, the solar modules are snapped into vertically running profiles. The solar roof can be mounted on steel or wooden structures and protects against rain, hail and snow even at low inclinations.

    Megasol has given the name Wingport to its solar car park set up at its own headquarters. Mojen Solar GmbH also wants to sell the system with the characteristic outriggers, which is intended for large car parks. “No one has offered us such a well-designed complete system before,” Frank Helmcke, managing director of the German solar company, is quoted as saying in the statement. “Since solar car park roofing is mandatory in many parts of Germany and also France, enquiries have been increasing very strongly for some time.” Here Mojen Solar wants to offer solutions in cooperation with Megasol. In addition to Nicer X, the Solothurn-based solar manufacturer provides all the detailed plans for the overall construction. For their implementation, Mojen Solar works together with other suppliers for the foundation and steel construction.

  • dhp brings its largest folding solar roof to Stuttgart

    dhp brings its largest folding solar roof to Stuttgart

    Zizers-based dhp Technology is building its largest folding solar roof to date for the main sewage treatment plant in Stuttgart-Mühlhausen. By spring 2026, 5280 modules are to be installed on an area of 17,000 square metres. According to a statement, the system with an output of 2745 kilowatts peak is the largest folding solar roof installed by dhp.

    With the Bündner technology, the sewage treatment plant in Baden-Württemberg’s state capital can generate up to 11 per cent of its annual consumption itself. In the medium term, a value of 18 percent is targeted.

    According to the plans of the Stuttgart municipal wastewater treatment plant(SES), solar modules will be installed not only in the aeration basin in the north of the 25-hectare plant, but also in the area to the south, which is of a similar size. According to SES, the investment will save more than 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

  • Borobotics builds prototypes of its drilling robot for geothermal energy

    Borobotics builds prototypes of its drilling robot for geothermal energy

    Borobotics is approaching its first test drilling over 20 metres. According to the company newsletter, this is to take place at the end of September with the prototype of the self-developed drilling robot called Grabowski. Most of the parts and the motors have now arrived and assembly can begin. It is intended to revolutionise the drilling process for ground-coupled heat pumps.

    According to Borobotics, the problems with current techniques for tapping geothermal energy are the large space required for the construction machines of at least 50 square metres and the distance of 10 metres required to the next borehole. In addition, the impact energy of the conventional drill can trigger earthquakes. Water layers would be detected and penetrated too late. In addition, these devices are very loud, expensive and labour-intensive.

    In contrast, with the Grabowski, all the equipment for drilling is integrated in the borehole. The robot digs autonomously and energy-efficiently to a depth of 250 metres. The compactness of the system means that drilling can be carried out even in places where there was previously not enough space. And the costs are said to be only a fraction.

    “While the first prototype is about to be deployed for the first time, we are already busy building the second, more advanced prototype,” Borobotics said in its newsletter. It will have a system of fluid muscles. They will enable it to move up and down the borehole like a worm. This movement unit will be tested in a 50-metre test in early 2024. Borobotics is currently based in the RUNWAY Startup Incubator at Technopark Winterthur.

  • Illnau-Effretikon and Energie 360° agree on energy network

    Illnau-Effretikon and Energie 360° agree on energy network

    With a large-scale energy network, the city of Illnau-Effretikon wants to rapidly advance the transformation from fossil-fuelled heating systems to renewable energies, according to a media release. For the implementation of the plans and the subsequent operation, the city is relying on cooperation with Energie 360°. On 1 July, the city and the energy provider signed a cooperation agreement to this effect, as the city now informs.

    The preliminary project has been planned and developed with high priority since the beginning of the year. The first heat deliveries should take place in a few years. Until then, Energie 360° will be able to provide property owners with interim solutions in case the heating system breaks down prematurely.

    For the Vogelbuck and Watt areas, Energie 360° intends to operate the energy network from regionally available energy sources. According to the press release, the city council also plans to connect individual larger properties in the extended supply area to the energy network. The Bruggwiesen old people’s and care centre and the town hall are cited as examples. In principle, this option is also open to private heat consumers in the extended supply area.

    Property owners and commercial enterprises in the catchment area of the planned energy network should be given planning security for the district heating connection as soon as possible. According to the city, it will therefore always provide information on the results of the preliminary project as soon as they are available.

  • Heat pump market calms down

    Heat pump market calms down

    Sales of heat pumps have stabilised at a high level. This is shown by a look at the market figures recorded by GebäudeKlima Schweiz. In 2021 and 2022, the Swiss association of manufacturers and suppliers of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology regularly recorded over 20 percent growth in sales of heat pumps. In the second quarter of 2023, it was still up ten per cent compared to the same period last year. “This has brought some calm to the market and allows us to gradually reduce the pent-up heat pump order intake from last year,” says Luigi Di Cola, managing director of Hoval Switzerland and board member of GebäudeKlima Schweiz. In fact, delivery times of up to twelve months have been experienced in some cases over the past two years. The heat pump market has grown by more than 50 per cent since 2020 against the backdrop of higher prices for fossil fuels and the targeted energy turnaround, explains Luigi Di Cola. At the same time, the numbers for fossil heat generators dropped sharply, especially in the small output range. “However, there is still demand for larger oil and gas heaters, among other things in connection with bivalent heating systems.”

    Increase in district heating
    In response to the explosion in demand, Hoval, for example, has expanded its production of heat pumps by 300 per cent, which is now having an effect. In addition, the supply chains have also stabilised somewhat, although not yet completely. “Unfortunately, not all suppliers kept up with the expansion of capacities. The result is that sometimes specific elements, such as plate heat exchangers, are suddenly missing and we can no longer produce individual heat pump models. Or there is a lack of water storage tanks, so that the entire system cannot be installed.” According to Luigi Di Cola, however, the supply chains should continue to normalise in the coming months. The managing director of Hoval Switzerland also does not expect the growth figures for heat pumps to be as high as in recent years in the foreseeable future. On the one hand, because many system owners with lower financial and/or planning hurdles have already switched. “On the other hand, we are now seeing a strong increase in sales of district heating stations in urban areas, which of course has an influence on other heating technologies.”

    Continue to plan early
    As a homeowner, you should still think about the future of your own heating early on. The situation has calmed down on the part of manufacturers and suppliers. “But now the ordered systems are being implemented, and the workload of the installation companies is correspondingly high,” observes Luigi Di Cola. Manufacturers and suppliers are therefore doing everything they can to simplify the work of planners and installers as much as possible with good documentation and other assistance. At the same time, the Managing Director of Hoval Switzerland appeals to end customers for understanding for any installation bottlenecks that may arise and continues to advise that planning be tackled in good time with all those involved and that under no circumstances should the gas or oil heating system be removed too early.

    Source www.gebaeudetechnik-news.ch

  • Schlieren continues to make progress with solar expansion

    Schlieren continues to make progress with solar expansion

    According to its press release, the city of Schlieren is taking another step towards sustainable energy supply and mobility: by the end of August, it will have put six new charging stations for electric vehicles into operation, as well as the largest municipal photovoltaic system at the IJZ Innovation and Young Entrepreneurs Centre on Rütistrasse.

    Each of its 1278 latest-generation modules has an output of 425 watts peak. The solar power generated is not only fed into the grid, but is also used for self-consumption: “The project at the IJZ exemplifies the progress in the energy turnaround, to which we attach great importance in this and many other projects,” Dr. Martin Nicklas, who heads energy contracting at the Canton of Zurich’s electricity utility(EKZ), is quoted as saying. This is because the solar power produced there is used to supply the IJZ and the commercial businesses located there as well as the surrounding flats. “This means that the PV electricity is produced and used at the same location – you can’t get more local than that.”

    Schlieren wants to set a positive example, especially in view of the solar targets that have so far been missed in the canton. The city is pushing the expansion of solar energy on its own municipal properties, especially on flat roofs, says Albert Schweizer, Head of Real Estate and Location Promotion at the City of Schlieren. “Our own municipal authorities, as well as the protection of historical monuments and our grid provider EKZ, provide us with significant support in promoting solar energy

  • Umwelt Arena shows lighthouse project Building 2050 Urdorf

    Umwelt Arena shows lighthouse project Building 2050 Urdorf

    The latest flagship project of the Building 2050 concept of the Swiss Environment Arena Foundation isa CO2-neutral housing development in Urdorf. It is now being made accessible to interested parties as part of guided tours. According to a LinkedIn post by the foundation, the programme is also suitable as a company outing. In the first module, participants are given a guided tour of the housing complex itself. They are also shown a model flat. The second module takes place in the Umwelt Arena in Spreitenbach, where further background information on the Building 2050 concept is presented. The Environment Area itself will also be in focus. Among other things, participants could travel between the two locations on the Limmattalbahn.

    The CO2-neutral residential development in Urdorf features several sustainable building concepts. For example, recycled concrete and brick were used, which allow solar thermal energy to be stored with as little loss as possible. In addition, showers with heat recovery, geothermal probes and triple-glazed windows, for example, contribute to high energy efficiency. Thanks to such measures, electricity and heat are free of charge for tenants within a defined budget. The development was built by W. Schmid + Co. Glattbrugg and Umwelt Arena’s exhibition and specialist partners.

  • ZHAW wins bid for SWEET funding programme

    ZHAW wins bid for SWEET funding programme

    The tender on the topic of “Sustainable Fuels and Platform Chemicals” of the SWEET funding programme has been decided: The ZHAW, as part of the ReFuel.ch consortium, has been awarded the contract. The main objective of reFuel.ch (Renewable Fuels and Chemicals for Switzerland) is to improve sustainability and reduce the cost of sustainable fuels and platform chemicals by increasing the efficiency, selectivity and load flexibility of production plants in line with long-term climate policy goals.

    The consortium will explore how closing the knowledge gaps on technical and non-technical aspects of sustainable fuels can increase investment certainty. Robust and practical pathways for the introduction of sustainable fuels and platform chemicals into the different markets and into the Swiss energy system will be developed. To this end, contributions from the social, natural and engineering sciences as well as findings from the dialogue with relevant stakeholders will be taken into account. Another goal is to strengthen innovative technologies that currently have a low level of technological maturity. The Centre for Aviation Engineering at the ZHAW School of Engineering will specifically address aviation fuel logistics in order to enable the lowest possible emission transport of operating materials from their production site to the aircraft. Estimates will also be made of the climate impact of alternative aviation fuels at high altitudes. The Center for Energy and the Environment at the ZHAW School of Management and Law, in addition to co-leading the consortium, will specifically investigate the framework conditions that would be necessary for investments along the identified sustainable pathways. This includes an assessment of distribution effects as well as framework conditions for the most efficient integration of new plants into the Swiss electricity market. The call for proposals “Sustainable Fuels and Platform Chemicals” was developed in cooperation with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and the Federal Office of Armament (armasuisse). The reFuel.ch consortium was selected in a two-stage procedure. The funding is 15 million Swiss francs.

  • Energy Cluster invites to one-day course on photovoltaic façades

    Energy Cluster invites to one-day course on photovoltaic façades

    The Energy Cluster network based in Bern invites interested parties to a day course on photovoltaic facades (PV facades) at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts(HSLU) on 12 September. From 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., speakers will shed light on various aspects of house facades for the production of solar energy, according to a media release.

    Accordingly, David Stickelberger, Head of Market and Policy at Swissolar, will discuss the political framework conditions for PV façades from 9 a.m. onwards. From 9.30 a.m., Christoph Wangler, Product Owner PV Systems at 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, will address the question of how sustainable solar modules are.

    From 10.40 a.m., Roger Buser, lecturer in building technology and energy at the HSLU, will discuss the process steps from a rough estimate to the construction project. Pierre-Olivier Cuche, Managing Director at Solarwall, will then talk about the architecture and design of PV façades. From 11.40 a.m. Andreas Haller, Head of Innovation Solar Systems at Ernst Schweizer AG, will talk about implementation planning and installation.

    After the lunch break, the talk will continue with the topic of fire protection in a presentation by Christian Renken, Managing Director of CREnergie GmbH. From 2 p.m. Renken will be devoting himself to the topic of performance and economic efficiency.

    He will be followed by Stefan Gränicher, Project Manager Real Estate Development at Frutiger AG, with his impulse on profitability from the perspective of a real estate developer. Robin Bergamin, Consulting & Sales at Invisia AG, will then talk about energy management and the best possible use of electricity.

    The last lecture of the day is by Sina Büttner, research associate at the Institute for Building Technology and Energy at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, on optimal façade design with solar systems and greening in view of climate change.

  • Foldable solar roof from iWorks is validated

    Foldable solar roof from iWorks is validated

    A team of seven engineers from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences(ZHAW) has validated the photovoltaic solution of the Liechtenstein company iWorks as part of an Innosuisse project. The foldable Urbanbox are solar module carriers that can be automatically extended and retracted. They were developed for cities and companies. The validation team from the two Institutes of Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering(IEFE) and Mechanical Systems(IMES) at the ZHAW School of Engineering was supported by the Swiss Climate Foundation.

    The carriers of the photovoltaic modules are retracted into a robust box by a digital control system in extreme weather conditions and extended again in favourable weather. Because this eliminates the need for a massive substructure and the modules are cleaned by a rotating brush as they move in or out of the box, iWorks says this eliminates significant costs compared to permanently installed solar roofs.

    “With this milestone, the economic dual use of surfaces in urban areas for solar power generation is foreseeable as early as next year,” Prof. Dr. Franz Baumgartner of IEFE, who also heads the Energy and Environmental Technology course at ZHAW, is quoted as saying in a media release. “This gives companies and municipalities another effective way to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the energy transition.”

    The iWorks company, together with the team from the two ZHAW institutes, is now ready to move on to the next phase of the project, the release says. Based on what has been achieved so far, a fully industrialised Urbanbox solution for commercial use is to be realised this year.

  • With microorganisms against the winter power shortage

    With microorganisms against the winter power shortage

    The joint study by Energie 360° and partners now shows that implementation is possible and economically interesting if existing gas storage facilities are used. These exist in Switzerland’s neighbouring countries. To this end, Switzerland must agree on rules for the import of renewable gas with its neighbouring countries. In geo-methanisation, surplus renewable energy, for example solar power, is converted into hydrogen (H2) in summer. This is injected into a natural underground storage facility together with CO2, which comes from biogas plants, for example. At a depth of more than 1000 metres, microorganisms – primeval bacteria known as archaea – combine hydrogen and carbon to form renewable methane gas (CH4). In winter, when the demand for electricity and heat is high, the renewable gas can be stored and used in a variety of ways.

    Realisation possible in nearby countries
    The research project “Underground Sun Conversion – Flexible Storage” (USC-FlexStore) by Energie 360° and the Austrian energy storage company RAG Austria AG investigated technical, operational, economic, ecological and regulatory aspects of the innovative process. The University of Bern, Empa and the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland collaborated as Swiss research partners. The results of the project now show that such storage facilities are feasible – ideally, for economic reasons, where storage facilities already exist, for example in the Austrian Pilsbach.

    Enormous potential for energy demand in Switzerland
    The existing and good international cooperation on energy supply issues remains central. Thus, the existing infrastructure, i.e. the European gas grid, can be used and the stored energy can be used as renewable gas or electricity for industrial processes and peak load coverage, for example. Jörg Wild, CEO of Energie 360°: “The potential is enormous: annually, renewable energy of several terawatt hours can be stored seasonally with this process. This will substantially alleviate the winter electricity shortfall in Switzerland.” However, a prerequisite for the use of winter energy is that Switzerland concludes binding regulations with its neighbouring countries for the purchase of renewable gases.

    Energie 360° is examining participation in the project
    In a next step, Energie 360° wants to deepen the expertise it has gained for geo-methanisation and storage and to contribute its know-how to future projects in Switzerland and internationally. In addition, the company is looking into participating in a renewable gas storage project in a neighbouring country.

  • AMAG commissions second photovoltaic plant in Cham

    AMAG commissions second photovoltaic plant in Cham

    AMAG has connected the second solar plant on the roof of its own car park at Alte Steinhauserstrasse 5 in Cham to the local power grid. According to a media release from the car dealer, over 786 solar modules were installed on an area of 1599 square metres. This could generate 320,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

    The public car park is operated by AMAG Parking AG. With the activation of the facility, the AMAG Group is continuing to work on the implementation of its sustainability and climate strategy. In June 2023, the car dealer had commissioned a photovoltaic roof system at AMAG Zug. As there, the electricity is intended to cover AMAG’s own needs. Any excess production is to be fed into the public power grid.

    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. This has resulted in the installation of corresponding systems on the roofs of numerous plants.

  • Energiedienst Group grows profitably

    Energiedienst Group grows profitably

    Energiedienst Holding AG generated operating income of CHF 973 million in the first half of 2023. In a year-on-year comparison, this corresponds to growth of around 30 per cent, the Swiss-German public limited company informs in a statement. Positive sales development and increased electricity prices are cited there as the background for the positive development.

    At 81.6 million euros, the operating result at EBIT level was close to the previous year’s figure. In the first half of 2022, the company had recorded a positive valuation effect from the personnel provision in the amount of 48 million euros here. Adjusted for this effect, an increase of 34.3 million euros to 77.3 million euros was realised, writes the Energiedienst Group. The net profit of 68.7 million euros was 16.8 million euros lower than in the previous year. For the year as a whole, the company expects an adjusted EBIT of around 100 million euros.

    All of the Group’s business areas contributed to the increase in turnover and adjusted operating profit. In the Customer-Oriented Energy Solutions segment, the contribution to EBIT was 1.4 million euros higher than in the previous year at 3.4 million. The end customer business of photovoltaics in Switzerland proved to be the main growth driver here.

    In the largest business division, Renewable Generation Infrastructure, the contribution to EBIT increased from CHF 21.4 million to CHF 65.4 million. Here, the Group attributes the good development to an overall improvement in electricity production from hydropower and the increased marketing level of generation.

  • Heating renovations boost Meier Tobler’s business

    Heating renovations boost Meier Tobler’s business

    Meier Tobler can look back on a good half-year, according to a media release. The Schwerzenbach-based company, which specialises in air-conditioning technology, increased its turnover by 7 per cent to 276.4 million Swiss francs compared to the previous year. Net profit rose by 38.7 per cent to around 16 million Swiss francs.

    The “essential basis” for the growth was reportedly the continuing momentum in heating renovations. At the same time, sales of heat pumps also increased in the double-digit percentage range. Business with air conditioning systems improved only slightly compared to the previous year. Here Meier Tobler benefited mainly from large projects such as the delivery of two absorption chillers with 3.4 megawatts each for the Shoppi Tivoli in Spreitenbach AG.

    Furthermore, Meier Tobler was able to put its new service centre in Oberbuchsiten SO into operation in the first half of the year. Among other things, automated high-bay and small parts warehouses or autonomous mobile robots are in use in the newly built centre. According to Meier Tobler, operations are being ramped up continuously.

  • New Swiss solar cell production in the USA

    New Swiss solar cell production in the USA

    By expanding its business strategy to include solar cells “Made in USA”, Meyer Burger is responding to market requirements resulting from new regulations in the United States: Recently, the US Treasury Department announced guidelines for qualifying “domestic content”. These allow for an additional ten percent bonus on the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for US solar projects. “Meyer Burger strongly believes that domestically manufactured solar cells bring additional benefits to our customers, both in terms of using premium high performance ‘Made in USA’ solar products and qualifying for additional tax credits,” says Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger. With an initial production volume of two gigawatts of solar cells and modules annually in the US, Meyer Burger has the opportunity to receive tax credits of up to USD 1.4 billion from the start of production in 2024 until the end of 2032.

    As part of the decision to locate the solar cell plant in the USA, the company will receive another substantial financial package in addition to the IRA tax incentives: The city of Colorado Springs and the US state of Colorado are supporting the investment with almost USD 90 million, mainly in the form of tax credits, direct support and discounted electricity and water rates. In addition, upfront payments from module purchasers and a loan from the US Department of Energy (DoE) totalling more than USD 300 million are foreseeable. These are expected to help finance Meyer Burger’s growth in the United States.

    “Our presence in the US will allow us to reach existing and future customers faster. I would like to sincerely thank our partners in the Biden administration and in Colorado as well as our off-take partners DESRI, Ingka and BayWa for their support in expanding our US activities,” says Gunter Erfurt. He adds: “Meyer Burger is currently working on further multi-gigawatt offtake contracts in the US with new customers. We are already exploring opportunities to build further production capacity for solar cells and modules in the US”.

    The accelerated production schedule in the US is made possible by rerouting production machinery originally intended for the previously announced expansion of the solar cell factory at the Thalheim site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. This equipment will now be installed at the Colorado Springs site in order to meet the planned completion date of the cell factory in 2024.

    As part of Meyer Burger’s successful application for the EU Innovation Fund, a multi-gigawatt expansion in Thalheim is planned at a later date. A prerequisite for such investments are favourable market conditions and secure, fair competitive conditions for European solar manufacturers in the EU.

    “Meyer Burger is a driving force for the expansion of solar energy in the US as well as in Germany and Europe,” says Erfurt. “We are pleased to lay the foundation for a transatlantic solar energy partnership and to continue to expand our production in Germany and the European Union.” In Germany, the company will therefore participate in the German government’s recently announced expression of interest in a PV industry renaissance.

  • Greenpower: Unique energy ecosystem in Dagmersellen

    Greenpower: Unique energy ecosystem in Dagmersellen

    An energy ecosystem unique in Switzerland is to be created in Dagmersellen over the next few years. The transport company Galliker, the milk processor Emmi, the producer of biogas PanGas and the energy supplier CKW have signed a joint declaration of intent at the end of 2022.

    For the partners, the project is an important step towards achieving the energy strategy goals of the companies involved and of Switzerland. “Together we want to drive forward the energy transition and make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation and diversification of the energy supply with the planned energy ecosystem,” explains Martin Schwab, CEO of CKW.

    The energy ecosystem will start with a wood-fired power plant operated by CKW to produce heat and electricity. PanGas will use part of the electricity to produce hydrogen to supply Galliker’s fleet of trucks. In addition, PanGas will extract green CO2 from the combustion process; for use in the food industry, for example.

    “At PanGas, we have always been involved with hydrogen. We are very pleased that we can make a significant contribution to CO2 reduction with this project and come a big step closer to the Swiss decarbonisation target”, says Roger Britschgi, Managing Director PanGas.

    With the renewable energy from the wood-fired power plant, Emmi covers part of the thermal energy required at the Dagmersellen production site for the production of fresh cheese specialities such as mozzarella or ricotta as well as milk powder. With a view to closing the loop, Emmi also supplies demineralised water from the production of dairy products for hydrogen production.

    The energy ecosystem is intended to function as a closed loop.

    “This unique energy ecosystem, designed in conjunction with three regionally based national partners, enables more sustainable production of our dairy products and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels,” says Marc Heim, Head of Emmi Switzerland.

    The wood-fired power plant will produce electricity and heat when fully operational. Emmi will use a good third of the heat. Other possible heat consumers are local industry and heating networks in the surrounding villages. As far as possible, the wood-fired power plant will be operated with regional forest chips and waste wood. This will require up to 200,000 tonnes of wood per year.

    The four companies plan to invest a total of about 200 million Swiss francs in the production, distribution and use of renewable energy. Before the energy ecosystem can be built, further planning and approval steps are needed. In the detailed planning, the entire value chain is to be organised. Before building applications can be submitted, the zoning plan of the municipality of Dagmersellen must also be adapted.

    The population will be regularly informed about the project status. The current planning anticipates commissioning in 2027 at the earliest.