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Category: immoNews

  • Edisun Power's largest solar system is on the grid

    Edisun Power's largest solar system is on the grid

    The Edisun Power Group's Modouro photovoltaic system was connected to the electricity grid last week. According to a press release, this so far largest system of the solar power producer in the north-east of Portugal will produce around 80 million kilowatt hours of energy annually on an area of over 65 hectares. This corresponds to the annual requirement of around 20,000 people.

    Mogadouro is Edisun Power's first so-called merchant system: it was built without government subsidies or guarantees. The electricity produced is sold on the market. In order to secure the income in the first few years, a power purchase agreement with fixed-price purchase obligations was agreed with a Portuguese electricity trader.

    With the network connection, the group has reached “a major milestone”, the message continues. Thus, she is on track with regard to the growth strategy announced in 2019. She is also pushing the development of four other Portuguese projects with a total capacity of 150 megawatts “at full speed”.

  • Canton Uri provides 3 million energy-saving renovations

    Canton Uri provides 3 million energy-saving renovations

    The canton of Uri has adopted its Energy Uri 2021 funding program. In the coming year he wants to make a total of 3.1 million francs available for energy-efficient renovations. This means that the funds available are roughly as high as in the current record year 2020.

    The focus of the support program is the renovation of building envelopes, as the canton explains in a press release. These make a major contribution to ensuring that the federal and cantonal energy and climate targets can be achieved. With a subsidy rate of 60 francs per square meter, a high incentive will continue to be set for the renovation of the building envelope, it is said. The canton also offers advice in this area. In addition to the non-binding initial consultation at the Uri Energy Office, more detailed advice is now being launched.

    In addition to the renovation of buildings, the program also supports the replacement of old oil heating systems or solar energy.

  • Empa steel adhesives last 50 years

    Empa steel adhesives last 50 years

    In the large test laboratory of the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) in Dübendorf, a test has been running for 50 years to examine the long-term behavior of bonded steel reinforcement on a concrete beam. In this long-term test, which is unique worldwide, according to the media release , several reinforced concrete girders were reinforced with steel lamellas glued to the underside. One of the girders, which has been subjected to 87 percent of its predetermined breaking value for 50 years, has so far held out without any problems.

    “After 50 years below 87 percent of the average breaking load, the epoxy resin bond shows no weaknesses. This means that bonded steel lamellar reinforcements have passed the long-term test, ”says engineer Christoph Czaderski, who has overseen the test over the past few years.

    According to the announcement, the carrier is one of originally six identical specimens, all of which were subjected to different tests. The five other reinforced beams fell victim to fairly successful static fracture and dynamic fatigue tests that exceeded their load limits. The aim of the tests was to find out how well epoxy resin works as an adhesive for attaching a steel lamella to a concrete beam. According to Czaderski, the long-term test shows "practically no shifts" in the adhesive joint after 50 years.

    What was new territory at the beginning of the test is now state of the art. The process is important because it allows older buildings to be reliably reinforced instead of being torn down and replaced by new buildings.

    Empa's “Engineering Structures” department has been developing and researching new, simple and inexpensive reinforcement methods with modern materials such as epoxy resins, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics and shape memory alloys for many years.

  • Canton Uri increases stake in EWA-energieUri

    Canton Uri increases stake in EWA-energieUri

    As part of its energy strategy, the canton of Uri is aiming for a long-term majority stake in EWA-energieUri , inform the canton, EWA-energieUri and Centralschweizische Kraftwerke AG ( CWK ) in a joint message . In the coming years, the canton's participation in the energy and water supplier is to be expanded from the current 29 to 40 percent. To this end, the canton of Uri wants to take over a stake from CKW.

    A corresponding agreement has already been signed by the three partners, the message goes on to say. It regulates the acquisition of further shares by the canton in the course of awarding water rights concessions.

    Specifically, the canton of Uri is initially to receive a further 5 percent of the shares in EWA-energieUri when the Lucendro shares in Uri are awarded. The license is due to be renewed in 2024. The canton of Uri will transfer its shares in the Lucendro power plant to EWA-energieUri and in return will receive shares in the Uri energy supplier. The allocation of the shares from the Ritom, Wassen and Amsteg power plants to EWA-energieUri is intended to bring in a further 6 percent of the Uri energy supplier for the canton. The shares are assigned to the canton by CWK.

  • BKW strengthens building technology with takeovers

    BKW strengthens building technology with takeovers

    BKW Building Solutions, the building services division of BKW leads energy efficiency measures in buildings by. In order to strengthen this area, BKW has now expanded its network of installation companies and taken over two companies from the cantons of Valais and Zurich, the energy company informed in a press release .

    One of these is Elektro Nikolai GmbH . The company based in St.Niklaus, Valais, offers electrical installations in Mattertal and Zermatt. Under the umbrella of BKW, Elektro Nikolai is to work closely with Werner Electro AG, which has been part of BKW since 2018. "The addition of Elektro Nikolai GmbH strengthens the presence and positioning of BKW Building Solutions in Upper Valais and shows the region's great potential for the future," said Stefan Luggen from Werner Electro AG in the press release.

    On the other hand, Gloor Planzer AG will be included in the building technology division of BKW. The company from Männedorf specializes in the installation of air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems, writes BKW. The previous owners Roland and Sandra Gloor will continue to manage the business of Gloor Planzer AG under the umbrella of BKW.

  • Methanology relies on crowd financing

    Methanology relies on crowd financing

    Methanology has developed a process with which methanol can be produced from water, CO2 and renewable electricity, explains Methanology in a press release. With the patented willpower energy technology, excess energy from renewable sources can be stored in the form of methanol. Alcohol, which is toxic to humans, is suitable as fuel for machines or as a substitute for heating oil. The young company from Neuhausen am Rheinfall wants to contribute to the energy transition with its technology.

    A prototype of the willpower energy reactor developed by Methanology can be found as a single system in most basement rooms, the start-up writes in the press release. Its modular and scalable design also enables the production of larger quantities of methanol, such as would be necessary for the operation of a ship, for example. Methanology aims to bring its technology to market maturity within three years. For the appropriate development of the prototypes, the young company now has a campaign for swarm financing launched.

  • Basel processes chemically contaminated building materials

    Basel processes chemically contaminated building materials

    Building materials from the Basel region should in future be processed and recycled in the local building material cycle. Baustoff Recycling Nordwestschweiz AG, a joint venture between Holcim Kies und Beton AG and Antag Recycling AG , founded in August 2020, wants to build a processing plant in the Birsfelden state mine. The former gravel pit is easily accessible by rail, road and the Rhine and is located next to the tunnel portal for the planned Rhine tunnel on the Basel eastern bypass.

    The plant in Birsfelden should also be able to process excavated material with the highest chemical pollution level. The processed gravel is then to be further processed in the neighboring concrete plant of Holcim Kies und Beton AG. A total of two thirds of the material should flow back into the building material cycle.

    The canton of Basel-Stadt surrenders part of its state mine under construction law for the plant, he writes in a message .

  • The federal government speaks 460 million francs for research institutions

    The federal government speaks 460 million francs for research institutions

    Economy Minister Guy Parmelin has set the funding contributions for research institutions of national importance for the period from 2021 to 2024, informed the Department of Economics, Education and Research ( EAER ) in a statement . 31 research institutions located in different departments are to receive a total of 460 million francs. The institutions funded under the Federal Law on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (FIFG) supplement research at universities and in the ETH domain with their work.

    The funds from the FIFG are available to research infrastructures, research institutions and technology competence centers. In the funding period from 2021 to 2024, 14 research infrastructures are to be supported with a total of 140 million francs. A further CHF 70 million will be distributed to a total of ten research institutions active in highly specialized areas. Seven technology competence centers are to receive a total of 190 million francs.

    The other funds are intended for the financing of special measures, explains the EAER in the communication. In particular, the national funding initiative for personalized medicine is mentioned here. She should receive around 40 million francs.

  • ABB is building off-grid charging stations with AFC

    ABB is building off-grid charging stations with AFC

    ABB and AFC Energy have agreed on a cooperation to bring hydrogen-powered charging of electric vehicles to the global market, according to a media release from AFC, based in Carnleigh, southeast of London. The cooperation with "the world leader in electrification technologies" ABB, so the announcement, found a global market of at least 140 billion dollars by 2030 for the charging of electric vehicles.

    Both companies want to use the hydrogen fuel cell system developed and manufactured by AFC, which supplies clean electricity for on-grid and off-grid applications. Off-grid charging stations for e-vehicles are also possible with such fuel cells and deliver CO2-free electricity. The partners will jointly market the integrated product and jointly develop a communication strategy for branding and use. It should be ready for use in the UK, Europe, the United States and other countries in the second half of 2021, according to the press release.

    Frank Muehlon, head of global e-mobility infrastructure solutions business at ABB, is quoted as saying, “ABB is a leader in e-mobility solutions and is proud to have played a key role in promoting e-vehicles around the world. The partnership with AFC Energy enables us to push the boundaries of e-mobility, especially with regard to off-grid applications, and thus enable a much greater range of e-mobility based on clean energy. ”Adam Bond, CEO of AFC Energy: "Today marks a historic milestone in the commercialization of our proprietary hydrogen fuel cell, as we begin a long-term collaboration with ABB." ABB offers strong and credible access to important customer channels in Europe and overseas.

    According to the announcement, the partnership will focus on the joint use of integrated high-performance EV charging systems in ABB's key markets. These are private users such as logistics companies and urban transport. The systems could also be used to supply power to ships and vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOL) because they are not connected to the grid.

  • Demand for condominiums is stronger than before Corona

    Demand for condominiums is stronger than before Corona

    According to a report on the Online Home Market Analysis, the demand for condominiums declined slightly overall from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the end of the third quarter of 2020 in the reporting year, but saw a strong surge in demand in the last quarter. In the analysis carried out by the Swiss Real Estate Institute of the Zurich School of Economics ( HWZ ) and the Swiss Association of the Real Estate Industry ( SVIT ) in collaboration with the digital real estate company homegate.ch , this is based on the shorter advertising period for condominiums offered on the Internet.

    During the entire reporting year, a condominium in Switzerland had to be advertised on an online platform for an average of 86 days. It was 60 days before the Corona crisis. In the third quarter of 2020, however, the advertising time fell to the record low of 52 days, despite an 8 percent increase in the number of advertisements. Condominiums are therefore currently more in demand than ever, the analysis found.

    Supply and demand were analyzed based on the advertisements on the seven major Swiss real estate marketplaces between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020 compared to the previous period. In the reporting period from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, around 91,387 condominiums were offered for sale on the Internet across Switzerland, which corresponds to an increase of 19 percent compared to the previous period.

    Professor Peter Ilg, head of the Swiss Real Estate Institute at HWZ, attributes the growth in demand mainly to two factors: “On the one hand, the boom in demand in the third quarter is due to the deferred demand from the previous quarters, but on the other hand it is also due to a change in behavior: More beautiful living is has become even more important to many Swiss after the lockdown, ”Ilg is quoted as saying.

    Jens Paul Berndt, CEO of Homegate AG, is quoted as saying: “We have also noticed a sharp increase in visits and contact inquiries. This is a sign that real estate is a popular investment property even in times of crisis. "

  • Basel Area launches its own podcast

    Basel Area launches its own podcast

    Basel Area Business & Innovation has a new podcast . From now on, the location promotion will present interesting personalities and their view of the location. In the first episode , Hans-Florian Zeilhofer starts.

    The specialist with the titles of Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Dr. hc has lived and worked in Basel for 18 years. The Upper Bavarian works as a professor at the University of Basel , as chief physician at the specialist clinic for oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University Hospital Basel and as a senior consultant at the Cantonal Hospital in Aarau . At the same time, he initiated many high-tech research projects and founded various start-ups.

    Among other things, he is one of the founders of the Basel start-up AOT . It created a laser bone cutting robot called Carlo. In this 30-minute podcast, he explains the role played by a leg disk that Zeilhofer bought from a butcher. What he particularly appreciates about the Basel Area is the short distances, the proximity to the border and the dynamic ecosystem: "One of the main advantages of the Basel Area is that all major companies in the life sciences and medtech sectors are on site."

    With this podcast and its interview guests, the makers of the Basel Area want to provide a platform. Their discussions should address what distinguishes the business and innovation location, which innovations could cause a sensation and, for example, whether researchers can be good CEOs. It is available in German and English and can be subscribed to from the popular providers Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcast and Google Play.

  • Investors from Glarus develop the Kartoni district

    Investors from Glarus develop the Kartoni district

    As early as 2013, the municipality of Glarus declared the Kartoni-Areal and Untere Allmeind areas in Glarus to be key development areas as part of their structure planning, the project company Kartoni Quartier AG informed in a message. A mixed living and working area with private, semi-private and public open spaces is to be created here. A footbridge for pedestrians and bicycles across the Linth will connect the quarter directly to the train station and the center of Glarus.

    The project management team at Sutter Projects, in cooperation with the municipality of Glarus, has now been able to win two local investors for the implementation of the project. One of these is the Glarus Pension Fund . It is described in the communication as a guarantor for “a sustainable and far-sighted project that does not allow real estate speculation”.

    On the other hand, Sutter and the community were able to get Trümpi Immobilien AG enthusiastic about the project. The Glarus real estate company is "a local partner who understands project development and construction from the ground up," the press release said.

    Together with Robert Sutter's Immolmpuls AG, the investors have now founded the Kartoni Quartier AG project company. She will take over the implementation of the construction plans on the Kartoni site. According to the announcement, Kartoni Quartier AG has already acquired all the properties in the area from the previous owners.

  • Vantage Data Centers builds data centers in Winterthur

    Vantage Data Centers builds data centers in Winterthur

    Vantage Data Centers is a data center operator based in California. The company is currently expanding in Europe and is investing a total of 2 billion dollars, according to a media release . One of its European locations will be in Winterthur. The company has already started building its campus there.

    The three hectare campus in Winterthur will house a total of four data centers with a total area of 37,000 square meters. It will have an output of 40 megawatts. The shell has already been completed. Vantage Data Centers relies on “highly efficient cooling with integrated free cooling and minimal water consumption,” it says. A photovoltaic facade and charging stations for electric vehicles will also be installed.

    Vantage Data Centers started expanding in Europe this year. To this end, it has taken over the companies Etix Everywhere from Luxembourg and Next Generation Data from Great Britain, among others. The American company built its first campus in Offenbach near Frankfurt. The second European campus is now being built in Winterthur.

    "Winterthur is the first location where we literally started out on the green field", Wolfgang Zepf, Managing Director Vantage Switzerland, is quoted in the press release. "We look forward to welcoming our customers to this highly secure location with the best connectivity in the autumn of next year."

  • Sika invests in Cidra Concrete Systems

    Sika invests in Cidra Concrete Systems

    Sika is expanding its collaboration with Cidra Concrete Systems. According to a press release, the Zug-based construction chemicals company has signed an agreement to finance growth with equity capital. This agreement complements the global partnership that has existed since the beginning of 2019 with the North American expert for monitoring and information systems in concrete mixing vehicles. It was closed for the introduction of this data service in the USA and Canada.

    Cidra Concrete Systems, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, manufactures high-precision on-board systems that measure concrete quality during transport from the concrete plant to the construction site. Concrete manufacturers can use a cloud-based data portal to call up information on concrete quality such as workability or air volume for every vehicle in their fleet in real time. Now this partnership between the two companies is to be extended to other countries. "We are pleased to be able to offer this offer worldwide thanks to Sika's position as market leader," said Cidra boss Scott Anderson.

    "With this IoT-based technology we can provide our customers in the concrete industry with new digital solutions", Phillippe Jost, Head Construction Sika, is quoted in the press release. “Optimizing the mix design of concrete” enables Sika customers “to improve the performance of their concrete and their profitability by reducing the number of rejected truck loads”.

  • Gilytics convinces with software for the construction of lines

    Gilytics convinces with software for the construction of lines

    Gilytics has raised CHF 1 million as part of a seed financing round, according to a media release . The high-tech start-up fund, the Swiss Startup Group and the Zürcher Kantonalbank have invested.

    Gilytics was able to convince with software that can be used, for example, to plan overhead line and underground cable connections. The software can determine the routes of power lines based on geospatial data. Users can analyze detailed scenarios with 2D, 3D and augmented reality visualization. In addition to laying power lines, the software can also help with the planning of rails or roads.

    "We are impressed by the team's industry knowledge, the proven technology and the commercial traction that has already been generated with leading companies in the industry in Switzerland and across borders," says Fabian Hogrebe, Investment Manager at High-Tech Gründerfonds, quote in the communication.

    Gilytics wants to use the fresh funds to further develop functions to support construction supervision and the operation of solar and wind projects. At the same time, the company wants to expand its operating network.

    Gilytics was spun off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) in 2017 and is based in Zurich.

  • CKW submits a license application for a hydropower plant

    CKW submits a license application for a hydropower plant

    CKW has submitted the concession and building application for the Waldemme small hydropower plant in Flühli LU to the Canton of Lucerne. In the past few months, the project has been revised with the involvement of environmental protection organizations, as CKW writes in a press release. In contrast to the original plan, the Lammschlucht gorge, among other things, is to remain untouched.

    According to CKW's plans, the power plant is to be completed by 2023. It should have an output of 1.4 megawatts and produce around 6.5 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. According to the information, this will cover the needs of around 1,500 four-person households. CKW expects an investment sum of around 13 million francs.

    With the investment, CKW is "making a contribution to a secure and sustainable energy supply" and "taking care of orders for the Lucerne economy", says CKW CEO Martin Schwab. The major part of the order volume will remain in the canton of Lucerne.

    Government Councilor Fabian Peter (FDP) welcomes the project. “The canton of Lucerne must also make its contribution to the energy transition in 2050 and to achieving the climate targets. There is potential for this in the field of renewable energies that should be used and promoted with suitable framework conditions ”, he is quoted in the communication from CKW.

  • BKW creates competence center for electromobility

    BKW creates competence center for electromobility

    According to a press release, BKW wants to become a full-range supplier in the field of electromobility. A new competence center is to be set up for this purpose. The services of this new center will according to the information include the planning, installation and integration of charging infrastructures. However, BKW will also be responsible for accounting, for example.

    With the competence center, BKW is responding to the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This also leads to increasing interest in integrated e-mobility solutions. According to BKW, vehicle manufacturers, garages and the real estate industry are particularly interested in such offers.

    "Coupling renewable energy production with the transport sector is one of the opportunities to integrate renewable energies into a reliable energy supply system", Suzanne Thoma, CEO of BKW, is quoted in the press release. "With the expansion of our competencies in the field of electromobility, we are supplementing our existing solutions for decentralized, renewable energy and heat production in buildings and thus offer cross-sector, integrated full-service energy solutions", Thoma continues.

  • GOFAST and fast food go together

    GOFAST and fast food go together

    The Swiss fast charging provider GOFAST is launching a project together with McDonald's Switzerland to expand the charging infrastructure for e-cars. According to a press release , a total of 90 new charging stations for electric vehicles are to be built at numerous locations in the fast-food chain. The fact that GOFAST was able to win a new partner in McDonald's Switzerland is a real stroke of luck for the steeply growing number of e-car drivers, says Domenic Lanz, Managing Director of the e-mobility company GOFAST, which was founded in 2016. GOFAST is an abbreviation for GOtthard FASTcharge AG based in Zurich.

    The usual charging time of 20 to 30 minutes for a range of – depending on the model and the charging capacity of the batteries – around 300 kilometers can be used while eating in the restaurant. With GOFAST HPC chargers (high-power charging), e-car drivers can recharge their vehicle with outputs of up to 150 kilowatts, the message explains. Ideally, a range of up to 150 kilometers could be achieved in ten minutes. Only Swiss electricity from renewable energies is used for charging.

    The expansion begins at the McDonald's restaurants at the Martigny motorway exit with six loading spaces. The next stops are the McDrives in Hinwil, Kölliken, La Tour-de-Trême and Lugano. Aglaë Strachwitz, Managing Director of McDonald's Switzerland, is quoted in the press release: “We at McDonald's have been committed to the environment together for years. Our logistics partner drives with biodiesel and biogas, made from our kitchen waste. We rely on the train as a means of transport, for electricity on hydropower and now increasingly on fast charging stations for our guests. "

  • Replacement modules from several solar technicians form a new system

    Replacement modules from several solar technicians form a new system

    In St.Gallen, several solar technicians have collected the remaining modules from photovoltaic systems that have already been implemented. Now they are jointly producing solar power on the roof of the building called Lattich at the St.Gallen freight yard. The unusual project, about which the city of St.Gallen reported in a media release , provides solar energy for ten four-person households.

    This photovoltaic system is a joint project of the St.Galler Stadtwerke (sgsw) and five solar energy companies that have the Swisssolar quality label Solarprofi: Helion , Etavis Grossenbacher AG , Grob AG Gebäudehüllen, Huber + Monsch AG and solarmotion GmbH . They all delivered the solar modules that were no longer needed. They planned and created the system together with SGSW.

    In return for their contribution to the project, the partners involved receive solar power units on the Lattich roof and thus benefit from a credit on their electricity bills. Solar power units from the St.Gallen Solar Community are still available to the public on the roof of the Lerchenfeld ice rink.

  • Solothurn further strengthens location development

    Solothurn further strengthens location development

    The Department of Economics of the Canton of Solothurn wants to strengthen the development of the location, according to a media release . In this context, the business development department is renamed the business development department. Organizationally, the department changes directly to the department secretariat.

    The new name of the department is intended to express that it will deal more intensively with site development in the future. In addition, it should, for example, be more networked and cross-departmental when implementing projects within the framework of the location strategy or the new regional policy of the federal government (NRP).

    In addition to site development, the support of companies in Solothurn and the processing of settlement projects will continue to be part of the core business of the department.

  • UBS relies on Implenia

    UBS relies on Implenia

    UBS has selected Implenia as the general contractor for the renovation of its listed building on Paradeplatz in Zurich, the construction and real estate company from Dietlikon informs in a message . According to her, the award of the contract was preceded by a year-long overall performance competition. The notification does not provide any information about competitors or the volume of orders.

    The start of construction work is planned for the end of next year, Implenia informs. During the renovation, Roland Rohn's historic character is to be restored “in a contemporary way,” explains Pierre de Meuron, Founding Partner of the Herzog & de Meuron architecture firm, in the press release. In addition to new office space, spaces with hybrid and partly public use are planned. Implenia also plans to open the building to Paradeplatz and Bärengasse. The renovation work should meet the LEED Platinum sustainability standard for ecological building.

    "We rely on efficient and effective processes as well as the latest methods from Lean Construction to ensure optimal quality, deadlines and good communication in the planning and execution of the complex project across all phases," says Jens Vollmar, Head of the Buildings Division at Implenia, in the communication quoted. "We also work with a proven team that has already worked for UBS on other projects."

  • Obwalden companies help shape the supermarket of the future

    Obwalden companies help shape the supermarket of the future

    Tegut… gute Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG is a German subsidiary of the Migros retailer. The company currently operates primarily supermarkets that focus on organic products. Now it is also testing a new store concept. The new supermarket is open around the clock and has no cashiers. Customers can scan their items and pay by app or credit card. The store is monitored with several cameras and 3D sensors.

    For the design and construction of the first test shop in Fulda, tegut… gute Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG obtained specialist knowledge from Obwalden. The 50 square meter store was co-developed and realized by Neue Holzbau AG and HP Gasser AG , both from Lungern OW, according to a joint communication. Specifically, the two companies built the shop out of four elements. The finished shop was then delivered to Fulda by special transport. First and foremost, the companies rely on wood, invisible steel parts and the high-performance lanyard GSA.

    The label “Made in Lungern” has proven itself well in Germany, according to the announcement. Among other things, the first test shop won the 2020 Retail Innovation Prize. This is also thanks to the support of the Obwalden economic development agency.

  • Sensors save up to 90 percent electricity at bus stops

    Sensors save up to 90 percent electricity at bus stops

    Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich ( VBZ ) and the municipal energy supplier ewz tested the use of new LED lighting at several stops in the first half of 2020. These are built in with motion sensors with which the light can be weakened to a tenth of its strength when nobody is at the stop.

    The tests have shown that power consumption can be reduced significantly. "Viewed across all illuminated bus stops, the average energy saving for LED lights with motion sensors is around 90 percent, with the situation-specific regulation of brightness additionally reducing light emissions," Martin Suter, head of bus stops at VBZ, is quoted in a statement from his company. In addition, the service life should be able to be more than doubled by weakening the light to 25 to 30 years, according to the announcement.

    In the next five years, the previous fluorescent tubes at all bus stops are to be replaced by the new LED lighting.

  • Leclanché is building the largest solar system in the Caribbean

    Leclanché is building the largest solar system in the Caribbean

    The energy storage company Leclanché , together with the government of the Caribbean island state of St. Kitts and Nevis and the state-owned Electric Company ( SKELEC ), broke ground “for a groundbreaking project”. As stated in a press release by the energy storage company, the largest solar power generation and storage system in the Caribbean is to be built on 102 hectares of land owned by the government over the next 18 months. In the first year of operation, it will generate around 61,300 megawatt hours of electricity.

    The $ 70 million microgrid project is being built by Leclanché. It should also represent a model project for other island states. Together with the most important subcontractor, the Spanish Grupotec , the Valais company will provide a turnkey solar plus storage solution. Leclanché will operate the facility through its subsidiary SOLEC Power Ltd. as part of its strategic build, ownership and operation model. with partner Solrid Ltd. own and operate.

    Up until now, tankers have been delivering diesel fuel on a weekly basis. According to the announcement, Prime Minister Timothy Harris described the project as a milestone for his country, tourism, the economy and the entire Caribbean region: "This visionary project will help ensure our energy independence." Tons of “save carbon dioxide emissions.

    Together they designed a system on site that saves SKELEC costly upfront investments, says Leclanché managing director Anil Srivastava: As part of a 20-year power purchase agreement, Leclanché will sell clean, renewable energy to SKELEC at a flat rate over this entire period.

  • Migros Zurich separates from Zentrum Witikon

    Migros Zurich separates from Zentrum Witikon

    The Migros Cooperative Zurich sells the Zentrum Witikon to the largest Swiss life insurance group, Swiss Life . The decision to sell was made as part of a regular review of the property portfolio, according to the food company in a press release . He puts an end to the adjustment of the property portfolio that has taken place over several years.

    The Migros supermarket branch has existed since the Witikon Center opened in 1970. It was bought by Migros Zurich in 2012 and completely renovated in 2017. The parties have agreed not to disclose the sales price.

  • ewz should produce more renewable electricity

    ewz should produce more renewable electricity

    According to a press release , the city council of Zurich has applied for a third credit line of 200 million francs for the ewz. These funds are to flow into energy production facilities that produce electricity from renewable sources. The voters of the City of Zurich will ultimately decide whether this application will be approved.

    As stated in the communication, since 2007 voters have approved three credit lines for investments in the production of wind energy and other renewable sources. In total, the amount was 420 million francs. With this, ewz acquired 18 wind farms in Germany, France, Sweden and Norway through the wholly-owned subsidiary of the city of Zurich, ewz (Deutschland) GmbH. This means that the ewz now has around one terawatt hour of electricity from wind. This corresponds to the current ewz share from the electricity production of the Gösgen nuclear power plant.

    With the 200 million francs that have now been applied for, the ewz wants to expand primarily wind turbines and hydropower plants in Switzerland and other European countries. The ewz is aiming again to invest a third of the credit line in systems in Switzerland.

    The ewz Germany group is responsible for all purchases and financing abroad. The city of Zurich describes it as one of its most important holdings. The city council therefore requests the municipal council to create a legal basis for ewz (Deutschland) GmbH in a separate submission.

  • Energy companies want to promote the expansion of hydrogen

    Energy companies want to promote the expansion of hydrogen

    The association of Swiss H2 producers , newly founded on Thursday, wants to campaign for better local conditions for the production of green hydrogen. So far, seven energy companies belong to the association. "Together they will help the CO2-neutral hydrogen production in Switzerland to break through", it says in their press release.

    Important areas of application could be found in heavy haulage, as a replacement for diesel on non-electrified railway lines and in the chemical industry. Production is preferably carried out directly from a hydro or wind power plant. Because only if the electricity required for the production of hydrogen comes from renewable sources, it is CO2-neutral.

    While neighboring countries recognize hydrogen technology as an indispensable part of the energy transition and state funding for it accordingly, Switzerland is still having a hard time with it. "In addition, the production of hydrogen in Switzerland has so far only been possible at a limited number of locations," said Arthur Janssen, President of the new association and Head of Innovation and Strategy at the Basel energy supplier IWB , quoted in the press release.

    In addition to these regulatory hurdles, few actors had sufficient knowledge. That is why the association members want to support each other in the planning and construction of new production facilities. The association also wants to work closely with universities and research institutes.

    The founding members include: Elektrizitätswerk Altdorf, Oiken, St. Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke, Satom, SIG and the joint ventures Swiss H2 Generation AG (from ENGIE Services AG and Groupe E) and greenH2 (Fritz Meyer AG and IWB).

  • Canton of Solothurn sells last Alpiq shares

    Canton of Solothurn sells last Alpiq shares

    The canton of Solothurn has sold the last remaining block of shares in the Lausanne energy company Alpiq to the regional energy supplier IBB from Brugg. According to a press release from the State Chancellery, the total price for the share package is around CHF 26 million. The end result for the canton is a one-off realized profit of CHF 5.2 million.

    The sale of these shares results from the reorganization of the Alpiq shareholder base. It essentially provides that three main groups of shareholders hold equal shares in Alpiq. These have agreed that in future they will purchase water from Alpiq in accordance with their respective share. For the government council of the canton of Solothurn, this is "entirely understandable and sensible for economic reasons". However, this obligation would mean "that he would inadvertently become a competitor of the regional energy suppliers as an electricity purchaser and trader". He wanted to avoid this.

    That is why the canton had already sold a package of shares worth 113 million francs to Primeo Energie and Regio Energie Solothurn in September. As the announcement goes on to say, the price per share was then as it is today at 70 francs.

  • EIP organizes a capital increase in favor of renewable energies

    EIP organizes a capital increase in favor of renewable energies

    Energy Infrastructure Partners ( EIP ), formerly Credit Suisse Energy Infrastructure Partners, organized a capital increase of 530 million euros for BayWa re. A corresponding contract was signed on Tuesday, according to a press release from EIP and another from BayWa re. The transaction leads to a 49 percent stake in one of the world's leading developers, service providers, wholesalers and providers of solutions in the field of renewable energies. In addition, according to EIP, “considerable added value” can be expected.

    The Munich-based company claims to have a "very strong project pipeline" of photovoltaic systems and onshore wind systems with a capacity of 13 gigawatts in more than 20 countries, primarily in Europe, the USA and the Asia-Pacific region. BayWa re now wants to strategically develop into an independent electricity producer with a target capacity of initially 3 gigawatts by 2028, says the EIP announcement: “The partners intend to use additional capital over time to significantly expand their own renewable plant base . "

    "We are pleased about this unique opportunity for our investors to participate in a comprehensive global platform for renewable energies", Tim Marahrens, Co-Head of Origination & Transactions at EIP, is quoted in the press release. He underlined the importance of the transaction in view of the ongoing market consolidation in the industry.

  • Zurich architects receive the European Solar Prize

    Zurich architects receive the European Solar Prize

    In awarding this year's Eurosolar prizes, Eurosolar honored the Zurich company Felix Partner Architektur in the solar architecture category for realizing a project at Bergün GR. According to a press release, a 350-year-old Graubünden farmhouse in Latsch was converted into a modern zero-energy house through consistent use of solar energy. The historical substance was preserved.

    The European Solar Prize has been awarded by Eurosolar since 1994 for particularly eligible projects in the field of renewable energies. Eurosolar is the short form of European Association for Renewable Energies e. V. The association has its seat in Bonn. The winners in the categories of municipalities, solar architecture, industry, regional associations, mobility, media and education contribute with their outstanding projects to regenerative and decentralized energy supply in Europe, according to the media release.

    Eurosolar President Peter Droege is quoted as saying that the award-winning projects are perfect examples of the ongoing transformation of the energy system: "Today's award winners show how the world can become completely renewable."

    In addition to the award for the best project in the solar architecture category by the Swiss architects, other award winners are highlighted in the communication. Such an island community that owns, manages and maintains its own energy network that supplies all residents with renewable electricity. There is also a film director who raises awareness of the ecological and social effects of coal power. And also to a so-called social enterprise, which enables an independent and low-carbon energy supply with mobile biogas technology.