Category: immoNews

  • UBS takes over real estate fund Residentia

    UBS takes over real estate fund Residentia

    As of the beginning of February 2021, UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG will take over the management of the Swiss real estate fund Residentia, UBS informs in a message . The listed fund mainly holds residential properties in the canton of Ticino. The announcement puts the total assets of Residentia's portfolio at around CHF 275 million.

    With the takeover of Residentia, the Zurich-based bank wants to strengthen its asset management in the real estate sector in southern Switzerland. "We believe in the Ticino real estate market," Daniel Brüllmann, Head of Real Estate DACH at UBS Asset Management, is quoted in the press release. He sees his company "ideally positioned for this takeover".

    UBS Switzerland AG will act as a deposit bank for Residentia, is further explained in the announcement. The Pagani Real Estate SA of Residentia co-founder Matteo Pagani is to support the fund management company in Ticino as a “local presence”.

  • NEST is planning a new STEP2 unit

    NEST is planning a new STEP2 unit

    A new unit will move into the Dübendorfer NEST , the research and innovation building of the Eidgenössischer Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) and Eawag , the ETH Domain's water research institute. It bears the name STEP2 . According to a press release by Empa, two new floors are currently being planned on the existing NEST building for this innovation workshop.

    These are as forward-facing as the NEST itself: a spiral staircase in the shape of a spinal column from 3D printing will connect the two new floors. A ribbed filigree ceiling requires around a third less material than a conventional one, and an efficient building envelope should ensure optimal comfort. Further information on these and other innovative construction details as well as regular information on the creation of the unit are available on the STEP2 website .

    The project itself was initiated by BASF. Together with numerous other partners from science and industry, the STEP2 unit will work “purposefully” towards marketable, sustainable solutions for building envelopes, energy systems, digital and industrial production and the circular economy. “This interdisciplinary collaboration is intended to ensure that the leap onto the market can ultimately succeed as quickly as possible,” says Enrico Marchesi, Principal Innovation Manager at BASF, the main partner of the new unit.

    The project team, according to the announcement, is currently completing the preliminary project. The planning of the construction should start at the beginning of 2021. Completion is planned for summer 2022.

  • Urban Connect is expanding its range of e-fleets

    Urban Connect is expanding its range of e-fleets

    Urban Connect AG was able to successfully conclude a seed financing round, according to a media release. The Mobility-as-a-Service company took in 2.5 million francs.

    According to the announcement, Urban Connect is Europe's first multimodal mobility platform that enables companies to operate low-emission fleets. Urban Connect offers all vehicles – from electric bikes and electric scooters to electric cargo bikes and electric cars for shared use. They can be booked via an app. In addition, the app allows the "simple" integration of existing vehicle fleets. This offer helps companies "to create greener, smarter and healthier work environments – and cleaner cities for everyone," CEO Judith Häberli is quoted in the press release.

    Part of the financing round that has now been concluded is a loan guarantee from the technology fund of the Federal Office for the Environment . According to its website, this “guarantees loans to Swiss companies whose innovative products enable a sustainable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions”. This support “allows us to intensify our activities”, says Judith Häberli.

    The fresh funds would flow into the further development of the digital mobility platform, "especially for the control of large vehicle fleets", it says in the announcement. Furthermore, the development of our own data analysis software is planned. With their help, Urban Connect can give its customers data-based recommendations for the effective utilization of their vehicle fleets.

  • Limeco does not need to lower the price of municipal waste immediately

    Limeco does not need to lower the price of municipal waste immediately

    Limeco has achieved an interim success in the dispute with the price watchdog. As the company reports , the Federal Administrative Court has granted suspensive effect to the complaint made by the operator of the waste incineration plant in Dietikon. The St.Gallen judges are thus opposing the price watchdog, who wanted to deny the complaint this suspensive effect.

    In addition, as requested by Limeco, the judges also require the specialist authorities to be involved in the decision. These are the Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air of the Canton of Zurich , the Federal Office for the Environment and the Federal Competition Commission .

    In an order in September , the price watchdog stated that “Limeco's price for the incineration of municipal waste was abusively too high”. He wanted to oblige Limeco as early as January 1, 2021, to lower the price that the municipalities would have to pay for the consignment to 102 francs per ton.

    Limeco then filed a complaint with the Federal Administrative Court in October. Limeco argued that the transfer prices corresponded to the requirements of the federal government and the canton of Zurich. They are appropriate and are necessary for “sustainable, cost-covering and polluter-friendly disposal of municipal waste”. The price watchdog made some false assumptions.

    The price monitor can comment on Limeco's complaint until mid-February.

  • Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    The Steinmürli kindergarten, which received the “best architects 21” award, was built in 2019 as a modern wooden element construction. According to a media release from the City of Dietikon, it was designed by the Schmid Ziörjen Architects in Zurich. The jury's description of the award-winning building states that the Steinmürli school complex is a cluster of orthogonally arranged school and gym buildings. The new kindergarten, placed at right angles to the existing buildings, would naturally be integrated into the overall complex. This would reorganize the open spaces and create a well-sunlit and spacious outdoor play area between the existing kindergarten and the new building.

    The jury that awarded the award consists of the architects Professor Johannes Modersohn from Berlin, Yves Moreau from Paris and Patrick Schmid from Zurich.

    The best architects award was launched in 2006 in order, according to information on its website, to filter out the best and most interesting of the German-speaking architecture scene and to show it to the public. In 2015 the prize was opened to participants from all over Europe.

  • Smart cities work together

    Smart cities work together

    Basel, Bern, Lugano, Lucerne, St.Gallen, Winterthur and Zurich are already working together on the next national exhibition, " NEXPO – the new Expo ". Now, within this framework, they also want to jointly develop models for future cooperation between intelligent cities, according to a media release from the canton of Basel-Stadt. Its cantonal and urban development in the presidential department is taking the lead in a first pilot project of the initiative.

    With “Smart Inter-City – our common path into the future”, the participants not only want to develop models of cooperation between so-called Smart Cities, but also to implement them. By networking the seven cities, existing synergies are to be used. The project is also open to partners from business, science and the general public.

    The pilot project is to be promoted at the respective innovation locations of the participating cities. In Basel, for example, this includes the Smart City Lab Basel , which was launched by the canton and the SBB.

  • Innosuisse promotes Blackstone Resources

    Innosuisse promotes Blackstone Resources

    The Swiss innovation agency Innosuisse will subsidize the development project of Blackstone Resources AG , which is estimated at 1.3 million francs. She has promised a grant of 50 percent. According to a media release from Blackstone Resources, this commitment will help finance the development of solid-state electrolytes and a “sophisticated” production simulation of 3D-printed solid-state batteries.

    The Baar-based company relies on lithium-ion batteries with solid-state electrolytes. Their industrial production is based on Blackstone's own 3D printing process, the press release said. A research consortium consisting of Blackstone Resources, the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) and the Bern University of Applied Sciences will upscale the synthesis of solid-state electrolytes developed by Empa.

    Because the electrolyte, i.e. the conductive part of the battery, is solid, solid-state batteries have several advantages: They are non-flammable and cannot leak. They manage without cooling, which increases their energy density and thus their storage capacity. And theoretically they can be loaded faster. Car manufacturers in particular are hoping for them because they could solve the range problem of electric cars.

    Against this background, Blackstone Resources AG sees “solid electrolytes as a key component for the next generation of battery technology” and will produce this technology “independently” in the future.

  • UBS real estate platform integrates FinanceScout24

    UBS real estate platform integrates FinanceScout24

    The key4 open real estate platform is intended to provide customers with all the services they need to purchase and manage their own home, explains UBS in a press release . Key4 offers, among other things, a management of the mortgages, where you can choose from the offers of different lenders for each tranche. This is "unique in Switzerland", writes UBS.

    The big bank wants to expand its platform through strategic partnerships. The digital one-stop shop for finance and insurance topics , FinanceScout24, was the first financing broker to be won, UBS informs in the press release. "The partnership with FinanceScout24 is the next logical step in expanding our ecosystem and part of our long-term strategy to become the market leader in the platform business", Martha Böckenfeld, Head of Digital Platforms & Marketplaces, is quoted there.

    In return, FinanceScout24 customers can use the full range of key4 products. "Through the cooperation with key4, we are expanding our portfolio with a strong partner and are now offering our users an even larger range of suitable financing solutions for their personal dream home", Jan Hinrichs, Managing Director of FinanceScout24, is quoted in the press release. The company is part of Scout24 Schweiz AG . Ringier AG and Mobiliar each hold half of the network of online marketplaces.

  • LEDcity makes lighting intelligent

    LEDcity makes lighting intelligent

    The Zurich cleantech start-up LEDcity has further developed its intelligent lighting solutions with the lamps called Halbautonom +. The light sensors integrated in it allow the light intensity to be continuously and locally adapted to requirements. This is made possible by the integration of a radar and light sensor as well as a radio module in each individual light source. This is how the lamps can communicate with each other, according to a press release from the start-up company. According to her, her system saves up to 90 percent of energy consumption.

    This lighting system, optimized with the help of artificial intelligence, can be configured via an app. "The integration of the battery-free and wireless light switch into the luminaire network enables us to switch between lighting scenarios and to override and dim the automatically suggested lighting", Samuel Stroppel from the Dübendorf facility service provider gammaRenax is quoted as saying. "This expands the possibilities for use in training rooms enormously." Since November 2020, the conference rooms of this LEDcity customer have been illuminated by the semi-autonomous + lighting solution.

    The start-up based in Technopark Zurich is working on the further development of a fully autonomous solution that no longer needs to be initially configured, the message goes on to say. In the future, the luminaires could use the data they have collected to autonomously order a replacement if a lamp fails or even support security personnel.

  • VoltWALL wins Boldbrain competition

    VoltWALL wins Boldbrain competition

    According to a report from ticino online, voltWALL is the main winner of this year's Boldbrain Startup Challenge . The start-up from Lugano with branches in New York, Rome, Sydney and Tel Aviv has developed a modular energy storage system called xBlade. Its areas of application range from charging electric cars in the garage to industrial solutions and solar parks.

    The company convinced the jury of the Ticino start-up competition that it would create jobs in the canton, according to a message on startupticker.ch. The first prize is endowed with 40,000 francs. In addition, the University of Italian Switzerland awards voltWALL a full scholarship worth 52,000 francs. In addition, the winner also received one of the special prizes from the Boldbrain sponsor Hemargroup.

    The two young companies Finar Module Tech and 4Devices Medical each won CHF 30,000 as second and third place. Finar developed an energy-saving LED lamp that has already been tested by Osram and Henkel. 4Devices builds miniature medical machines. Your first is a stent, which is designed to improve surgery on children with hydrotherapy. The start-ups WYTH and UNIVERSUS-OS followed , each receiving 10,000 francs in prize money. UNIVERSUS-OS also received the audience award.

    The Boldbrain Startup Challenge is organized by the Ticino innovation agency Fondazione Agire and the USI's Center for the Promotion of Business Start-ups. The competition is supported by the Ministry of Finance and Economics and the Ticino Cantonal Bank BancaStato .

  • Juice Technology and Athlon electrify vehicle fleets

    Juice Technology and Athlon electrify vehicle fleets

    Juice Technology AG and Athlon Germany GmbH are promoting the electrification of car fleets. The manufacturer of charging stations and software based in Cham and the Düsseldorf leasing provider and fleet manager have jointly developed a mobile charging station. It should make charging company vehicles as convenient as possible in different situations.

    The Juice Booster 2 could cover all areas of application, explains the founder and CEO of Juice Technology, Christoph Erni, in a press release : as a mounted wallbox, as a mobile charging station and as a type 2 charging cable for public charging stations. "The Juice Booster 2 is the ideal charging option, especially for field staff, sales and transport services who usually cover long distances through supraregional areas of use and cannot charge at home or in the company every evening", says André Girnus, Managing Director of Athlon Germany same passage quoted. "With Juice Technology we have found an innovative partner to equip our customers in the best possible way."

    The charger is compatible with all electric cars with type 1 and type 2 connections. According to the company, the integrated DC and AC fault detection effectively triggers at the prescribed value. As a result, the supply line does not require an additional expensive FI-B circuit breaker. With a cable length of five meters and a theft-proof adapter lock, the electric car can be parked flexibly for the charging process.

    In addition, the TÜV-certified Juice Booster 2 is the world's first mobile charging station with up to 22 kilowatts that corresponds to the currently valid IEC 62752 standard and enables one to three-phase charging of e-vehicles with up to 32 amperes. The mobile charger is also ideal for international use.

  • City of Zurich wants to reduce heat

    City of Zurich wants to reduce heat

    The city of Zurich is reacting to the heat waves of the past summer and wants to arm the city for future temperature-related stresses. On the one hand, measures are planned to be implemented in new construction projects. And on the other hand, the principle of the sponge city is to be implemented in pilot projects, as can be seen in a communication.

    This principle was developed to minimize flooding. To this end, rainfalls in the city are to be held back like a sponge and only gradually channeled into the water and groundwater. However, this principle is also intended to reduce global warming in Zurich. To this end, part of the Giessereistrasse in Zurich has been converted in a pilot project. For the sponge city principle, many factors such as the gradient of the road, the road surface, permeable curbs and lockable mud collectors must be taken into account. The aim is to ensure that rainwater only runs into the sewer system in winter. In the rest of the year, it should be diverted into the vegetation, where it slowly evaporates and thus contributes to cooling. At the end of the structural work, nine new trees have now been planted.

    The project, which will cost 680,000 francs, is currently designed for the period up to 2024. The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) ensures scientific monitoring.

  • Empa presents three innovation awards

    Empa presents three innovation awards

    The Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) has honored three of its groundbreaking projects and achievements with the Empa Innovation Award. The prize, endowed with CHF 5,000, has been awarded every two years since 2006. In doing so, Empa honors the efforts of its researchers to build further bridges between science and business with applied, market-oriented research.

    According to a press release by Empa, the first prize goes to the novel tissue adhesive technology Nanoglue. It was developed by researchers at the Particles-Biology Interactions Laboratory at Empa in St.Gallen in collaboration with the Nanoparticle Systems Engineering Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich . Their radically new approach uses the wound-healing properties of inorganic nanoparticles. The inexpensive materials could be manufactured on a large scale. The “unique technology” is now being brought to market maturity by the Zurich start-up anavo medical , which has yet to be founded.

    The transparent face mask from the Hello Mask project by Empa and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne ( EPFL ) also received an award. It consists of a fine membrane with a pore size of around 100 nanometers. This membrane allows air to pass through, but holds back viruses and bacteria. “The fully see-through mask was developed primarily with the aim of improving the relationship between caregivers and patients,” says researcher Joshua Avossa. The Geneva start-up HMCare has been working on the market launch of the Hello Mask from Empa and EPFL since 2020. It should be available in mid-2021.

    The software platform Urban Sympheny for planning sustainable energy systems is the third winner. The Empa spin-off of the same name, based in Dübendorf, helps planners to identify optimal solutions for their location and their customers. The goal is energy and cost efficiency. The innovative platform was developed in Empa’s Urban Energy Systems department. Last year Venture Kick awarded Urban Sympheny 50,000 francs.

  • Window manufacturer 4B wins innovation award

    Window manufacturer 4B wins innovation award

    4B AG , based in Hochdorf, is one of the winners of the Innovation Award 2020/21, which was presented for the first time by the Swiss Institute for Quality Tests ( SIQT ). The award is based on the number of patents held by Swiss companies between 2017 and 2019. The jury took into account data from both the Swiss Patent Office and those from foreign patent offices. The winners of the prize are companies or research institutions that “have an above-average score” in their segment or in a CPC class (Cooperative Patent Classification), explains the SIQT in a press release.

    4B AG is continuously developing new products and services. For this purpose, the window manufacturer operates its own innovation department with product management, development and a test laboratory. One of the company’s developments is a threshold-free balcony door. However, 4B also researches the topic of intelligent windows, for example. “Windows are currently becoming more and more intelligent and will be able to carry out increasingly smart functions in the future,” the company explains in a press release . Intelligent windows should, for example, increase energy efficiency and simplify the handling and maintenance of windows.

    4B is owned by the Bachmann family and was created in 1896 from the joinery of the same name. The company employs more than 660 people and most recently achieved annual sales of around 170 million francs.

  • Trafigura invests in H2 Energy

    Trafigura invests in H2 Energy

    The Dutch commodity trading giant Trafigura , with a branch in Geneva, is investing heavily in the Zurich-based H2 Energy Holding . In a first step, the company has committed, according to its media release , to provide 62 million dollars. 20 million of this will flow into H2 Energie AG as a capital contribution. This is intended to support the development of the production, storage and distribution of green hydrogen for filling stations and industrial customers.

    Trafigura, one of the world’s largest traders in fossil fuels, will provide the remaining 40 million dollars to set up and finance a 50:50 joint venture, H2 Energy Europe, based in Zurich. It aims to bring green, hydrogen-based ecosystems to the markets. In addition, it will invest in hydrogen infrastructure and in projects that work with hydrogen throughout Europe, with the exception of Switzerland.

    H2 Energy has developed “a successful business model that is present in every part of the hydrogen value chain,” said Jeremy Weir, Executive Chairman and CEO of Trafigura, in the press release. “And by providing fuel cell solutions on a large scale, they have created a demand for hydrogen.” Now Trafigura will contribute its ability to further develop traditional supply chains and open up new markets.

    The joint focus is on the profitable decarbonization of various sectors, says H2 Energy boss Rolf Huber. “The joint venture with Trafigura will enable the partners to carry out the planned projects across Europe. In addition, it will enable us to further develop fuel cell applications for the transport sector on land and at sea, but also for stationary applications. “

  • Axpo goes to Greece

    Axpo goes to Greece

    The Swiss energy producer Axpo will in future have a permanent branch in Greece. According to a press release , the company wants to offer services to Greek customers and partner companies there. That ranges from risk management to support with market access. Axpo will therefore be active in Greece across the entire energy supply chain. The Athens office is headed by Vasileios Machias, the newly appointed Country Manager. Axpo reports that he has more than 16 years of experience in international energy trading and has worked for numerous large energy trading companies such as EDF and Gazprom.

    Domenico De Luca, Head of Trading and Sales at Axpo, is quoted in the press release: “We know the importance of local market knowledge for our customers. So I am all the more pleased that Vasileios Machias has joined Axpo and will manage the newly established branch in Greece. ”Axpo will support its customers in the transition to a low-carbon economy with tailor-made services.

    The plan is to work with non-state electricity producers in the use of renewable energies. In addition, according to the announcement, Axpo will support local energy providers with the supply of liquidity to cover their market risks.

    According to its own information, Axpo has 5,000 employees working for customers in 40 countries in Europe, North America and Asia in order to offer innovative energy solutions based on the latest technology.

  • Association for sustainable building is founded

    Association for sustainable building is founded

    The newly created Association for Sustainable Building Biological Building (VNBB) aims to make the construction industry more sustainable and climate-friendly. To this end, knowledge and skills are to be promoted and integrated into vocational training.

    As stated in a press release, the non-profit organization was initiated by Dr. Thea Rauch-Schwegler from the Baubioswiss Association over the past few years. Timber construction Switzerland , building envelope Switzerland , JardinSuisse , Lignum – Holzwirtschaft Schweiz and the Swiss Association of Painters and Plasterers have joined as founding members. Its new office in Wallisellen is also the seat of the VNBB. The management of the VNBB office is advertised. New club members and partners are expressly welcome.

    In 2019, the examination regulations for the advanced specialist examination for experts in healthy and sustainable building were recognized by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. In this way, according to the VNBB, “the gap in higher vocational training in the field of sustainable building can be closed”. The first preparatory course for the diploma will start in 2022. At the same time, professional associations have also recognized the importance of the topic and decided to tackle the issue of sustainability in vocational training together.

  • Senozon helps dealers choose a location

    Senozon helps dealers choose a location

    Location and traffic optimization are the core business of the Zurich company Senozon . According to a media release, interested parties can now order a map free of charge online that shows, for a specific postcode area, where pedestrians are particularly frequent during the day. Also included is a map with the pedestrian frequencies of people between 18 and 65 years of age with a medium or high household income.

    The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) receives numerous inquiries for individual locations, for which this free data product now provides answers: “In times of the Corona, it is even more important for retailers and their advisors to choose the locations cleverly. We are making a contribution with these cards, ”says Senozon sales manager Phillip Kousz.

    Senozon also offers other products for a fee, such as areas that cover several postal codes, absolute pedestrian frequencies, other socio-demographics, daily frequencies and catchment areas. The simulation enables not only an analysis of the current situation, but also precise prognoses of the future.

    According to the announcement, the basis for the simulations of Senozon are mainly publicly available statistics. The company enriches them by comparing them with real measured values. Sources such as traffic counts, apps and statistics from Google and telecom providers are used for this. The great advantage of the method is that it includes the population of a country including its socio-demographics. "For the first time, this allows target group-specific evaluations and studies with full anonymity."

  • Ceneri Base Tunnel receives the green light

    Ceneri Base Tunnel receives the green light

    The New Railway-Alpen-Transversale ( NEAT ) is largely completed. The Federal Office of Transport ( FOT ) has issued the permit for the scheduled operation of the Ceneri base tunnel, it writes in a message . This means that the tunnel will be available for scheduled passenger and freight trains from the timetable change on December 13th.

    The Ceneri Base Tunnel was inaugurated on September 4th. Since then, around 5,800 commercial passenger and freight trains have been run through the tunnel in a trial run.

    The 15 kilometer long tunnel is the third of the three large base tunnels that were built as part of the NEAT. It also enables direct connections between Lugano and Locarno. These form a central element of the Ticino S-Bahn.

    The Lötschberg Base Tunnel with a length of 35 kilometers was the first of the three large tunnels to go into operation in 2007, the Gotthard Base Tunnel with a length of 57 kilometers followed in 2016. The almost 20 kilometers long Simplon Tunnel has been in operation since 1906. Switzerland now has two flat rail routes through the Alps.

  • New large storage system should help stabilize the network

    New large storage system should help stabilize the network

    CKW and Axpo are responding to the expansion of volatile renewable energies. In 2021 you will be implementing a battery storage system in Rathausen which, according to a CKW announcement , can be used for three different markets at the same time for the first time. On the one hand, the system can provide electricity when it is needed, thereby breaking the peak loads. On the other hand, it should help Swissgrid to keep the voltage in the grid stable. Ultimately, it helps to quickly balance out differences between the supply of electricity and demand at any time.

    The system consists of two large batteries, each weighing 50 tons, and each housed in a 12 meter long container. It has an output of 6.25 megawatts. That is enough to supply 15,000 households with electricity for one hour.

    The system will be installed from mid-2021 and integrated into CKW's medium-voltage network.

  • Limmattal Spital is allowed to acquire additional areas

    Limmattal Spital is allowed to acquire additional areas

    After the vote on Sunday, the Limmattal Hospital Association has several years of planning security for future extensions and additions to the Limmattal Hospital . With 87.1 percent, those eligible to vote from the eleven supporting communities of the hospital association voted in favor of the purchase of the Sandbühl property in Schlieren. According to a media release , the property, which consists of three parcels, is directly adjacent to the existing hospital area with an acute hospital, care center and rescue service base in the northeast. This enables future-oriented, forward-looking and sustainable planning of the Limmattal health center, it says. Those eligible to vote followed the unanimous vote of the delegates' meeting on September 23 with their yes to long-term site planning. The purchase price is around CHF 15 million.

    The Limmattal Hospital ensures basic medical care for over 77,000 patients every year. With the new building from October 2018, it has 188 beds, eight operating theaters and eight intensive care places. According to the announcement, 1480 employees from 49 nations are currently working in the hospital.

  • Switzerland must accelerate the energy transition

    Switzerland must accelerate the energy transition

    Switzerland has set itself less ambitious goals for the energy transition up to 2020 and is likely to achieve them. This is shown by the third monitoring report by the Federal Office of Energy ( SFOE ). After that, the new renewable energies achieved an electricity production of 4186 gigawatt hours in 2019. The SFOE writes in a press release that the target of 4400 gigawatt hours in 2020 is within reach. But if the guideline value of 11,400 gigawatt hours is to be achieved in 2035, the annual additions must amount to an average of 451 gigawatt hours, one and a half times as much as in the past decade.

    The final energy consumption per capita is similar: the reduction target of minus 16 percent by 2020 compared to 2000 was already achieved in 2016. By 2019, minus 19.1 percent was achieved. But if the benchmark for 2035 of minus 43 percent is to be achieved, then the average annual decline would have to be minus 2.2 percent. In the past decade it was only minus 1.4 percent.

    The Energy Perspectives 2050+ published at the same time by the SFOE came to the conclusion that if Switzerland continued with the existing practice, it would fall far short of its climate target in the long term. Switzerland has committed itself to reducing its CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050. But with a “keep it up” it comes to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 30 percent compared to 2020.

    However, the Energy Perspectives 2050+ assume that Switzerland can achieve its climate target with the technologies that are already available or currently being developed. The investment requirement would be only 8 percent higher than a continuation of the previous practice, according to a BFE announcement . If the current practice were retained, a total of CHF 1,400 billion would have to be invested in energy infrastructure, systems, devices and vehicles by 2050. If the net zero climate target is to be achieved, it would be a good 1,500 billion Swiss francs.

  • The first free space solar system from EKZ is on the grid

    The first free space solar system from EKZ is on the grid

    EKZ 's Algibicos solar power plant near the southern Spanish city of Murcia started operations on Tuesday, according to a media release . This means that the Zurich-based energy company's first large open-space solar power plant has gone online.

    On an area of 85 hectares, it will produce a little over 90 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. This corresponds to the annual consumption of more than 20,000 households. With over 300 days of fine weather, the area was one of the sunniest in all of Europe. In addition, the yield is increased by movable solar panels that are oriented towards the sun.

    "Compared to Swiss systems, around twice as much electrical energy can be generated," said Jean-Marc Degen, senior project manager at EKZ Renewables, in the press release. In addition, plants of this size are hardly feasible in Switzerland. The meanwhile low production costs and the sunny location enabled profitable operation, even without state feed-in tariffs.

  • Single-family houses are becoming more expensive

    Single-family houses are becoming more expensive

    According to a report from the Federal Statistical Office ( FSO ), the Swiss residential property price index (IMPI), which was determined for the first time, closed at 100.8 points in the third quarter of 2020. Compared to the previous quarter, this corresponds to growth of 0.2 percent. In a year-on-year comparison, the analysts of the FSO measured an increase in prices of 2.6 percent. The base value of the index was set at 100 points in the fourth quarter of 2019.

    With regard to the changes compared to the previous quarter, the analysts identify opposing developments in single-family homes and condominiums in the quarter under review. The prices for single-family homes had risen by 1.1 percent in a quarterly comparison. By contrast, prices for condominiums were 0.6 percent lower in the quarter under review than in the previous quarter.

    The analysts had observed particularly significant increases in the prices for single-family houses of 2.6 and 2.2 percent in the urban communities of the large agglomerations and the rural communities. The most significant declines in prices for condominiums were registered in the intermediate and rual communities, each with minus 1.1 percent.

  • Emmi tests hydrogen trucks

    Emmi tests hydrogen trucks

    Emmi has put two hydrogen trucks from Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility into operation, according to a press release . The company will now test this in logistics. It works together with the Association for the Promotion of Hydrogen Mobility Switzerland .

    Emmi transports around 8,000 pallets from A to B every day to supply its customers in Switzerland with fresh dairy products. The company currently has 140 vehicles in use for this, which cover 9.3 million kilometers annually. Emmi has shifted some of its transports to rail. However, this environmentally friendly means of transport is limited in various ways. On the other hand, Emmi sees great potential in the switch to hydrogen trucks.

    Compared to conventional diesel trucks, the hydrogen trucks can save around 70 to 80 tons of CO2 per year, the company states in the press release. Instead of CO2, these vehicles emit water vapor.

    Emmi will refuel the two hydrogen trucks at the H2 filling station network of the Hydrospider company from Opfikon, which is currently being expanded in Switzerland. This provides 100 percent emission-free hydrogen. According to the information, one tank of fuel is sufficient for a range of up to 400 kilometers. The environmentally friendly fuel also enables auxiliary units such as the cold room to be operated.

  • Film about the Knonauer Amt energy region celebrates its premiere

    Film about the Knonauer Amt energy region celebrates its premiere

    The Knonau office is “ten years ahead of its time”, said Government Councilor Dr. Martin Neukom in August on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Knonauer Amt energy region. “A driving force for the energy transition,” said Andrew Darrell, a member of the New York Sustainability Advisory Board. He thought that the world should find out about this pilot project, writes the “Affolter Anzeiger”. Together with the Swiss Pro Evolution Foundation and WWF Switzerland , he initiated a film about the exemplary work of the Knonauer Amt energy region. It premiered on Thursday. Its title: ” Full of energy into the future – a region relies on renewables “.

    The film reports on the initiatives that the 14 communities in this region in the canton of Zurich have undertaken and are undertaking to curb climate change: the energy-saving house in Stallikon, where children can experience energy in a playful way, the planned solar power plant above the A4, the Circular economy of the biogas plant in Rickenbach, the above-average number of CO2-neutral wood district heating plants. In 2010 the municipalities integrated the key project Energy Region Knonauer Amt into the location promotion. Their goal is to generate 80 percent of their energy needs by 2050 themselves and with renewable energies.

    Numerous experts have their say in the film, including Andreas Fischlin, member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) and professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ( ETH ). “We have the same CO2 concentration as 3.5 million years ago,” he warns. At that time, there was a tropical flora and fauna in Switzerland. ETH professor Anton Gunzinger advocates greater use of local energies. That ensures more independence and that more money stays in the regional cycle: “We need more tax offices in Switzerland!”

  • Vebego joins forces with the ETH spin-off

    Vebego joins forces with the ETH spin-off

    Vebego Schweiz Holding AG offers various solutions in the real estate industry. The Zurich-based company is now teaming up with Archilyse , a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ).

    Archilyse has developed real estate analysis software. This can create virtual models of real estate, which are integrated into a model of the environment. For example, Archilyse can calculate how much sunlight flows into the rooms or what the view is. The analyzes are offered, for example, to project developers, architects or real estate companies who can market them.

    The goal of the partnership between Vebego and Archilyse is to be “at the forefront of the market” and to market real estate technologies internationally, according to a media release . Archilyse will work with the Vebego subsidiary Move Consultants , among others.

    "The cooperation with Move Consultants as the actual 'Master of Floor Plan and Areas' takes Archilyse and its business model to a new level", Matthias Standfest, founder and CEO of Archilyse, is quoted in the press release. "On the one hand, Move is number one when it comes to the digital processing of real estate data and, on the other hand, Move's numerous customers can benefit from the extensive Archilyse analyzes without any great effort".

  • Crowdlitoken launches platform in Europe

    Crowdlitoken launches platform in Europe

    Crowdlitoken has launched its platform for real estate investments in Europe. According to a press release , the company is playing a global pioneering role. Investors can use the platform to purchase digital bonds on real estate and put together their own portfolio.

    Investors can, for example, participate in a commercial property in Switzerland, with which Crowdlitoken decided to work together in October. The property is located in Oensingen SO and has a market value of 9.15 million francs. Investors can use the platform to participate in real estate from CHF 100.

    "A great day. With this platform we are finally keeping our promise to investors, ”Domenic Kurt, CEO of Crowdlitoken, is quoted in the press release. "At this point, many thanks to the trust and patience of the investors from the very beginning."

    Crowdlitoken is currently preparing the second financing round. To this end, it has only recently brought new personalities to the Board of Directors .

  • EKZ supplies the Limmat Valley with a further 80 megawatts

    EKZ supplies the Limmat Valley with a further 80 megawatts

    With the facility in Oberengstringen, the electricity works of the canton of Zurich (EKZ) put their third substation in Limmat Valley into operation. The Limmattal is now supplied by the three substations Schlieren, Dietikon and Oberengstringen. The new substation with an output of 80 megawatts will gradually be put into operation by next February.

    "This means that we are very well prepared for the steadily growing energy demand in the region", Hans-Peter Häberli, Head of Construction and Systems at EKZ, is quoted in an interview . The economic upswing in the Limmattal with the settlement of new companies, a large data center and the Limmattalbahn is causing the demand for electricity to rise sharply. Häberli: “We have generally seen strong increases in load in the Limmat Valley over the past few years. In the future, the energy demand will be driven by the Limmattalbahn and the establishment of a data center in the region. The Schlieren substation, which previously supplied the region with energy, must therefore be relieved. Its capacity would soon no longer be sufficient. "

    The electrical energy is converted in the new substation. In the case of Oberengstringen, EKZ takes over the electricity with a voltage of 110 kilovolts from the Axpo high-voltage network. The energy is converted to 16 kilovolts with two 40-megawatt transformers, according to the EKZ website. After that, the electricity would be further stepped down until it is fed into the grid for end users such as housing estates.

    The connection of the new plant is to take place gradually by February. According to Häberli, Oberengstringen will then be fully connected to the Axpo high-voltage network. The communities of Ober- and Unterengstringen, Weiningen and parts of Schlieren are then supplied.

  • Fehlmann-Areal gets photovoltaic facades

    Fehlmann-Areal gets photovoltaic facades

    Around ten years ago, BGP built six pavilion-like residential buildings in various sizes on the Fehlmann site in Winterthur. The Zurich architecture office informs in a message that the area development has now been completed with two more buildings. From a distance, the new buildings are indistinguishable from the old superstructures.

    On closer inspection, however, an important difference becomes clear, explains BGP. The facades of the buildings erected in 2010 were made of black enameled glass panels. Instead, electricity-producing photovoltaic modules were installed in the new buildings. This means that the facade can take on “a multitude of tasks”, according to the announcement. Specifically, protection, climate regulation, representation and identification are mentioned there.

    Before building the development, BGP had measured the electricity demand in the existing buildings. According to the announcement, it had the distribution to be expected for a residential development with peaks in the morning and in the evening. These peaks could be better covered with modules integrated into the facade than with a system installed on the roof, explains the architecture office. In addition, a photovoltaic system was installed on the building roofs. The building complex is also equipped with charging stations for electric cars.