immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Elektrifizierung

  • Zurich invests in large-scale battery storage for greater security of supply

    Zurich invests in large-scale battery storage for greater security of supply

    Zurich City Council has applied to the municipal council for a framework credit of CHF 20 million. According to a press release, the credit is to be used for the expansion of free-standing large-scale battery storage facilities operated by Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich(ewz).

    The independently operated systems are used to store large amounts of energy, such as that generated by renewable sources like solar or wind energy. In addition to the existing power plants, the large-scale storage facilities can feed energy into the grid at peak times and thus contribute to the stability of the energy system and security of supply. An important contribution can be made here, particularly in view of the requirements of increasing electrification, such as the switch to electric vehicles and heat pumps.

    According to the press release, the city council can approve ewz projects independently within this framework credit and thus significantly shorten decision-making processes. For ewz, this means that even larger projects in highly competitive business areas can be handled swiftly and remain competitive.

  • Growth trajectory for solar-powered greenhouses

    Growth trajectory for solar-powered greenhouses

    Voltiris has received 4.8 million Swiss francs in a seed capital round for the power supply and electrification of high-tech greenhouses. The round was led by Zurich-based venture capital firm Equity Pitcher and 3M Ventures, the venture capital arm of 3M Company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. The ClimateTech venture capital fund Satgana from Luxembourg and several family offices have also invested.

    According to a statement from Voltiris, the fresh funds will “accelerate the large-scale commercialisation and further performance optimisation of the company’s proprietary spectral filter technology and increase returns for farmers at a time when energy independence and decarbonisation are more valuable than ever”.

    According to Voltiris co-founder and CEO Nicolas Weber, the company is currently expanding its presence “in key European markets such as France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. We are also looking forward to further expanding our technological lead and making solar-powered greenhouses a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture.” The company will also be expanding its team in Switzerland and the Netherlands.

    In the past two years, Voltiris has entered into twelve commercial projects with renowned producers in Europe, entered into partnerships with energy suppliers such as Elektra Baselland and Romande Energie and received several industry awards. For example, Voltiris and its partners won the Greenhouse of the Future pitch competition at the end of 2024 and were among the top 100 Swiss start-ups last year.

  • ABB invests 500 million euros in electrification

    ABB invests 500 million euros in electrification

    ABB and the European Investment Bank(EIB) have signed a financing agreement for a loan totalling 500 million euros, ABB announced in a press release. The Zurich-based technology company intends to use the funds to develop semiconductor-based circuit breakers, environmentally friendly switchgear and technologies to improve efficiency and automation in buildings. The funds will be channelled into corresponding research by ABB in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland and other European countries.

    “Electrification is crucial in the fight against climate change,” EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle is quoted as saying in the press release. “With our loan to ABB, we are supporting a company with a long history of developing electrical products and a strong commitment to promoting practical solutions that make the European economy greener.”

    The new power distribution solutions are intended for use in functional buildings, industrial operations and microgrids, for example. The development and commercialisation of technologies is a high priority in ABB’s growth strategy. Last year, the company invested around 1.67 billion dollars, or around 4 per cent of its consolidated sales, in research and development.

  • 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.