immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Energie

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!”

  • 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.

  • EWA – energieUri receives quality label

    EWA – energieUri receives quality label

    The association has developed the quality label vsas-certified.swiss in order to promote the profitability, product quality, specialist knowledge and safety of its member companies, writes the Association of Switchgear and Automatic Systems Switzerland ( VSAS ) on its Internet portal. EWA – energieUri has successfully passed the extensive audit to award the certification. This means that the Uri energy supplier is the first company in Switzerland to be awarded certification, writes EWA – energieUri in a press release.

    "We build switchgears of all sizes for customers all over Switzerland", Kilian Huwyler, Head of Switchgear Construction and Automation at EWA, is quoted in the press release. "The spectrum ranges from house panels to complex switchgear for industry." This year, the Uri-based energy service provider looks back on the company's 125th anniversary.

  • Energy Lab aims to deliver innovations for the energy transition

    Energy Lab aims to deliver innovations for the energy transition

    The NTN Innovation Booster Energy Lab will officially start its work in January 2021. However, such a dynamic has already emerged that the first of a total of 50 planned projects have already been launched, writes the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences in a media release . They should lead to innovations in the efficient generation, storage and use of renewable energies that are also marketable.

    The consortium of over 200 members is strategically managed by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. In addition to the Central Switzerland Innovation Park and NEST – the research and innovation platform of the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute and the water research institute of the ETH Domain – numerous other institutions, all Swiss universities of applied sciences and ETH Zurich . The Energy Lab is being funded by the Swiss innovation agency Innosuisse with CHF 1.5 million for an initial period of four years.

    More than 200 companies are already connected via the Central Switzerland Innovation Park, "and the trend is increasing", the message goes on to say: "Because the Energy Lab is an open network in which interested parties can contribute at any time."

    "The challenges are so complex that they can no longer be resolved with individual measures, but only in large-scale cooperation between industry, politics, science and society," the project manager and professor at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, Ludger Fischer, is quoted in the communication . "The solutions will offer concrete added value for the economy and can therefore be implemented!"

  • Algorithms help manage power loads

    Algorithms help manage power loads

    The simultaneous activation of many electrical devices creates enormous network loads. Since up to 60 percent of the grid usage costs for the energy supply companies are calculated from these load peaks, they have a vital interest in avoiding or at least smoothing them out as far as possible. The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts ( HSLU ) has now found a solution together with partners, according to a press release.

    What is needed is “an intelligent and efficient energy and load management, with the help of which energy can be shifted”, Andrew Paice is quoted in this communication . He is the head of the HSLU Building Intelligence Research Center called iHomeLab . His team developed the prototype of such a system together with the HSLU Competence Center for Thermal Energy Storage, the Vilters-Wangs electricity company and business partners Asgal Informatik and Semax . The Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion Innosuisse supports the project.

    The artificial intelligence developed by the teams and its algorithms use the data from intelligent electricity reading devices, so-called smart meters. The researchers used it to calculate thermal models of buildings. The algorithms “identify power-consuming devices such as heat pumps, boilers or e-mobiles and power-producing devices such as photovoltaic systems,” explains Paice. Then maximum power consumption, switch-on and switch-off times and energy consumption per day are combined with temperature and weather forecasts. This enabled precise predictions to be made.

    With these project results, the two companies involved in the project could now offer energy suppliers a service that would help them save costs – without the need for additional investments in their distribution networks.

  • Private individuals can participate in large solar systems

    Private individuals can participate in large solar systems

    Romande Energie customers can invest in their own solar systems without having their own roof. The Vaudois energy supplier wants to build a solar system totaling 1,700 square meters on Bertrand Pittet’s Petite Chamberonne farm in Etagnières, he writes in a press release . He enables his customers to participate. In return, the corresponding share of the production of solar power on the farm would be deducted from their private electricity bills.

    Romande Energie wants to attract a sufficiently large number of investors for its Jardin Solaire – sun garden – project by spring 2021. The plant should go into operation before summer.

    The Vaudois energy supplier launched a similar project in Mont-sur-Rolle in December 2019. There 37 private customers took part in the Jardin Solaire.

  • Erstfeldertal power plant produces its first electricity

    Erstfeldertal power plant produces its first electricity

    In the canton of Uri, a further 7200 households can be supplied with CO2-free electricity. The hydropower plant of the energy supplier EWA at the entrance to the Erstfeldertal started up on Thursday and produced electricity for the first time. "In two and a half years from the first approval step to commissioning is absolutely unique for a power plant of this size," the chairman of the EWA management, Werner Jauch, is quoted in a press release from the EWA.

    Before that, a wide variety of studies and projects had been developed for a good 100 years. “They all disappeared back into the drawer,” writes the EWA. And this project, too, “stood on a knife's edge several times”. Speed was now of the essence because in a month's time the national subsidy contributions to the power plant would have expired. That would have failed the project. “We believed it was feasible and we succeeded in putting the power plant into operation more than a month before the deadline,” said Jauch.

    Around 45 companies from Uri were involved in the construction, explains Peter Dittli, Vice President of the Board of Directors of KW Erstfeldertal AG . 75 percent of the total investment of 37 million francs remained in Uri as added value. In addition, there would be water interest and tax revenues. And finally, operation and maintenance also secured jobs. All of this is "particularly valuable in economically challenging times," said Jauch. "The corona pandemic shows us how important local production is when the international supply chains collapse very quickly."

  • Zürich erhält Goldauszeichnung als Energiestadt

    Zürich erhält Goldauszeichnung als Energiestadt

    Zürich ist im Rahmen des Hackathons Climathon Zürich erneut mit dem Energiestadt-Label in Gold ausgezeichnet worden. Damit fördert der Trägerverein Energiestadt die Umstellung auf erneuerbare Energien und Energieeffizienz. Laut einer Medienmitteilung der Stadt hätten der Ausbau der Photovoltaikanlagen auf stadteigenen Liegenschaften zu dieser Anerkennung ebenso beigetragen wie die Realisierung des Energieverbunds Altstetten und Höngg. Auch die neue Tramlinie Hardbrücke und die weitere Elektrifizierung des öffentlichen Verkehrs hätten ihren Anteil daran.

    Zum ersten Mal war Zürich die Auszeichnung als Energiestadt vor 20 Jahren verliehen worden. Seither seien die langfristigen Ziele der Stadt „kontinuierlich angepasst worden“. Dazu gehörten etwa die Verankerung der 2000-Watt-Gesellschaft in der Gemeindeordnung und die aktuellen Bestrebungen in Richtung Klimaneutralität. Grundlage dafür seien die im Masterplan Energie der Stadt Zürich definierten energiepolitischen Schwerpunkte.

  • BKW launches digital platform for energy suppliers

    BKW launches digital platform for energy suppliers

    With its new digital platform Energy Business , the Bern-based energy and infrastructure company BKW wants to give Swiss energy providers support in four areas, according to a press release : cyber security, law and regulation, innovative products for end customers and customer service. For this purpose, it launched the e4u platform at the beginning of November.

    The energy suppliers are facing a demanding future, it is said there. “That is why we want to team up with one clear goal: Economic success through scaling, synergies and the use of tried and tested solutions. We believe that we can only achieve this if we work together. ”With this, BKW is committed to a long-term partner strategy with other energy suppliers in Switzerland, she writes in her press release.

    In a first phase, BKW is offering service packages on the platform that give other energy suppliers access to their tried and tested skills. In parallel, she is planning various educational activities. In addition, it also offers "individualized advisory services for complex needs".

    Both energy suppliers and large end consumers could use the platform to procure their energy in a single system. The platform itself was developed in close cooperation with BKW customers.

  • Romande Energie is getting involved in French wind farms

    Romande Energie is getting involved in French wind farms

    Romande Energie France and the wind farm developer Calycé Développement have entered into a development partnership, according to a press release from the Valais energy supplier. Romande Energie is thus adding 15 wind farms to its portfolio for renewable energies in France. She takes high stakes in them. Most are still in the planning phase.

    The contract between the two companies provides for Romande Energie to acquire a 50 percent stake in six early-stage projects. She becomes the one hundred percent owner of seven late-stage projects. She takes on 80 percent of a secured project. Calycé Développement will manage all projects until they are ready for construction. Romande Energie buys 100 percent of a wind farm that is already in operation.

    Since 2013 the Romande Energie Group has acquired a number of hydro, solar and wind power plants in France. This added to its hydropower portfolio in western Switzerland. According to the company, these investments served to diversify both their locations and their energy sources. The transaction will be completed in the coming weeks.

  • Groupe E offers solar systems without investment

    Groupe E offers solar systems without investment

    Property owners in western Switzerland have the option of having solar systems installed on their roofs without having to invest. With My Sun Contracting, Groupe E is launching a product in which the Freiburg energy supplier takes over all investments as well as the other expenses.

    According to a statement from Groupe E, customers only pay for the generation of the solar electricity they use themselves. The electricity price is degressive: the more the customers consume, the lower the tariff. Customers can also buy the system on their roof later, for example if they want to benefit from tax advantages.

  • Riehen receives the green light for geothermal expansion

    Riehen receives the green light for geothermal expansion

    Riehen can continue with its planning for the expansion of another geothermal system. It would increase the number of residents supplied with climate-friendly thermal energy from the current 8,500 to 12,500. The referendum period expired at the end of October. The positive decision from the residents' council is now legally binding. This is now announced by Wärmeverbund Riehen AG ( WVR ).

    In the next step, seismic surveys to explore the subsurface for the geo2riehen project are due in summer 2021. A suitable location for the boreholes is thus sought. If the feasibility of the plant is confirmed, drilling could begin in 2023. They should open up more naturally occurring thermal water for heat utilization.

    An already existing feasibility study confirms that the project has “good prospects for success”. The drilling to promote the thermal water and the construction of the facility will cost around 20 million francs. The costs are shared between the two shareholders, the municipality of Riehen and the Basel energy supplier IWB . The Swiss Federal Office of Energy has promised a grant of 1.2 million francs and has announced a further 5.1 million francs.

    IWB's stake has risen from initially 27 to 50 percent. According to the WVR, this not only makes financing easier. The operation of the systems and the growing supply network can also be better coordinated with IWB: "The gradual and partial shutdown of the gas supply is thus optimally coordinated with the growth of the Riehen heating network."

  • The federal government supports renovations in non-profit housing construction

    The federal government supports renovations in non-profit housing construction

    The non-profit housing developers in Switzerland have a portfolio of almost 170,000 apartments, the Federal Council informed in a message . Many of these apartments, which are mainly located in cities and agglomerations, are more than 30 years old and no longer meet today's energy requirements. A special federal program is intended to motivate non-profit housing developers to renovate their buildings sustainably.

    The program drawn up by the Federal Council provides for loans of up to CHF 50,000 per apartment to be renovated. With a term of 25 years, no interest is charged for the first ten years. The prerequisite is that the renovation work improves the condition of the building envelope to level B of the building energy certificate of the cantons ( GEAK ) or meets the Minergie standard.

    A similar program for rural areas is being launched by the Foundation for the Promotion of Home Ownership ( SFWE ), the Federal Council informs in the announcement. Here you can apply for CHF 90,000 per apartment for a maximum of three apartments. Applications for both programs can be submitted to the umbrella organizations for non-profit housing construction or the SFWE by mid-October 2023.

  • Gotthard wind farm is officially inaugurated

    Gotthard wind farm is officially inaugurated

    The Parco eolico del San Gottardo has been officially inaugurated on the Gotthard Pass. It is currently the only wind farm under construction in Switzerland. It will start its regular operation in November. According to a press release by the operator Azienda Elettrica Ticinese ( AET ), “numerous restoration and soil remediation measures” are planned for the coming summer months.

    State Councilor Claudio Zali, Director of the Territorial Department, Airolo's Mayor Franco Pedrini, the General Director of Services Industriels de Genève ( SIG ), Christian Brunier, and the Director of AET, Roberto Pronini, symbolically put the plant into operation. There were also representatives from companies and institutions involved in the project.

    The summer months of the past two years were used for the construction phase. Commissioning was planned as early as autumn 2009. However, according to an article in the “Luzerner Zeitung”, those responsible at the time “admitted that they underestimated the effort involved in the project”. As a justification, the then Chairman of the Board of Directors cited Switzerland's lack of experience with wind farms.

    There are now five instead of the originally planned seven wind turbines on the Gotthard Pass. They were supplied by the German company Enercon . The annual production of these generators of 2.35 megawatts each is estimated at between 16 and 20 gigawatt hours, according to the announcement. They can cover the electricity demand in the Leventina valley between the south portals of the Gotthard tunnel near Airolo to Biasca.

    The investment of 32 million francs was supported by the shareholders of the Gotthard wind farm: AET holds 70 percent, SIG 25 percent and the municipality of Airolo 5 percent. The system receives subsidies from the fund for the cost ceiling feed-in remuneration ( KEV ) for renewable energies for 20 years. This is a federal instrument to promote renewable energies. It is financed by a consumer levy on the electricity price.

  • Clean charging current can also cost a little more

    Clean charging current can also cost a little more

    The research and development department of Juice Technology AG in Cham has published a current study on charging behavior and energy use in e-cars. A survey of 5154 e-car drivers was supposed to clarify how the behavior at the charging station is and what role the origin of the charging current plays.

    Almost 50 percent of the kilometers driven are charged at home, according to the press release , and around 22 percent at work. Only 17 percent of the charging processes are carried out at so-called super chargers or quick charging stations. For 85 percent of e-car drivers, the use of clean energy is very important or important, according to the report in the study.

    They also asked about their willingness to pay a higher amount for clean energy that would be produced in real time. 87 percent answered “yes”. There were differences in the amount: 60 percent would pay up to 4.89 cents per kilowatt hour more, 27 percent up to 3.01 cents per kilowatt hour.

    The survey took place online from October 12-14, 2020 in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. A total of 5154 people were interviewed. The response was 576 responses, of which 82 percent came from Germany, 12 percent from Switzerland and 6 percent from Austria.

  • The population of Freiburg wants wind farms

    The population of Freiburg wants wind farms

    The population of Freiburg is behind the cantonal wind power projects. This is shown by a survey that MIS Trend carried out on behalf of Groupe E in September. According to a statement from the cantonal energy supplier, 72 percent are in favor of building wind farms in the canton. 65 percent also have no concerns about the installation of the systems.

    Groupe E wants to set up wind farms at four locations. These locations are entered in the canton's structure plan, which has already been approved by the federal government. The four wind farms should allow an additional electricity production of 156 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. Two thirds of electricity production should occur in winter, when photovoltaics are less productive. Compensation measures for the benefit of biodiversity are planned for the projects.

  • Elektro-Material AG puts Hedin Automotive in the right light

    Elektro-Material AG puts Hedin Automotive in the right light

    EM Licht, a division of Elektro-Material AG , was integrated into the planning of Hedin Automotive Saturdayern AG from the beginning with regard to the renovation and expansion of its buildings, as a media release shows. In this way, the lighting design could be incorporated directly into the building design. The newly developed lighting concept was not only implemented in the showroom, BMW M showroom and mini pavilion. The workshop or the wash bays have also been given new lighting.

    In addition, new lighting was implemented for customer and outdoor parking spaces, and the petrol station and advertising lighting was refurbished. In the exhibition area, the task was to combine various requirements. There are certain requirements for BMW dealers regarding the lighting of the cars on display. However, the workplaces of the sales staff are also located in the exhibition area. EM Light has therefore mixed the light colors. And chessboard lighting has been installed for the showroom for the BMW M, which, together with the logo of the BMW M and the cars on display, creates a stylish ambience, as the message says.

  • Eniwa receives the Aargauer Strom Award 2020

    Eniwa receives the Aargauer Strom Award 2020

    The Association of Aargau Electricity Suppliers has presented this year's Aargauer Strom Award. It went to Eniwa AG for their Unterentfelden project Im Erlifeld: the future area . The prize is awarded every two years to honor particularly innovative projects by Aargau electricity suppliers.

    As stated in a press release from swisspower , Eniwa AG's energy concept for this quarter convinced the jury. The area with nine new multi-family houses and its 90 apartments is largely self-sufficient. The residents benefited in many ways, according to the jurors: from environmentally friendly electricity at attractive prices, charging options for electric vehicles, e-car sharing, transparent and simple billing and ultra-fast broadband internet.

    Due to the corona, the award ceremony took place "in a slightly different form" in the ELFA hall in Aarau.

  • Romande Energie buys in Valais

    Romande Energie buys in Valais

    Romande Energie is increasing its presence in Valais. As announced by the Vaudois energy supplier, it is taking over Toutelec SA in Monthey. The installer of power lines and telephone systems, founded in 1990, is not only represented at its headquarters but also with branches in Troistorrents and Vouvry in Lower Valais and in Ollon VD.

    Toutelec is now part of Romande Energie Services SA. The service subsidiary of Romande Energie is already represented in the cantons of Geneva and Friborg, in addition to Vaud, and plans to expand its range to the whole of western Switzerland. Alexandre Udry, who is responsible for the Valais at Romande Energie Services, is quoted as saying in the message that Toutelec is known for its expertise in the fields of power lines, telecommunications and security and is well anchored in the Lower Valais. "We look forward to being able to count on his professionalism in the future in order to strengthen our presence and our competencies in this area."

  • Groupe E invests in Neuchâtel

    Groupe E invests in Neuchâtel

    The new operations center is to be built in the Sécherons II industrial area of Boudevilliers in the municipality of Val-de-Ruz, Groupe E informed in a press release . The Freiburg energy supplier has already acquired an area of 18,300 square meters. An administration building, a warehouse, a washing facility, a yard for recycling and parking spaces are to be built there within two years. The communication puts the investment volume at around CHF 22 million.

    Immediately after completion, Groupe E plans to relocate the company’s employees, who are currently based in Corcelles-Cormondrèche, Neuchâtel and responsible for the operation and expansion of the electricity network in the canton of Neuchâtel, to Boudevilliers. The new location will also be used to expand the group’s activities and as an overarching competence center, explains Groupe E. In the announcement, the company refers in particular to the subsidiary Vuilliomenet Électricité AG based in Boudry NE. Through this, Groupe E in the canton of Neuchâtel also offers services in building technology or electrical systems and home automation.