immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Energiestrategie

  • Strategic access to the German balancing energy market

    Strategic access to the German balancing energy market

    BKW is emphasising its growth ambitions in Germany by acquiring Munich-based Südvolt GmbH and its 20 employees, according to a press release. The Bern-based energy and infrastructure group is thus entering the German market for balancing energy and system services. Südvolt is a flexibility provider with access to all four German transmission system operators and thus to the balancing energy market.

    The company flexibly interconnects energy generation plants and industrial consumers in its virtual power plant in order to keep the grid stable. Its customer portfolio includes major and industrial customers from energy-intensive sectors as well as municipal utilities.

    As BKW emphasises in the press release, this acquisition is part of its Solutions 2030 strategy, which aims to expand its sustainable energy solutions by investing in energy storage and energy production.

    With this acquisition, “we are securing strategic access to one of the most important energy and flexibility markets in Europe”, said Stefan Sewckow, member of the Group Executive Board and CCO Energy Markets at BKW. “We are strengthening our position in the marketing of flexibility and expanding our international portfolio.” BKW already covers the entire value chain for the energy transition in Germany, from energy production and power line construction to building planning and project management, and is reportedly planning further growth in these areas.

  • Installation work for smart meters

    Installation work for smart meters

    Cablex, the Gümligen-based specialist for network infrastructure, has been selected as BKW ‘s contractual partner in a tender. According to a press release, Cablex will be responsible for the so-called smart meter rollout for BKW. This involves the replacement of 400,000 electricity meters with modern smart meters. Cablex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swisscom, will install 500 new Kamstrup OMNIPOWER smart meters every day. The campaign is intended to contribute to the Energy Strategy 2050.

    Cablex was selected by BKW because the company has expertise in the implementation of nationwide ICT and smart infrastructure projects, including relevant experience with smart meter solutions. According to the press release, the changeover should be less disruptive for customers: the electricity will be switched off for around 15 minutes to replace the meters and the entire installation will take around one hour.

  • Public sector in Uri acquires majority shareholding in EWA-energieUri, Altdorf

    Public sector in Uri acquires majority shareholding in EWA-energieUri, Altdorf

    As a company in the field of electricity generation with renewable energies and their high potential for the energy supply in Uri and climate policy challenges, EWA-energie Uri AG has a weighty economic, regional political and financial significance.

    In view of the upcoming concession renewals, the cantonal council instructed the cantonal government on 26 May 2021 to negotiate with CKW to obtain a majority stake in EWA-energieUri from the public sector (canton of Uri, corporations and possibly municipalities). After several years of negotiations, a deal was reached in May 2023. The key element: CKW sells 52.3 percent of the shares to a bidding consortium consisting of the canton, the corporation of Uri and two energy infrastructure funds managed by Swiss Life Asset Managers. This means that the previous majority shareholder will in future still hold a 10 percent share. The purchase price for the 52.3 percent share package is CHF 180 million. The municipalities of Uri have the option of acquiring an additional 2.3 percent of the shares.

    The composition of the seven-member Board of Directors is as follows: Canton Uri and Swiss Life Asset Managers Energy Infrastructure Fund are each entitled to nominate two members of the Board of Directors, while Korporation Uri and CKW are each entitled to nominate one member. In addition, the canton and the corporation of Uri nominate an independent member of the board of directors and together have the right to the chairmanship.

    An extraordinary general meeting of EWA-energieUri will be held on 6 July 2023. There will be changes in the Board of Directors due to the change in the majority of shareholders. The current members Marion Klein, Urs Meyer, Andreas Ruch and Pascal Ziegler will step down from the Board of Directors. Newly proposed for election for the remainder of the current term of office, i.e. until the Annual General Meeting covering the 2024/25 financial year on 28 January 2026) are:

    – Beat Huber, Suhr (representative Swiss Life Asset Managers)

    – Daniel Arnold, of Flüelen, in Obfelden (representative Swiss Life Asset Managers)

    – Stephan Marty, Rothenburg, Independent Director

    The following elected persons are also members of the Board of Directors:

    – Cantonal Mayor Urs Janett, Altdorf (representative Canton Uri)

    – Director of Economic Affairs Urban Camenzind, Bürglen (representative Canton Uri)

    – President of the Corporation Kurt Schuler, Altdorf (representative of the Corporation Uri)

    – Martin Schwab, Weggis (representative CKW)

    Kurt Schuler is proposed for election as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

    With Swiss Life Asset Managers, the Canton and the Corporation of Uri were able to gain a long-term oriented Swiss partner with energy and financial expertise. Swiss Life Asset Managers has also been directly and indirectly involved in other energy suppliers in the canton for many years (Heizwerk Uri AG, Heizwerk Gotthard AG, KW Palanggenbach) through an energy infrastructure fund managed by it, in which investors based in Switzerland such as Swiss pension funds, insurance companies and foundations are involved.

    A majority shareholding in Uri again after 115 years

    CKW had held the majority of shares in EWA-energieUri since 1908. Now that the public sector of the Canton of Uri has acquired the majority, it once again holds the majority of shares in EWA-energieUri after 115 years.

    The Canton of Uri acquires an additional 8.3 percent of the share capital with the intention of offering 2.3 percent to the municipalities of Uri for purchase. As the shares are part of the canton’s financial assets, the cantonal government can carry out the transaction on its own authority – without a referendum or a decision by the cantonal council. By also acquiring an additional 10 percent of the shares, the concession-granting bodies now hold the majority in EWA-energieUri, as requested by their committees. The share package of the corporation is also acquired at the expense of the financial assets, which is within the competence of the Engeren Rat.

    Partnership with a view to the energy transition
    Martin Schwab, CEO of CKW and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EWA-energieUri, is satisfied with the agreement: “We welcome the solution reached and look forward to continuing our 115-year partnership with EWA-energieUri and the canton of Uri. Together we want to expand renewable energies and drive forward the energy transition.” One element of the future partnership is the joint expansion of solar energy in the canton of Uri – with a focus on alpine solar plants, which can make a major contribution to security of supply in winter.

    National economy benefits thanks to know-how and jobs in Uri
    Urs Janett, the cantonal mayor, explains: “With the majority shareholding in EWA-energieUri, the canton and the

    and the Corporation of Uri control a functioning and proven company. The competence of services in the area of power plant planning, maintenance and operation in Uri can also be further expanded, strengthened and secured. In this way, highly attractive jobs can be preserved for the economy of Uri and even more can be created. Thanks to the majority shareholding of the public sector, opportunities are opening up for good and future-oriented concession award solutions for the benefit of all the people of Uri. The government council is pleased to secure know-how and jobs in the canton of Uri by taking over the majority of shares. The EWA-energieUri already develops a large added value in Uri. As a Uri-based company managed according to economic principles, it should continue to enjoy favourable framework conditions. This is in line with the goals of the cantonal government

  • Yes to preserving the climate, building culture and biodiversity

    Yes to preserving the climate, building culture and biodiversity

    Swiss Heritage Protection says “YES” to the Climate Protection Act. This is because the bill contains concrete measures that create incentives for the replacement of heating systems and the energy-efficient upgrading of buildings. The renovation of existing buildings to improve energy efficiency is promoted.

    Careful renovations as well as high-quality and resource-saving new buildings contribute to a high building culture. This is the basis for diverse public spaces, intact landscapes and a climate-neutral, liveable living space that promotes social exchange and community spirit and contributes to general well-being.

    Prioritise resource conservation
    New buildings produce more greenhouse gases during construction or demolition than during their entire useful life. This is due to the large amount of grey energy and emissions involved in extracting, transporting, demolishing and disposing of a building’s construction materials.

    Thus, it is obvious that a moderate use of material resources and a better preservation of our built heritage is the first step towards climate-friendly construction and achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

  • Poenina and Burkhalter explore fusion in building technology

    Poenina and Burkhalter explore fusion in building technology

    Poenina Holing AG from Opfikon and Burkhalter Holding AG from Zurich have announced the start of their merger negotiations in a press release . The aim is to get “a strong, local provider” on the way who “could design and install future-oriented building technology across trades”, it says.

    According to the Federal Energy Strategy 2050, energy consumption in buildings is to be halved by upgrading the building services. The companies Poenina and Burkhalter, which specialize in building technology, want to contribute to reducing consumption by offering all building technology services from a single source in the future. This marks a "future-oriented offer in the field of building technology" and could make a contribution to the energy transition.

    At the same time, both companies expect a growth spurt and the creation of additional jobs. With the presence of the Burkhalter Group throughout Switzerland, Poenina wants to open up new customer segments. Poenina plans to provide information on further plans at the balance sheet media conference on March 31.

  • Yes I do. Renovation for the future.

    Yes I do. Renovation for the future.

    • The single-family house from the sixties …
    • … is hardly recognizable after the gradual renovation.
    • The covered main entrance with carport.

    Flumroc AG has been committed to energy-efficient and professionally implemented modernizations for years and supports the federal government’s energy strategy with various commitments.

    With your new information campaign “Yes, I do. Renovation for the future. ” draws your attention to the need for renovations and offers building owners, interested parties and experts an online information platform. Potential builders often shy away from the expense of an energetic renovation. Flumroc shows that with the right support and approach and precise planning, nothing stands in the way of successful implementation.

    Stock analysis
    The free eVALO analysis tool provides initial guidance as to which renovation measures make sense. With a few clicks you can simulate your renovation and receive initial information on the energetic state of your property. It also provides you with initial clues about investments and financing.

    In a next step, it is advisable to have a so-called GEAK (building energy certificate of the cantons) issued by a specialist. This evaluates the quality of the building envelope and the energy efficiency of the building technology.

    An inventory analysis of your property can also be carried out by other specialists, such as an energy advisor. The planning and implementation of comprehensive renovation measures is complex and should therefore be carried out by a planner with the appropriate professional competence.

    In the right order to the goal
    Decisive for a successful renovation are the coordinated renovation measures in the right order and the choice of the right material.

    At the beginning of every renovation there is the insulation of the building envelope.

    Energy-efficient windows can be installed to match the insulation. This is followed by the application of modern building technology. The residents benefit in many ways from a well-planned and holistically implemented renovation. You save costs in the long term and at the same time enjoy the most modern living comfort. In addition, renovations are in most cases more resource-efficient than demolitions.

    Rely on the right materials in the long term
    The awareness of the choice of the right materials is also very important. At this point you can make a significant contribution to sustainability and ecology. In addition, important aspects such as heat, noise and fire protection can be included in the decision-making process. Properties that distinguish Flumroc stone wool.

    A very well insulated house needs less heating energy in winter and less cooling capacity in summer. The easy-to-process material provides excellent soundproofing and, with a melting point of over 1000 ° C, also provides excellent fire protection. In addition, Flumroc’s products meet the highest ecological standards with regard to the extraction of the raw material, transport, industrial processing, use on the building and recycling during dismantling. Because Flumroc stone wool is 100% recyclable!

    With the FUTURO generation, Flumroc also offers insulation products with natural binders. The residents of the renovated buildings can enjoy a pleasant room climate all year round and benefit from an extremely high level of living comfort.

    More information on this at: www.flumroc.ch/jaichwill

  • The canton master builder as a bridge builder

    The canton master builder as a bridge builder

    You have been a cantonal master builder since August 1, 2019 and thus head of the building construction department. What were your motivations for taking on this post?
    Before that, I had already been the deputy of the former cantonal master builder for several years. This gave me a good insight into the area of responsibility. I like the interaction between the various players from politics, the private sector and the public sector. I like to take on the role of the “interpreter” between the parties and try to find solutions based on consensus. The plans and projects to be worked on are exciting and often unusual. We mainly take care of structures with special or specific uses.

    What does a typical working day look like for you?
    One quality that all of our employees must have is the ability to multitask (laughs). I deal with personnel issues, budget planning and try to think with my team as forward-looking as possible: What requirements will buildings have to meet in the future? I also deal with innovative technologies such as new digital planning landscapes, increasing automation in the construction industry or the use of robotics and 3D printers.

    You worked in the private sector until 2004. How do you experience changing sides?
    The change was big, especially at the beginning. The canton has around 2,650 employees, 630 of whom are in the building and justice departments. An enormous amount of know-how is concentrated here. I first had to realize that I could fall back on these skills. The complexity of the buildings – for example a museum, a prison or a hospital – are extremely demanding in every project phase. The work as a cantonal master builder is thematically diverse in any case. In contrast to before, I am present in every phase of the planning and construction process.

    Government councilor Roland Fürst addressed the planned new administrative building. What's the schedule?
    By the end of 2022, we would like to create a basis for decision-making for the government council and show possibilities where suitable land or buildings are available in the canton of Solothurn in order to implement the project. The corona pandemic will certainly have an impact on space requirements and working methods. We are currently in the process of analyzing them. Our findings will be incorporated into a possible implementation of the project.

    What does the real estate portfolio you have to manage look like?
    It is made up of financial, administrative and foundation assets. The administrative assets, with the buildings required for operation, have the largest share. But we also have interesting uses and buildings in terms of financial assets: For example, a hotel and various restaurants and plots that are available for the settlement of interesting companies or for any personal use. We have 320 canton-owned buildings, 60 of which are in the city of Solothurn. The purpose of our real estate strategy is to ensure a sustainable real estate portfolio that is suitable for use in order to fulfill the cantonal tasks.

    What are the largest items in the portfolio in terms of value?
    The building insurance value is CHF 1.628 billion. Until the planned transfer to Solothurner Spitäler AG, half a billion will be allocated to the hospital and educational buildings. The other properties such as administration buildings or penal systems make up the remaining almost CHF 600 million. In any case, I have never before dealt with such a heterogeneous portfolio: It ranges from underground historical military facilities to ruins, castles, churches, agricultural land and ultra-modern laboratory and hospital buildings.

    "We check the use of BIM on a case-by-case basis"

    What values does the building department represent in the projects to be worked on?
    The government council has formulated a strategy which, on the one hand, provides for property before rent. We had and still have many rental properties today. Now one would like to rely more on property again. That is why we are currently also working on a possible new central administration building. In addition, the overall concept comes before individual measures. Furthermore, spatial planning, urban planning and architectural aspects are very important to us. Just like ecological and energetic issues. Ultimately, we build people for ourselves.

    What challenges do you see yourself confronted with in the future?
    Covid-19 has changed a lot. This could have an impact on society and the construction industry. Increased home office and desk and room sharing may free up usable space in very attractive locations. These could be used differently and influence the housing shortage in numerous small and large cities in Switzerland. Climate changes in cities are also current issues. The possible use of recycling materials is exciting. Likewise, conversions, new ways of working and changing demands of employers and employees should continue to occupy me. An additional point is the emerging change in the conclusion of service and work contracts, especially in the conclusion of building rights contracts.

    What energy strategy is the building construction department pursuing?
    The installation of photovoltaic systems is a matter of course for us. We have analyzed the entire portfolio for the suitability of such systems and have already implemented various. With us, Minergie or Minergie-Eco is standard. This gained a foothold in Switzerland in 1998. We recently compared the energy consumption of our buildings before and after 1998: The buildings before the introduction require around three times as much heating energy. On the other hand, after 1998 we recorded electricity consumption in the buildings that was approximately twice as high. The share of electricity-dependent installations in general and operating facilities in particular has increased sharply in new buildings.

    What does the digitization strategy look like for new construction projects?
    In current construction projects – such as the planned new construction of the central prison – we intend to use Building Information Modeling (BIM) during the entire planning phase. For now, we will examine the benefits of BIM on a case-by-case basis.

    Could you imagine working with virtual reality in the future?
    Virtual reality brings great advantages – especially for people who cannot imagine models or visualizations so vividly. I am very confident that we will use such solutions in the years to come.

    What future plans do you have for the civil engineering department?
    We would like to continue to analyze, plan and implement high-quality buildings with foresight and care. With a good team behind us, this will also be possible in the future.

  • Vogelwinkel: Family-friendly residential development in a preferred location in Baar

    Vogelwinkel: Family-friendly residential development in a preferred location in Baar

    The "Libelle" project is being implemented on the hillside, in Vogelwinkel, below the Himmelrich in Baar. The Zurich Park Architects were able to win the architecture competition with their four trumpet-like structures. Your project impressed the jury with its four finely graduated, two- to four-story buildings, which are integrated in a star shape into the topography of the rising slope. Seen from above, the new building resembles the wings of a dragonfly.

    The outside space opens up like a funnel into the center of the area. The new buildings are cubic so that they enter into dialogue with the existing buildings. The facade is striking: it should be kept in a brightly flamed shade of red. An underground car park connects the four buildings and offers 141 parking spaces. Instead of corridors, the 2.5 to 5.5 room rental apartments have a set of rooms that are offset at right angles. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2022. The first tenants are expected to move in in 2025.

    Thanks to its topography and traffic situation, the Himmelrich district in Baar is a sought-after place to live as well as a much sought-after local recreation destination. For this reason, the integration of the landscape into the Vogelwinkel development was a major concern for the client. A sustainable energy strategy has also been taken into account: the heat is generated using geothermal probes and solar collectors. Only proven, durable and ecological materials are used throughout the construction process. All apartments are designed to be barrier-free.

  • Canton Uri increases stake in EWA-energieUri

    Canton Uri increases stake in EWA-energieUri

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

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

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

  • Primeo Energie is planning two wind turbines in Muttenz

    Primeo Energie is planning two wind turbines in Muttenz

    Primeo Energie intends to build two wind turbines by 2023 in one of the six wind farm areas that the district administrator identified in the Basel structure plan in 2015. The location is in the Muttenzer Hard between the A2 motorway and the tracks of the Swiss Federal Railways ( SBB ). According to a press release , the electricity provider will be working with the municipality of Muttenz and the canton of Basel-Landschaft .

    With an annual output of 4.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity, the new wind turbine could supply an average of 1200 households with ecological energy. Primeo Energie is thus following the guidelines of the federal government's energy strategy and that of the canton of Basel-Landschaft.

    "All necessary preliminary investigations" have already been carried out for the construction. "The location of the two turbines is ideal," says the message. The area is not in a landscape protection area. In addition, consumers in industrial and residential areas are close. Therefore, a network connection can be implemented with little effort.

    In the trinational region of Basel there are not yet any wind farms except in the Black Forest. Primeo Energie cites the good ecological balance of wind turbines as a further plus point. In addition, they only had a minor impact on flora and fauna.