Tag: ErneuerbareEnergien

Energie 360° wants to supply only renewables from 2040 onwards

The Zurich energy supplier Energie 360° wants to supply only renewable energy from 2040 onwards. This is ten years earlier than previously aimed for. The reason for the faster phase-out of fossil fuels such as gas and oil is the Russian crisis, the company announced in a media release on the annual balance sheet.

According to this, the energy supplier delivered 15.9 percent more energy to end customers in the 2021 financial year than in the previous year. Of the 4978 gigawatt hours, 18.2 percent were of renewable origin. The company sees itself “on course”. By 2025, the share of renewables should increase to 30 percent.

With sales of CHF 537.1 million, Energie 360° generated a net profit of CHF 61.9 million. In the previous year, sales were CHF 466.2 million and net profit was CHF 71 million. The reason for the decline is lower investment income after the sale of two subsidiaries.

In view of the Russian crisis, Energie 360° recommends “customers who want to move away from Russian gas to replace their gas heating and switch to renewable energy sources”. As an alternative, the company promotes the energy networks in the city of Zurich, which make locally available renewable energy such as heat from Lake Zurich available. It names wood pellets as a further option and recommends increasing the proportion of biogas.

Energie 360° sees great potential in biogas and has increased its share in its standard gas product to 25 percent as of April 1, 2021. This saved around 200,000 tons of CO2 in the direct supply area. Energie 360° wants to build more biogas plants and invest in innovative research projects.

March 2022
Energeek makes investing in solar energy accessible to everyone

The cleantech-project.org of Energeek Group AG and CES Cleantech Energy Systems GmbH wants to enable everyone to participate in the energy transition. CES Cleantech Energy Systems explains in a press release that those who do not have the financial means to renovate their own roof or do not own any property at all cannot usually contribute to climate neutrality through solar energy. To remedy this, Energeek Group AG offers investments in solar panels for specific real estate projects.

Interested parties can purchase one or more panels and then rent them out to the project company, as explained in the press release. A project on a horse farm and hotel in the Freiberge mountains is given as an example. Here Energeek offers panels at a price of just over 900 francs per piece. In addition to the annual rental income of 82.50 francs, the buyers benefit from federal subsidies for solar systems, the one-off payment.

As an advantage of Energeek’s projects, the company emphasizes the use of so-called solar trackers. In addition to permanently installed panels, panels are installed that turn towards the sun via the solar trackers. In this way, morning and evening sun and gaps in the clouds can also be used to produce solar power.

Energeek provides online information on the current range of real estate projects, the prices and the rental income of the corresponding solar panels. According to the statement, purchased panels and the associated rental agreement with the project company can be resold, inherited or given away at any time.

March 2022
ADEV takes a stake in Fleco Power

Fleco Power AG , based in Winterthur, has a new shareholder. The ADEV energy cooperative now also holds a 17 percent stake in the subsidiary founded in 2015 by the Ökostrom Schweiz cooperative and MBRSolar , she writes in a statement . She will also be represented on the Fleco Power Board of Directors with her Managing Director Thomas Tribelhorn.

Fleco Power supports small, decentralized producers of renewable energies in selling their electricity directly. It also offers solutions for end customers, for example helping them to procure renewable electricity on the market in purchasing cooperatives.

ADEV and Fleco Power want to develop new services and innovation projects together. The long-term goal is to create an independent energy supplier for renewables.

Founded in 1985, ADEV operates solar power systems, small hydroelectric power plants, wind turbines, central heating systems and local heating networks throughout Switzerland. She also wants to use the cooperation to strengthen her own competitiveness. This makes it possible “to offer our customers tailor-made services that set us apart from the competition,” Thomas Tribelhorn is quoted as saying in the statement.

March 2022
Solar powered RV charges towing vehicle

The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts ( HSLU ) has designed a practical example of sustainable living without CO2 emissions: a mobile home. The electricity that the Solar Butterfly needs inside is produced by fold-out solar wings. This also charges the electric towing vehicle. According to a press release , students led by Stephen Wittkopf are significantly involved in the implementation of the project. He heads the knowledge and innovation transfer at the Department of Technology & Architecture at the HSLU.

The Solar Butterfly is currently being built near Lucerne in central Switzerland. Its construction material consists largely of plastic waste that is collected from the sea and then transformed. The motorhome is 10 meters long and 13 meters wide with the sun panel wings up. They offer a total of 80 square meters of space for generating solar power.

The project was initiated by Swiss environmental pioneer Louis Palmer. 15 years ago he was the first person to circumnavigate the world in a solar-powered car. From May 2022, the Solar Butterfly will travel around the world together with its passengers. On this trip around the world they want to identify 1000 inspiring projects against global warming, record them and then publish them.

March 2022
TBW realize the first solar system in roof rental

The TBW have implemented their first project in the roof rental model on the roof of the riding hall in Wil, the city-owned energy service company informs in a press release . Specifically, a solar system with a peak output of 178 kilowatts was implemented. It will produce around 170 megawatt hours of electricity annually.

TBW will make the electricity produced on the roof of the riding hall available to its own customers, the company explains in the press release. In return, the Wil Riding Club receives rent for the roof it has provided and for other ancillary rooms used by the project. The corresponding contract has a term of 25 years.

The TBW assume that the demand for electricity from renewable energies will increase as a result of the abandonment of fossil fuels. In order to cover this, “innovative solutions such as those on the roof of the Wiler Reithalle are required,” writes the company.

March 2022
Primeo Energie and Technic 360 join forces for renewables

Primeo Energie and Technic 360 are launching an offensive for decentralized renewable energy supply in the canton of Fribourg, the Basel-based energy supplier said in a statement . The two partners have developed a portal on which interested parties can calculate the potential and benefits of their own combination of photovoltaic system and heat pump. In addition, maison-intelligente.ch offers detailed advice and financing solutions.

“From a global perspective, climate-friendly energy and mobility solutions are among the most important drivers of a successful energy transition,” Conrad Ammann is quoted as saying in the press release. For the CEO of Primeo Energie, “intelligent solutions for the optimal implementation, use and financing” of solar systems and heat pumps “make an important contribution”.

With maison-intelligente.ch, the two partners have created the first offer of this type in French-speaking Switzerland, the press release explains further. You are planning information events in the canton of Friborg in the near future to make the platform better known. The project is supported by the Freiburger Kantonalbank . It offers preferential financing conditions for solutions implemented via maison-intelligente.ch.

“The energy transition can only succeed in cooperation with the population and thus our customers,” explains Alexandre Fragnière, Director Technic 360, in the communication. Maison-intelligente.ch should offer them “a simple and effective solution for the procurement of their solar system and heat pumps”.

March 2022
Buildings should become power plants

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy ( SFOE ) has published its vision for the Swiss building stock by 2050 in a document . By then, the majority of buildings should be able to meet their own electricity needs from sustainable energy sources. The excess electricity is to be used for electric mobility.

At the same time, the electricity requirements of buildings are to be reduced. Overall, the final energy consumption of the Swiss building stock by 2050 should be around 65 instead of 90 terawatt hours.

With a few exceptions, there should no longer be any heating oil, natural gas or electricity for direct consumption for heating. Oil and natural gas heaters and stationary electrical resistance heaters are to be replaced by renewable energy sources. Energetic operational optimization should be mandatory for all buildings by 2030.

March 2022
Builder and Energie 360° team up for district heating

A community connection to the district heating system is currently being built in Wipkingen. Architect Lucas Schwarz provides the necessary space for this in his newly built apartment building. Energie 360° takes care of the rest, according to the Zurich energy supplier in a report on its website. According to this, the advantage of a local network is that not every property has to be connected individually to the district heating network. More than 60 percent of homeowners would have to get involved in order for it to be worthwhile to develop a neighborhood with district heating. The more heat is supplied, the cheaper it will be for everyone.

Schwarz is convinced that such a community connection will not only pay off ecologically but also financially in the long term: “I see the biggest advantages over heating in the small space requirement, the simple building services and the lower maintenance.” The energy verification is also simplified. In addition, the price of energy in thermal networks remains constant over the years. “That gives me more planning security and independence.” And last but not least, building owners received better financing conditions from banks thanks to certification in the canton’s building energy certificate.

It is about completing the transformation from fossil fuels to sustainable heating energies “as quickly as possible”, Schwarz is quoted as saying. He wishes “that the entire city of Zurich will be heated sustainably by 2050. In my opinion, the expansion of the district heating network is progressing too slowly.”

February 2022
Early participation can increase acceptance of wind power

An early participation of the population can increase the acceptance of new wind turbines in the vicinity of residential areas. According to a press release , researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research ( WSL ) have come to this conclusion. They interviewed 500 people in areas close to the city of Bern about the plans to erect wind turbines. It has been shown that the rejection has a lot to do with the personal connection to the place and the landscape.

Actually, everyone agrees: Renewable energies are valuable and necessary, says Matthias Buchecker from the Social Science Landscape Research Group at WSL, describing the initial situation. However, when it comes to specific investments, it often becomes difficult. So far, it has been assumed that the change in the face of a landscape caused by large wind turbines causes a knee-jerk rejection in one’s own neighborhood, Buchecker is quoted as saying. But this explanation falls short. Instead, the reasons for the rejection lie in the local ties of those affected. “People want to have a say in decisions sooner.”

This requires a rethinking of the planning processes. Because in the survey, the opponents rejected a change in their residential area as a whole – not just the specific wind farm. Involving the population must begin with the question: How should one’s own region develop in principle – ecologically, in terms of energy, economically and in terms of landscape? Buchecker is quoted as saying that the aim should be to find a broad and overarching consensus within the framework of which renewable energy systems would also find their place.

February 2022
Federal Council wants to accelerate procedures for renewables

Switzerland is lagging behind in the expansion of wind energy. The procedures for the construction of large hydroelectric power plants also take a long time. The Federal Council now wants to speed up the planning and approval procedures for large plants, it writes in a statement . No compromises should be made when it comes to protecting nature, the environment and monuments.

The Federal Council wants to develop a concept with the locations of the most important hydropower and wind turbines. This should serve as a guideline for cantonal structural planning. The systems listed there should then only be subject to a cantonal planning approval procedure. This should be able to issue all permits. Thus, in the event of an objection, only one appeal through the instances should be possible.

In addition, the Federal Council wants to accelerate the installation of photovoltaics on roofs and facades. Investments in new buildings should also be tax deductible. The approval of solar systems on facades is to be regulated via a notification procedure.

The Swiss Energy Foundation welcomes the initiative of the Federal Council. “Switzerland needs a booster for renewable energies,” said Managing Director Nils Epprecht in a statement . “The Federal Council has recognized the urgency. In doing so, he does not question the two political cornerstones of Switzerland, the balancing of interests and federalism.”

The consultation on the Federal Council’s proposal lasts until May 23, 2022.

February 2022
Synhelion and Cemex produce the first solar concrete

Synhelion and Mexico’s Cemex , the world’s fifth largest cement producer in 2020, have produced the world’s first solar clinker. As both companies write in a media release of the same name, this “revolutionary innovation” is a “first step towards the development of completely solar-powered cement plants”. dr Gianluca Ambrosetti, CEO and co-founder of Synhelion, is proud to “join with Cemex to demonstrate a concrete, industrially relevant application of our fully renewable high-temperature solar heating”.

Synhelion emerged from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich in 2016. The company’s technology aims to replace all types of fossil fuels with solar fuels. According to the information, it converts concentrated heat from the sun into “the hottest process heat available on the market”. Cemex wants to supply CO2-neutral concrete worldwide by 2050. A key part of this strategy is CEMEX Ventures and its research and development center in Brügg BE.

Research teams from both companies installed a pilot plant on the premises of the Madrid Regional Government’s Imdea Energy Research Institute . There, the solar receiver from Synhelion delivered “record-breaking” temperatures of over 1500 degrees with concentrated sunlight. A gaseous heat transfer medium is thus heated. This provided the heat needed to melt limestone, clay, and other materials together.

The clinker obtained in this way was used to manufacture cement and then processed into concrete. In the next phase of their joint research and development project, Synhelion and Cemex intend to work towards an industrial-scale pilot plant.

February 2022
Canton of Jura gives electricity from geothermal energy a new chance

Generating electricity from deep geothermal energy in Switzerland is given another chance. As announced by the Jura government, it wants to negotiate with Geo-Energie Suisse SA about a gradual resumption of the project. Additional safety requirements are to be set. In addition, an advisory committee made up of independent experts is to ensure the transparency of the project. If security is guaranteed, the government sees many advantages in the development of renewable energies, according to a statement from the canton.

The canton approved the Geo-Energie Suisse SA project in 2015. It provides for the production of electricity from deep geothermal energy for 6,000 households. A magnitude 5.4 earthquake triggered by a similar project in Pohang, South Korea, in November 2017 also sparked fears in the Haute-Sorne region. An analysis by Geo-Energie Suisse SA came to the conclusion that a scenario like that in Pohang in the Jura was “unthinkable” due to the safety requirements. However, the project actually came to a standstill.

Similar projects to generate electricity from deep geothermal heat had previously led to minor earthquakes in Basel and St.Gallen. The affected projects were then stopped.

January 2022
Energieverbund Thalwil goes to the starting position

For the new energy network Thalwil, energy is extracted from the water of Lake Zurich in a lake water center, informs Energie 360 ° on the project page of the lake water energy network of the Zurich energy service provider. This energy is fed to the network’s energy center and fed from there into the district heating network. Peak loads are to be covered with a gas heating system integrated into the energy center.

with the dr. Ernst Th. Jucker Foundation, Energie 360° has now found the location for this energy center. In a statement , the energy service provider announced that it would be moving into the second basement floor of a foundation property currently under construction on Gotthardstrasse in Thalwil. The ground floor and first floor are reserved for Bank Thalwil. Rental apartments are to be built on the remaining floors.

“The space in the center of Thalwil is tight,” Foundation President Christine Burgener is quoted as saying in the statement. The former mayor has accompanied the planning of the new energy network from the start. “When Energie 360° and the municipality of Thalwil approached us, we offered a hand so that the energy center could be implemented in our building.” In return, Energie 360° will supply the property with energy at a fixed price. The new network is scheduled to start work at the beginning of the heating season this fall.

January 2022
Switzerland launches building education offensive

The shortage of skilled workers in the construction and real estate industry is to be remedied. To this end, the Swiss “Building Education Offensive” has now been launched. The starting event will take place on January 20 at 4 p.m. and will be streamed live. According to a press release from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy , a “roadmap with 32 measures and four fields of action” will be presented.

Ultimately, the building sector in Switzerland should make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. To do this, “hundreds of thousands of fossil-based heating systems would have to be replaced by renewable ones, a large number of buildings would have to be renovated in terms of energy, intelligent control systems would have to be installed and the power supply of the buildings would have to be completely converted to renewable energies”. However, there is already a shortage of skilled workers. At the same time, the number of those who decide to do an apprenticeship in this industry is declining.

The education offensive was developed by all relevant representatives of the building and education sector. They were supported by EnergieSchweiz , the Swiss Federal Office of Energy’s program for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation , the Federal Office for the Environment and the State Secretariat for Migration were also involved.

January 2022
Zurich is investing CHF 573 million in district heating

In a press release , the City of Zurich announced the approval of the “Thermal grids of the power plant” credit line in the amount of CHF 573 million. The amount is to flow into the switch from fossil to renewable heating and cooling in the city and financially secure the conversion of the heating supply required to achieve the climate target. Those entitled to vote should decide on the approval in 2022.

The city set the course for the climate policy expansion plans “ Net Zero 2040 ” of the electricity company of the city of Zurich ( ewz ) in spring 2021 with the opening of the Zurich Heat Advice Center. The legal foundation was laid in November 2021 with the Heat Supply Ordinance.

City Councilor Michael Baumer is quoted as saying that the municipal measure, which is divided into six sub-projects, makes an “important contribution to decarbonisation in the heating sector”. The financial buffer is “only a first step, the actual work is just beginning,” announces Baumer.

January 2022
Innovation from Studer Innotec enables solar self-sufficiency

According to Studer Innotec , the next 3 is the world’s first intelligent inverter charger for private or company-owned photovoltaic systems. It represents “the future of self-consumption” and enables “full energy self-sufficiency” for everyone. With their own charging stations for battery-powered cars, electromobility will become cheaper solar mobility, according to Studer’s website. In addition, neighborhood microgrids, so-called mini-grids, would also be possible in remote rural areas. “With the next3, we are ready to play a very active role in the energy transition,” says Studer Innotec on its website.

The next3 allows complete control over the production, storage and distribution of its electrical energy. In addition, it can operate with the public power grid, according to a media release. It is therefore suitable for grid-independent (off-grid), grid-dependent (on-grid) and hybrid systems. Installation and wiring is easy. The company also explains further technical specifications in a video .

“This new approach completely breaks through the previously known technical and economic limits,” says Studer Innotec. “It’s disruptive.” By turning your own living space or business building into a self-sufficient system, you contribute to a stable power supply, protect yourself against price fluctuations and ensure that your electric vehicle or company car fleet is charged every day.

January 2022
Basel area relies on solar power from the roof

The canton of Basel-Landschaft is going on the solar power offensive. The canton's own buildings will be equipped with photovoltaic systems, the canton administration informs in a message . So far, 2177 modules with an area of almost 3900 square meters have been installed on the roofs of the secondary schools in Hinterzweien in Muttenz, Gerenmatt in Arlesheim, Laufental in Laufen, Lärchen in Münchenstein and Rheinpark in Birsfelden as well as the Werkhof Kreis 3 in Sissach and the new technical college in Muttenz been. They can generate around 800,000 kilowatt hours of solar power a year. This means that the electricity requirements of the respective location can be completely covered, writes the cantonal administration.

According to the announcement, further plants are already being planned. "The canton's largest photovoltaic system in the future" is to be tackled shortly. It is being built on the new building of the Augusta Raurica Collection Center in Augst. More than 400 modules are planned here, which could deliver around 450,000 kilowatt hours of solar power a year. The plans also include systems on the roofs of the Tannenbrunn secondary schools in Sissach and Frenke in Liestal and the Arxhof action center in Niederdorf.

The building authority is following the instructions of the district administrator with the solar offensive, it says in the message. According to them, the canton should "on the one hand be a role model for other investors and on the other hand cover the growing demand in schools and other buildings with as much self-produced solar power as possible". The district administrator provides the funds for the investments via building loans and as part of the investment program.

January 2022
Aesch gets a sustainable heating network

Primeo Energie and the municipality of Aesch are planning to set up “a large and sustainable district heating network”, the energy service provider from Basel informs in a message. It is supposed to supply large parts of the municipality with "renewable wood district heating". The investment required for this is estimated in the communication at CHF 20 million.

In a first step, the partners want to develop the north of Aesch. After that, the network will gradually cover the remaining areas, according to the announcement. The existing heating networks of Primeo Energie and the community and residents' community in Aesch are to be renewed and merged in the new network.

The plans also provide for the establishment of a new heating center. It will be built in the Weidenring and, in addition to two boilers, will also have a heat pump, explains Primeo Energie. Wood chips from the Aescher forest and the Angenstein district are mainly used as fuel. The peak load is absorbed by an oil boiler.

In total, the planned heat generation amounts to around 16 gigawatt hours, writes Primeo Energie. According to the company, the share of renewable energy in heat production will be over 80 percent. In this way, more than 3000 tons of CO2 emissions could be avoided each year.

The planning application for the association should be submitted by the end of this year. The first heat supplies could be realized at the beginning of the heating period 23/24, writes Primeo Energie. Interested property owners can already set up a connection.

December 2021
Basler Stadtwerke get involved in Energie Ausserschwyz

Energie Ausserschwyz AG wants to supply renewable heat and electricity for 7,000 households in the villages of Siebnen, Galgenen, Lachen, Altendorf, Pfäffikon and Freienbach in the Schwyz districts of March and Höfe by 2030. To this end, it is currently building a wood-fired thermal power station at its existing Bodenwies energy center in Galgenen. It should be heated with old, residual and forest wood from the region.

Now, as part of a capital increase, IWB are also joining the shareholders of Energie Ausserschwyz AG. According to a press release , Basler Stadtwerke now holds 20 percent of the capital. The regional energy supplier EW Höfe will remain the main shareholder. Brugg Group AG and Züger Unternehmerungen AG are also involved in the district heating operator.

IWB sees their participation as a continuation of their previous strategy. "Energie Ausserschwyz focuses on a heat supply from regional, renewable sources", its CEO Claus Schmidt is quoted in the announcement. “IWB can bring its experience from climate-friendly district heating supply to Energie Ausserschwyz and benefits from its strong presence in the Upper Lake Zurich region. IWB had already joined Agro Energie Schwyz AG at the beginning of 2021 , which operates a district heating network in the Schwyz basin.

December 2021
Aesch gets a sustainable heating network

Primeo Energie and the municipality of Aesch are planning to set up “a large and sustainable district heating network”, the Basel-based energy service provider informs in a message. It is supposed to supply large parts of the municipality with “renewable wood district heating”. The investment required for this is estimated in the communication at CHF 20 million.

In a first step, the partners want to develop the north of Aesch. After that, the network will gradually cover the remaining areas, according to the announcement. The existing heating networks of Primeo Energie and the community and residents’ community in Aesch are to be renewed and merged in the new network.

The plans also provide for the establishment of a new heating center. It will be built in the Weidenring and, in addition to two boilers, will also have a heat pump, explains Primeo Energie. Wood chips from the Aesch forest and the Angenstein district are primarily used as fuel. The peak load is absorbed by an oil boiler.

In total, the planned heat generation amounts to around 16 gigawatt hours, writes Primeo Energie. According to the company, the share of renewable energy in heat production will be over 80 percent. In this way, more than 3000 tons of CO2 emissions could be avoided each year.

The planning application for the association should be submitted by the end of this year. The first heat supplies could be realized at the beginning of the heating period 23/24, writes Primeo Energie. Interested property owners can already set up a connection.

December 2021
Basler Stadtwerke get involved in Energie Ausserschwyz

Energie Ausserschwyz AG wants to supply renewable heat and electricity for 7,000 households in the villages of Siebnen, Galgenen, Lachen, Altendorf, Pfäffikon and Freienbach in the Schwyz districts of March and Höfe by 2030. To this end, it is currently building a wood-fired thermal power station at its existing Bodenwies energy center in Galgenen. It should be heated with old, residual and forest wood from the region.

Now, as part of a capital increase, IWB are also joining the shareholders of Energie Ausserschwyz AG. According to a press release , Basler Stadtwerke now holds 20 percent of the capital. The regional energy supplier EW Höfe will remain the main shareholder. Brugg Group AG and Züger Unternehmerungen AG are also involved in the district heating operator.

IWB sees their participation as a continuation of their previous strategy. “Energie Ausserschwyz focuses on a heat supply from regional, renewable sources”, its CEO Claus Schmidt is quoted in the announcement. “IWB can bring its experience from climate-friendly district heating supply to Energie Ausserschwyz and benefits from its strong presence in the Upper Lake Zurich region. IWB had already joined Agro Energie Schwyz AG at the beginning of 2021 , which operates a district heating network in the Schwyz basin.

December 2021
Empa is researching underground storage

Empa is setting up an experimental, seasonal energy storage facility under its new research campus in Dübendorf, the research institute informs in a message . The waste heat from ventilation and laboratory equipment is to be stored in the ground below the area. The aim is to supply the entire Empa area with energy, writes Empa.

A geothermal probe field with a temperature gradient serves as a heat store, in which 144 geothermal probes anchored up to 100 meters deep in the ground are installed. With their help, the Empa researchers want to set an optimal mix between temperature, efficiency and energy storage. The temperatures in the underground storage can fluctuate by up to 50 degrees in the center and 10 degrees in the peripheral areas. At a depth of 100 meters, the storage system works particularly effectively and loses very little heat to the environment, explains Empa.

The research institute can use the heat storage system for ten years, primarily for its own research purposes. On the one hand, an underground storage facility is very effective, but due to its large mass it is also sluggish, according to the press release. The researchers assume that it will take about three to four years to set the final operating temperature.

December 2021
Schwarm finances IWB's second solar system

Tenants without their own roof helped finance IWB ‘s second solar system. You have acquired an individual share in the planned solar system on the Spittelmatthof near Riehen BS through the participation model Sonnenbox Crowd. In return, they will receive an electricity credit of 100 kilowatt hours per invested square meter over a period of 20 years.

This second system is 350 square meters and will have an output of 72 kilowatts. That corresponds roughly to the electricity needs of 25 to 30 households. As stated in a press release , it only took a few weeks to fully finance them.

The preparations for its construction were already under way. It should be completed by the middle of next year. The installation of the first swarm-financed system is also imminent. It is being erected on a roof by IWB in Basel’s Gundeli district. “The great demand spurs us on to offer the people of Basel more solar systems soon,” Martin Albrecht, product manager of the Sonnenbox Crowd, is quoted as saying. “We are looking for other suitable roofs for this.”

November 2021
Subsidies result in record expansion at solar

According to a media release by the Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), the federal funds for photovoltaic systems are having an effect: The record construction of photovoltaic systems from 2020 will probably be exceeded this year.

According to the information, more than 18,000 photovoltaic systems with a total output of 360 megawatts were registered for one-off remuneration from January to the end of October 2021. That is around 25 percent more than in the same period last year. In the third quarter, their number even increased by 40 percent.

All system operators who have submitted their complete application to Pronovo AG on time could expect a payment. A total of CHF 150 million would be paid out as a one-off payment for 26,000 small photovoltaic systems. 500 applications have been received for large photovoltaic systems. As confirmed by the SFOE, the planned funding amounts could be paid out to all applicants who correctly submit their application by the respective deadline in the coming year.

No further systems were added to the feed-in tariff system in 2021. After completion, 19 photovoltaic, 79 hydropower, 422 wind energy and 42 biomass projects would have received funding approval.

The investment contributions made available for small and large hydropower plants were only partially called up in 2021. New requests could be processed immediately without a waiting list.

No applications have been received for an investment contribution in favor of electricity-producing sewage gas and waste incineration plants, wood power plants or geothermal projects. New ones could be processed immediately.

November 2021
AMAG Winterthur puts new solar system into operation

The AMAG Group has put a new photovoltaic system into operation at its Winterthur location, informs the automotive trading group for all brands of the Volkswagen Group in a message . The system built by Helion with an output of around 157 kilowatts peak was installed on the roof of the AMAG building for Volkswagen and VW commercial vehicles. The group intends to use around 60 to 65 percent of the approximately 158 megawatt hours of solar power expected annually.

“With the solar energy obtained from the photovoltaic system, we can cover around 60 percent of our electricity requirements at the Zürcherstrasse 312 location in Winterthur,” Martin Zgraggen, Managing Director of AMAG Winterthur, is quoted in the press release. “The increasing number of electric vehicles means that more electricity is required, which the new solar system supplies us.”

The AMAG buildings for the Audi and Skoda brands in Winterthur were equipped with a solar system back in 2013, the press release explains. The group had the first photovoltaic system installed on the roof of its central spare parts warehouse in Buchs ZH in 2008. In the current year, in addition to the new system in Winterthur, two further solar systems were installed in Wettswil am Albis ZH and in Basel.

The automobile trading group with its headquarters in Cham ZG wants to be completely climate-neutral by 2025. To this end, solar systems are to be installed on an area of around 50,000 square meters by 2024. The group is looking into a deployment for a further 100,000 square meters of space at AMAG locations.

November 2021
Deutsche Ökobank relies on Meyer Burger

The GLS Bank from Germany relies on Meyer Burger for its offer of a package for the expansion of solar systems. The cooperative bank, which operates according to socio-ecological principles, wants to promote the expansion of photovoltaic systems in the commercial and public sectors. To this end, the bank has launched a so-called carefree photovoltaic package for corporate customers. In addition to financing, it includes a number of other services.

As part of the package, the GLS Bank decided in favor of Meyer Burger as a cooperation partner for photovoltaic modules, the solar company from Thun informs in a message . “We have high demands on our products and our production in terms of environmental and resource conservation as well as social factors”, Katja Tavernaro is quoted there. “Our high-performance solar modules are a good example of a successful relationship between sustainability and economy,” says the Chief Sustainability Officer at Meyer Burger Technology AG. Concretely, Tavernaro leads a reduced use of material and energy, the renunciation of toxic ingredients, the production exclusively with electricity from renewable energies and the observance of social standards in the supply chains.

This is in line with the goals of the GLS Bank: “We don’t just want to get photovoltaics on the roof, we also ask questions about the quality and sustainability of the modules,” explains bank representative Michael Orth.

November 2021
Homeowners are ready to switch to renewable heating

The focus of the eleventh customer barometer renewable energies presented by Raiffeisen Switzerland is on the deployment and use of heating technologies, solar systems and electromobility. According to a media release , the survey by Raiffeisen, the University of St.Gallen and EnergieSchweiz showed that half of the homeowners surveyed are generally willing to replace their oil or gas heating with a more environmentally friendly technology.

A quarter of those surveyed have not yet thought about a replacement, according to the media release. 30 percent of those surveyed already use climate-friendly heating technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal energy and district heating. But 28 percent still heat with oil. Around a fifth of these have already opted for a climate-friendly replacement in the next few years.

According to the Raiffeisen report, photovoltaic systems (PVA) are currently growing exponentially. 22 percent of the homeowners surveyed already have a system for generating solar power. 30 percent could imagine a purchase in the near future. This year’s study also looked at battery storage for photovoltaic systems. The main arguments for this are given as a 26 percent increase in revenue from electricity production, 23 percent a reduction in CO2 emissions and a reduction in electricity costs (22 percent).

According to the announcement, Raiffeisen relies on a holistic advisory process to increase the modernization rate. “We are convinced that long-term planning and financial preparation of the investment in the property are decisive success factors in order to carry out the optimal modernization measures at the right time,” Roland Altwegg, Head of New Business Models & Ecosystems at Raiffeisen Switzerland, is quoted as saying. And: “What is often forgotten: Environmentally friendly technologies also increase the value of a property.”

November 2021
Binningen steigert Anteil an erneuerbarer Wärmeenergie

Primeo Energie hat beim Schulhaus Spiegelfeld in Binningen eine neue Pelletheizanlage in Betrieb genommen, informiert der Baselbieter Energieversorger mit Sitz in Münchenstein in einer Mitteilung. Die neue Anlage ersetzt ein veraltetes erdgasbetriebenes Blockheizkraftwerk. Mit der Umstellung auf die Pelletheizung steige der Anteil an Wärmeenergie aus erneuerbaren Quellen in Binningen auf 35 Prozent, schreibt Primeo Energie.

Diesen Anteil wollen Gemeindeverwaltung und Energieversorger zukünftig auf 70 Prozent ausbauen. Dazu sei geplant, die Abwasserwärme auf dem Hauptwasserkanal in der Baslerstrasse und dem Birsig zu nutzen, heisst es in der Mitteilung. Zeitgleich werde Primeo Energie in den Ausbau und die Verdichtung des Wärmenetzes investieren, um weiteren Interessierten den Anschluss zu ermöglichen.

Zudem engagiert sich Primeo Energie beim Klimaschutz im Gebäudebereich. Zusammen mit dem kantonalen Förderprogramm für Energieeffizienz und erneuerbare Energie im Gebäudebereich unterstütze das Unternehmen „die Transformation des Gebäudeparks in Richtung Klimaneutralität“, schreibt Primeo Energie. Mit dem Baselbieter Energiepaket werden die Sanierung von Altbauten, neue Methoden der Wärmeproduktion und energieeffiziente Neubauten gefördert.

November 2021
Second heating network for Steinhausen can be financed

The construction and operation of a second heating network for the Steinhausen community are economically feasible. This is confirmed by a feasibility study that WWZ Energie and the municipality began a year ago. According to a media release by both actors, their results will be presented to the population on October 20th at 7.30 p.m. in the Steinhausen community hall.

They show that in large parts of the municipality the prerequisites in terms of energy density and demand for the construction and economic operation of a second and larger network are in place. This is to be operated with regional wood as an energy source.

The Steinhausen Zentrum heating network has been in operation since 2017. The new network could be linked to this in the medium term as well as to the Ennetsee heating network planned by WWZ. This increases the security of supply and allows efficient dimensioning of the heating center.

"The heating network, as we are planning it with WWZ, makes a significant contribution to the implementation of the Energy Strategy 2050," said Mayor Hans Staub. In addition, it increases “the attractiveness and quality of life in our community”.

October 2021
Artwork produces solar power

Solar cells can also decorate buildings as objects of art. This is shown by a project that has now been implemented at the NEST research building of the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) and the EAWAG water research institute. The facades of the building have been fitted with photovoltaic modules, which together result in a work of art.

To this end, Empa implemented the project called Glasklar, on which it worked together with Zug Estates and students and lecturers from the two departments of Design & Art and Technology & Architecture at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The latter designed photovoltaic modules in a two-week block event, which visually match the NEST building as design objects. The design was implemented by textile design student Lynn Balli. It was selected for use in the NEST building in an interdisciplinary design competition.

“If we can arouse the interest of designers in the design of building-integrated photovoltaic modules, we will make an important contribution to greater acceptance of photovoltaic facades and thus promote the expansion of renewable electricity production in Switzerland,” says Björn Niesen, NEST innovation manager Message from Empa quoted.

September 2021