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  • UBS relies on Implenia

    UBS relies on Implenia

    UBS has selected Implenia as the general contractor for the renovation of its listed building on Paradeplatz in Zurich, the construction and real estate company from Dietlikon informs in a message . According to her, the award of the contract was preceded by a year-long overall performance competition. The notification does not provide any information about competitors or the volume of orders.

    The start of construction work is planned for the end of next year, Implenia informs. During the renovation, Roland Rohn's historic character is to be restored “in a contemporary way,” explains Pierre de Meuron, Founding Partner of the Herzog & de Meuron architecture firm, in the press release. In addition to new office space, spaces with hybrid and partly public use are planned. Implenia also plans to open the building to Paradeplatz and Bärengasse. The renovation work should meet the LEED Platinum sustainability standard for ecological building.

    "We rely on efficient and effective processes as well as the latest methods from Lean Construction to ensure optimal quality, deadlines and good communication in the planning and execution of the complex project across all phases," says Jens Vollmar, Head of the Buildings Division at Implenia, in the communication quoted. "We also work with a proven team that has already worked for UBS on other projects."

  • Obwalden companies help shape the supermarket of the future

    Obwalden companies help shape the supermarket of the future

    Tegut… gute Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG is a German subsidiary of the Migros retailer. The company currently operates primarily supermarkets that focus on organic products. Now it is also testing a new store concept. The new supermarket is open around the clock and has no cashiers. Customers can scan their items and pay by app or credit card. The store is monitored with several cameras and 3D sensors.

    For the design and construction of the first test shop in Fulda, tegut… gute Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG obtained specialist knowledge from Obwalden. The 50 square meter store was co-developed and realized by Neue Holzbau AG and HP Gasser AG , both from Lungern OW, according to a joint communication. Specifically, the two companies built the shop out of four elements. The finished shop was then delivered to Fulda by special transport. First and foremost, the companies rely on wood, invisible steel parts and the high-performance lanyard GSA.

    The label “Made in Lungern” has proven itself well in Germany, according to the announcement. Among other things, the first test shop won the 2020 Retail Innovation Prize. This is also thanks to the support of the Obwalden economic development agency.

  • Sensors save up to 90 percent electricity at bus stops

    Sensors save up to 90 percent electricity at bus stops

    Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich ( VBZ ) and the municipal energy supplier ewz tested the use of new LED lighting at several stops in the first half of 2020. These are built in with motion sensors with which the light can be weakened to a tenth of its strength when nobody is at the stop.

    The tests have shown that power consumption can be reduced significantly. "Viewed across all illuminated bus stops, the average energy saving for LED lights with motion sensors is around 90 percent, with the situation-specific regulation of brightness additionally reducing light emissions," Martin Suter, head of bus stops at VBZ, is quoted in a statement from his company. In addition, the service life should be able to be more than doubled by weakening the light to 25 to 30 years, according to the announcement.

    In the next five years, the previous fluorescent tubes at all bus stops are to be replaced by the new LED lighting.

  • Appenzell Ausserrhoden is the most liberal canton in Switzerland

    Appenzell Ausserrhoden is the most liberal canton in Switzerland

    In this year's edition of the Avenir Suisse Freedom Index, a total of 33 civil and economic indicators were evaluated, the think tank informs in the presentation of the ranking of the Swiss cantons. Liechtenstein, which was included for the first time this year, made it from scratch to the top spot. Liechtenstein was able to collect 70 points across all indicators.

    The canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden has only one point less. Avenir Suisse wrote in a press release on the current Freedom Index that he was “overshadowed by long-time front runners Aargau and last year's winner Schwyz”. This year, however, "he succeeded in making his breakthrough to the top of the Swiss cantons". The canton was able to score points in terms of both economic and civil liberties. In the presentation, the analysts highlight, among other things, the low tax burden of an average family, the decentralization and liberal solutions in homeschooling.

    With a rise above eight ranks to eleventh place, the canton of St.Gallen has made the biggest leap forward year-on-year, the analysts explain in the presentation. St.Gallen has made progress in particular with regard to public safety, and the canton has once again achieved top marks with the Public Information Act and the debt brake. As a shortcoming, the analysts chalk the canton to a burqa ban and a mandatory church tax for companies.

    The sixth-placed canton of Jura has the best values for civil liberties in the freedom ranking. Last year's front runner, Schwyz, was able to maintain its top position in Switzerland this year, at least in terms of economic indicators. Overall, the canton of Schwyz achieved fourth place in the freedom index this year.

  • Leclanché is building the largest solar system in the Caribbean

    Leclanché is building the largest solar system in the Caribbean

    The energy storage company Leclanché , together with the government of the Caribbean island state of St. Kitts and Nevis and the state-owned Electric Company ( SKELEC ), broke ground “for a groundbreaking project”. As stated in a press release by the energy storage company, the largest solar power generation and storage system in the Caribbean is to be built on 102 hectares of land owned by the government over the next 18 months. In the first year of operation, it will generate around 61,300 megawatt hours of electricity.

    The $ 70 million microgrid project is being built by Leclanché. It should also represent a model project for other island states. Together with the most important subcontractor, the Spanish Grupotec , the Valais company will provide a turnkey solar plus storage solution. Leclanché will operate the facility through its subsidiary SOLEC Power Ltd. as part of its strategic build, ownership and operation model. with partner Solrid Ltd. own and operate.

    Up until now, tankers have been delivering diesel fuel on a weekly basis. According to the announcement, Prime Minister Timothy Harris described the project as a milestone for his country, tourism, the economy and the entire Caribbean region: "This visionary project will help ensure our energy independence." Tons of “save carbon dioxide emissions.

    Together they designed a system on site that saves SKELEC costly upfront investments, says Leclanché managing director Anil Srivastava: As part of a 20-year power purchase agreement, Leclanché will sell clean, renewable energy to SKELEC at a flat rate over this entire period.

  • Migros Zurich separates from Zentrum Witikon

    Migros Zurich separates from Zentrum Witikon

    The Migros Cooperative Zurich sells the Zentrum Witikon to the largest Swiss life insurance group, Swiss Life . The decision to sell was made as part of a regular review of the property portfolio, according to the food company in a press release . He puts an end to the adjustment of the property portfolio that has taken place over several years.

    The Migros supermarket branch has existed since the Witikon Center opened in 1970. It was bought by Migros Zurich in 2012 and completely renovated in 2017. The parties have agreed not to disclose the sales price.

  • ewz should produce more renewable electricity

    ewz should produce more renewable electricity

    According to a press release , the city council of Zurich has applied for a third credit line of 200 million francs for the ewz. These funds are to flow into energy production facilities that produce electricity from renewable sources. The voters of the City of Zurich will ultimately decide whether this application will be approved.

    As stated in the communication, since 2007 voters have approved three credit lines for investments in the production of wind energy and other renewable sources. In total, the amount was 420 million francs. With this, ewz acquired 18 wind farms in Germany, France, Sweden and Norway through the wholly-owned subsidiary of the city of Zurich, ewz (Deutschland) GmbH. This means that the ewz now has around one terawatt hour of electricity from wind. This corresponds to the current ewz share from the electricity production of the Gösgen nuclear power plant.

    With the 200 million francs that have now been applied for, the ewz wants to expand primarily wind turbines and hydropower plants in Switzerland and other European countries. The ewz is aiming again to invest a third of the credit line in systems in Switzerland.

    The ewz Germany group is responsible for all purchases and financing abroad. The city of Zurich describes it as one of its most important holdings. The city council therefore requests the municipal council to create a legal basis for ewz (Deutschland) GmbH in a separate submission.

  • 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).

  • EIP organizes a capital increase in favor of renewable energies

    EIP organizes a capital increase in favor of renewable energies

    Energy Infrastructure Partners ( EIP ), formerly Credit Suisse Energy Infrastructure Partners, organized a capital increase of 530 million euros for BayWa re. A corresponding contract was signed on Tuesday, according to a press release from EIP and another from BayWa re. The transaction leads to a 49 percent stake in one of the world's leading developers, service providers, wholesalers and providers of solutions in the field of renewable energies. In addition, according to EIP, “considerable added value” can be expected.

    The Munich-based company claims to have a "very strong project pipeline" of photovoltaic systems and onshore wind systems with a capacity of 13 gigawatts in more than 20 countries, primarily in Europe, the USA and the Asia-Pacific region. BayWa re now wants to strategically develop into an independent electricity producer with a target capacity of initially 3 gigawatts by 2028, says the EIP announcement: “The partners intend to use additional capital over time to significantly expand their own renewable plant base . "

    "We are pleased about this unique opportunity for our investors to participate in a comprehensive global platform for renewable energies", Tim Marahrens, Co-Head of Origination & Transactions at EIP, is quoted in the press release. He underlined the importance of the transaction in view of the ongoing market consolidation in the industry.

  • Zurich architects receive the European Solar Prize

    Zurich architects receive the European Solar Prize

    In awarding this year's Eurosolar prizes, Eurosolar honored the Zurich company Felix Partner Architektur in the solar architecture category for realizing a project at Bergün GR. According to a press release, a 350-year-old Graubünden farmhouse in Latsch was converted into a modern zero-energy house through consistent use of solar energy. The historical substance was preserved.

    The European Solar Prize has been awarded by Eurosolar since 1994 for particularly eligible projects in the field of renewable energies. Eurosolar is the short form of European Association for Renewable Energies e. V. The association has its seat in Bonn. The winners in the categories of municipalities, solar architecture, industry, regional associations, mobility, media and education contribute with their outstanding projects to regenerative and decentralized energy supply in Europe, according to the media release.

    Eurosolar President Peter Droege is quoted as saying that the award-winning projects are perfect examples of the ongoing transformation of the energy system: "Today's award winners show how the world can become completely renewable."

    In addition to the award for the best project in the solar architecture category by the Swiss architects, other award winners are highlighted in the communication. Such an island community that owns, manages and maintains its own energy network that supplies all residents with renewable electricity. There is also a film director who raises awareness of the ecological and social effects of coal power. And also to a so-called social enterprise, which enables an independent and low-carbon energy supply with mobile biogas technology.

  • UBS takes over real estate fund Residentia

    UBS takes over real estate fund Residentia

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

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

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

  • NEST is planning a new STEP2 unit

    NEST is planning a new STEP2 unit

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

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

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

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

  • Urban Connect is expanding its range of e-fleets

    Urban Connect is expanding its range of e-fleets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

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

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

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

  • Smart cities work together

    Smart cities work together

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

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

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

  • Innosuisse promotes Blackstone Resources

    Innosuisse promotes Blackstone Resources

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

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

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

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

  • Halter moves into new headquarters in JED

    Halter moves into new headquarters in JED

    The construction company Halter AG opens its new headquarters on December 14th in the former NZZ printing center in Schlieren, which the company itself converted. Before moving to JED , Halter AG was based in Zurich. The abbreviation of the center, which was converted on behalf of the owner Swiss Prime Site, stands for Join. Explore. Dare – connect, discover, dare. In addition to Halter AG, the company sisters Tend AG, Raumgleiter AG, Integral design-build AG, the developer cooperative Wir sind Stadtgarten and MOVEment Systems AG are also moving their headquarters to Schlieren, according to a press release.

    The new headquarters of Halter AG will operate under the label The Branch . It is intended to offer new opportunities for collaboration with publicly rentable so-called collab workstations, work lounges and big rooms for individuals and teams. The group describes the horizontal and vertical integration of the real estate world as the driving idea behind The Branch. The Branch Do Tank association is the sponsor. According to the corporate announcement, this is intended to promote the further development of the construction and real estate industry in practice. "The vision of an integrated process landscape in the construction and real estate world must be implemented outside of the conventional entrepreneurial silos and the traditional industry structures", Markus Mettler, CEO of Halter AG, is quoted on the side of The Branch.

  • UBS real estate platform integrates FinanceScout24

    UBS real estate platform integrates FinanceScout24

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

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

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

  • Building technology planner S2B starts in Baden in January

    Building technology planner S2B starts in Baden in January

    From the beginning of the year, the company for building planning from heating and ventilation to plumbing and electronics, S2B Plan AG , will start advising customers. This means that the city of Baden will be the first planning company to combine all building technology trades under one roof, according to the start-up's media release. This is a novelty for the city. Because so far there has been no planning office in Baden for the full range of building technology. This niche is now being filled. For building projects, S2B Plan AG draws up all plans for heating, ventilation, plumbing and electronics from a single source. An analysis of the building technology is also offered for existing buildings.

    The company was only founded on December 1st by the Baden residents Christoph Barth, Daniel Burger and Thomas Schmutz. According to the announcement, the planned start in September had to be postponed. The corona pandemic thwarted the bill. Because suddenly the economic and social situation changed. Nothing has changed in the founding project, it says there.

    The team will now be available for customer advice from January. With the move into the offices at Badstrasse 34 in Baden on December 1st, the S2B Plan AG website and the entry on LinkedIn were activated.

  • 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.

  • Jaisli-Xamax is rebuilding the traditional Beyer company in Zurich

    Jaisli-Xamax is rebuilding the traditional Beyer company in Zurich

    The employee newspaper Brilli's News of Jaisli-Xamax AG in Dietikon took the renovation of the traditional Zurich company Beyer Uhren & Juwelen for its 260th anniversary as an opportunity for an interview with Managing Director René Beyer. Under the title “Time for something new”, Beyer reports on the good cooperation with the construction management from Palmieri and the team from Jaisli-Xamax responsible for all electrical aspects. This “well-rehearsed team” carried out an initial renovation nine years ago and has now completed the renovation for the company's anniversary in the summer.

    Beyer is quoted as saying: “This is not the first conversion with the Jaisli-Xamax AG team. Not only for renovations, but also for various maintenance work during the year, I can count on the reliable specialists in your company. ”What he appreciates about the cooperation is that he knows all of the specialists personally. At Jaisli-Xamax AG there is a family atmosphere and togetherness. "It is important to me to have a competent partner on board who also 'ieferet' and not just 'laferet'", Beyer continues.

    As to the motivation for the total renovation, Beyer says that he has to think about handing over the business to the next generation and therefore wanted to equip the watch and jewelery boutique with a special feel-good atmosphere. Beyer: "That may sound like a flat marketing strategy, but in the end it is really what we can offer customers in contrast to the numerous online providers."

  • VoltWALL wins Boldbrain competition

    VoltWALL wins Boldbrain competition

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

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

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

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

  • Juice Technology and Athlon electrify vehicle fleets

    Juice Technology and Athlon electrify vehicle fleets

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

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

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

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

  • City of Zurich wants to reduce heat

    City of Zurich wants to reduce heat

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

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

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

  • Empa presents three innovation awards

    Empa presents three innovation awards

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

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

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

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

  • Window manufacturer 4B wins innovation award

    Window manufacturer 4B wins innovation award

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

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

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

  • Trafigura invests in H2 Energy

    Trafigura invests in H2 Energy

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

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

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

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

  • Axpo goes to Greece

    Axpo goes to Greece

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

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

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

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

  • Senozon helps dealers choose a location

    Senozon helps dealers choose a location

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

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

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

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