immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Optimierung

  • Cement revolution thanks to mother-of-pearl structure

    Cement revolution thanks to mother-of-pearl structure

    Unlike glass, wood and steel, cement is naturally brittle and not very flexible without reinforcements. This considerably limits its possible uses in load-bearing structures. Although there are already methods for improving the fracture toughness and ductility of cement, for example through polymer, glass or metal reinforcements, these only slightly increase energy absorption and fracture resistance.

    A composite material modelled on mother-of-pearl
    The Princeton University team found that alternating layers of thin polymer and patterned cement paste increase ductility. The composite material developed mimics the structure of mother-of-pearl, a substance found in certain shells and known for its strength and flexibility. Mother-of-pearl consists of over 95% calcium carbonate and up to 5% organic material. This unique combination gives mother-of-pearl its remarkable mechanical resistance.

    Mechanisms of the mother-of-pearl structure
    Mother-of-pearl is a biomineral consisting of aragonite platelets connected by a soft biopolymer. This 3D brick mortar structure allows the platelets to slide and deform, absorbing energy and increasing toughness. This synergy between the hard and soft components is crucial for the remarkable mechanical properties of nacre.

    Applying the principles to cement composites
    The Princeton University researchers used conventional building materials such as Portland cement and polymers to develop a similar composite. They layered cement paste boards with polyvinyl siloxane, a flexible polymer, to create multi-layered beams. These were tested for crack resistance in a notched three-point bending test. The results showed that these composites achieved 17 times higher fracture toughness and 1791 per cent higher ductility compared to solid cement.

    Future prospects and optimisation
    The researchers plan to explore different soft materials for more resistant infrastructures and to optimise the groove shapes for better defect integration. In addition, production methods are to be further developed using integrated lamination laser processes or additive manufacturing. These advances could revolutionise the construction industry and significantly expand the use of cement in load-bearing structures.

    The newly developed cement composite, inspired by the structure of mother-of-pearl, offers a promising solution for improving the mechanical properties of cement. With its exceptional crack resistance and ductility, this composite represents a significant innovation that has the potential to transform the construction industry.

  • BASE initiative to increase energy efficiency

    BASE initiative to increase energy efficiency

    The Servetia initiative from BASE – Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy aims to help Swiss companies achieve greater energy efficiency and has launched the Servitisation model for this purpose, according to a press release. For companies, energy costs have a significant impact on profitability, which makes energy efficiency an important opportunity, the press release continues. By optimising energy consumption, companies can not only reduce their costs, but also lower their CO2 emissions, achieve their sustainability goals and prepare for future energy regulations.

    Servetia presents an innovative approach to overcoming these challenges through servitisation. The underlying model, also known as Energy Efficiency-as-a-Service (EaaS), shifts the focus from owning energy systems to utilising the services they provide, such as heating or cooling, without the need for capital investment. The solution providers retain ownership of the systems and take care of implementation, operation, maintenance and upgrades.

    By working with BASE, the Enterprise for Society Centre(E4S) and the Fondation Valery, Servetia provides access to these cutting-edge technologies. Using BASE’s extensive experience, tools such as standardised contracts and financial analyses have been developed to support the introduction of the model.

    Over the past year, Servetia has built up a partner network that includes solution providers from energy technologies to metering and digitalisation, financiers, public institutions and companies in order to exploit the full potential of servitisation in Switzerland, according to the press release.

  • Participatory planning as the basis for sustainable development

    Participatory planning as the basis for sustainable development

    The key area for urban development, the Thun railway station district, is at an important turning point. The vision of a dynamic mobility hub and a lively urban neighbourhood is making progress with the findings now available from the participatory charrette process. Mayor Raphael Lanz emphasises the importance of the open-ended and participatory process, which creates a solid basis for future planning steps.

    The charrette process, in which visions and viable solutions were developed by three interdisciplinary teams, demonstrates the importance of involving various interest groups in the planning process. The broad participation enabled a comprehensive dialogue and the development of shared visions for the Thun railway station district.


    One of the key findings is the need to make spatial and operational optimisations in order to create a future-oriented mobility hub that is suitable for the disabled. This also includes relieving Seestrasse and the Maulbeer roundabout of motorised individual traffic and incorporating the south side of the station for a new bus solution. In order to develop the area in a timely and sustainable manner, major upfront investments and interdependencies should be avoided as far as possible.

    In addition, the development should take into account the existing identities and structures and build on optimised access and open spaces. The promotion of a location-appropriate and balanced mixed-use urban neighbourhood with a high degree of flexibility and the strengthening of public spaces are further key objectives. For example, Bahnhofplatz, the Schifflände and the riverside promenade are to be upgraded and further developed as important public spaces. Improved pedestrian and cycle connections, including new links such as a “panoramic bridge” crossing the Aare and a railway overpass, are also under discussion. Seestrasse is to become an attractive backbone for the neighbouring development area. This extends between the railway tracks and shipping canal as well as the River Aare. Over the next few years, the entire neighbourhood is to develop into a well-located, well-balanced area with a variety of focal points and space for innovative residential and working uses.

    In parallel with the further planning, the city is tackling initial measures to make the area more attractive. One example of this is the temporary greening of Aarefeldplatz with “climate trees”, which has already been completed and not only helped to improve the quality of life over the summer months, but also emphasised the importance of green spaces in urban areas. With this “LeiStbild” and the final report from the charrette process, the city of Thun has a clear idea of how the area should be developed in the coming years. The synthesis of these findings is currently being incorporated into a masterplan and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023. The masterplan will serve as a further guideline for the implementation of the project. Thanks to these coordinated efforts, the city of Thun is well on the way to realising its vision of a liveable and mobility-friendly urban district at Thun railway station.

  • Enshift automates path from large buildings to net zero

    Enshift automates path from large buildings to net zero

    The young Baar-based cleantech company enshift offers owners of large commercial properties a complete digital solution for the path to net zero. According to a media release, it is designed to automate and simplify the entire transformation process towards local and renewable energies.

    Its toolset reportedly includes everything needed for design, contracting, financing, implementation and performance optimisation. It spans the life cycle of all currently available renewable energy technologies.

    “We have set our 2050 net-zero targets, but the path to get there is completely unclear for the construction and real estate sector,” founder and CEO Pierre Bi is quoted as saying. “We believe our solution can accelerate the transformation and increase energy retrofits in Europe by a factor of 3.” As a sign of its “strong will” to make a positive contribution to change, enshift offers free property and potential analyses to commercial building owners in Switzerland.

    Bi had already launched Aeris Cleantech. The company, which focuses on air purification, was acquired by iRobot, a North American specialist in cleaning robots, in November 2021.

    In the first stage of a seed financing round, Bis new company enshift raised 3.5 million Swiss francs. International investors such as Israel’s Sarona Ventures, Vevey VD-based OneCreation and, via Berlin-based Global Founders Capital, the founder of start-up accelerator Rocket Internet, Oliver Samwer, participated. Meanwhile, 20 engineers and developers reportedly work at enshift, while the first green energy projects are already entering the implementation phase.

  • Palanggenbach power plant celebrates opening

    Palanggenbach power plant celebrates opening

    The inauguration ceremony for the Palanggenbach power plant took place on 3 June. This means that the latest hydroelectric power plant in Uri is now officially open, around six months after commissioning, completed tests and some optimisation work, informs EWA-energieUri in a statement. The energy service provider realised the Palanggenbach power plant together with aventron AG, Korporation Uri and the municipality of Seedorf.

    “We can be proud of what we have realised with the Palanggenbach power plant,” Werner Jauch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kraftwerk Palanggenbach AG, is quoted in the statement from his speech at the inauguration. “With its annual production of 11.5 gigawatt hours of electricity, the Palanggenbach power plant will contribute to the security of supply in the future, and it will do so in a CO2-free, sustainable and renewable manner.” In addition, Jauch pointed out that over 85 per cent, or about 18 million Swiss francs, of the investment in the project benefited the canton of Uri in the form of contracts. Even during operation, the power plant generates “considerable contributions to the corporation of Uri, the canton of Uri and the municipality of Seedorf”.

    For the official inauguration, the doors of the power plant were open to the interested public. There was an exclusive opportunity to explore the 1.3-kilometre-long tunnel down to the water intake. The power station control centre and turbine were also open to the public.

  • Helvetica plans capital increase for the Helvetica Swiss Living Fund

    Helvetica plans capital increase for the Helvetica Swiss Living Fund

    The capital increase enables investors to invest in the residential fund with one of the highest distribution yields of all Swiss residential funds. The fund management considers this an extremely attractive window of opportunity to enter the undervalued Swiss residential market.

    Investments are made in the most attractive regions
    The HSL Fund invests in easily accessible regional economic centres with a rapidly growing population and good public transport connections. According to the latest study “Transaction Market Switzerland, Outlook 2023” by JLL, 46 per cent of the investors surveyed expect the best risk/return ratio in the residential sector to be in precisely these locations. The aim is to invest for the most part at attractive yields that improve the portfolio ratios. Priority acquisition criteria are properties with low rent ratios, ideally around 30 percent, and gross yields of over 4 percent. Helvetica’s large network ensures access to the best purchase opportunities.

    Market rents will rise sharply
    Record population growth, inflation and the strong demand for housing will inevitably lead to rising rents. Accordingly, the Helvetica Swiss Living Fund is ideally positioned for an increase in market rents thanks to its low rent levels. Thanks to the natural tenant fluctuation of around 15 percent per year, the existing rents can be successively adjusted to market rents and inflation. With a rent quantile of currently 39 percent, the level of rents is in the lowest price segment and thus ensures a very high payout capacity in the long term. Swiss residential real estate is thus very crisis-resistant and offers stable cash flow and long-term value appreciation.

    One of the highest-distributing residential funds
    Helvetica has repeatedly demonstrated that it can generate sustainable growth even in a difficult market environment. The Helvetica Swiss Living Fund grew by 63 percent in the 2022 financial year and, with a real estate portfolio of over CHF 818 million and 1,850 first-class flats, is one of the largest unlisted residential funds in Switzerland. For the 2022 business year, a distribution of CHF 3.45 per unit could be made, which represents an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year.

    Outlook
    For the 2023 financial year, the fund management aims to increase the distribution by a further 5 centimes compared to the previous year and is targeting CHF 3.50 per fund unit.