immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Stromverbrauch

  • Vaud plans electricity autonomy by 2035

    Vaud plans electricity autonomy by 2035

    The study presented by Isabelle Moret, Head of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage (DEIEP), shows encouraging results on the photovoltaic potential of the roofs and façades of Vaud cantonal buildings. In the presence of Pierre de Almeida, Director General of Real Estate and Heritage, and Camille Orthlieb, Head of Sustainable Construction at the DGIP, it became clear that the cantonal administration can achieve electrical autonomy by 2035 by producing the equivalent of 23 GWh of electricity annually.

    Comprehensive photovoltaic installation
    Since the early 2000s, almost 19,800 m² of solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the cantonal administration’s buildings. This area is to be increased to around 100,000 m² by 2035. All new buildings will be equipped with photovoltaic systems so that they produce as much or even more energy than they consume. At the same time, a building refurbishment programme aims to reduce electricity consumption by around 30 % through energy optimisation.

    Responsibility and leading by example
    Isabelle Moret emphasises the importance of these measures: “Thanks to the efforts of our teams for the massive expansion of photovoltaic systems, we should achieve electrical autonomy by 2035. The Vaudois state is thus demonstrating its responsibility towards the challenges of sustainability and serving as a role model for energy consumption in the property sector.”

    Financing and project coordination
    Over CHF 18 million will be made available for the implementation of this project in order to finance both the expansion of the solar installations and the reduction in electricity consumption. Implementation requires close collaboration between the Directorate-General for Property and Cultural Heritage (DGIP), the Department for the Preservation of Historical Monuments, the Directorate for Energy (DGE-DIREN) and the Directorate for Resources and Natural Heritage (DGE-DIRNA).

    Future prospects
    In addition to the cantonal administration, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) are also evaluating their photovoltaic potential in order to increase their energy independence. These measures emphasise the canton of Vaud’s commitment to driving forward the energy transition and achieving long-term sustainability goals.

  • Uster Technologies focusses on clean electricity

    Uster Technologies focusses on clean electricity

    Uster Technologies, a company specialising in textile quality control, only uses electricity from 100% renewable energy sources at its headquarters in Uster, according to a press release. The press release on LinkedIn also states that electricity consumption in the production facilities and offices has been falling since 2019 thanks to investments to increase energy efficiency and energy-saving measures by employees.

    “Our internal awareness campaign has led to a reduction in energy consumption. Employees are increasingly following the guidelines for saving energy at their workplace,” Daniel Schlegel, Logistics Manager at Uster Technologies in Switzerland, is quoted as saying. Schlegel also gives employees tips on how to save electricity by taking simple steps. For example, he recommends switching off the PC or laptop at the end of the day instead of leaving it in standby mode. More energy can also be saved by reducing screen brightness and ambient light.

    The awareness-raising campaign run by the company’s management is also looking at ways to save energy through intelligent lighting and heating. “We are on the right path to a more sustainable operation. We are measuring and analysing our energy consumption in order to learn from this and make further improvements,” Schlegel is quoted as saying.

    Uster Technologies only published a bulletin on sustainable management in the textile industry in November 2023. It is intended to provide practical tips and specific industry knowledge in all areas of the textile value chain. In particular, yarn manufacturers are to be informed about which recycled materials they can use in the production of their fibres.

  • Oiken and Studer Innotec develop virtual power plant

    Oiken and Studer Innotec develop virtual power plant

    According to a press release , the Valais energy supplier Oiken and Studer Innotec are launching an innovation project to utilise photovoltaic systems and battery storage for the general power supply through a virtual power plant. The aim is to make the best possible use of and optimise variable and unplanned electricity generation in private homes or neighbourhoods. The project, which is financially supported by The Ark Foundation, is being developed in collaboration with the Icare Institute in Sierre VS. The test phase will begin in 2024.

    The aim of the project is to bring together small energy producers with the combined output of a large power plant to create a virtual power plant (VPP), according to the press release from Oiken. The accelerated development of decentralised and unplanned energy generation from photovoltaic systems (PV systems) in “residential power plants” is fundamentally changing the management and control of the electricity grid.

    According to solar statistics, PV systems with a total capacity of 4.7 gigawatts were installed in 2022, producing 3.8 terawatt hours or 6.7 per cent of Switzerland’s electricity consumption. The proportion of solar energy generated already exceeds the proportion of other energy sources such as gas, hydropower or biomass during the day in summer.

    At a local level, such as single-family homes, the aim is to improve self-consumption and optimise the feeding of electricity back into the grid by making the best possible use of batteries. At the next level up, such as a neighbourhood, the project focuses on the development of intelligent energy management for several systems. At the level of the region or the DSO (distribution network operator), the aim is to evaluate and combine local flexible power generation using a VPP solution.

  • Trunz nimmt Solaranlage auf seinem Dach in Betrieb

    Trunz nimmt Solaranlage auf seinem Dach in Betrieb

    Die Trunz Holding AG hat am 18. Oktober ihre neue Solaranlage auf dem Dach des Trunz Technologie Centers in Steinach in Betrieb genommen. Ihre 2660 Photovoltaikmodule haben laut einer Mitteilung insgesamt eine Fläche von 8000 Quadratmetern. Die Module bestehen aus bifacialen Zellen und sind damit auch für die Stromproduktion bei diffusem Licht geeignet.

    Die Anlage hat eine Leistung von 1,1 Megawatt peak und soll pro Jahr 1,1 Millionen Kilowattstunden Strom erzeugen. Davon sind 750‘000 Kilowattstunden für den Eigenverbrauch vorgesehen. Das entspricht rund einem Drittel des Stromverbrauchs von Trunz in Steinach. Der übrige Strom wird in das Netz der Elektra Steinach eingespeist. Die Anlage wurde von Solar21 mit Sitz in Zürich installiert.

    An der Einweihung der Anlage haben auch die St.Galler FDP-Nationalrätin Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher und der Mitte-Ständerat Benedikt Würth teilgenommen.

  • Implenia acquires stake in Norwegian wind power producer

    Implenia acquires stake in Norwegian wind power producer

    Construction and real estate company Implenia has signed an investment and shareholder agreement with wind power producer WindWorks Jelsa, based in Jelsa in Norway. Implenia and NorSea each hold a 41 per cent stake in WindWorks Jelsa as minority shareholders, according to a media release.

    The aim of the agreement is to develop a state-of-the-art facility for the production and assembly of large concrete and steel structures for floating wind turbines in the lakeside village of Jelsa. In addition to a production and assembly area of 800,000 square metres, warehouses, workshops and specially developed launching facilities and heavy-duty quays are to be built by 2032. Implenia is to contribute its experience in site design and planning, strategy and market development.

    For Norway, wind energy generated on the high seas is of great importance as a future source of energy and as an export commodity. Wind power is also “expected to become the most important form of energy” throughout Europe. WindWorks Jelsa wants to build floating wind turbines with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt per year. This capacity can cover the annual electricity consumption of up to 4 million households.

    With its commitment, Implenia aims to become a major player in this fast-growing market. “Floating offshore wind farms are an interesting new area in which Implenia can profitably apply its many years of experience and extensive expertise,” Christian Späth, Head Division Civil Engineering at Implenia, is quoted as saying in the media release. Implenia has committed to making two small investment tranches in 2023 and 2024.

  • Warmer Winter senkt Stromverbrauch

    Warmer Winter senkt Stromverbrauch

    Die Schweiz hat 2022 insgesamt 61,3 Terawattstunden Strom benötigt, informiert das Bundesamt für Energie in einer Mitteilung. Nach Abzug von Übertragungs- und Wärmeverlusten ergibt sich ein Stromendverbrauch von 57,0 Terawattstunden. Im Jahresvergleich fiel der Stromendverbrauch damit um 1,9 Prozent oder 1,1 Terawattstunden geringer als 2021 aus.

    Zur Senkung des Stromverbrauchs hat vor allem der warme Winter 2022/23 beigetragen. Darüber hinaus wirkten auch Effizienzsteigerungen und Stromsparappelle verbrauchssenkend. Die positive Wirtschaftsentwicklung und eine leichte Steigerung der Bevölkerung wirkten hingegen verbrauchssteigernd.

    Die inländische Elektrizitätserzeugung belief sich 2022 auf 63,5 Terawattstunden gegenüber 64,2 Terawattstunden im Jahr zuvor. Nach Abzug des Verbrauchs der Speicherpumpen ergibt sich 2022 eine Nettoerzeugung von 57,9 Terawattstunden. Der Löwenanteil von 52,8 Prozent wurde dabei von den Wasserkraftanlagen geleistet. Kernkraftwerke trugen 36,4 Prozent, die konventionell-thermischen Kraftwerke und die Anlagen für Erneuerbare zusammen 10,8 Prozent bei.

    Den Importen von Strom im Umfang von 33,1 Terawattstunden standen im Berichtsjahr Exporte von 29,7 Terawattstunden gegenüber. Trotz des Importüberschusses von 3,4 Terawattstunden konnte im Stromhandel jedoch ein kleiner positiver Aussenhandelssaldo von 71 Millionen Franken verbucht werden.

  • Electricity tariffs 2023 also CKW must increase

    Electricity tariffs 2023 also CKW must increase

    In the past twelve months, global energy prices have risen massively. Electricity prices on the market have increased tenfold. In addition to the war in Ukraine, the main drivers are the after-effects of the corona pandemic and a lower availability of foreign power plants. These price increases lead to higher electricity procurement costs. In addition, there are also significantly higher costs for the national grid company Swissgrid for the transmission grid.

    As a result, CKW's energy and grid tariffs will increase in 2023, as will most energy suppliers in Switzerland. For a private customer with a medium power consumption, this results in an increase in the additional costs of around CHF 23 per month, for SMEs in the basic service with a medium power consumption they amount to around CHF 500 per month.

    The regulatory requirements require that both the company's own production and the procurement of electricity on the market are included in the price calculation. In times of rising market prices, this leads to higher tariffs. When market prices are low, this has a positive effect on electricity customers.

    The production of solar power is more worthwhile than ever
     On the other hand, the high prices are having a positive effect on solar power producers. Because the electricity fed into the grid is remunerated according to the SFOE reference market price, which is based on the market price. In the first half of 2022, this averaged 23.0 centimes per kilowatt hour. For comparison: two years earlier it was 3 centimes per kilowatt hour. The revenue from solar power has thus increased eightfold. An average 15 kWp solar system on the roof of a family home will generate an additional yield of over CHF 2,000 per year. The production of solar power is currently more worthwhile than ever.

    Current developments show how dependent Switzerland still is on other countries. The expansion of renewable energies is key to becoming more independent as a country.

    Tips for saving electricity
     With simple measures you can reduce your own electricity consumption and thus also the costs.• The generation of heat is one of the largest electricity consumers. It is therefore worth setting the heating correctly: in the living room to 20 degrees, in the bedroom to 16 degrees. You save 6 percent on heating costs for every degree lower in temperature.• Washing dishes in a full machine uses half as much energy as by hand.• Showering with water-saving attachments saves up to 50 percent water – and therefore also a lot of energy for hot water preparation.• Showering instead of bathing saves around 70 liters of water – or 65 centimes per shower.• Switching off the light when you don't need it is always worthwhile – even if it's only for a short time.• In Swiss households, around 10 percent of electricity is wasted, especially when it's not used through standby consumption. It is worth turning off devices such as TVs, game consoles, coffee machines, etc. when they are not in use. For example, with a socket strip that can be switched off.• Heating water in a kettle instead of in a pan uses about half as much energy.• Replacing conventional light bulbs or energy-saving lamps with LED lights can significantly reduce consumption.

    Source and other electricity saving tips www.ckw.ch/energiespartipps

  • Buildings should become power plants

    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.

  • 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.

  • Tenant platform shows data on electricity consumption

    Tenant platform shows data on electricity consumption

    The Basel company Allthings offers a digital platform for tenants, via which they can communicate with property management and roommates, for example. Allthings is now teaming up with the Bern-based company Blockstrom , according to a press release . A solution from Blockstrom for measuring energy consumption in real time will be integrated into the Allthings platform. This means that tenants can also use the platform to track their electricity consumption.

    "The interface between the two systems enables an overview of the consumption data in real time," explains David Gundlach, Product Manager at Allthings. “The cooperation with Blockstrom not only creates added value for the tenants, but also allows us to make a contribution to the very relevant topic of sustainability,” he adds.

    The joint solution of the two companies is initially being tested as part of a pilot project on the Schöngrün residential area in the canton of Solothurn. There, AXA has converted a former penal institution into a housing estate. The new building with 160 apartments places a high value on sustainability. District heating from the waste incineration plant is used for heating. A solar system on the roof also provides 200,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The apartments and shops on the site are supplied with solar power as part of an association for self-consumption (ZEV).