immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Umweltfreundlichkeit

  • Climate fund Stadtwerk Winterthur awards grants

    Climate fund Stadtwerk Winterthur awards grants

    The Stadtwerk Winterthur climate fund is awarding 70,000 Swiss francs for environmentally friendly projects this year, according to a press release. The climate fund has been supporting climate protection, energy efficiency and CO2 reduction projects since 2007.

    Next Gas GmbH, based in Kloten, will receive a sum of 30,000 Swiss francs. It develops biogas reactors for small and medium-sized farms. This utilises the potential of liquid manure to generate decentralised heat and electricity. The funding will be channelled into a pilot project in which Next Gas’s fermentation process will be tested during ongoing operations.

    A pilot project organised by the Soily association will be supported with CHF 20,000. Here, a special compost with an ideal mixture of microorganisms is being tested on farms in the Winterthur region. A test field of 50 square metres will initially be set up for this purpose.

    SimpleTrain GmbH, based in Wallisellen, offers an online platform for international train journeys. The expanded platform will also enable bookings for routes that were previously not connected. With the support of Klimafonds Stadtwerk Winterthur, specific routes such as the one from Winterthur to Barcelona via Lyon will be offered. SimpleTrain is also receiving support totalling CHF 20,000 for the project.

    The fund is financed in part by voluntary contributions from electricity customers amounting to 2 centimes per kilowatt hour consumed. For an average household of four, this amounts to CHF 8 per month, according to the press release.

  • New initiatives for sustainable digitalisation and the economy

    New initiatives for sustainable digitalisation and the economy

    The SMG Swiss Marketplace Group has presented a new sustainability manifesto. According to a press release, the company intends to use the document to emphasise its commitment to sustainable business practices. The manifesto contains four central pillars that are intended to describe SMG’s future framework for action.

    These include integrity through good corporate governance and transparency, protecting the digital future through advanced cybersecurity and data protection, empowering employees by promoting an inclusive working environment and positive engagement through environmental and social initiatives.

    As part of its new sustainability strategy, SMG is committed to various initiatives, such as promoting electromobility, reducing carbon emissions in various business areas and improving energy efficiency in its data centres.

    The company sees its online marketplace Ricardo as an important example. “For 25 years, Ricardo has offered a real alternative for responsible consumption,” said Christoph Tonini, CEO of SMG, in the press release. “Thanks to its circular economy approach, which promotes the reuse of products, Ricardo is a key driver of sustainable consumer behaviour in Switzerland. Sustainability has been part of our DNA since the beginning and we are determined to extend this approach to our entire group.”

    The SMG Swiss Marketplace Group brings together the digital marketplaces of TX Group, Ringier and Mobiliar. These focus on property, automotive and finance, among others.

  • Switzerland’s first low-pressure turbine commissioned in Martigny-Bourg

    Switzerland’s first low-pressure turbine commissioned in Martigny-Bourg

    The Forces Motrices de Martigny-Bourg (FMMB) have commissioned Switzerland’s first low-pressure turbine. As Alpiq writes in a press release, 850,000 kilowatt hours of electricity can now be generated per year in the underwater channel of the river power plant on the Dranse. The power plant’s current three production units generate 89 million kilowatt hours per year.

    Depending on the flow rate, the low-pressure turbine can turbine between 1.25 and 10.2 cubic metres of water per second. It is designed for a head of up to 2.5 metres. It has no additional impact on the environment and does not affect existing electricity production. “The installation of this new low-pressure turbine makes it possible to make the best possible use of the available water resources while at the same time being considerate of the environment,” said power plant manager Georges-Alain Zuber in the press release.

    Planning for the plant began in 2011. It is being subsidised with funds from the cost-covering feed-in remuneration.

    The power plant was built in 1908 as an electricity generator for Electro-Chimie de Paris. Today, the municipalities of Bovernier with 23.04 per cent, Sembrancher with 18.72 per cent, Martigny with 17.22 per cent, Martigny-Combe with 15.58 per cent and Vollèges with 1.64 per cent as well as Alpiq with 18 per cent and the Valais energy supplier FMV with 5.8 per cent have a stake in FMMB.

  • Zurich’s dynamic step into the circular economy

    Zurich’s dynamic step into the circular economy

    The implementation of “Circular Zurich” began in early February with the presentation of a detailed agenda that is specifically tailored to the needs of the city administration. However, the strategy also offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) numerous starting points. By adapting individual measures, SMEs can not only act in a more environmentally friendly way, but also benefit financially in the long term.

    Steps for implementation in SMEs
    One fundamental aspect of the circular economy is the efficient recycling and separation of recyclable materials. Sara Graf, project manager at Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich (ERZ), emphasises the importance and simplicity of this measure for companies: recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, PET bottles, glass and aluminium cans can often be recycled free of charge, which leads directly to savings in disposal costs. But recycling is just the beginning.

    Minimising material consumption and optimising processes
    Sonja Gehrig, who heads up the city-wide coordination of “Circular Zurich”, points out that it is important to think beyond the boundaries of the company. Analysing one’s own material consumption and optimising production processes are crucial steps. Ecologically sustainable product design that promotes the reparability and durability of products can not only save companies money, but also lead to new business models such as product hire.

    Extending consumption and use phases
    The final step involves maximising product lifetimes through strategies of sharing, reusing, repairing and remanufacturing. This not only allows products to be used for longer, but also helps to conserve resources. Second-hand platforms and company initiatives that internalise the circular economy are playing an increasingly important role in the circular economy.

    The city as an innovation laboratory
    Zurich sees itself as a testing ground for new, circular ideas and products. City experts are ready to support companies that are striving for innovative solutions. This proactive approach not only strengthens the city’s infrastructure, but also promotes the widespread adoption of circular economy principles.

    With “Circular Zurich”, the city of Zurich is positioning itself as a pioneer in the circular economy, demonstrating how a sustainable transformation can be realised in urban areas through concrete measures and cooperative approaches.

  • Wood City – a milestone for the cities of the future with wood

    Wood City – a milestone for the cities of the future with wood

    The renaissance of timber construction as a symbol of ecological building
    The decision to use wood as the primary building material is at the centre of Stockholm Wood City. This step reflects the growing awareness of environmentally friendly construction methods and emphasises the many advantages of timber constructions. In addition to enhancing the aesthetics of the urban space, timber buildings help to improve air quality, promote well-being, increase labour productivity and act as a natural carbon sink.

    “Stockholm Wood City is a manifesto of our vision for the future,” explains Annica Ånäs, CEO of Atrium Ljungberg. “The project not only marks a significant step forward for our company, but also sets a historic milestone for Sweden’s innovative strength.”

    Innovation and sustainability as guiding principles
    Stockholm Wood City goes beyond the mere use of wood as a building material and takes a holistic approach to sustainability. The project integrates advanced technologies to increase energy efficiency and promotes the careful use of resources through the self-production and shared use of energy as well as the use of resource-efficient construction techniques.

    As a flagship project for future-orientated urban development, Stockholm Wood City will not only enrich the cityscape of Stockholm, but will also provide significant impetus for the construction industry worldwide. With its fusion of innovation, sustainability and community spirit, it offers an inspiring blueprint for the design of future urban living spaces.

  • Successful spatial development in the canton of Neuchâtel

    Successful spatial development in the canton of Neuchâtel

    The latest data shows that the canton of Neuchâtel has experienced positive development in various areas of spatial planning. Population growth has stabilised and the number of jobs has risen steadily, indicating robust economic strength. The active involvement of the municipalities in revising their development plans to meet the requirements of the Federal Spatial Planning Act and the cantonal master plan is particularly noteworthy. By the end of 2023, 16 out of 27 municipalities had already submitted their revision files, a step that underlines the consistent adaptation to the prescribed density requirements and the reduction of underutilised building zones.

    One notable aspect of the report is the progressive densification of economic zones, which leads to a more efficient use of available land without compromising the quality of life. Exemplary neighbourhoods illustrate the potential to combine densification with a high quality of life. The availability and quality of public transport has also improved, which supports the canton’s Mobility Strategy 2030. The introduction of new parking regulations and the promotion of soft mobility are further steps towards reducing private transport and promoting more environmentally friendly modes of transport.

    These developments are particularly important for property experts, as they influence the framework conditions for investments and the development of new projects. Strategic densification and the promotion of sustainable mobility concepts offer new opportunities for the development of future-oriented property projects. In addition, measures to protect agricultural land and reduce energy consumption contribute to more sustainable development, which can increase the value of property in the long term.

    In conclusion, the report notes that despite the encouraging developments, challenges remain, particularly with regard to the ageing population and the need to develop adapted forms of housing. The ongoing revision of local development plans and the focus on sustainable neighbourhoods and high-quality public spaces will be key issues in future spatial planning. For property management professionals, this report provides a sound basis for strategic decision-making and underlines the importance of forward-looking planning in the dynamic landscape of the property market.

  • Long-term cost benefits and environmental friendliness of heat pumps

    Long-term cost benefits and environmental friendliness of heat pumps

    The decision to replace or renew a heating system is a long-term investment. Many consumers focus mainly on the initial installation costs, but often neglect to calculate the total costs over the life cycle of the heating system. In a new study, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have analysed the costs of various heating technologies in existing residential buildings over a period of 20 years. They took into account future energy prices and the development of CO2 prices. Their conclusion: heat pumps and district heating are not only more climate-friendly, but also cheaper than gas heating in the long term.

    The study focused on existing residential buildings and took into account the subsidies that came into force on 1 January 2024 as part of the Building Energy Act (GEG) and the funding guideline “Federal funding for efficient individual building measures”. The researchers assessed the costs of replacing heating systems and analysed the emissions of various technologies.

    “When investing in a new heating system, all expected costs, in particular the energy costs including the CO2 price component, should be taken into account over the entire life cycle,” explains Robert Meyer from Fraunhofer ISE. According to the study, switching to heat pumps or district heating also results in a positive cost balance for old buildings.

    The study showed that heat pumps in single-family homes are not only more environmentally friendly, but also more economically advantageous. The use of photovoltaics for self-consumption can further reduce overall costs. Even in apartment blocks, switching to heat pumps or district heating is more cost-effective than a new gas heating system.

    The study included various heating technologies such as gas condensing boilers, air source heat pumps (with and without photovoltaic systems), geothermal heat pumps, pellet heating systems and district heating. The researchers recommend providing consumers with transparent information on expected emissions and energy prices, including CO2 prices, to facilitate decision-making.

  • Smartwindows receives eco1 certificate

    Smartwindows receives eco1 certificate

    The window manufacturer smartwindows, based in the St.GallenBodenseeArea, has been awarded the eco1 certificate for its classico PVC window. According to a press release, it is the first and so far only window in the country to receive this certification. According to the press release, the vinyl window is the result of the company’s efforts to plan and build in a particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

    The advantages of the smartwindows-classico include its high proportion of 70 per cent recycled materials. Furthermore, the raw material is reused up to eight times. The window fulfils the high requirements of ecobau and Minergie-Eco and meets the first priority of ecoBKP and ecoDevis. According to the press release, the installation of the classico PVC-U window should contribute to sustainably designed, well thought-out buildings that are of better quality and have a long service life. The result is rooms with a healthy indoor climate, less CO2, grey energy and pollutant emissions. Windows play a key role in this, according to the press release.