Zurich West Energy Center

About the project

The ERZ Zurich district heating network supplies more than 170,000 homes with hot water. Previously, there were two separate district heating networks, which are now being merged by a new energy center and a six-kilometer connecting pipeline.

ERZ Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich offers a compelling heating solution for heating, cooling, and hot water production in five supply areas. ERZ uses environmentally friendly primary energy sources, namely the waste heat from the two waste-to-energy plants in Hagenholz and Josefstrasse, and supplies the heat in the form of 90 to 120 °C hot water via a pipe network directly to the buildings. With the connecting pipeline and a new energy center, the district heating network is now to be prepared for further expansion in line with Zurich's energy targets.

With the dismantling of the Josefstrasse waste-to-energy plant and the construction of the connecting pipeline, energy production will be centralized at the two locations in Hagenholz and Aubrugg. At the end of 2021, the connecting pipeline will also link the two district heating networks ZH North and ZH West, enabling the new development of ZH Central along the connecting pipeline. Rey Technology was commissioned to plan and implement the control technology, including the manufacture and installation of the switchgear. Commissioning will take place in several stages. The new energy center on Josefstrasse will be converted and installed in the existing building during ongoing operations. Intensive and careful planning in close cooperation with the end customer is the key to success.

Advantages for the customer

• Centralized energy generation through the integration of the Hagenholz and Aubrugg waste-to-energy plants
• Increased supply security through redundant systems and modern control technology
• Optimized operational management through the use of Siemens SPPA-T3000 and SIMATIC S7-417-5H
• Scalability for future expansions and adjustments to the district heating network