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EZS Group Annual Report 2021
2021 was a very dynamic year for «Energie Zukunft Schweiz AG» (EZS) and its subsidiaries. Our growth in Switzerland is accelerating and our internationalization has become more concrete. 47 new employees, a new office in Milano and the founding of a subsidiary in Timișoara, Romania, as well as the first projects in Spain and Germany bear witness to this. Our impact on the energy transition is thus growing continuously.
Highlights 2021
impact
This year we were able to contribute to reducing CO₂ in all our areas of activity: consulting, project development, trade, public funding and know-how transfer; expanding the production of renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency.
GROWTH
With 47 new employees and a similar number in projected for 2022, we will soon be 150 «Energiewende» (energy transition) makers who are working on energy projects as part of the EZS Group. In addition to Switzerland we are also active in Italy and more recently in Spain and Romania.
RESpONSIBILITY
Our projects, our daily work, are our most impactful commitment to the environment. We also put renewable energies and energy efficiency into practice in our own offices, and we are committed to creating jobs and diversity at EZS.
FUTURE
The energy transition and climate protection are global projects. Our striving to advance the energy transition inevitably leads to the internationalization of our activities.
EZS GROUP 2021
Driving the energy transition
impact FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Our mission is clear: «We are enthusiastic energy transition makers. What counts for us is the effect, the impact.» 2021 has been another year during which we were able to promote the transition to renewable energies and the increase in energy efficiency. All our areas of activity have been involved: consulting, project development, trade and public funding. We have also passed on our know-how on many occasions in order to raise the awareness in the general public for these issues.
A successful energy transition requires a holistic implementation. Once again in 2021 Energie Zukunft Schweiz (EZS) supported energy supply companies, real estate owners, municipalities, the public sector and private individuals with a great deal of enthusiasm and expertise in implementing measures to save CO₂, switch to renewable electricity and reduce electricity consumption.
Image: A selection of what the EZS Group have achieved in 2021.
CONSULTING
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
1,500 real estate properties
analyzed with a total photovoltaic capacity of 15,700 kWp
- EZS analyzed more than 1,500 properties for their suitability for photovoltaics (PV) for major real estate customers. These days we also accompany the execution of many projects.
- Our energy specialists were able to show 275 private property owners how to get substantial energy savings. We were able to help many of them to implement these measures.
- We were also able to initiate building renovations and promote the expansion of solar power for a large number of properties owned by municipalities.
The real estate sector is a vital driver in the expansion of solar power, and property analysis is an important step in order to exploit the existing potential.
REDUCTION OF CO₂-EMISSIONS
83 heating system comparisons
made it possible to save 5,600 t of CO₂ per year
- With the analysis of 128 properties, our experts demonstrated additional savings of 5’800 tons of CO₂ per year.
- 83 comparisons of heating systems showed how to safe 5,600 tons of CO₂ per year. We accompany the implementation of many of these projects.
Sustainable heat supply in buildings is an important milestone on the way to complete decarbonization. Our unbiased studies show how the value of real estate can be increased with such a sustainable heat supply.
PROJEct development
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
Development of 20 solar power plants for
175,000 households
- Our subsidiary Sunwin Energy srl is developing a project pipeline in Italy with green field and floating solar power plants with a total capacity of 460 MWp, which can cover the needs of 175,000 households.
Fortunately, the share of renewable energies in electricity production is constantly growing. With our subsidiary Sunwin Energy srl EZS is committed to the expansion of renewable energies beyond the Swiss borders. With the expansion of renewable energy production we are reducing our dependence on fossil energy from abroad. In addition solar power plants in the south of Europe are an effective measure for the security of supply in Switzerland in winter.
REDUCTION OF CO₂-EMISSIONS
Savings secured of
3,250 tons of CO₂ per year
- The construction of the Lehenmatt Birs heating network in Basel, which was developed and partially implemented by EZS has begun. Purchase agreements have already been signed with 33 major customers.
- With feasibility studies for four more heating networks, we were able to show how 151 properties can save 5,800 tons of CO₂ per year.
- Our LORALARM measuring device for monitoring solar thermal systems received the IoT Climate Award. With the further development of monitoring systems for heat pumps, we continue to innovate in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency.
Thanks to the development of solutions for entire districts and the operational optimization of renewable alternatives we are approaching long-term independence from fossil energies in an impact-oriented manner.
TRADE
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
225,000 households
supplied with renewable electricity
- Utility companies have traded large quantities of guarantees of origin for renewable electricity on our green electricity exchange platform. Additionally we directly mediated guarantees of origins from hydropower and PV. The trading volume of the green electricity exchange platform was around 990 GWh in 2021.
With the green electricity exchange platform, open to all energy suppliers and producers, EZS contributes to price transparency in the Swiss market for guarantees of origin.
REDUCTION OF CO₂-EMISSIONS
72,000 tons of CO₂
savings made possible by replacing natural gas
- In order to support the decarbonization of the gas supply, we are constantly investigating renewable alternatives and trading in biogas. In 2021, the delivered volume was 400 GWh of biogas.
- Also in 2021 we were able to get three biogas plants in England certified with the Swiss «naturemade star» quality label for the first time. This ensures long-term, high-quality biogas supplies.
EZS is internationally active in order to make innovative technologies and high-quality biogas available for Swiss energy supply companies.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
POWER EFFICIENCY
1,000 funded projects
with a projected saving of 150 GWh of electricity, plus their respective energy costs
- Our funding programs for electricity efficiency have made countless energy efficiency projects more profitable.
- With the OPTI-CARE funding program launched in 2021 we are now also promoting efficiency measures in hospitals and care facilities.
Due to the comprehensive range of subsidies in the field of electricity efficiency EZS helps to make large projects possible.
REDUCTION OF CO₂-EMISSIONS
603 approved applications
contribute to saving 15,600 t of CO₂ per year
- The «Klimaprämie» (climate bonus) subsidy program for renewable heating was continued and expanded. Heat pumps can now also be funded. In 2021 a total of 603 applications for the renewable replacement of fossil heating systems were approved.
EZS makes the switch from fossil to sustainable heating systems financially much more attractive and thus further accelerates the energy transition in Switzerland.
transfer of Know-how
8,500 persons
informed about energy issues
- With our education and visitor platform «Linie-e» we were able to reach many people in 2021 and provide information about energy topics, despite the difficult circumstances during the pandemic. Thanks to our safety concept around 4,600 visitors were able to once more gain valuable insights into various energy and drinking water facilities in the second half of the year.
- At a total of 12 information events in municipalities we informed 1,500 participants in detail about concrete options for action.
- In order to tackle the energy transition in a sustainable manner EZS is already targeting the next generation: With our flexible teaching modules we thaught around 2,400 students the importance of energy in classrooms as well as online.
- With two studies «Suitability of Infrastructure Systems for Photovoltaics» and «Heat Pumps in Difficult Installation Situations», we were able to show innovative solutions.
- We supported 42 owners of electric vehicles in their efforts to initiate the topic of e-mobility with their landlords.
- In order to optimally understand and control the energy management in buildings, we have generated around 184 million data points from measurement and control systems in 10 pilot plants.
In order to successfully advance with the energy transition, imparting the relevant know-how is vital. EZS therefore imparts energy knowledge to as many people and institutions as possible and motivates them to act.
Developing as EZS Group
EMPLOYEE GROWTH AND INTERNATIONALIZATION
New people
In 2021 47 new «energy transition makers» joined the EZS Group. There are now more than 100 people working in the Group.
47 new makers
committed to the energy transition in our company in 2021
Image: Some of our employees met in September 2021 at the Team Days in Emmetten.
The takeover of the Broenner AG team in Neuenkirch, Lucerne was very successful: we were able to significantly expand our competencies in areas such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration planning, as well as process heat technology. Additionally we now have a location in Central Switzerland.
New countries
It is an important concern of EZS to take our energy transition know-how to other countries. Nine of the 47 new employees work at international locations: In Madrid, Spain, in Freiburg iB, Germany, in Milano, Italy and in Timișoara, Romania.
Image: Energie Zukunft Schweiz AG and its Sunwin Energy subsidiaries now have locations in Switzerland (Basel, Lausanne, Neuenkirch and Zurich), Italy (Bozen, Florence, Milano), Romania (Timișoara) and Spain (Barcelona, Madrid). There are also first projects in Denmark, Hungary and the UK.
Taking responsibility
Corporate social responsibility
Our commitment to the environment
Our most important and effective commitment to the environment is our actual business:
- We develop projects such as solar power plants or heating networks using renewable energies. We also develop concrete products and services that act as catalysts for the energy transition. Examples are the green electricity exchange and the LORALARM monitoring system.
- We help utility companies produce, procure and market green energy.
- We advise property owners in regards to the generation or procurement of solar power, the use of renewable heat and increasing energy efficiency by building insulation or using intelligent controls. We also promote a climate-friendly mobility and provide advice in regards to charging stations and charging management for e-vehicles.
- With funding programs and our expertise we make the energy transition economical. Renewable energies are gradually becoming the first choice. Increases in efficiency pay off in many ways.
- We provide information about the opportunities of the energy transition and make concrete examples tangible - at events in municipalities, at energy plants, in the classroom and online.
All of our projects ultimately aim to reduce CO₂ emissions, increase the use of renewable energies and improve energy efficiency.
EZS as a consumer
How do we deal with resources at EZS itself? – The three most relevant areas for our own energy and resource needs are electricity, heat and mobility for our employees’ commutes.
- EZS buys 100% renewable electricity. The intelligent lighting controls in our offices and teh use of efficient devices guarantee that we consume as little electricity as possible.
- All of our offices are heated with renewable heat. In Basel, for example, we heat with district heating, in Neuenkirch with a heat pump and in Zurich with 100% biogas.
- Our large locations are deliberately chosen to be central and close to the train station. Employees as well as customers can travel comfortably and efficiently by public transport or by bike. We also normally take public transport to get to our customer appointments. The flexibility of our way of working in terms of time and location reduces commuter traffic .
We are also aware that we influence the consumption of resources and energy when purchasing products and services. Our procurement guidelines contain an ethical and ecological framework that we adhere to.
Our commitment to society
As a medium-sized company, we are aware of our social responsibility and take it seriously:
- Job creation: In 2021 we created a total of 47 new jobs in Europe, 38 of them in Switzerland. Increasingly we will create more jobs in countries with higher unemployment, like Romania.
- Training: We train apprentices, we employ graduates and train our employees on an ongoing basis.
- Ethical and ecological behavior: We have developed a set of rules for business ethics, our Code of Conduct. When selecting our suppliers we adhere to our procurement guidelines, which contain ethical and ecological criteria.
- Flexible working models: Our employees can work flexibly in terms of time and location. This simplifies the compatibility of private and professional life. Also part-time work is much more the rule than the exception for us.
- Diversity: With a proportion of over 30% female employees we are already above the industry average. People of many different nationalities and ages work for us. We consistently pursue the goal of the greatest possible diversity, including with regard to women in management positions.
Image: Many of our employees' children visited us on «Future Day» in November. Are they the future energy transition makers? Ultimately, the goal of all our work at EZS is to preserve our world for future generations.
Thinking about the future
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Energy transition as a global project
Vision of the EZS Group
«We are a leading force on the way to a completely renewable energy world.»
EZS is helping to implement the energy transition quickly and efficiently. The global climate knows no national borders energy transition and climate protection are global projects. Our striving to advance the energy transition inevitably leads to the internationalization of our activities.
These are the business ideas we will be taking to other countries in the coming years:
- Consulting and support for national and international real estate investors on their way to a CO₂-neutral portfolio. The focus is on solar power for self-consumption, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and processes and renewable heating/cooling systems.
- Development of ground-mounted solar power systems in the Mediterranean countries with a focus on Italy and Spain.
- Development of biogas projects in Europe.
Our further growth in Switzerland has more of an organic character. The focus is on strengthening and further developing our services for energy suppliers, institutions, the public sector, companies and private individuals.
As a consequence, we will create 500 new jobs across Europe by 2026!
International projection of the EZS Group
Number of employees in the respective countries
Image: Development of the EZS Group, projection of the number of employees in the respective countries from today's perspective. We would like to take our know-how to other countries and promote the energy transition there. It is foreseeable that further countries will be added in 2022.