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The cycle of energy

At the heart of V-ZUG lies ZUGgate, the home of the Multi Energy Hub, a collaboration between Tech Cluster Zug AG and WWZ AG. This state-of-the-art energy system integrates renewable sources such as photovoltaics, groundwater and lake water with process heat from local operations and promises a CO₂-neutral future for the site and the neighbourhood. 

Where is the heart of our main site in Zug? It’s in “ZUGgate”. After all, that is where the Multi Energy Hub is located. This is a joint venture of Tech Cluster Zug AG and the local energy supplier WWZ AG. The independent and intelligently controlled energy system supplies our site and the surrounding neighbourhood with renewable energy from photovoltaics, groundwater and lake water as well as process heat from our operations and neighbouring companies. “The integration of both companies and households in a CO₂-neutral energy network is unique in Switzerland,” says Carina Heuberger, our Director of Production Planning. In her previous role as Director of Lean and Operations Development, she saw how the heating and cooling plant was installed in our high-bay warehouse in 2021. “And that was during ongoing production, which was a challenge”, as Peter Grossenbacher, Director of Infrastructure at V-ZUG, also recalls.

A pioneering project and a venture

There was also no lack of challenges in 2023. On the one hand, the negotiations for energy contracts were rather protracted. “With such a complex undertaking with so many players, this is normal and we are satisfied with the outcome,” notes Grossenbacher. On the other hand, the construction of the logistics tunnel was delayed, which meant that the “Mistral” and “Zephyr Hangar” buildings could not yet be connected to the Multi Energy Hub. This led to a continued need for natural gas in the reporting year, as well as a somewhat more modest emissions reduction than had been hoped. The Multi Energy Hub is a pioneering project – and a venture. Our initial investments alone amount to almost CHF 5 million. However, Grossenbacher and Heuberger are in agreement: when all buildings, including the new office building “Zephyr West”, are supplied with energy by the Multi Energy Hub in 2027, this will lead to a massive reduction in CO₂. “That’s when we will finally see the full power of the Multi Energy Hub!” Heuberger says. Moreover: “The Multi Energy Hub is a powerful statement for our production site in Zug,” says Grossenbacher with conviction.

Overview of the energy system

1 Lake Zug

"Circulago" is a network that has been running under the city of Zug since 2020, which uses cold water from Lake Zug to heat and cool the buildings and factories of the city, including the V-ZUG headquarters. According to estimates, 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ are saved each year thanks to Circulago.

2 Groundwater

The waste heat from V-ZUG’s production processes is fed into and stored in a water basin 140 metres beneath the city of Zug. In winter, the heat is pumped back into the V-ZUG buildings in an entirely emissions-free process.

3 Energy plant

The energy plant embedded in the “ZUGgate” logistics building is the heart of the Multi Energy Hub. It connects the district with Circulago and the groundwater via a system with three heat and cold accumulators, which regulate the warmth and cooling directed to the different buildings.

4 Waste heat from industrial processes

To keep energy waste as low as possible, some of the waste heat from V-ZUG’s production processes is returned directly to the upstream system instead of the energy plant. This provides a further boost to the self-sufficiency of the site.

5 Waste heat from local companies

A local bakery sends the waste heat from its ovens directly to the V-ZUG network. Households and companies from the local area will soon also have the possibility to buy and sell energy through the Multi Energy Hub.

6 Photovoltaic system

Solar energy is generated using the photovoltaic system on the roofs and façades of the buildings and used for the energy supply of the networked buildings and for e-mobility.

7 Mobility Hub

The Mobility Hub parking garage is located just outside of the centre of Tech Cluster Zug, providing parking facilities for the employees of V-ZUG as well as local residents. The charging stations available here for electric vehicles are powered by energy from the Multi Energy Hub.

Download our sustainability report

Information concerning the measurable aspects of our activities can be found in the detailed report.