Our Fraumünster lake heat network supplies Zurich’s Stadthaus and Bellevue buildings as well as other properties on Fraumünsterstrasse. In future, the ZKB headquarters and other properties on Paradeplatz/Bahnhofstrasse will be added. The Fraumünster church also benefits from the sustainably produced heating and cooling. Before the renovation, electric radiators behind the benches used large amounts of electricity. Hot water radiators now ensure comfortable temperatures. They obtain their heat from the installed heat pumps.
The lake water serves as an energy source for the heat pumps/cooling machines installed in the Fraumünsterpost energy centre, with a heating capacity of 1.2 MW and a cooling capacity of 800 kW. With the new pump platform in the lake basin installed in February 2022 and the simultaneous replacement of the existing pumps in the energy centre, we have laid the foundation for connecting further buildings: The capacity of the Fraumünster network was almost doubled.
Where is a connection possible?
All properties within the network area can be connected to the network. Building-specific information about the energy network can be found here (in German).
Connection is voluntary and gives you the advantage of heating your property sustainably and using local energy, thus already meeting the requirements of future energy legislation.
Your property will be connected to the district heating pipeline for heating and cooling. This primary circuit feeds the energy into your building, where it is prepared for use in the building in the transfer station. ewz takes care of all the work for you up to and including the transfer station. From there, the energy is in your hands. You are responsible for the further use/supply to the property.
Subsidies for collaborative projects
If you switch your heating to a district heating connection, you can apply for subsidies. The application must be submitted no more than two years before the measures are taken and must be submitted before the conversion of the in-house heating system. You can find further information and submit an application here (in German).
- Planning, implementation, financing
- Heating and cooling solution with lake water as a sustainable energy source
- Operation of the energy systems
- 3.6 GWh of heat required per year
- 2.4 GWh of cooling required per year
- 0.6 GWh free cooling per year
- 85% carbon-free
- 700 tonnes of CO₂ saved per year
By connecting to an energy network, you benefit from environmentally friendly heating and cooling produced from renewable energy and no longer need to worry about procuring and operating heating and air conditioning.
We lay a supply line into your property/properties for a one-off fee and with no further obligation. Our energy supply does not begin until the time of your choosing. For example, if you need a replacement heating system.
If properties require a replacement heating system before being connected, we offer an interim solution starting from a connected load of 100 kW.
No risk for you: we take on the investments and bear financial and technical responsibility. You pay only for the volume of energy purchased and the output power. The costs of planning, construction and operation are borne by us.
The supply to your property/properties is monitored around the clock. Any faults are taken care of at no further cost to you.
Together with us, you will contribute to the sustainable development of lakeside Zurich and bring the city one huge step closer to achieving its 2000-watt goals. By connecting your property/properties, you are investing in climate protection and are now already meeting future energy policy requirements.
