Farewell to an energy price with a signal effect for the future
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy is awarding the Watt d'Or energy prize for the last time to recognise outstanding achievements in the energy sector. The winners include Rigitrac Traktorenbau AG, gas supplier Gaznat, endigo Holding AG, the building cooperative mehr als wohnen, Lemon Consult and the Low-Tech Lab.
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy is awarding the non-monetary Swiss Energy Prize Watt d’Or for the 19th and last time. The aim is to raise awareness of exceptional achievements in the energy sector and the advantages of innovative energy technologies. According to a press release, winners in the categories of energy technologies, renewable energies, energy-efficient mobility, and buildings and space will be honoured at the award ceremony.
The Rigitrac SKE 40 e-direct electric tractor, which is ready for series production and has European type approval, impressed in the energy-efficient mobility category. Rigitrac Traktorenbau AGfrom Küssnacht am Rigi SZ developed the vehicle specifically for work where exhaust fumes and noise are undesirable, such as maintenance work for municipal utilities, in vegetable tunnels or at indoor sporting events.
The winner in the energy technologies category is the Innovation Lab from Gaznatin Aigle VD, which is working with researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and start-ups to bring technologies for sector coupling, decarbonisation and seasonal storage to market maturity. The project is based on the GreenGas concept, which combines combined heat and power, photovoltaics, electrolysis, hydrogen storage, CO2 capture, methanisation and Gaznat’s gas network in Aigle.
An alpine façade solar power system from endigo Holding AGin Fiesch VS secured victory in the renewable energies category. The lightweight timber construction with a slatted façade, which is installed in Fiesch, represents the values of the endigo group of companies: close to nature, future-oriented, system-oriented and technically competent.
In the buildings and space category, the jury selected the Hobelwerk site in Oberwinterthur, which was developed by the building cooperative mehr als wohnen,Lemon Consult AG and Low-Tech Lab, all from Zurich. The partners created an energy-efficient, sustainable and socially well-thought-out residential and commercial quarter that will serve as a model for non-profit housing construction in Switzerland in the future.
A total of 55 entries were submitted for the Watt d’Or, with 17 entries nominated for the final round.