Municipal heat planning in Volketswil

The Paris Agreement envisages a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The federal government's Energy Perspectives 2050+ also pursue this goal. This target can only be achieved with a renewable and efficient energy supply. According to the revised Energy Act of the Canton of Zurich, fossil fuels may only be used in special cases. This sets the course towards fossil-free heat generation.

With reference to its climate policy objectives and as a result of its "Energy City" process, the municipality of Volketswil is having its municipal energy planning revised. The challenge here is that ultimately all buildings in the municipal area are to be supplied with renewable energies and that their potential and utilisation possibilities are limited at the same time.

To tackle this challenging task, TEP Energy used its in-house Spatial Energy Analysis Toolbox (SEAT) and the Building Stock Model (BSM). Among other things, REAT was used to analyse the possible uses of air/water heat pumps, taking noise protection into account. The demand-side potential for thermal networks was also evaluated as a function of their economic efficiency - an aspect of particular importance in a municipality like Volketswil with a mix of commercial zones and residential neighbourhoods with many apartment blocks.

Restrictions on decentralised systems, such as the large groundwater area, which limits the use of geothermal probes, must also be considered. It must also be taken into account that wood and biogas are only available in limited quantities in Switzerland and that these valuable resources should be used specifically for other purposes.

TEP Energy discussed these aspects with the energy commission, the political authority and the school board of the municipality of Volketswil. In May 2025, the municipal energy plan for the municipality of Volketswil was approved by the canton of Zurich. The project map and the detailed explanatory report by TEP Energy have been published by the municipality. The project results are now being implemented on an ongoing basis, with the focus on implementing the new heating centre and developing the interconnected areas.

Project duration2023 - 2025
Contact at TEP EnergyMarc Melliger
Contracting PartyMunicipality of Volketswil
Project reportReport

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