Sustainability
The Swiss Life Arena is a showcase for energy efficiency. Its large cooling machines are at the centre of an energy concept focused on local, climate-friendly resources. Thanks to its incorporation into the Altstetten and Höngg energy association, the Arena helps to supply around 30,000 households with environmentally friendly heat. The Swiss Life Arena has been awarded the Minergie certificate for its outstanding characteristics in terms of energy efficiency, comfort and climate protection.
Since autumn 2022, the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich Altstetten has been a pilgrimage for ice hockey fans. The company ewz supplies the energy for ensuring that the ice is kept cool, thus remaining in perfect condition. Cooling machines weighing up to four tonnes were delivered to the construction site in Zurich Altstetten on 28 May.
Production of cold and heat from a single source
The Swiss Life Arena energy concept was developed based on the objectives of the “2000-Watt society” approved by the voters of the City of Zurich at the ballot box in 2008. “We have drawn on our many years of experience in the planning, implementation and technical operation of arenas such as the Hallstadion Zurich, the Swisspor Arena in Lucerne and the Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne”, says Christoph Deiss, Head of Energy Solutions at ewz.
The arena's energy unit produces the energy needed to keep the ice rink cool, also operating the medium for dehumidifying the indoor air and the stadium’s air conditioning system. At the same time, the resulting waste heat is exploited by heat pumps to heat rooms as well as the water used by showers. “We have chosen an energy concept for ewz that ensures environmental sustainability. We were particularly impressed by the innovative approach to exploiting synergies – not least from a financial perspective”, comments Peter Zahner, CEO of ZSC Lions.
[Translate to Englisch:] Ende Mai wurden die grossen Kältemaschinen geliefert.
Climate-friendly heat and cold for the Altstetten and Höngg districts
The exploitation of “anergy” as well as the connection to the district heating and cooling network resulted in numerous synergies between the supply of environmentally-friendly heat and cold to the Arena and to customers of the Altstetten and Höngg energy association. This intelligent networking exploits various sources of energy, enabling the environmentally-friendly production of heat within the energy association.
In 2035, around 30,000 households in the Altstetten and Höngg districts will be supplied with heat. The energy association is already sourcing energy from purified waste water as well as the waste heat from the sewage sludge combustion unit at the Werdhölzli waste water treatment plant. The new Arena – which was built by HRS Real Estate Ltd. for the owner ZSC Lions Arena Immobilien Ltd – has been a member of the energy association since the summer of 2022 and provides waste heat from cold production as further energy source. Using these locally sourced energy sources makes a valuable contribution to creating regional added value and reduces dependence on energy supplied from abroad.
Carbon-free electricity supply and efficient building technology
In addition to the Arena’s carbon-neutral heating and cooling supply, the ewz electricity used in the Swiss Life Arena is 100% carbon-free. In addition, a 400 kWp photovoltaic system has been installed on the roof. The 400 MWh of electricity produced here is used directly in the Arena. Together with the sophisticated building services system, the Swiss Life Arena meets the Minergie standard for ice stadiums. The integrated building automation system, which ensures demand-driven system control and efficient operation, also plays a key role in this.
Energy concept
