Pfäffikon (ZH) is on course for the energy transition

Sewage treatment plant in Pfäffikon, Zurich

About three years ago, the GWP put together a programme of energy policy improvements to ensure that the energy turnaround would not be just lip service. The implementations are on track or even above the envisaged target. One of these measures was the construction of a solar folding roof over the clarifiers of the sewage treatment plant. The electricity produced by this can be used entirely for the operation of the plant. In this way, the WWTP can increase its own energy supply, increase profitability and at the same time reduce algae growth in the basins. The vision in Pfäffikon: If there is excess production from the CHP and solar power plant in summer, it can be used to generate renewable gas in a power-to-gas plant or to charge the buffer storage.

The 400 panels supply 127,000 kWh/a, which is roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of 30 households. After about four months of construction, the solar folding roof was put into operation on 27 September 2021.