Unique energy ecosystem planned
Galliker Transport, Emmi, PanGas and CKW are planning a renewable energy ecosystem in Dagmersellen that is unique in Switzerland. It will be centred around a wood-fired power plant designed to generate heat and renewable electricity, including for green hydrogen, beginning in 2027. The project is an important step on the way to achieving the energy strategy targets of the companies involved as well as of Switzerland as a whole. The four partners expect costs in the range of CHF 200 million.
Construction of an energy ecosystem unique in Switzerland is due to take place in Dagmersellen in the next few years. Transport company Galliker, milk processor Emmi, industrial gas producer PanGas (subsidiary of Linde plc) and energy supplier CKW have signed a joint declaration of intent. “Together with Emmi, Galliker and PanGas, we want to drive forward the energy transition and leverage the planned energy ecosystem to make a significant contribution to decarbonising and diversifying energy supply,” explains Martin Schwab, CEO of CKW.
Wood and water from milk processing used to produce hydrogen
The energy ecosystem consists of an upstream wood-fired power plant operated by CKW to produce heat and electricity. PanGas will use some of the electricity to produce hydrogen to power Galliker’s fleet of trucks. With “Green Logistics by Galliker”, Galliker Transport aims to be carbon neutral on the road by 2050. Galliker has commissioned six hydrogen trucks have been driving on Swiss roads since 2020 and will continue to explore alternative drive solutions going forward, with a focus on hydrogen from local production. In addition, PanGas will extract green CO2 from the combustion process, for example for use in the food industry.
"At PanGas, we have always been in the business of hydrogen. We are very pleased that this project will allow us to make a significant contribution to CO2 reduction and bring Switzerland a great deal closer to its decarbonisation target,” says Roger Britschgi, Managing Director of PanGas. "PanGas is committed to advancing sustainable hydrogen technologies."
The renewable energy from the wood-fired power plant will help Emmi to cover part of the thermal energy needed at the Dagmersellen site to produce fresh cheese specialities such as mozzarella or ricotta as well as milk powder. The project marks a milestone on the net zero reduction path targeted by Emmi by 2050 and a further step towards reducing in-house CO2emissions by 60 percent by 2027. Emmi will also support closed-loop recycling by supplying demineralised water from the production of milk products to generate hydrogen.
"This unique energy ecosystem, designed in conjunction with three regionally based national partners, will pave the way to more sustainable production of our dairy products and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” says Marc Heim, Head of Emmi Switzerland.
The wood-fired power plant will produce 100 GWh of electricity and 130 GWh of heat when fully operational. Emmi will use around 50 GWh of the heat. Other possible consumers for the heat produced include local industry and district heating networks in the surrounding villages. The intention is to operate the wood-fired power plant as far as possible with woodchips and waste timber from regional forests. This will require up to 200,000 tonnes of wood per year.
The four companies plan to invest a total of around CHF 200 million in the production, distribution and use of renewable energies.
Specifics of the project under development
Further planning and approvals are required before construction can start on the energy ecosystem. Detailed planning will involve organising the entire value chain. The zoning plan of the municipality of Dagmersellen also needs to be adapted prior to submission of any building applications. The population is being provided with regular updates on the project status. The current timetable foresees commissioning in 2027 at the earliest.
