von Rickenbach Energy.
Respectful use of natural resources.
Respectful use of natural resources
Cosy, healthy warmth from a wood processing factory
We produce energy rather than waste because all wood waste from our solid wood processing is used to supply over 290 residential units, as well as various commercial enterprises in the Muotathal with our own district heating network. Over the last 26 years the energy division of vonrickenbach.swiss ag has been continuously expanded in small and large stages to become an independent business division, and today it makes a valuable contribution to the continued operation of the company.
Warmth in the winter
Especially during the cold season, there is nothing better than being in a comfortably warm home with pleasant temperatures and not having to worry about replenishing heat energy. If given the possibility, many homeowners today decide to connect to a heating network.
District heating and its advantages
Heating with district heating is a simple concept. The thermal energy is being conducted from a central location in the form of hot water in well-insulated pipes to the buildings to be heated, there it reaches the living spaces via a heat exchanger.
Since mainly renewable energy sources are used, district heating networks help to reduce heat-related CO2 emissions and are therefore ecological and sustainable. Thanks to the size of the heat generator, pollutant emissions can also be reduced to a minimum.
Safe and efficient
A district heating connection is an uncomplicated and carefree heat supply. The users do not need to worry about fuel deliveries, furnace inspections or maintenance work. The room in the basement where an oil tank may have stood before can now be used as a hobby room, and visits from the chimney sweep are a thing of the past. In addition, the heat supply is always guaranteed, as district heating systems can be operated with various energy sources.
The district heating network of vonrickebach.swiss ag
At the end of the 1980s, Paul von Rickenbach Senior would have never thought that the heating system, which was primarily intended for his own production, would one day become a separate business unit.
During those times, the order volume of the factory increased steadily and with it the amount of wood waste. Then, as now, part of the wood waste was used for furniture production but there was still an increasing amount of wood chips and residues that had to be disposed of. The carpentry’s energy needs were too low to recycle it all, and the cost of disposal increased accordingly.
RESIDENTIAL AREA “WEID"
When the development of a residential neighbourhood in the “Weid” area close to our company’s premises was planned, my father Paul von Rickenbach was able to convince the municipality of Muotathal of his idea of supplying sustainable energy from wood waste. That is how in 1994, the first stage of today’s district heating network was created, and the cornerstone of von Rickenbach Energy was set.
Facts and figures
- From 31.03.19 – 20.03.20, around 4,290,000 kWh (4290 MWh) were supplied to the connected buildings. Comparison: An average four-person household according to the MINERGIE requirements, with a living space of 140m2, needs approx. 10’000 kWh for heating and hot water. This means that around 430 such houses could be supplied with hot water.
- In 2020, the CHP produced around 1,320,000 kWh of electricity. This would be enough to supply 300 – 400 households, depending on their size, with electricity for one year.
- Since the expansion into the residential area “Gängstrasse”, the length of the heating network is more than 7km.
- With the current production of thermal energy using waste wood and wood pellets, annual CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 1,200 tons.
- If the same energy were to be generated with heating oil, around 429,000 litres of heating oil would be required.
- Currently, vonrickenbach.swiss ag Energy supplies around 290 residential units and 27 commercial enterprises with thermal energy.
Environmental protection as part of our strategy
There is probably a lot of smoke being blown into the air, one might think. Of course, we consistently comply with legal requirements and environmental standards. In our mission statement, we have therefore intentionally specified our attitude towards environmental protection. The Air Pollution Control Ordinance prescribes clear limit values, which are checked by the cantonal authorities at least every four years. vonrickenbach.swiss ag always remains well below these limits.
Vertical product diversification
Over the years, vonrickenbach.swiss ag has diversified into the energy sector.
The largest step in this diversification strategy was certainly in 2018 with the investment in a power plant that produces electricity by means of cogeneration. With this project, the company was even nominated for the Prix Montagne.
von Rickenbach’s energy sector today is an important pillar of the company and provides a solid basis in challenging times like these.
Procuring and processing solid wood is our passion. It is our aim to ensure that this wonderful raw material is not wasted and is used sustainably down to the last speck of dust.
We look forward to continuing to develop our company with appropriate investments in production, strategy, marketing and sales, and to be there for you.
