Ice hockey with CO2-neutral energy concept
The Swiss Life Arena is not only a pilgrimage site for field hockey fans, but is also a showpiece in terms of renewable energies and energy efficiency. A well thought-out building technology system uses synergies between cooling and heat production.
The ZSC Lions' new stadium, the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich Altstetten, can accommodate up to 12,000 visitors. The arena will not be used solely for ice hockey games. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, it will serve as a multifunctional sports and event arena that also hosts cultural events and functions of all kinds.
The energy concept for the Swiss Life Arena was also developed on the basis of the goals of the 2000-watt society, which the voters of Zurich approved at the ballot box back in 2008. The integrated energy solution combines ecology with economic efficiency through a clever interplay of cold production and the resulting waste heat.
Ice fields as the centerpiece
The heart of the arena are the two centrally located ice fields. The training field and the main playing field also form the core of the energy concept. The control center for cooling and heating production is the energy center. This is where the air conditioning for the ice is produced.
Cold is also needed for other purposes, namely for dehumidification of rooms and air conditioning. Humidity is always a problem in ice rinks, because during a game the stadium fills up within a short time with spectators who give off a lot of heat. Cold is used to cool the humid air to the dew point, collect and remove the moisture, and then reheat the dry air. This process is demand-driven and controlled by sensors. Thermal component activation provides air conditioning for ancillary rooms such as the restaurant or conference rooms.
However, the energy center not only generates cooling for the stadium's needs. Surrounding office buildings also receive environmentally friendly cooling from the arena. This "cooling hub" is a sensible solution in view of the growing demand for cooling as a result of the summer temperatures, which have been rising for years.
Integration into the Altstetten energy network
The connection of the arena to the Altstetten energy network enables loss-free energy management. If excess heat is generated from cold production, it is fed into the energy grid, which slightly raises the temperature. This well thought-out solution prevents waste heat from simply being discharged unused via the roof. In this way, the heat reaches the local heating centers of Energieverbund Altstetten, where it is raised to the required temperature level with the help of heat pumps. When completed in 2035, around 30,000 households in the Altstetten and Höngg districts will be supplied with heat in this way.
CO2-free power supply and efficient building technology
In addition to the arena's CO2-neutral heating and cooling supply, the ewz electricity consumed in the Swiss Life Arena is also 100 percent renewable. In addition, a photovoltaic system is installed on the roof. The electricity produced here is consumed directly in the arena.
More information about the project: www.ewz.ch/swisslifearena
