The expansion of the district heating networks in Zurich is one of the most important measures for the city to achieve its net zero CO2 targets by 2040. At the same time, the project is extremely demanding: The covered area is to be doubled from the current 30% of the housing area to around 60% within about 20 years. This will require extensive construction work that must be well coordinated with other projects to keep restrictions and emissions in public areas to a minimum. Another challenge is to replace fossil fuel peak load coverage: the city's thermal grids are currently operated with 70% to 90% climate-friendly energy on an annual average. With the help of storage capacities, the use of wood, biogas, or new solutions, this figure must reach 100% by 2040.
Climate-friendly heat supply in Zurich
Thermal networks as a generation project
Connection pipes between the district heating networks of Zurich North and Zurich West