New Immatica building to supply photovoltaic power even in the winter
Kaltenbach - Immatica AG is constructing a commercial building that will be equipped with a sorption heat pump. Using innovative technology, this can store solar energy for any length of time, which also guarantees a supply during the winter months. From 2025, Post AG will move in to the new building as tenant.
At the start of 2024, Immatica AG received a construction permit for a commercial building situated on the premises of its parent company Matica AG in Kaltenbach in the canton of Thurgau. Matica AG is a specialist in the production of energy-efficient storage solutions and the construction of special containers. Post AG will be the tenant of the new building, which covers an area of 1,500 square meters, from the start of 2025, as its current site in Stein am Rhein in the canton of Schaffhausen has now become too small, according to a press release.
A photovoltaic system (PV) covering an area of 1,000 square meters will be installed on the flat roof, while the building will be supplied with solar energy even across the winter months owing to an innovative form of storage technology. With a sorption heat pump, the potential of solar energy can be stored for any length of time using a chemical process. The reversal process produces thermal energy that can be used for heating in winter. The sorption heat pump solves several challenges related to the energy transition: From the point of view of the system operator, it increases the degree of internal use of the PV system, and in this way helps to cushion the impact of energy price fluctuations more effectively, as the press release explains. It also helps to reduce seasonal fluctuations in the power grid, which eases the burden on the grid and reduces the scope of necessary network expansion projects. By using the PV system with an annual output of around 215 kilowatt peak, the company could save a total of 33 tons of CO2 per year overall.
By 2030, Post AG intends to deliver all of its letters on a climate-neutral basis. The electricity generated by the PV system will be used to supply all electrical systems in the building as well as the electrical charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The sorption heat pump in Kaltenbach is the second pilot plant that is being implemented by Matica AG in collaboration with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Helbling Technik AG. In the summer of 2024, a first system is set to commence operations at the animal rendering plant in the city of Frauenfeld. ce/js