Energy Model Zurich

The Energy Model has been based on the same idea since 1987, namely that increased energy efficiency and reduced CO2 levels are easier to achieve if companies jointly and voluntarily commit to ambitious goals.

This fundamental idea of the Energy Model served as the basis for formulating the article on large-scale consumers in cantonal energy legislation, and provided the basis for the Swiss Energy Model, the main pillar of the Energy Agency for Industry, founded in 2000. The Zurich Energy Model group is a member of the Energy Agency for Industry (EnAW) and has entered into a universal target agreement.

All members together have the common goal in relation to the Canton of Zurich and the Federal Government of increasing energy efficiency by a total of 14 percent and decreasing the CO2-emissions by a total of 20 percent by 2030 (base year = 2020). 

Every company has the opportunity to maximize energy savings in its own area – by means of investments that pay for themselves within a short time, as our experience over more than 30 years has shown.

Basically, the rules of collaboration between the member companies have remained the same since 1987:

• Discussions on a factual level – company policy has no place on the agenda
• No secrets – all data and experiences pertaining to energy matters are disclosed to all members
• Common goals – through agreement with the Energy Agency for Industry (EnAW) and/or the cantons, specific efficiency targets are set for the group
• Management Review – once a year, senior management meets to analyze the results that have been achieved

The reward in achieving the common goal is manyfold:

• Increase of the operational energy efficiency and reduction of CO2-emissions
• Protection of the climate and environment
• Reduction of operational expenses
• Receipt of the efficiency tariff of the ewz City of Zurich (local electricity supplier)
• Increase of know-how to plan, construct and operate Green Buildungs
• Reduced legal requirement in construction based on the cantonal energy legislation
• Legal compliance with the cantonal law