Insights 2/2020

INSIGHTS Information from the Hoval Group | 02 | 2020

The future

depends on what you do today.

Mahatma Gandhi

Insights 02-2020 | 1 |

Dear Reader, Only a few short months ago, it would have been almost impossible to predict that a virus could bring the world to its knees in the way that coronavirus has done. Infections have been rising again since late summer, and Europe is clearly in the grip of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Again, restrictions have been tightened up and social interactions in general have been massively scaled back. We’ve all had to get used to these new ways of behaving, and the phrase “the new normal” has already become a cliché.

It’s not yet possible to say exactly what impact this crisis will ultimately have. In economic terms, however, the outcomes are guaranteed to be immense. But there have also been a few silver linings to the situation: we’ve had the opportunity to spend more time with our families again, for instance.

Businesses have also had to adapt their day-to-day operations and find new ways of working using digital tools. Our e-shop is gaining in popularity, and we are seeing a substantial increase in the number of people using it. Many meetings are now held remotely, and more people than ever are interested in connecting heat generators to online systems. One thing we can be sure about is that the crisis has accelerated the digital transformation that was already under way, with many people overcoming their inhibitions about using digital tools and learning to appreciate the benefits. Yet no matter how much we value these tools, we at Hoval will continue to make close, personal contact with our customers a priority.

The coronavirus pandemic has also brought home to even more people – politicians and citizens alike – the importance of issues such as sustainability and climate protection. That’s why many of the measures adopted by countries to stimulate their economies relate directly to how we are treating the climate. In many countries, generous subsidies are available for alternative heating systems such as heat pumps, pelletfired boilers and local and district heating solutions. Hoval’s operations cover all of these areas. Our current range of heat pumps easily outpaces the competition in terms of noise level, visual appeal and efficiency. This has been reflected in a sharp increase in demand – to the extent that we are close to the limits of our manufacturing capacities. We’ve observed similar developments in relation to our superb district heating stations, so we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to our customers for their patience while we adjust to this trend.

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While interest in alternative energy has grown sharply in the residential sector, it is being balanced out by significantly weaker demand in the commercial and industrial heating market. Finally, it is important to note that demand has plummeted in the countries that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. This represents a major challenge for many of the customers we count as partners in these countries.

The COVID-19 crisis coincided exactly with Hoval’s planned celebration of its 75th anniversary. A celebration marking 75 years of reliability and innovation in a company where people – customers and employees alike – are at the centre of everything we do. I’d like to thank all of our customers for their loyalty: in many cases, we have partners who have been standing by our side for years on end. I’d also like to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication to Hoval.

Let’s learn the lessons to be drawn from this crisis and try to see its positive sides, and let’s look forward to the future – together and as partners.

Stay safe!

Peter Gerner Hoval Group Management Board Co-CEO

Insights 02-2020 | 3 |

06

Gas has a future 06

Natural gas is coming under increasing pressure as a source of energy. Yet renewable alternatives in gaseous form also exist.

Things are taking off for Hoval heat pumps 10 A peek behind the scenes: the past and future of Hoval heat pumps.

The rise and rise of the Hoval heat pump 12

Martin Woerz, Head of Technology at Hoval Switzerland, on the rise of the Hoval heat pump.

Heat pumps – the latest trend 14

Why heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular, and where this trend is likely to head in future.

A forward-looking choice for three generations 16

Dieter Fend seized the opportunity to turn his back on oil, and now heats his single-family dwelling using the new BelariaÂŽ pro heat pump with a monoblock design.

Gaining in popularity – our e-shop 18

New developments in the Hoval e-shop over the past two years, and the features that are still in the pipeline.

Gas has a future

10

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Things are taking off for Hoval heat pumps

20 Indoor climate systems as a means of achieving climate targets

How Holzkirchen is saving around 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year with the help of geothermal energy.

22 Modular. Sustainable. Delightful.

An industrial specialist opts for a system solution from Hoval when constructing a new production hall.

24 Heating powered by sun, wood and air

The Frutiger family chose an environmentally friendly solution when renovating their heating system. Today, the solution they use is virtually CO2-neutral.

26 Exquisite energy

Prague’s magnificent Municipal House is able to achieve the city’s CO2 savings target thanks to the Hoval UltraGas® gas condensing boilers.

28 In conversation with Remo Bretscher

Remo Bretscher, the new Chief Financial Officer of the Hoval Group, introduces himself in an interview.

26

22

Exquisite energy

Modular.

Sustainable.

Delightful.

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Gas has a future Natural gas is coming under pressure as a source of energy. Yet renewable alternatives in gaseous form also exist. Biomethane and hydrogen are set to gain a bigger profile in the future, something that will have a direct impact on gas boilers.

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For those on a mission towards climate neutrality, bringing an end to oil and gas consumption altogether is increasingly seen as the silver bullet they are looking for. While it is true that oil-powered heating systems are fossil fuel-guzzling energy dinosaurs that will soon become extinct, gas boilers are evolving and adapting. In the future, renewable gaseous fuels will account for a growing share of gas networks.

Gas has a future because it must and can respond to political pressure. Switzerland, for example, wants to achieve a 30 % share of renewable gas by 2030. The EU is even planning to replace its entire stock of gas boilers with hydrogen-ready boilers by 2050, in response to factors including the push to renovate. But methane also has a future if it is manufactured on a renewable basis as biomethane.

Biomethane – the twin of natural gas The properties of biomethane are almost identical to those found in the fossil fuel natural gas. Unlike natural gas, however, it was not formed back in the depths of geological time; instead, it is produced on a sustainable basis by fermenting present-day biogenic waste. That might include kitchen waste, damaged timber, sewage sludge or farmyard manure – the reason why recyclers and farmers are typical biomethane producers. Special methods are used to refine raw biogas into biomethane, which can then be fed directly into existing gas networks. No equipment retrofitting is required, and no electricity is needed for generation, with the exception of the small amount required for controlling the plant.

Hydrogen – from grey to green

Green Produced from water + excess electricity

from renewable energies Blue

Produced from methane + excess electricity from renewable energies

Grey

Produced from methane + electricity from fossil fuels

Hydrogen combustion produces only water vapour and a very small amount of nitrogen oxide in a reaction with the nitrogen naturally contained in air. The method used to manufacture hydrogen determines how sus‑ tainable it is. In principle, hydrogen can be produced by electrolysing water or cracking methane. The environmental credentials of the hydrogen depend on the origin of the electricity. Hydrogen is described as green, blue or grey according to how eco-friendly its production process is.

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UltraGas® gas condensing boiler gets H2-ready Our planet is blue because of all the water covering its surface – and this water provides almost unlimited reserves of raw hydrogen. In the very likely event that higher admixtures of hydrogen will be added to the natural gas in gas networks in the future, current boiler designs will need to be revised.

Hoval is working on making the UltraGas® condensing boiler H2-ready. The plan is to ensure that admixtures of up to 30 % are possible by the publication date of the EU’s revised Ecodesign Directive.

Power-to-gas – double the conversion effort As there is no way of switching entirely to hydrogen on an ad-hoc basis, public networks will continue to rely on methane.

Power-to-gas (P2G) processes are available for producing methane in a renewable manner. To start with, these involve generating hydrogen using renewable electricity. After that, the hydrogen (H2) is combined with carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere in a chemical process to make methane (CH4). This methane has exactly the same properties as natural gas, eliminating the need for any retrofitting. As these processes require double the conversion work, however, they are only performing at 60 % efficiency at present. Levels as high as 75 % have been reached in pilot plants, but the manufacturing costs associated with P2G are still very high.

New units to be 100 % hydrogen-ready from 2025 onwards It is clear that we are applying a wide range of methods in our efforts to build a future for gas. Importantly, the operators of gas networks – many of which are municipalities – have a keen interest in making their networks fit for the future of energy. Hydrogen is set to play a major role in this, which is why the EU is planning to introduce a requirement for all new units to be 100 % hydrogen-ready from 2025 at the latest.

Hoval has already set to work on this task – out of its sense of responsibility for energy and the environment.

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CAN A GAS CONDENSING BOILER BE AS GREEN AS A HEAT PUMP? KANN GAS GLEICH GRÜN SEIN WIE EINE WÄRMEPUMPE? J a , k a n n s i e . We n n m i n d . 4 8 % r e g e n e r a t i v e s

YES, IT CERTAINLY CAN!

Gas zum herkömmlichen Gas beigemischt wird.

If a 48 % admixture of biomethane is added to the conventional gas.

All Hoval gas condensing boilers can be operated with up to 100 % biomethane.

GAS CONDENSING BOILER

HEAT PUMP

Annual CO2 emissions from a heating system (in kg)*

4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

100 % natural gas

52 % natural gas and 48 % biomethane

CO2 emissions from electricity generation**

* In relation to the primary energy input and annual energy consumption of 20,000 kWh in a single-family dwelling ** CO2-emission factor for electricity: 0.296 kg/kWh (for Europe)

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Things are taking off for Hoval heat pumps A look back at the past and into the future.

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The rise and rise of the Hoval heat pump Although many believe heat pumps to be a new form of technology, they actually trace their origins right back to the 18th century. However, interest in heat pumps was minimal for many years – and it was not until 1968 that the first one was installed in Germany.

Hoval was one of the first heating manufacturers in Switzer‑ land to invest in heat pumps. Over the past 45 years, the company has amassed an extensive stock of expertise and experience in developing these pieces of equipment. Here, we take a look back at their history with Martin Woerz, who has spent 47 years working for Hoval in various roles, including Head of Technology for Hoval Switzerland and later Product Manager for Heat Pumps at the Hoval Group.

When were the foundations laid for Hoval’s entry into the field of heat pumps?

Martin Woerz: In the past, most heating suppliers weren’t really all that interested in heat pumps. They were using oil-fired burners, and business was booming – but that all changed with the oil crises of the 1970s. As resources become increasingly scarce and fuel prices rose, interest in alternative heating systems began growing.

At that time, Hoval was a distributor for Carrier – one of the largest manufacturers of cooling units. A heat pump is basically a variation on the theme of cooling units, and so we were quick to understand their potential. Another point in our favour was that we already had in-house salespeople and service technicians with the requisite know-how, so there was no need for us to provide much in the way of training.

What challenges did Hoval encounter when it started selling heat pumps?

Martin Woerz: The operating principle of heat pumps was wholly novel for many people at the time. We had to train up

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Hoval made its first foray into the heat pump market in the 1970s, with the help of Carrier.

the installers working in partnership with us before we could sell property developers the benefits of this new method of heat generation. It was always easiest to compare heat pumps to refrigerators, which work on the same principle but in reverse.

Yet heat pumps remained a niche interest for many years, in spite of the two oil price crises. Sales volumes have been an eternal problem in the alternative energy sector, where we are active. But the heat pumps themselves were reliable even back then – if they are installed properly, service lives of up to 30 years aren’t unusual. The development of soldered plate-type heat exchangers marked a major milestone. Heat transfer made the machines more compact and efficient. We were also able to make further progress when we switched from semi-thermal compressors to fully thermal ones.

When did the heating market start waking up to the potential of heat pumps?

Martin Woerz: Low sales volumes in the 1970s and 1980s meant that Hoval was repeatedly faced with the issue of profitability. Heat pumps could barely manage a market share of 5 %. But the boom did eventually arrive – in the 1990s.

It was during this period that the first pump we had developed in-house was launched on the market: the Hoval LWI, a 15 kW air/water heat pump for single-family dwellings.

That was followed by other heat pumps, and we even created some innovations that were ahead of their time. Way back in 1993, for instance, we developed a bivalent system for the

The first air/water heat pump developed in-house by Hoval was the Hoval LWI.

general market. The idea behind EcoCal was to supplement existing heating systems in single-family dwellings with a patented small heat pump. The conventional heating boiler was only used to cover peak loads. This anticipated many future developments – and things just kept getting better from the turn of the millennium onwards.

What challenges has Hoval faced on its journey to get where it is today?

Martin Woerz: At one point, Hoval had six months to develop a heat pump in-house from scratch and get it on the market – something that was all but impossible owing to the low sales volumes we were achieving. So we embarked on a joint venture that opened the door to improving those figures.

That cleared the last obstacle on Hoval’s path as far as heat pumps were concerned. The market was also experiencing a period of very rapid growth, not least because people were slowly but surely waking up to the need to protect our environment. As well as this, Hoval was continuously refining its technologies: our heat pumps not only became increasingly efficient, but also took up less and less space. The units available today don’t have much in common with the ones of yesteryear.

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Heat pumps –

the latest trend Heat pumps are enjoying their moment in the spotlight, and are becoming ever more popular. It’s not hard to see why: they cause no harmful emissions and are eligible for state funding in most countries. But where is this trend likely to head in future? Kevin Allenspach (Product Manager for Heat Pumps and Solar) gazes into his crystal ball.

How do the heat pumps of today differ from those that used to be available on the market?

Kevin Allenspach: The air/water heat pumps of the past tended to be loud, and they didn’t look particularly attractive.

The market launch of the UltraSource® air/water heat pump in 2018 marked a real milestone for Hoval. We were one of the first companies to manufacture an air/water heat pump with noise emissions of only 28 dB(A) at a distance of three metres – quieter than a whisper! It set new standards in terms of design, and still looks ultra-modern today. The external unit resembles part of a building façade, which means that it can be positioned in a garden or in front of a home without standing out.

What’s more, today’s heat pumps today are very efficient.

That makes them more economical and cheaper to operate on a day-to-day basis – and they’re also more sustainable.

What will the heat pumps of the future look like?

Kevin Allenspach: I believe that noise emissions will gain an increasingly prominent place in people’s minds in future, for the simple reason that they’re something the end customer really notices.

Heat pumps will also become a more important feature of renovations, as their high flow temperatures mean that existing radiators can be reused. Our new Belaria® pro air/water heat pump is the perfect choice for renovations.

I also believe that legislation and funding programmes will play a key role in the future development of heat pumps. The requirements laid down by law are dictating the clear move we are seeing towards coolants that are more environmentally friendly. That’s why we at Hoval are already using R290 (propane) or R32 as alternative coolants.

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An almost-silent milestone: the UltraSource® is quieter than a whisper.

The new Belaria® pro air/water heat pump is the ideal choice for renovations.

Kevin Allenspach Product Manager for Heat Pumps and Solar

How is Hoval preparing for these new trends?

Kevin Allenspach: Our priority is heat pumps that use alternative coolants. Thanks to the Belaria® pro, we’re al‑ ready in a position to comply with future rules and regulations.

This propane-powered heat pump features a monoblock design and is extremely environmentally friendly, with a GWP value of 3. The Belaria® eco, which is operated with R32, also meets the requirements that apply to us and anticipates a number of key developments.

How will the market for heat pumps evolve?

Kevin Allenspach: A quick glance at developments over the past ten years reveals constant growth in Europe, and this is a trend that’s set to continue over the next decade.

We know that heat pumps have already conquered more than half of the heating market in Switzerland, for example – but lots of households are still relying on old heating systems, so the renovation market is a top priority for us.

Heat pump sales in Europe by number of units.

Number of units in thousands

The Belaria® pro is ideally suited to renovation projects.

Air/water heat pumps Groundwater heat pumps Air/air heat pumps

1.1 m

1 m

900 k

800 k

700 k

600 k

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Source: ehpa – European Heat Pump Association (www.ehpa.org)

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In Sulz, Dieter Fend heats his single-family dwelling – which houses three generations – with one of the first monoblock Belaria® pro heat pumps ever produced. He jumped at the chance to turn his back on oil.

A forwardlooking choice

for three

generations | 16 | Insights 02-2020

Any renovation project involving a home and a heating system needs to consider what the future will hold – but it almost al‑ ways has to reconcile this with restrictions put in place by past decisions too. In the case of Dieter Fend, Project Manager for Control Systems at Hoval, one such restriction in his 1968 single-family dwelling was the heating system that had evolved over decades. The ground-floor apartment, home to his parents-in-law, was heated mainly by radiators, but there was an underfloor heating system on the upper floor, which he had extended 16 years ago for his family. Until recently, an oil boiler had been doing a sterling job in the boiler room on cold winter days, while a Hoval solar plant had been in place for many years as a means of heating hot water.

Economical and efficient The latest air/water heat pump from Hoval boasts an energy efficiency class of A+++, making it highly economical. With a maximum flow temperature of 70°C, it can supply heat to both the underfloor heating system and the conventional radiators in the house. Not needing to replace the radiators was a huge plus point for Fend.

Because he has a large boiler room, however, the Belaria® pro’s small footprint was less important to him. The comfort design requires only a compact operating unit in the building, which can be accommodated almost anywhere.

An opportunity seized As a Hoval insider, Fend waited for the new Belaria® pro heat pump before embarking on his forward-looking renovation project. “We replaced our windows ten years ago. By purchasing one of the very first Belaria® pro heat pumps, we immediately seized the opportunity to renovate our heating system – our feeling was that oil-fired heating systems should be consigned to the history books.”

Forward-looking technology The new Belaria® pro provides three generations of one family with an environmentally friendly option for drawing their heating energy from air. The latest Hoval unit also uses a natural and environmentally friendly coolant, anticipating the technological changes that are set to impact the heat pump sector. That means it meets the legal requirements of tomorrow – today.

The control technology in the new Belaria® pro is also fit for the future.

And Fend himself is partly responsible for that. In his role as Project Manager for Control and Regula‑ tion Technology at Hoval, he is involved in developing the TopTronic® E – the very control technology that allows the heat pump to be operated conveniently using an app. By basing its decisions on the following day’s weather forecast, the app can predict the future and save energy for its users as a result.

Local residents have been amazed at how quietly the Belaria® pro operates, and how attractive it looks.

Almost no noise from the outdoor unit in front of the house It is the outdoor unit of the Belaria® pro that carries out the real work on behalf of this innovative heat pump. Located below the kitchen window and almost directly above the boiler room, the new heat pump works diligently, efficiently and with almost no noise – 27 dB(A) at a distance of five metres. A few neighbours who live along the street expressed interest in the well-designed unit while it was being installed. “The carefully considered choice of location and the quietness of the unit mean we don’t notice the Belaria® pro doing its work at all. But what we do notice are the reduced heating costs.”

We replaced the windows ten years ago. By purchasing one of the very first Belaria® pro heat pumps, we immediately seized the opportunity to renovate our heating system – our feeling was that oil-fired heating systems should be consigned to the history books.

Dieter Fend Project Manager Control Systems Hoval Vaduz Insights 02-2020 | 17 |

Gaining in popularity –

our e-shop Hoval launched its e-shop for the markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland some two years ago. Since then, this online distribution channel – which is constantly being expanded to include new features – has become a firm favourite with customers.

Just a few short years ago, the printed catalogue and the Hoval sales force were generally the only sources of information for installation technicians purchasing on behalf of companies. Fastforward to today, and the behaviour of buyers is increasingly changing. The day-to-day work of today’s installation technicians frequently involves searching for information on websites, selfservice options and placing orders via online shops. According to a study published by German research institute ibi in January 2020, 89 % of B2B companies expect that half of all B2B purchases will take place online in five years’ time. Given the speed and practicality of online purchasing, it’s easy to see why. Yet despite these developments, Hoval continues to prioritise personal contact with its customers.

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Since Hoval launched its online distribution channel in 2018, it has gradually expanded its digital services. Over the past few months, it has added features including the following: ■■ Delivery availability for all products (including accessories and spare parts) – Purchasers can view up-to-date details of whether a product is available for delivery, or the number of days until it will be in stock again. This provides customers with greater certainty about deliveries of their online orders.

■■ Fast ordering process – Quick and simple entry of item numbers into an order field to save time.

■■ Faster and more convenient self-service option – New tabular overviews of quotes and orders in myHoval, including all documents such as BIM data, diagrams and so on.

■■ Spare parts catalogue – The spare parts catalogue is also integrated with the online shop. After finding the correct spare part in the catalogue, the customer can place it directly into the myHoval shopping basket with a single click.

■■ Predefined product templates using standard hydraulic diagrams – Systems that have been put together and plausibility-tested by Hoval are available as order templates in myHoval. They make it possible to order a complete system in just a few clicks.

■■ Wholly new purchasing process – Even simpler clickthroughs for ordering main products, accessories and services based on the familiar Hoval catalogue structure.

■■ Printed catalogue – The familiar, popular Hoval catalogue is now also available as an e-catalogue, which is intuitively and seamlessly integrated with myHoval.

■■ Print shopping basket – Installation technicians can print the finished shopping basket as a PDF. This allows them to provide their customers with the relevant information immediately, rather than waiting for a quote from Hoval.

■■ Track deliveries – Each order’s delivery status and tracking code can be accessed by clicking on “Track delivery”.

Positive feedback from customers and increasing sales are confirmation that the e-shop is providing real added value, and in response, we plan to keep expanding and improving its features.

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Hoval RoofVent® units deliver around 27,000 m3 of fresh air per hour, ensuring a pleasant indoor climate.

The extensive range of RoofVent® units means that only a small number is required, even in spacious halls.

Back in 2012, the market town of Holzkirchen in Germany’s Upper Bavaria district decided that it wanted to obtain its electricity and heat from geothermal energy in future, motivated chiefly by its concerns over climate protection. Now, Holzkirchen is saving around 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year with the help of geothermal energy.

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Indoor climate as a means of achieving climate targets Olaf von Löwis of Menar, Mayor of Holzkirchen, is delighted at how successfully the project has been brought to life and is now running: “We need to act on climate change, but we also need to ensure that electricity and heating remain affordable in the future. Holzkirchen has introduced something truly groundbreaking with this geothermal solution, and exploiting the energy it provides is helping us to achieve climate targets.”

Air circulation at a rate of 27,000 m3 per hour Reaching 140°C, thermal water is pumped from a depth of 4800 metres into the power plant building. With the water reaching such a high temperature, the climate in the hall could easily become hot and sticky despite all the plant parts being insulated to the relevant standards. A professional ventilation system is therefore essential. The Hoval RoofVent® units de‑ liver around 27,000 m3 of fresh air into the hall per hour, and ensure a pleasant indoor climate thanks to constant circulation.

The extensive range of the powerful RoofVent® units means that only a small number is necessary to create the required conditions, even in spacious halls. The air is kept at a constant 19 °C in winter.

Silencers for mixed-use zones Since the geothermal power plant is located near a residential area, noise regulations had to be carefully considered when installing the ventilation system. To quote Bastian Bremerich, who is in charge of all things geothermal in Holzkirchen, “Given our location in a mixed-use zone, the biggest challenge we encountered during the planning process was complying with the noise thresholds. But we didn’t have to spend long looking for a solution.” The silencers fitted on the exhaust air and external air ducts enable the values recorded for noise to fall far below the thresholds.

Efficient heating thanks to heat recovery In Bremerich’s opinion, highly efficient heat recovery marks another major advantage of the Hoval solution. According to Stephan Eder, Head of Climate Technology for the Hoval Group, “The high-performance Hoval plate-type heat exchangers recover up to 90 % of heat from the extract air.” The air volume flow is constantly adjusted to the current requirements. Only the exact amount of air required is treated, and only the exact amount of energy required is consumed. Air distribution with the built-in Air-Injector ensures that the filtered and heated air can be unobtrusively returned back to the room.

The high-performance Hoval plate-type heat exchangers recover up to 90 % of heat from the extract air.

Stephan Eder Head of Climate Technology, Hoval Group

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Modular.

Sustainable.

Delightful.

When constructing a new production hall, the industrial specialist PMS Elektro- und Automationstechnik GmbH opted for a system solution from Hoval. A total of 14 RoofVent® and TopVent® units, each in combination with a heat pump, are creating a delightful indoor climate.

Two RoofVent® and twelve TopVent® units, each in combination with one heat pump, combine heating, cooling and ventilation requirements in a single system.

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PMS has been offering solutions in the fields of electrical engineering and automation technology to national and international customers for around 15 years. Based in St. Stefan im Lavanttal, Austria, the company has expanded rapidly in recent years. When constructing a large new production facility spread over 8500 m2, PMS selected a modular indoor climate solution from Hoval. Since September 2019, two RoofVent® and twelve TopVent® units have been in use there, each in combination with a heat pump. They combine all three requirements – heating, cooling and ventilation – in a single system.

Alfred Krobath’s priority was to ensure the well-being of the entire workforce and create ideal indoor working conditions.

Pleasant working conditions for employees Around 120 employees work in the new production hall. A pleasant working environment came top of the list of priorities for the company’s management, as explained by Alfred Krobath, Managing Director: “When companies talk about cultivating a good workplace atmosphere, they often only think about the people working in offices. Our priority was to ensure the well-being of the entire workforce and create ideal indoor working conditions.” The Hoval indoor climate system makes it easy to adjust the temperature rapidly in each of the hall’s individual zones.

Opting for a modular system The original plan involved installing underfloor heating and cooling in the new hall. Over the course of the project, PMS once again investigated the various indoor climate solutions available in detail, ultimately opting for the decentralised solution from Hoval. Planning of the new production hall had already reached an advanced stage, which meant that the solution had to be developed and created quickly. Christoph Steinhäusler, Head of Product Market Management for Climate Technology at Hoval Austria, explains: “The time frame for engineering the indoor climate solution was very short. However, the process of planning the modular Hoval system was straightforward and it took hardly any time to manufacture, which meant that it wasn’t long before PMS was able to get up and running with the new indoor climate concept.”

The Hoval indoor climate system makes it easy to adjust the temperature rapidly in each of the hall’s individual zones.

Alfred Krobath Managing Director of PMS Elektround Automationstechnik GmbH

Sustainable operation thanks to heat pumps The RoofVent® and TopVent® units are each combined with a 30 kW heat pump. These pumps automatically adjust their output to the heating or cooling requirements that the hall has in any given situation. Shortly afterwards, PMS installed a photovoltaic system on the roof and started operating the indoor climate system using electricity it had generated itself.

To quote Alfred Krobath, summing up the sustainable indoor climate solution, “Hoval’s flexible and simple modular system meets all of our requirements.”

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Heating powered by

sun, wood and air The Frutiger family opted for an environmentally friendly solution when choosing their heating system. The custom-designed solution involves solar thermal technology and a Swedish stove, and heats their home on a virtually CO2-neutral basis.

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In 2019, the Frutiger family fulfilled their long-held dream of buying a home of their own, opting for a single-family dwelling in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland. As you might expect in a house built in 1969, the property featured an old oil-powered heating system with radiators. The plan was to replace this with a more environmentally friendly alternative during the renovation.

An eco-friendly heating solution Christoph Frutiger and his wife wanted to create a comfortable home for themselves and their three small children – but not just that. They also wanted to do their bit for the environment.

As Christoph Frutiger explains, “We were really keen to find a solution that allowed us to heat our home in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way during last year’s renovations.”

The new heating and hot water system has a custom-designed and sophisticated look, with four UltraSol® 2 collectors working in combination with a wood-fired Swedish stove to heat the home. An UltraSource® B comfort air/water heat pump provides added reliability. What is really special about the system is that additional heat can be generated by the Swedish stove if the sun goes in or is shining too weakly – and it all works on a virtually CO2-neutral basis.

The heat produced by the four solar collectors and the handfired Swedish stove flows into a VarioVal® FLS stratified storage tank with a volume of 1000 litres. It is distributed from there to wall heaters throughout the entire house. And the combined TransTherm aqua FT fresh water module supplies the Frutiger family with plenty of hot water.

Simple assembly in spite of specifications All UltraSol® 2 collectors have four connections thanks to heat exchangers designed as collector pipe meanders. This made the task of assembly an easy one for the Frutiger family. The flexibility of the hydraulic connections allowed the collectors to be integrated efficiently and elegantly into the pitched roof. And thanks to the ultra-flat design of the Hoval UltraSol® 2 modules, it was easy to comply with the city’s specification that the collectors should not protrude beyond the roof by more than 20 cm.

Returning to a warm house The Frutiger family decided to include an additional heat pump in their solution in preparation for times when they would be away from home and unable to light the Swedish stove, and the sun would not be able to supply enough heat to the UltraSol® 2 collectors. If they are absent for a longer period, the UltraSource® B comfort (8) air/water heat pump takes over the task of covering the basic requirements and ensuring that their home is warm when they return.

Simple operation With the exception of the hand-fired Swedish stove, the environmentally friendly heating solution is easy to operate with Hoval’s TopTronic® E uniform control system. This ensures that the four UltraSol® 2 collectors, the VarioVal® stratified storage tank and the UltraSource® air/water heat pump work efficiently together and deliver the highest possible level of energy efficiency as an overall system.

Hoval TopTronic® control system

HovalApp HovalDesk 22 °C

Customised, eco-friendly heating solution: the Frutiger family’s system operates on a virtually CO2-neutral basis.

UltraSource® B comfort

VarioVal FLS

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Exquisite energy Prague’s Municipal House – or Obecní dům as it is known in Czech – is one of the world’s most significant pieces of Art Nouveau architecture.

It has now been transformed into an energy-focused pilot project for the Smart Prague – 2030 Vision initiative.

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Standing in all its pristine splendour in the city’s Republic Square, the Art Nouveau building is the pride of both Prague and the Czech Republic as a whole. It is here that Czechoslovakia was declared independent in 1918, and the talks with the Civic Forum that brought the Velvet Revolution to an end were held under the building’s stunning ceiling. Not only that, but the historic Smetana Hall has been home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra’s music for decades.

However, in recent times, this magnificent structure has been focusing more on the future than on the turn of the previous century – at least where its energy impact is concerned.

The city authorities have chosen the building to serve as a model for other historical buildings in a pilot project that is focused on saving energy as part of the Smart Prague – Vision 2030 initiative.

ENESA – a successful Czech energy performance contracting provider with extensive experience – was given the task of reaching 86 million Czech crowns in savings over the next 12 years. On top of this, ENESA has made a guaranteed to reduce Prague’s CO2 emissions by 37,615 t.

The Hoval UltraGas® D (2000) delivers twice the operational dependability.

The Municipal House is achieving the necessary savings by using a Hoval gas condensing solution, at the heart of which is a Hoval UltraGas® D (2000) gas condensing boiler set. By operating two complete boilers in parallel, this solution delivers twice the dependability. The flexibility and small footprint of the boiler set were other major factors in choosing it for the historic building – and are features that make it attractive to almost any older building.

With the Hoval condensing solution, the magnificent Municipal House is cutting back on both costs and CO2 emissions.

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Internal matters We are delighted to announce that Dr Richard Senti, who has served for many years as our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be embarking on a fresh challenge within Hoval.

He was elected President of the Board of Directors on 25 September, replacing Dr Max Egli, who is departing for a well-earned retirement. Dr Richard Senti will continue to work on a full-time basis for the Hoval Group in his new role.

We’d like to thank Dr Richard Senti for all his hard work as CFO over the past 17 years, during which he successfully managed and developed the Finance, HR and IT departments.

We wish him all the best for his new ventures, and hope that he continues to enjoy his time with Hoval.

In conversation with Remo Bretscher What made you decide to take up a position at Hoval?

Remo Bretscher: Dr Max Egli got in touch with me and offered me the role. The process was quite a long-winded one, since at the time I was working for the Autoneum Group as CFO Business Group North America. It was during a meeting with Hoval’s senior management that I first got a sense of the unique corporate culture, the people who work here and the general atmosphere. It would be presumptuous for me to say that I’m already deeply familiar with the company’s culture, but the very existence of terms such as “Hoval family” or “Hovalianer” – which is what the employees call themselves – tells me that the people here enjoy a very special feeling of belonging. That was what really made my mind up.

What is it about Hoval’s solutions that particularly interests you?

Remo Bretscher: I’m fascinated by technology, physics and chemistry. My hobbies also include astronomy and particle physics, so I’m really interested in technology-related subjects such as heating, warmth, heat recovery, efficiency values and CO2. I’ve always been keen to take up a role in a manufactur‑ ing company. I love the idea of hands-on production and having something you can hold at the end of the process. This was another factor that tipped the scales in favour of Hoval for me.

As CFO, how do you understand the phrase “responsibility for energy and the environment”?

Remo Bretscher: You can look at it from two different angles. One of them represents an environmental mission

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that we’re running on ethical grounds. It’s about not only our obligation to protect our environment, but also our need to embody and promote our company’s traditions and values.

The other angle represents a business model and a strategic advantage. The two aren’t mutually exclusive – instead, they complement each other. Hoval can offer energy solutions that are highly environmentally friendly, and that gives us a strategic edge over other providers.

What struck you when you returned from the USA to Liechtenstein, one of the smallest countries in the world?

Remo Bretscher: It felt more or less like coming home. I spent four years living in Detroit, which is one of the least safe cities in the USA. Moving from there to Liechtenstein makes you absolutely aware of how high our standard of living here really is. I love the mountains, and I spent a lot of my childhood in this region.

Remo Bretscher took up his role as new CFO of the Hoval Group on 26 September 2020. On behalf of the entire company, we’d like to welcome him to the Hoval family and wish him every success as he embarks on his new duties.

Remo Bretscher, the new Chief Financial Officer of the Hoval Group, introduces himself in an interview.

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We’re cranking up the gas!

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Find out more.

From spring 2021.

LEGAL NOTICE Insights – Information from the Hoval Group PUBLISHER Hoval Aktiengesellschaft IMAGES Hoval, iStock, Shutterstock Online edition available at hoval.com

natureOffice.com | CH-077-915416

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Hoval Aktiengesellschaft

Austrasse 70 | 9490 Vaduz Liechtenstein hoval.com

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4220411 _ Insights 02 | 2020

ENGLISH

Responsibility for energy and the environment