The new stadium of the ZSC is to become a model for energy efficiency

The new ice hockey arena of the ZSC Lions is a showpiece in terms of energy efficiency, according to a statement from the Zurich Electricity Works (EWZ). But how climate-friendly is the artificial glacier really?

—

Gradually, the stadium atmosphere emerges between the train tracks and the motorway entrance to Zurich-West: The shell of the future ZSC Lions venue in the Altstetten district is well advanced. Ice hockey at the highest Swiss level is to be played here from August 2022. The refrigeration system that was delivered these days provides the necessary ice. The arrival of the chillers, which weigh up to four tons, raises the question: How climate-friendly is the artificial glacier that the «Z» is having built there?

–

Experience from Lucerne and Lausanne was incorporated

The power station of the city of Zurich (EWZ) is responsible for the energy concept. In addition to electricity production and supply, energy concepts for builders are increasingly part of his business area. And as far as the ZSC Stadium is concerned, EWZ pats itself vigorously on the shoulder in a media release: “The Swiss Life Arena will be a showpiece in terms of energy efficiency,” it says. And: “We have incorporated our many years of experience from the planning, implementation and technical operation of arenas such as the Hallenstadion Zurich, the Swisspor Arena in Lucerne or the Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne,” says Christoph Deiss, Head of Energy Solutions at EWZ.

But what does that mean in concrete terms? In any case, the new ice hockey arena, which can hold 12,000 spectators and which also includes a training field, should not waste any energy unnecessarily. Excess waste heat from cold production is fed into the Altstetten and Höngg energy network, as stated in the EWZ announcement. In this way, the arena will help to ensure that around 30,000 households will receive environmentally friendly heat in the future. The waste heat is also used to heat the arena itself, which also includes business premises, a sauna, fitness rooms and a catering area with around 2000 seats.

In addition, the surrounding office buildings should also receive the environmentally friendly cold from the arena, as EWZ continues. In view of the growing need for cooling as a result of the summer temperatures that have been rising for years, this is a sensible solution.

The energy concept of the Swiss Life Arena also includes a solar system on the main roof of the building complex. It provides part of the electricity that the arena uses. According to EWZ information, the additional energy required comes from renewable sources such as wind and water. The Swiss-Life-Arena achieves the Minergie standard for ice arenas, also thanks to its ingenious building technology. Your company will be CO₂-neutral.

Less green space, more sealed soil

So far, so climate-friendly. An EWZ spokesman said on request on Thursday whether the ZSC stadium will consume more energy than it delivers or vice versa. In any case, 40 percent of the energy supplied is required for ice production.

An ecological downer remains anyway: Numerous allotments had to give way to the Swiss Life Arena. The city of Zurich promised the allotment gardeners a replacement in Dunkelhölzli on the border with Schlieren. However, these gardens, some of which are already usable, some of which are still planned, are located in an area that was previously green, as a spokesman for Green City of Zurich said on request. As a result, the construction of the ZSC Arena in Zurich-West, which is increasingly sealed off from the ground, is reducing the supply of green spaces that would be important for the urban climate. But the city of Zurich’s electorate approved the largely privately financed stadium project in 2016 with 57 percent yes votes. The arguments for top-class and popular sport predominated.

–