The new building of the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne integrates new technologies in the energy sector. In a pilot project, electricity will be stored for the first time using compressed air storage technology. The innovation of the start-up company Green-Y Energy AG and the Swiss Battery Technology Center allows to store renewable energy and release it as required as electricity, heat or cooling.
The new building of the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne
Having already set up the company in temporary facilities, the SIPBB with its four research departments will move into the new building located directly behind Biel's main railway station in the first quarter of 2021. The SIPBB offers meeting places for people to come together within an innovation environment. The ground floor boasts a bistro, a foyer with seating and an exhibition area, as well as the auditorium for internal and external events, seminars and workshops for up to 300 visitors. The Open Innovation Space on the fourth floor is façades, equipped for events, presentations and meetings for up to 200 people. The roof terrace features tables, chairs, umbrellas and a vending machine for beverages and is therefore the perfect place to take a break. The Innovation Park also serves as a test and demonstration lab. In the Swiss Smart Factory, for example, it presents solutions on the topic of Industry 4.0. 1000 m2 of floor space will be used to demonstrate an entire production ecosystem and how Industry 4.0 is already working today.
Compressed air storage for renewable energies
Energy solutions are integrated and presented in the building. For example, the compressed air storage tank. The compressed air storage system enables renewable energy, such as electricity from photovoltaic systems, to be stored and used when needed. A compressor compresses the air up to 300 bar. The heat generated by compressing the air is used to heat the building or to produce hot water.
In the opposite case, compressed air is re-generated into electricity. The expansion of the air produces cold. This cold is also used in the building and is used to cool the laboratories, such as the battery test laboratory, the offices and the data center.
Only air and water are used as working material, the system is durable and completely recyclable. With the environmentally friendly compressed air storage system, energy costs and emissions from buildings are sustainably reduced.
Cooperation Green-Y Energy AG and SBTC
The new building of the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB) will be a lighthouse in compressed air storage technology. In cooperation with the industry partner Green-Y Energy AG and the Swiss Battery Technology Center (SBTC) of SIPBB, the system will be installed and operated in the new building of the SIPBB. A further common goal is the continuing development to accelerate the marketability.
