Hodel Energie GmbH in Switzerland demonstrates how the energy transition works with regional biomass and solar energy: 100% renewable, regional and future-proof.
Farmer Georg Hodel generates decentralized electricity and heat from wood chips using a wood gasifier and a wood gas CHP unit.
Hodel Energie GmbH, a farm in Switzerland with a district heating network, generates its own electricity and heat using five "HKA 70" wood-fired power plants from Spanner Re² GmbH – which also supplies a local heating network. 400 apartments, public buildings, and the farm itself benefit from the CO₂-neutral energy produced.
Wood energy and PV - a powerful duo
The wood-fired power plant, which generates both electricity and heat from wood chips using the principle of combined heat and power (CHP), has a thermal output of 700 kW and an electrical output of 320 kW. In addition to supplying the district heating network, it also feeds the company's own farm. Hodel feeds the surplus electricity into the public grid for a fee. The existing 900 kW photovoltaic (PV) system is integrated into the energy concept.
This creates a future-proof energy concept that strengthens agriculture and the region – and makes it independent of fossil fuels.
✔ 100% renewable and crisis-proof
✔ Predictable costs and regional added value
✔ Efficient use of domestic resources
✔ Maximum independence from fossil fuels and their price fluctuations
Key data on the wood gasification energy solution from Spanner Re²
- 5 wood gasification plants and wood gas CHP units: total output of 700 kW thermal and 320 kW electrical
- Existing PV system with 900 kW electrical output integrated
- Fuel: Wood chips from the region
- Self-generated energy supply and supply of a district heating network
