District heating Lauterbrunnen-Wengen

BAC wants to supply the entire centre of Wengen with a modern, sustainable heating system. The energy concept is based on the efficient use of waste heat from the Lauterbrunnen wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), a new wood-chip heating plant and an oil-fired heating system for particularly cold days, located on the same site. A transmission pipe will connect the three heating plants with the village of Wengen. A local distribution system will provide a clean, efficient, sustainable connection to the individual properties. An additional redundant heating plant in Wengen will be used for maintenance work and in emergencies. The combination of all heating plants will ensure resource-efficient energy supply. The aim is to minimise the carbon footprint and make a significant contribution to the local energy transition.

BAC has already assessed the use of wastewater heat at the Lauterbrunnen WWTP and the construction of a wood-chip heating plant at the same site. Both projects are technically feasible and could be implemented once approved by the relevant authorities. The transmission pipe would run from there to Wengen along the existing wastewater pipe. As the municipal wastewater pipe has reached the end of its service life, the municipality of Lauterbrunnen is currently considering renewing it. There is synergy potential for both parties in this section in terms of costs and construction, since the two pipes could be renewed at the same time. Some logistical challenges are to be expected in construction of the distribution system in the village, but these can be overcome.
 

First phase: focus on Wengen

The project is currently focusing on supplying heat to Wengen. Around 2.2 million litres of heating oil are transported to Wengen by rail every year and distributed locally by lorries. For pellets, the transport volume for the same energy demand is three times higher than for heating oil. This transport volume is to be reduced to a minimum.

The district heating network in Wengen will initially be built as a core network and then densified.

In Lauterbrunnen, the first phase will focus solely on supplying the school building and the retirement/care home, as both buildings are located near the future heating plants. An extension of the district heating network towards the centre is conceivable in the next 10 to 15 years and will be examined in more detail when the time comes.

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