Linde Gas Switzerland, Galliker Transport, Emmi, and CKW are planning a Swiss-wide unique energy ecosystem based on renewable energies in Dagmersellen. At the heart of the project is a large wood-fired power plant, which is set to produce heat and renewable electricity for green hydrogen from 2028. The project is an important step toward achieving the energy strategy goals of the companies involved and also toward establishing a district heating network for Dagmersellen.

At the beginning of the energy ecosystem is a wood-fired power plant operated by CKW for the production of heat and electricity. Linde will use part of the electricity to produce hydrogen using a 10 MW PEM electrolyzer. The hydrogen will be used to power the truck fleet of Galliker Transport, which, with its “Green Logistics by Galliker” initiative, aims to be CO2-neutral by 2050. Galliker has been successfully operating six hydrogen trucks on Swiss roads since 2020 and will continue to focus on alternative drive solutions in the future.

Emmi uses renewable heat to cover part of the thermal energy required at its Dagmersellen production site for the production of fresh cheese specialities and milk powder. The project is a milestone in Emmi’s net zero reduction path, which it aims to achieve by 2050, and a further step towards reducing internal CO2 emissions by 60 percent by 2027. With a view to closing the loop, Emmi also supplies demineralized water from production for hydrogen production. In addition, Linde recovers green CO2 from the combustion process, for example for use in dry ice production.

When fully operational, the wood-fired power plant will produce 100 GWh of electricity and 130 GWh of heat. Emmi will use around 50 GWh of the heat. Other potential heat consumers include local industry and heating networks in the surrounding villages. The wood-fired power plant will be operated as far as possible with regional wood chips and waste wood. This will require up to 200,000 tons of wood per year. The four partners estimate the costs to be in the region of CHF 200 million.