Kyburz Wins the ZüriUnterland 2025 Innovation Award

(CONNECT) ZüriUnterland has chosen Kyburz Switzerland as the winner of its Innovation Award 2025. First place is endowed with 5,000 Swiss francs and was presented by sponsors Zürcher Kantonalbank and Vetropack at last year's winner Localfish in Rafz, according to a press release.

Kyburz Switzerland from Embrach has developed a bidirectional onboard charging system with alternating current for small electric vehicles. According to the press release, such a system works without any adjustments to the network infrastructure. In this way, the small vehicle becomes a virtual power plant: it draws energy from the grid at times of day when electricity is cheap and feeds it into the grid when the price is high. The system contributes to the stabilization of the power grid and caps internal load peaks.

Second place went to Bülach Hospital AG. The company has introduced an innovative working time model for nursing care in which employees can choose between four different models. The basic principle: those who can be deployed more flexibly and take on more night shifts, for example, benefit from financial bonuses. According to the jury, the model can serve as a role model for companies that work in shifts and are struggling with a shortage of skilled workers.

Third place went to Yasai AG. Like 2nd place, it is endowed with 2500 francs. The Zurich-based company Yasai operates Switzerland's first modular vertical farm in Niederhasli. Fresh herbs are produced there in a resource-saving manner on several levels: water consumption is significantly lower, pesticides are unnecessary and production takes place all year round. ce/mm