Local network of EKZ and ETH wins special prize at Watt d'Or

(CONNECT) The Swiss Federal Office of Energy(SFOE) has awarded the Watt d'Or energy prize for the 18th time. This year, in addition to the four regular prizes, a special prize was awarded for innovative grid tariffs, the SFOE announced in a press release. It went to four projects from the Elektra cooperative in Jegenstorf BE, the Fribourg-based Groupe E, the Ticino distribution grid operator Azienda Elettrica di Massagno, the electricity works of the Canton of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

While the other three projects concern dynamic tariffs, OrtsNetz by EKZ and ETH focuses on the potential of an intelligent and decentralized supply network. It was tested in a pilot project supported by the SFOE in the Zurich municipality of Winkel. "The results show that both dynamic load control by the distribution grid operator and real-time dynamic tariffs relieve the grid," says the portraits of the winning Watt d'Or 2025 projects. In addition, an intelligent and decentralized supply network enables the efficient use of renewable energies.

A total of 40 projects applied for this year's Watt d'Or. One of them will be awarded in each of the regular Watt d'Or categories: energy technologies, renewable energies, energy-efficient mobility and buildings and space. No prize money is paid out, but trophies in the form of a snow globe are awarded. ce/hs