Sonova inaugurates zero-energy building
Sonova Holding AG has inaugurated its new Wireless Competence Center of its subsidiary Phonak Communications. The new building in Murten is one of the first zero-energy company buildings in Switzerland. Sonova aims to be completely climate-neutral by the end of the year.
Sonova Holding AG has realized one of the first zero-energy company buildings in Murten, Freiburg, writes the hearing aid manufacturer from Stäfa in a press release . The new Wireless Competence Center will accommodate 180 employees from the Phonak Communications subsidiary and serve the development of miniaturized communication and hearing protection systems. The new building is part of Sonova's sustainability program. By the end of the year, the hearing aid manufacturer wants to have made all of its business operations CO2-neutral.
“As one of the first zero-energy company buildings in Switzerland”, the new building in Murten “also belongs to the first generation of CO2-neutral buildings worldwide,” Sonova CEO Arnd Kaldowski is quoted in the press release. According to her, the building adapts to the respective outside climate, so that the temperature inside is always between 21 and 26 degrees. High and perfectly adapted window areas guarantee maximum natural light incidence and regulate the air renewal via controllable ventilation blades. The humidity is regulated by walls and ceilings plastered with lime.
A photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the building will generate around 260,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, the press release further explains. This is more than Sonova needs to run its Competence Center. The excess electricity is to be fed into the power grid.
