Murtenstrasse 110
3008 Bern
Energiezentrale Forsthaus
Container ship on the outskirts of town
Planning and execution
2008–2013
Architects
Architecture, general planning (excluding process engineering): Graber Pulver Architects AG
Overall project management: TBF + Partner AG, Bern
Client
Other
Overall project management: TBF + Partner AG, Bern
Site management: Andreas Akeret Baumanagement GmbH, Bern (acting as a sub-planner for the architects)
Landscape architecture: Hager Partner AG, Zurich
Structural engineering: Walt+Galmarini AG, Zurich / BlessHess AG, Lucerne
Process engineering: TBF + Partner AG, Bern
Specialist HVAC site management / Coordination of process and building services: Amstein + Walthert AG, St. Gallen HVAC
design: Waldhauser + Hermann AG, Münchenstein
Plumbing design: BLM Haustechnik AG, Zurich
Electrical design: Mettler & Partner AG, Zurich
Building physics / Acoustics: Gartenmann Engineering AG, Bern
Traffic planning: TEAMverkehr.zug AG, Cham
Art: L/B Lang Baumann, Burgdorf
Awards
arc Award 2013 (Grand Prize)
Marketing and Architecture 2014 (Public Buildings Award)
ATU Prix 2015 (Honourable Mention)
Best Architects 16 (Gold)
Description
Much like a container ship in port, the new power station lies on the outskirts of Bern / In order to accommodate future changes in process technology, the building’s construction must be robust yet flexible / The building plinth and slurry bunker are made of in-situ concrete, whilst the process engineering halls form a tectonic shell of precast concrete elements / A visitor walkway runs the length of the entire building / Carefully designed views in and out create a connection between the ‘machine’ and nature.
Three power stations, one system
The Forsthaus Energy Centre is a unique production facility in Switzerland and a milestone on the path to a sustainable energy supply. It produces electricity, steam and district heating from waste, regional wood and natural gas. Thanks to this combination, we can respond flexibly to market needs and become less dependent on other electricity suppliers. In addition, there is a photovoltaic system on the roof of the energy centre. Around a third of the electricity demand and 15 per cent of the heating demand of the city of Bern are met by the energy centre. The facility is an important and strategic means of implementing the city of Bern’s Energy and Climate Strategy 2035.
The Forsthaus Energy Centre combines three facilities:
Waste-to-energy plant (WtE): incinerates waste to generate energy
Wood-fired combined heat and power plant (CHP): burns regional wood to generate energy
Combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant: covers peak loads
Thanks to modern technology, the Forsthaus Energy Centre operates in an environmentally friendly manner and complies with strict regulations. Its exhaust gases are treated in a multi-stage process. Additional filtering and purification processes ensure that as many valuable materials as possible are recycled and resources are conserved. Because Energie Wasser Bern needs to import less electricity from abroad thanks to the Forsthaus Energy Centre, total CO2 emissions for Bern’s electricity supply have fallen by 57,000 tonnes per year.
Visits and guided tours
Type of tour: Guided group tours; no individual tours
Registration: Required
Group size: Maximum 20 people
Meeting point: At reception; you can reach the main entrance via the footbridge (stairs)
Please arrive at reception 10 minutes before the tour starts.
Wear suitable footwear: trainers, walking boots or closed shoes. The site is not suitable for people with walking difficulties or who require a wheelchair. A hard hat and high-visibility vest are compulsory and will be provided on site. Participants are responsible for their own insurance.
Discover how energy is generated in Bern. The Forsthaus Energy Centre is a flagship Swiss project: it produces electricity, steam and district heating from waste, wood and natural gas. It thus covers around a third of Bern’s electricity needs and 15 per cent of its heat supply. Spend 1.5 hours discovering our pioneering facility and gain fascinating insights into state-of-the-art energy production. Learn how we put sustainability into practice at every stage: from resource-efficient technology to efficient operation. Our experts will show you how visions become tangible solutions and what role the plant plays in Bern’s energy future.
Guided Tours
Saturday, 10:00-11:30 - Energie Wasser Bern
Saturday, 13:00-14:30 - Energie Wasser Bern
Saturday, 14:00-15:30 - Energie Wasser Bern
Directions
Postbus no. 101 or 107 to "Forsthaus"
Location
Murtenstrasse 110
3008 Bern