THE HARD FACTS Climate protection and energy efficiency 12/2015

Samuel Lorez Chief Engineer BERGBAHNEN: GROWING Lenzerheide Bergbahnen AG SUSTAINABLY TOGETHER Marc Gisler Chief of Buildings and Properties Arosa Bergbahnen AG Andreas Sturzenegger Chief Engineer Arosa Bergbahnen AG

What are the greatest benefits of the Aro- sa-Lenzerheide link-up? SL: One key point is undoubtedly the signifi- cant expansion of the skiing area. Visitors can enjoy a bigger and more varied panorama. MG: Visitors will of course find it fantastic that the new Urdenbahn allows them to move from any side to the other, and so take full With 225 km of pistes and 43 transport facilities, advantage of the variety of pistes and gas- is the largest contiguous winter sports area in the . tronomy on offer.

The energy consumption of mountain Joining forces What are the most energy-intensive as- transport systems is by no means a In the 2013/14 winter season, the two ski pects of mountain transport operations? constant. Participants in the Energy­ resorts of Arosa and Lenzerheide were AS: On the whole we consume a large amount ­Agency of the Swiss Private Sector linked up by the Urdenbahn, which runs of energy, especially for artificial . (EnAW), such as Engadin St. Moritz from Hörnli in Arosa to Urdenfürggli in Len- But that is precisely why we pay special at- Mountains AG, Savognin­ Bergbahnen zerheide. Arosa Lenzerheide offers 225 km tention to energy-efficient technologies when AG, ­Mottas Naluns Scuol-Ftan-Sent of pistes and 43 transport facilities, making purchasing new machines and equipment. AG, AG Luftseilbahn­ Corviglia-Piz Nair it the largest contiguous winter sports area SL: Among other things, we consume about or ­Corvatsch AG, face the special chal- in the Grisons. Such a link-up has been un- nine million kwh of electricity per year. This lenge of peaks and fluctuations in pow- der consideration and discussion for over breaks down into about 40% for transport er consumption. Energy is also being 40 years. It is now a reality. Not only do vis- facilities, 30% for artificial snowmaking and saved in Arosa and Lenzerheide. itors love the new, substantially increased the remainder for operations and catering. In number of pistes available, but the two our company too, snowmaking accounts for Sustainable natural resource management is mountain transport operators describe the a rather large share, even though we make of fundamental importance to the operation connection as a win-win situation. snow for just a few days of the year. of mountain transport facilities. Unspoiled na- ture makes all the difference to the mountain Ideal partners «For us, the start of cooperation experience and is the basis of summer and Winter sports areas are having to grap- with the EnAW was a kind of winter tourism. Environment-friendly, sus- ple increasingly the very influential factors tainable, authentic, – all these are slogans of weather, economic trends and foreign stocktaking.» that impact tourism companies in terms of competition. Winter sport enthusiasts ex- operations, strategy and communications. pect perfect snow at all times, immacu- Does cooperation with the Energy Agen- Sustainability is not just a buzzword for Arosa lately groomed pistes, as well as top-notch cy of the Swiss Private Sector (EnAW) and Lenzerheide but has been a high priority cuisine. Connecting two already well es- change your outlook on energy efficiency? for many years now, above all in the techni- tablished and much loved ski resorts offers AS: For us, the start of cooperation with the cal field. The topic is a key component of the guests a very broad choice of possibilities EnAW was a kind of stocktaking. And this to strategy and every effort is made to ensure – everyone is sure to find their ideal piste. some extent validated the work we were do- that our offer to our guests is efficient and Arosa Bergbahnen and Lenzerheide ing: we had already been operating in an en- sustainable. We have already achieved many Bergbahnen attract two different types ergy-conscious manner and were already on milestones, but much still remains to be done. of visitor. While Arosa receives mostly a path of energy efficiency. Our ­potential for improvement, our 10-year target, was therefore judged quite favourably. Even so, we are still always open to good ideas from the EnAW. The advantage for us is that we can get answers to a large number of ques- tions from one place.

How can visitors to the contrib- ute to energy efficiency? SL: A large part of the emissions associated with today’s «mountain transport product» re- sults from modes of individual transport. We have taken this responsibility on board and introduced a ticket that includes public trans- port. With a valid ski pass (day or season), winter guests at the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski resort can travel the entire Arosa--Len- zerheide route by public transport to practise their favourite sport then return to their point of departure, free of cost. If visitors leave their cars at home, they need not worry about In the 2013/14 winter season the two ski resorts of parking or about buying several different tick- Arosa und Lenzerheide were linked up by the Urdenbahn. ets. Their day pass is all-inclusive, and they are doing something for the environment. week-long guests, Lenzerheide is frequent- ed as expected, the energy saving will be ed more by day trippers. Marc Gisler and about 400 MWh in Arosa and an impres- Andreas Sturzenegger of Arosa Bergbah- sive 800 MWh in Lenzerheide. Besides, in ENERGY AGENCY OF THE SWISS nen think that this could be because peo- collaboration with the EnAW, the transport PRIVATE SECTOR (EnAW) ple are put off by the 365 curves in the road operators are striving for CO2 emission cuts Since 2001 and based on energy from Chur to Arosa. Not every motorist will of 45 and 50 tonnes, respectively. and product neutrality, we have been feel drawn to this – and even less so for a providing our participants with tried and one-day outing – and will therefore opt for Decentralized measurements tested, all-round assistance in energy Lenzerheide, which can be reached more The Grisons mountain transport operators management through excellent products, quickly. do stand out somewhat among EnAW par- services and ISO 50001-compliant tools But there are now numerous possibili- ticipants, as they are not conventional com- that are recognized by the authorities. In ties on both sides: you can strap on your panies where it is possible to take readings implementation, we rely on cost-effective skis on the Arosa side or the Lenzerheide of all energy-related figures at one place. efficiency measures that reduce every side and explore the two valleys with ease. The spatial distribution of the facilities, company’s energy consumption and CO2 workshops and restaurants complicates emissions. The EnAW is a non-profit or- Fine-tuning with the EnAW energy management somewhat. The ear- ganization run by business, for business. The two mountain transport operators are ly stages were therefore a bit challenging, striving to use energy sustainably and effi- says Samuel Lorez, Chief Engineer at Len- ciently. They have been participating in the zerheide Bergbahnen. If energy accounting EnAW energy model since 2014. Although is to be properly done, data must be avail- energy efficiency has been a focus of the able from every single facility – including two mountain transport operators for many from every snow cannon, for example. years, they are now engaged in what might In dealing with the problems posed by be termed «fine-tuning», with the support spatial distribution, however, the Grisons of EnAW moderator Holger Papst. The tar- has even become something of a pioneer. CONTACTS get agreements concluded on both sides Thanks to a technologically sophisticated HOLGER PAPST / EnAW consultant mean that the cantonal legislation gov- building services management system, it [email protected] erning large-scale consumers has been has been possible since 2009 to central- +423 265 30 42 implemented and the companies are now ly monitor, steer and optimize all heating, exempt from the network surcharge. More- ventilation and lighting systems as well as LENZERHEIDE BERGBAHNEN AG / over, Lenzerheide benefits from the ewz kitchen technology in Lenzerheide. What EnAW participant bonus, while Arosa is working towards CO2 Lorez likes about the system is that it is [email protected] tax exemption for the company’s hotel op- possible to fix minor technical problems +41 81 385 50 00 erations, says Papst. directly from the central command post. As both Arosa Bergbahnen and Lenzer- From the computer he can easily regulate AROSA BERGBAHNEN AG / heide Bergbahnen are still very new EnAW overly-high temperatures in unused or un- EnAW participant participants, nothing can be said about derused rooms, for example. The sum of [email protected] effective CO2 or kwh reductions until after such adjustments is highly beneficial in +41 81 378 84 84 the first monitoring next year. Based on the terms of energy consumption. Yet at no current situation and on potential analyses, time do guests lack the comfort they want. however, some 140 measures have been And this is the prime objective on both jointly approved. If they are all implement- sides of the Urdenbahn.