Biomass Heating Plants in Lech Zürs

Lech Zürs Tourismus: Mr. Schmutzer, Lech is investing heavily in sustainability. Heating is a central aspect of that — how are Lech and Zürs heated, and what measures have already been taken in this area?

Franz Josef Schmutzer: We have been supplying Lech with heat from biomass for over 25 years. The district heating network that we operate now stretches for around 25 kilometres. Wood chips are delivered daily – sourced exclusively from sawmill waste, 95 per cent of which comes from Vorarlberg. It is a cycle that combines short transport distances with an economically viable heat supply.

Schmutzer: In our heating plant, water is heated to 95°C and distributed through the network into the buildings. It supplies 400 customers — hotels, businesses, and private households — with heating and hot water. We have two hot water storage tanks with a volume of 107 cubic meters each, as well as two oil boilers for emergencies and an emergency generator. The latter also secure operation in the event of a power outage, such as a blackout — in that case we can continue running self-sufficiently.

Schmutzer: We rely on state-of-the-art filtration technology. The flue gases pass through an electrostatic precipitator, which significantly reduces particulate matter emissions. The resulting ash – around 100 tonnes per year – is disposed of as hazardous waste at a specialised landfill site, but the volume is relatively small. We are guided by the principles of ‘Turn to Zero’ and are constantly working to further improve our carbon footprint."

The company was founded in 1999 as a limited partnership – with VKW (26 per cent), the municipality of Lech (25 per cent) and local private investors (49 per cent) as shareholders. At that time, we began supplying 70 homes. Today, 98 per cent of households (private homes and businesses) in Lech Zürs are connected to the biomass district heating network. The price per kilowatt-hour is currently 10 cents, which is very competitive on average. Our aim is to continue to guarantee stable prices in the future – despite general trends in energy prices.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Schmutzer: A total of four biomass heating plants have been built and put into operation in Lech and Zürs since 1997. What all the plants in Lech and Zürs have in common is their particular location outside the village, in the natural landscape. There's no uniform design — each plant is tailored to its specific situation.

Oberlech (1997), Lech (1999), Zug (2007), Zürs (2010).

All four biomass heating plants use biomass as fuel and are otherwise no different in function from conventional heating plants. Hot water is centrally generated in a boiler.

Schmutzer: Yes, we work with what are known as heating curves. Buildings regulate their own heating circuits directly, and some use fresh water modules. Production happens on demand — meaning: when a guest takes a shower, heat is provided just in time. Our output capacity is 18 megawatts per hour — enough to ensure reliable supply even on peak days.

Schmutzer: Absolutely. We support that with a stable energy supply — whether it's a winter event, a cultural event, or the summer season. The new community center with the Kulturhaus Lech is also connected to the district heating system.

We sincerely thank Franz Josef Schmutzer for the conversation and the fascinating insights.

The example of the biomass heating plants impressively shows how Lech Zürs takes responsibility for the environment and the future — thinking regionally, implemented sustainably.