Client: Zurich Waste Disposal and Recycling (ERZ)
Project team: Dominic Stähly
Services: Pollutant investigation, remediation planning, deconstruction planning and monitoring.
Year: 2019-2023
The waste-to-energy plant KHKW at Josefstrasse 205 in Zurich’s Kreis 5 ceased operation in March 2021 after more than 100 years. The plant was opened in 1904 and was the first of its kind in Switzerland.
For some time now, the city of Zurich’s Josefstrasse plant has been redundant due to overcapacity and is no longer included in the cantonal waste planning. Now an energy centre is to be built on the site to supply Zurich West with heating from the Hagenholz waste-to-energy plant. For this purpose, parts of the Josefstrasse power plant will be dismantled, while other areas will be renovated. Carbotech AG was commissioned to plan and accompany this construction work in the area of building pollutants.
Even under strict safety precautions, the incineration of household refuse can lead to the accumulation and deposition of use-related pollutants such as heavy metals, dioxins and PCBs. Precise measurements and appropriate protective measures are necessary to protect people and the environment.
In addition to the scope of the pollutants to be tested, another challenge lies in the location of the building. The Josefstrasse CHP plant is located in the middle of the Kreis 5 residential district, and dismantling had to be carried out while part of the plant was in operation. In addition to logistical difficulties, this required the highest safety measures for pollutant clean-up and disposal.
Carbotech AG was able to provide comprehensive support for the construction project. Starting with the pollutant investigation and remediation planning up to the deconstruction planning and deconstruction supervision. An individual concept and measurement programme were drawn up. The accompanying measurements were carried out on a regular basis and the execution controls and acceptances were assessed. With a professional monitoring of pollutant remediation, it can be ensured that a health hazard for those carrying out the work as well as for third parties can be excluded during and after the remediation work.
