New Technology Center Laufenburg
April 14, 2026
A technology center is being built on the former Swissgrid site in Laufenburg. The centerpiece of the technology center is the new building opposite the existing building. On an area of over 20,000m2, the world's largest and most modern battery storage facility of > 500 MW storage, non-flammable and non-explosive, and a data center for artificial intelligence are being built.
Excavation and gravel processing
Spring 2026
Sustainable construction begins with the excavation of the new building for the Laufenburg Technology Center (TZL): a total of around 400,000 m³ of sandy and gravelly material will be extracted and form the basis for a consistent material cycle. Thanks to the high quality, a large proportion of the excavated material is ideal for further processing into concrete and gravel products.
The material is transported over short distances from Laufenburg to Münchwilen to Kies + Beton Münchwilen AG, where it is washed and screened. Organic components are removed and defined grain sizes are produced. This produces high-quality sand and gravel fractions that are used directly in concrete production.
Even less suitable components such as nagelfluh are not disposed of, but processed into building materials for road construction and civil engineering with the help of screening and crushing plants. This reduces the proportion of non-recyclable materials to a minimum.
Around 100,000 m³ of the processed gravel material ultimately flows back into the construction project in the form of concrete. This creates an almost closed cycle in which the originally excavated material is reused on the construction site after processing - resource-saving, low-emission and exemplary for modern, sustainable construction.
FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
Summer 2025
The civil engineering work for the Laufenburg Technology Center (TZL) is in full swing. Over 600 bored piles with depths of up to 30 meters and diameters of up to 1.2 meters are currently being installed. They form the structural basis for the excavation volume of around 500,000m3 of soil.
The new building will have a total volume of almost 900,000 m³, which places extraordinary demands on planning and execution.
The building envelope consists of a photovoltaic façade with an area of around 12,000m2 - the largest solar façade in Switzerland to date. The 12 floors inside are accessed via 1,000 doors, 24 stairwells and 8 elevators, ranging from passenger lifts to heavy-duty lifts. The space for the complex technology is provided by 14 meter high floors, which are supported by over 5,000 columns.
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY TECHNOLOGY CENTER LAUFENBURG
May 2025
To the applause of the invited guests, Marcel Aumer, CEO of the FlexBase Group, performed the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony for the project of the century with the ERNE excavator on May 5.
The big moment for the TZL project, which will secure the sustainable energy supply of tomorrow from summer 2028, was witnessed by the teams from FlexBase Group, Frei Architekten, Amstein + Walthert, Schnetzer Puskas, Koch + Partner and ERNE as well as representatives from Laufenburg.
For ERNE and Group CEO Giuseppe Santagada, the TZL is more than just a project: it is a symbol of Swiss innovative strength and entrepreneurial courage.
ERNE is proud to realize this project of national importance as a strong partner alongside FlexBase.
CONSTRUCTION APPROVAL FOR THE FLEXBASE TECHNOLOGY CENTER
April 2025
The FlexBase Group has received the go-ahead for the construction of the technology center in Laufenburg, which will house a world-leading battery storage facility and an innovative data center for artificial intelligence. The ground-breaking ceremony for the project is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, with commissioning planned for summer 2028.
With a capacity of over 1.6 GWh and an output of more than 800 MW, the FlexBase Technology Center will actively drive forward Switzerland's energy transition and ensure a sustainable energy supply. Attached to the technology center is an AI data center that combines cutting-edge technology with the highest security standards and uses innovative water cooling. In future, Laufenburg's old town is to be supplied with district heating from the existing data centers in the FlexBase operations building, which will save around 75,000 tonnes of CO₂ in Laufenburg alone over the next 30 years.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FLEXBASE AND ERNE
September 2024
ERNE and FlexBase have entered into a strategic partnership to drive forward the mega project at the Laufenburg site. The ERNE Group has been awarded the contract for the realization of this gigantic project of national importance. By submitting the updated planning application, we are reaffirming our joint will and commitment to this major project.
Marcel Aumer, CEO, Chairman and Co-Founder of the FlexBase Group, does not expect the ambitious timetable to be delayed despite the project being resubmitted. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2025.
ERNE is the chosen realization partner. In close cooperation with FlexBase, ERNE helped to develop the project from an early stage. Marcel Aumer, CEO of the FlexBase Group, comments:
'In this project, I not only experienced ERNE's expertise right from the start, but also the full attention of top management.
Giuseppe Santagada, CEO of the ERNE Group, confirms:
My personal commitment goes far beyond the realization of this project; it also includes the promotion of new technological skills and the enhancement of Laufenburg's attractiveness as a location for the vision of a prosperous region.
ABOUT THE FLEXBASE TECHNOLOGY CENTER LAUFENBURG (TZL)
TZ-Laufenburg is creating several hundred new jobs for Laufenburg and the region with modern technologies in the fields of IT, communication and energy. The centerpiece is the new building opposite the former Swissgrid building, which will be taken over and revitalized.
The world's largest battery storage facility of > 500 MW, planned in collaboration with renowned companies from the energy sector, enables the efficient use of renewable energies, stabilizes the electricity grids and secures the energy supply of the future for Switzerland and parts of Europe. The battery technology used is sustainable: recyclable, non-explosive and non-flammable. The battery storage system, which is being built right next to the world's largest interconnected power grid - the "Star of Laufenburg" - is helping to meet the challenges of the energy transition in an international context.
A state-of-the-art AI data center is driving the development of artificial intelligence. This is where solutions are created that solve complex problems in areas such as climate protection, health and resource efficiency. The innovative use of water-cooled waste heat for district heating in the immediate vicinity in Switzerland and Germany combines high-tech with sustainability. The data center is equipped with a photovoltaic system covering an area of over 8,400 m2 and is monitored around the clock by the 24/7/365 monitoring concept of the in-house Operation Center.
Aerodynamic innovations are researched and developed in the wind tunnel; it is mainly used to optimize sports equipment to improve energy efficiency. However, the wind tunnel is also used for the education and training of sports scientists and coaches in order to integrate new findings directly into training methods. This practical research enables innovative training concepts to be developed and sporting performance to be raised to a new level.
