Pistor’s new geothermal storage saves 330 tons of CO2
Rothenburg - Pistor’s geothermal storage has helped the wholesaler in the canton of Lucerne realize heating oil savings of 100,000 liters per year. This prevents CO2 emissions of 330 tons, which is equivalent to those of 200 direct flights from Zurich to Tokyo. The installation cost of 1 million Swiss francs is being offset by the cut in heating oil consumption.
Pistor has reflected positively on the first winter with its new geothermal storage solution: «It has run so smoothly that we have not needed a single drop of heating oil thus far,» said Michael Waser, Pistor’s Head of Infrastructure, in a company statement.
Each year, Pistor will consequently be saving more than 100,000 liters of heating oil at its headquarters in Rothenburg, while also preventing CO2 emissions of 330 tons. This figure is equivalent to the emissions of more than 200 direct flights from Zurich to Tokyo. Waser expects «this geothermal storage to create medium-term cost savings».
Pistor invested 1 million francs in its installation, which involved drilling 75 boreholes at a depth of 250 meters. This has created one of largest geothermal storage plants in Central Switzerland, as reported by the retail and service company in the bakery and confectionery industry as well as hospitality and care.
According to Waser, the Pistor cooperative is thereby also responding to the demands of customers, who are increasingly calling for supply chains to be as socially and environmentally responsible as possible: «We are fulfilling them.» It also involved 12 electric fleet trucks and renovation using sustainable materials.
What’s more, Pistor transports its more than 27,000 products by train from one distribution center to another. Moving freight by rail saves additional CO2 emissions of 785 tons per year.
