We’re proud to announce that our pilot project in Walenstadt has been awarded a CHF 50,000 Pilot & Demonstration (P&D) grant from the Canton of St. Gallen, as part of the canton’s Energy Concept 2021–2030, which aims to position St. Gallen as a leader in sustainable energy innovation. Our project transforms Walenstadt’s distribution network into a prototype for the smart power grid of the future—one where households, grid infrastructure, and the local utility alike work together in a coordinated, resilient energy system.

St Gallen’s P&D grants aim to back forward-looking projects that promote the canton as a pioneer in energy storage and mobility. What sets our pilot apart is its unique collaboration between academic researchers and energy system practitioners—a crucial bridge for turning research into real-world impact. Furthermore, we also bring great visibility to the canton through NCCR Automation’s network of nearly 100 researchers, who share insights at national and international conferences.   

At the core of the pilot is an energy community of households equipped with solar panels and heat pumps. These homes are being upgraded to become controllable units, connected to a central platform. Using cutting-edge optimization and control methods, we aim to harness their flexibility to reduce grid congestion and improve system stability—key goals in the canton’s energy strategy.

So far, 25 households have volunteered to join the community. Beyond the technical outcomes, we expect the project to foster energy literacy, encourage cooperation among residents, and build a strong foundation for participation in scientific research scientific research.

The grant has been awarded to Gabriela Hug, Pulkit Nahata, Lukas Ortmann and Benjamin Sawicki from NCCR Automation, and Justus Bernold from WEW Walenstadt. 

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