Page 23 - Guidelines for cities to achieve carbon Net Zero through digital transformation

Using lake water for heating and cooling is an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly
approach, as it harnesses the stable thermal properties of large bodies of water. It reduces the
reliance on conventional energy sources for heating and cooling purposes, thereby contributing
to lower greenhouse gas emissions and a more sustainable urban environment.

A great case example is in Geneva, Switzerland. Lake water is being converted into renewable energy
to heat and cool some fifty buildings in Geneva using hydrothermal technology. The implementation
of thermal networks, as showcased in the GeniLac project initiated in 2009 in the canton of Geneva,
demonstrates a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for heating and cooling buildings. The primary
objective of the GeniLac project is to displace traditional oil and gas-powered heating and air
conditioning systems with environmentally-friendly water-powered alternatives. Spearheaded
by the power company Services Industriels de Genève (SIG), this ambitious undertaking forms a
crucial component of the canton of Geneva's comprehensive climate strategy, promoting energy
efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Huszno, 2021).

Figure 5: Installing the GeniLac pipelines

Source: Huszno, 2021

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