HES-SO accompanies 15 SME projects to cope with times of crisis
Fifteen SMEs, large companies and public enterprises are working together with the HES-SO on an equal number of projects to strengthen their adaptability and resilience in times of crisis. These projects, selected through an extraordinary call for proposals, are accompanied for one year by professors from the Engineering and Architecture Department of the HES-SO.
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Biodiversity-friendly turbines, CO2-free vegetable cultivation, deliveries by Cargobike, sale of bulk wine: companies use very different means to adapt to a serious crisis situation and strengthen their resilience. Against this background, last year the Department of Engineering and Architecture of the HES-SO called on its universities to support their partners from the social and economic environment facing difficult circumstances and launched a special call for projects for this purpose.
HES-SO supports SMEs
Fifteen projects were finally selected from the submissions received, with a total cost of CHF 750,000 and involving four of the six HES-SO schools of engineering and architecture. They come from private or also public partners from the region and deal, among other things, with the supply chain, the replacement and management of energy resources, cyber security or even renovations - and always against the backdrop of a severe crisis situation and with a view to resilience.
The projects last twelve months and started in March/April 2023. They are financed with a maximum of CHF 50,000, whereby this amount is used exclusively for the expenses of the professors involved. For its part, each external partner commits to make an additional financial contribution of 10 % as well as 10 % of own contributions.
The call for projects entitled "Adaptabilité et résilience des entreprises face à une crise majeure" (Adaptability and resilience in times of crisis) offers SMEs, large companies, public enterprises or even associations the opportunity to benefit from the competencies of the teaching staff of the HES-SO's engineering and architecture colleges. It follows the 2021 "Après COVID-19" call for proposals, which supported SMEs affected by the pandemic in their aF&E projects. Within this framework, 33 projects were carried out.
CHANGINS: Potential of the sale of bulk wine
The CHANGINS College of Viticulture and Oenology research project explores the potential of bulk wine sales as a new and sustainable alternative to reduce wineries' dependence on the glass market. Specifically, the project, conducted in partnership with Cave de la Côte, aims to determine consumer acceptance and expectations of non-bottled wine sales, investigate how and whether the system can be implemented among resellers, and develop recommendations for bulk wine sales.
HEIA-FR: More environmentally friendly turbines
The effects of climate change are clearly visible at the reservoirs. Groupe E, the energy company in western Switzerland, is committed to producing sustainable and local renewable energy with its plants. Observations show that lakes and watercourses are low in oxygen during dry summers, which are becoming more frequent. This phenomenon of stratification and undersupply of oxygen is clearly evident in Lake Schiffenen and requires the injection of air into the water of the Saane downstream, which affects hydropower production. In partnership with Groupe E, the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR) will document the condition of Lake Schiffenen over a summer (water temperature and dissolved oxygen) and model the flows to determine which layer of water is drawn in by the turbines' water intake and how much oxygen it contains. Finally, concrete measures to enrich the turbined water with oxygen will be tested on site.
HEPIA: Supporting the energy revolution in greenhouse management
Farmers who manage greenhouses have an interest in using renewable energy to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and their electricity bills. Geneva's School of Landscape, Engineering and Architecture (HEPIA), in partnership with Geneva's public utilities, is helping them in this endeavor. The Agronomy program is conducting a research project with four objectives: Adapt existing greenhouses to renewable energy, study the impact of new photovoltaic panels on the growth and yield of certain vegetables, assess the energy potential and economic benefits, and identify possible sources of funding.
HES-SO Valais-Wallis: Intelligent motorized Cargobike
Deliveries by motorized transport bicycle - whether front or back loader - are an ideal way to relieve urban traffic and reduce carbon monoxide emissions. However, slopes, bumps, dips and potholes can cause the load carrier's engine to behave erratically and the rider to lose balance. The HES-SO Valais-Wallis - School of Engineering (HEI) will study a control system for the Kargobike company that will prevent such disturbances of the load carrier from affecting the train bike during the ride.
List of supported projects
CHANGINS - College of Viticulture and Enology
ConsoVrac, Cave de la Côte, TolochenazUniversity of Applied Sciences Freiburg - HEIA-FR
AshSoap, Definitely different, Les Giettes
HydroO2power, Groupe E, Granges-PaccotGeneva School of Landscape, Engineering and Architecture - HEPIA
ASACE, SI, Geneva
CRYPTML, Ketl, Geneva
M2CER2, Peacock solutions, Lausanne-EPFL
MAESTRO, Relec, Yverdon-les-Bains
Monistock, 2S Promo, Hergiswil
Unfired Clay Bricks, Tuileries Fribourg et Lausanne (TFL), CrissierHES-SO Valais-Wallis - HEI
ACT, Neology, Lutry
EC3DP, Celectis Sàrl, Sion
Effic-IB, Lonza, Visp
Exer_Go, ExerGo, Yverdon-les-Bains
REACT, Kargobike, Sion
SiloCIMO, CIMO, Monthey
Source and further information
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