Status report and future prospects for the Group BG Consult ing Engineers - 2009 Edit ion

BG 21 com

Making France’slongest tunnel safe and secure

Energy effi ciencythe example of the A-One-Business-Center

Nestlé expandsbuilding with demanding quality standards

Supply of waterto the city of Algiers

Sustainable development a priority for the EPFL

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EDITORIAL

You are holding the fi rst issue of the new BG magazine. Through this message, our international company wants to contribute

to the advancement of a widely shared vision of society based on the creation of a sustainable living environment. In these pages, you will fi nd a broad range of in-formation about our activities—sometimes brief, sometimes more extensive when we describe a particular project. We hope you will gain a sense of the importance we place on human resources, innovation,and creativity.

BG Consulting Engineers continues to grow. We are currently involved in exci-ting projects, customer satisfaction is high, and our employees are more motivated than ever. This positive trend translates into growing sales and profi ts, new staff hires and the takeover of highly successful engineering companies.

The global economic crisis clearly raises its share of questions. While it spared us in 2008, it will demand all of our attention in the future, even if our orders reach record levels and our sectors of activity are backed by national public interventions.

BG’s strength comes from its corporate culture and values. It resides above all in the company’s ability to organise its talent into multidisciplinary teams. As the mem-bers of a network in constant interaction, these people generate a rare form of col-lective intelligence. A human organisation of this sort is diffi cult to duplicate.It represents an undeniable competitive advantage and the only possible response to the complexity of the projects ourclients entrust to us. ■

“Collective intelligence in response

to project complexity”

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Laurent Vulliet, CEO BG Consulting Engineers

IMPRESSUM

Publisher: BG Consulting Engineers Ltd • www.bg-21.com

Project managers: Hélène Hourtané • Joseph von Aarburg • Laurent Vulliet

Editorial staff: Hélène Hourtané • Laurent Vulliet • naturaqua PBK • komma pr

Photographers: Cédric Widmer (cover illustration) • Studio M. F. Arnold • Maurice Schobinger

Translators: Anu Lannen • Scheer Partners Sàrl

Graphic design and layout: www.sync360.ch

Photolithography: Images 3 SA

Printing: Entreprise d’arts graphiques Jean Genoud SA

12INFRASTRUCTURE

12 Maurice Lemaire Tunnel, Alsace

16 Bridge building, Tonello,Aix-les-Bains

18 m2 subway, Lausanne

20 Watermanagement,Val-de-Ruz

24 Wastewater treatment plant, Marne aval, Paris

26 Water supply, Algiers

28 Water drainage system, Lugano

30 Water cycle, Grands Moulins Park, Paris

20ENVIRONMENT

32 Merck Serono production site, Corsier-sur-Vevey

36 Nestlé R&D centre, Konolfi ngen

38ENERGY

10INTERVIEW

BG Consulting Engineers LtdAvenue de Cour 61Case postale 241CH-1001 Lausanne

32BUILDING

38 Hydroelectric power

40 A-OneBusiness Center, Rolle

Patrick Aebischer, EPFL President

Tel. +41 21 618 11 11info@bg-21.comwww.bg-21.com

Making France’slongest tunnel safe and secure

Energy efficiencythe example of the A-One-Business-Center

Nestlé expandsbuilding with demanding quality standards

Supply of waterto the city of Algiers

Sustainable development a priority for the EPFL

Under Patrick Aebischer’s presidency, the EPFL largelypromotes sustainable development.

© Cédric Widmer

BG 2009 ■ 5

Collective intelligence as our strength

Nature as our guide

Let’s create a sustainable living environmentwww.bg-21.com

Contents

43 Communications

44 Obituary

45 Talent

46 2008 at a glance

48 Future

50 Contacts

6 News

8 World

42 Society

BG Consulting Engineers has managed the design and construction of one of the world’s longest tunnels. The Loetschberg base railway tunnel opened on December 6,2007, and has considerably increasedtransit capacity on the north-south inter-national route. This key segment of the European corridor stretching fromRotterdam to Genoa links the Cantons of Berne and Valais. Passing under the Swiss Alps, it allows trains to operate at a speed of 250 km/h and reduces travel time through the Alps by 20-30%.BG’s involvement in the project began in the early 1990s. The company participated in all the design and construction phasesof this extraordinary project. Innovative

solutions and techniques were used for both the civil works and the electromechanical facilities. ■

The Ivry plant, which has a capacity of 730,000 mt/year and is owned by SYCTOM of the Paris metropoli-tan area, was built in 1969. After40 years of faithful service, it is to be converted into a centre for biological and energy recovery. The project includes several new activities: pre-sorting of waste, a methanation and composting facil-ity for the fermentable fractions, an incineration centre for the residual fraction, and a multimodal (rail, road, water) unit for the acceptance and transfer of wastes and recycled products. BG Consulting

Renovation of the Incineration Plant inIvry-sur-Seine

Engineers is participating in the feasibility studies for this conversion. ■

The Rolex Learning Centre will be a Lively Space for Learning.

Loetschberg Tunnel Opens: 34.6 Kilometres Through the Alps

NEWS

quality certifi cations renewed for three years in the spring of

2009. ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 are important

symbols of BG’s commitment to quality, safety, and respect

for the environment.

Number of BG

employees at the

beginning of 2009.

BG sales continued

to grow in 2008.

During the fl ooding in Switzerland on August 8-9, 2007, the Canton of Jura suffered damages esti-mated at 25 million Swiss francs.

The government has made a commitment to establish an emergency plan of action. BG Consulting Engineers was asked to survey the measures planned

by the municipalities and those deemed to be essential. Such measures included studies (risk maps, for example), localised actions (reinforcement of erosion niches), and larger projects such as widening watercourses. An evaluation using multiple

Early in 2010, the Swiss Federal In-stitute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) will open the Rolex Learn-ing Centre, a remarkable project

designed by architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa from Sanaa of Tokyo. A place where virtual and physical compo-nents combine to provide easy accessto knowledge, this space covers morethan 19,000 m2. Naturally ventilated, itis characterised by slender reinforcedconcrete shells that are 80 metres long and 40-80 centimetres thick.As the designated expert for this excep-tional project, BG Consulting Engineers checked and approved the technical solu-tions. Removal of the shells’ supports was one of the most delicate operations at the worksite. At BG’s initiative and under its guidance, the 4,400 formworks pedestals were replaced by 56 fl at jacks placed at the base of temporary steel columns.

was displayed on a card with a map. In order to encourage the municipalities to react and reduce their fi nancial burden, BG suggested to the canton that it imple-ment a new system of subsidies. ■

The simultaneous lowering of the jacks allowed for the smooth removal of each shell’s supports in record time. Contribut-ing to the construction of this fl agship project is a strong symbol for BG. Its

history is closely tied to that of the EPFL. Several professors founded, then directed BG; currently, many engineers who are EPFL alumni work for the company. ■

Fire in the Chunnel!The experts ofBG ConsultingEngineers were called in following a fi re in the Channel Tunnel on Septem-ber 11, 2008. They noted that even though dramatic events in tunnels attract a great deal of attention, the number of acci-dents per kilometre in tunnels is mark-edly lower than the number occurring in the open air. ■

Building ConversionArchitects Devanthéry & Lamunière have radically transformed the Télévision Suisse Romande tower in Geneva by changing its spaces, forms and symbolic content. BG Consulting Engineers, which was in charge of asbestos removal and civil engineering, offered innovative suggestions for remodelling the built environment. ■

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View of the 3D calculation model with the shells and their foundations.

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First instability mode of the large shell.

A Systemic, Integrated Approach for Managing Technical Risks and NaturalHazards.

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criteria allowed action items to be ranked by priority, in cooperation with the canton-al authorities. The criteria used covered each project’s cost effectiveness (cost to damage ratios), technical quality, feasibil-ity, and impact. In the end, each measure

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WORLD

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Since BG’s creation in 1954, its consulting

engineers have fulfi lled contracts in

45 countries over four continents.

Since 2009, BG has generated

half of its sales from outside of

Switzerland, where the company’s

headquarters are located.45 50%

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The Adolphe bridge, located in the heart of the city of Luxembourg and classifi ed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a masonry

arch structure designed by Paul Séjourne. It opened on July 24, 1903. A century later, the bridge is suffering from serious problems, including worrisome cracking of its main arches. A temporary span has therefore been put in place. To ensure the bridge’s longevity, total restoration is necessary. The study for the renovation is being done by a BG subsidiary, Tonello Consulting Engineers. This ambitious project, spread over three years, includes renovation of the weight-bearing elements,

All Aboard for the Football World CupBG Consulting Engineers is designing the safety plan and sizing the ventilation equipment for the Gautrain rapid rail link in South Africa. The Johannesburg–Pretoria–International Airport railway line will open for the Football World Cup in 2010. The 80-km route includes about 15 km of underground lines, so there are major challenges to be met.The safety plan must include the means for evacuation as well as emergency access in tunnels and underground stations. The rescue plans and personnel training programmes must also be defi ned by risk analysis.Moreover BG is applying its expertise in sanitary and fi re ven-tilation, using powerful digital simulation tools for air fl ow and thermodynamics. ■

French Guiana is Interested in Producing Ethanol FuelBG Consulting Engineers submitted a fea-sibility study for an ethanol fuel industry in French Guiana to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME). Totally dependent on oil supplies from the West Indies and concerned about improving its environmental situation, French Guiana is planning to produce ethanol fuel. The project, which involves producing80 million l/year from sugar cane, is well underway. In addition to reducing green-house gas emissions, the ethanol produc-tion project has many other advantages, including the creation of 900 jobs, the pro-duction of electricity and the development of sea transport in western Guiana. ■

Restoration of the Adolphe Bridge in Luxembourg

Sochi 2014The International Olympic Committee has awarded the 2014 Winter Olympics to Sochi (Russia). This charming seaside resort is located by the Black Sea, in the southern Caucasus mountains. The many facilities to be built for the games—sports infrastructures, railway and road connec-tions, ports, and train stations—are part of a vast sustainable development scheme in the region. The IOC has commissioned fi ve experts from BG Consulting Engineers and Algoé to follow these developments and ensure that a high standard for environmental protection and sustain-able development is met, and that the facilities will be available by 2013. The fi fth mission, which took place at the end of January 2009, showed that the most critical work, including road and railway tunnels, had begun. ■

Winning Basket The 2010 World Basketball Championship will be held from August 28 to September 12 in Turkey. The competition will take place in fi ve stadiums located in four cities: Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara and Izmir. BG Consulting Engineers and Algoé have been contracted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to assess the progress of sports facilities construction. ■

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Memorandum of UnderstandingAn agreement in principle between BG Consulting Engineers and Korean general contractor Huscon Construction Co, signed on December 23, 2008 in Lausanne, marks the beginning of aninnovative partnership to build a carbon-free island at Jeju in South Korea. ■

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with re-use of most of the existing stone. The bridge deck, enlarged and re-built, will support two sidewalks on either side of four traffi c lanes, two of which will be reserved for public transportation. ■

Left to right: Mr. Epars, director of BG's Building and Energy department and Mr. Ouzilou, head of BG’s Building and Territorial Energy unit, withMr. Tae-Eung Ha, CEO of Huscon Global.

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< The Winter Olympics will be held at two venues approximately 50 km apart: ice sports at the seaside around 30 km to the east of Sochi; snow sports in Krasnaya Polyana in the Caucasus mountains.

21st century, Agenda 21: The number 21 is synonymous with sustainability. In keeping with

the company’s mission statement, “Let’s create a sustainable living environment”,

it is part of BG’s website name: www.bg-21.com.

INTERVIEW

How does the EPFL include sustainable development in its discussionsand strategy? A university is, in and of itself, a sustain-able centre for teaching, discoveries and knowledge. In this sense, the EPFL has al-ways been committed to developing a more sustainable world in the training it provides and the research it undertakes, as well as through its many projects and initiatives.

The establishment of a Sustainable Devel-opment (SD) coordinator position clearly demonstrates this, as does the creation of an Energy Centre, two sponsored chairs in this fi eld, a UNESCO chair, SD instructionin social and human sciences (SHS), and UniPoly, an association of students from the EPFL and the University of Lausanne who are interested in this subject. Real efforts have been made on campus, with three quarters of our heating provided by solar energy for the past 25 years (heat pumps using lake water), the fi rst self-serve bicycle system in Switzerland, and the planned construction of the country’slargest photovoltaic power plant.

This year, the International Sustainable Campus Network conference is being held

at the EPFL on June 10-12, in association with the Global University Leader Forum, an offshoot of the World Economic Forum.

What are the EPFL’s other challenges and development projects?One of the EPFL’s goals for this decade is to continue developing an active campus. Several buildings are under construction on site: the Rolex Learning Centre, which will house a giant library; a 154-room hotel; and accommodation facilities for 330 students. The Innovation Alley we have started working on will provide new op-portunities for businesses seeking closer interaction with the scientists and re-searchers of Lausanne’s higher-education institutions.

A conference centre is also planned north of campus. Another major challenge for the coming years is the development of a campus in Ras al Khaymah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates. The partner-ship will enable the school to broaden its research themes and explore them in a novel context. This long-term agreement is opening a new era for technical schools in a region of the world where economic and scientifi c development are proceeding apace.

How does the EPFL interact with the EPFZ, its German-language counterpart?The EPFL cooperates closely with the EPFZ, the Swiss Federal Institute of Tech-nology in Zurich. The two schools share the same budget, along with the coun-try’s federal research institutes, a situa-tion that inevitably creates some tension. However, interactions between the two schools are numerous and extremely fruitful, in both research (competence centres, national research programmes, etc.), and teaching (joint Masters degrees in nuclear engineering and in material sciences).

How would you defi ne the EPFL’s relationship with SMEs and research consultancies?As a technical school having technology transfer among its missions, the EPFL considers relationships with small and mid-sized enterprises to be a priority. Technology transfer occurs fi rst and foremost when SMEs hire EPFL gradu-ates. Also, the EPFL coordinates the “Alliance” cooperative network among the French- and Italian-speaking tertiary-level institutions and the economy, which includes the cantonal hospitals and several other partners. This is a shared platform serving businesses, especially SMEs, that want to collaborate with the network’s 6,000 researchers. As far as engineering fi rms and research consul-tancies are concerned, many cooperative efforts exist, especially with the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). ■

Patrick Aebischer, EPFL President

“The EPFL is Committedto Developing a More Sustainable World”Since being appointed president of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) ten years ago, Patrick Aebischer has never stopped building bridges between research and theprivate sector. This has helped the school to considerably enhance its teaching and research programmes, especially in the sustainable development sector, and to position itself as one of Europe’sforemost university centres.

“Technology transfer occurs when SMEs hire EPFL graduates.”

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France’s longest highway tunnel can once more be considered safe. BG Consulting Engineers implemented the design and safety upgrade work.

IIn March 1999, 39 people lost their lives in a terrible fi re in the Mont Blanc Tunnel. This serious accident made the authorities more aware of the safety

fl aws present in many of Europe’s road tunnels. As a result, the French authorities ordered safety inspections of all tunnels over 300 metres in length.

The Maurice Lemaire Tunnel runs between the Haut-Rhin and Vosges départements.France’s longest road tunnel, at 7 kilome-tres, was thoroughly inspected.

Originally built for the railway, it was con-verted in 1976 to a roadway tunnel to serve Route Nationale 159. It is operated by the APRR (the Paris-Rhine-Rhone highway authority).

BG’s safety analysis conclusively showed that the Maurice Lemaire Tunnel did not meet current requirements. Safe tunnels have the following features:

• A surveillance and early detection sys-tem: Dangers are recognised early and tunnel users are immediately informed.

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• Protection and evacuation: Tunnel users can contact emergency services from safety stations and the number of escape routes is adequate; rescue teams can quickly and safely gain entry to the tunnel.

• Smoke and fi re control: The spreadof smoke can be blocked; smoke is contained and removed; extinguishers and hydrants distributed throughout the tunnel allow for a quick fi refi ghting response.

In spring 2004, extensive renovations were begun. The key aspect was the con-struction of a rescue access and escape tunnel running parallel to the main tunnel. This allows rescue teams unobstructed access to the tunnel in the event of a fi re, so they can evacuate tunnel users. Safety stations with emergency telephones and fi re extinguishers were installed every 200 metres along the main tunnel. Emergency exits leading to the emergency access tun-nel were installed at 400-metre intervals. To improve smoke removal in the event of a fi re, fans were installed in the tunnel roof, and at 100-metre intervals, ventila-tion ducts evacuate contaminated air and smoke. The tunnel’s system of signage was completely updated and continuous manned video monitoring is now possible throughout the structure.

By October 1, 2008, the renovations were complete. France’s longest roadway tunnel may once again be considered safe. ■

“Safety requirements change with technical developments

and increased traffi c.”

INFRASTRUCTURE | MAURICE LEMAIRE TUNNEL, ALSACE

■ Maurice Lemaire ■ France’s longest roadway tunnel ■ Emergency access tunnel

Michel Egger is the Secretary-General of the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR)* in Paris. He has fought for yearsto make Europe’s tunnels safer.

Interview : Michel EggerIs Every Third TunnelReally a Safety Risk ?

Etienne Garin, Michel Mercier, Samuel Feuz.

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A rescue access tunnel, smoke removal, and signage are the main characteristics of a safe tunnel.

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Nine out of 31 tunnels tested byEurope’s biggest automobile clubs were rated as “inadequate” or “cause forconcern.” Does every third tunnel in Europe really pose a safety risk?Let me put it this way: Every third tunnel fails to satisfy the current EU directives. In other words, they don’t include all of the preventive safety measures that we now consider to be essential.

What are the most common safetydefi ciencies?We distinguish between preventive, or organisational, defi ciencies and structural defi ciencies. A tunnel may fail to meet safety requirements if, in an emergency situation, its response unit is improperly coordinated or simply hasn’t received adequate training. On the technical side, emergency exits to the outside, such as separate tunnels or shafts, are frequently lacking. Ventilation is another area where many tunnels often do not meet current standards. However, it is actually the tunnel’s users who present the greatest source of risk. Behaving properly in an emergency situation saves lives. There-fore, we must also work to improve educa-tion and information campaigns surround-ing tunnel use.

The EU Parliament issued new safety directives following the Mont Blancand Tauern tunnel catastrophes.When will these be implemented?The directives were issued in 2004 and must be implemented by 2014. This is hap-pening in stages: First the organisational defi ciencies have to be corrected, then the technical ones.

Are the directives also binding forSwitzerland?Under its bilateral agreements,Switzerland is bound to enforce the EU directives.

Are the safety measures being imple-mented in all European countries with the necessary consistency? And where do France and Switzerland stand in this picture?The EU directives are legally binding. Failure to comply could result in legal prosecution or penalties. Both France and Switzerland are on the programme. The most spectacular measure in Switzerland is likely to be the addition of an emergency access tunnel along the entire Great Saint Bernard tunnel.

What is your estimate of theinvestments required to correct the defi ciencies within the trans-European road network?We expect it to cost somewhere between three and 6 billion euros for the entire Trans-European Network (TREN), which falls under the EU’s jurisdiction. We’ll know more at the end of 2009, once the individual analyses of all of the tunnels are available. Each country will be individually responsible for securing the necessary investments. ■

* The CEDR works for the development, safety,and standardisation of European roadways.It was founded in 2003 and has 26 member states (www.cedr.fr, see “Strategic plan”).

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INFRASTRUCTURE | BRIDGE BUILDING, TONELLO, AIX-LES-BAINS

Jean Tonello, together with his team and his successor Patrick Dal Palu. From left: Franck Traini, Catherine Basset, Patrick Dal Palu, Baptiste Girard, Eric Brenguier, Mustapha Mintemur, Jean Tonello, Bernard Rabiller, Jean-Luc Palle, Mathieu Dupanloup and Adonis Velghe.

< The bridge planned in Bonneville (France)will soon stretch over the Arve River.

We meet at the Altitude res-taurant at Geneva’s Cointrin airport. While planes take off on the other side of the glass,

Jean Tonello keeps his feet planted fi rmly on the ground: “I’m a passionate DIY man. Repairing implements, restoring furniture, building toys—everything inspires me.I also like sports.” Professionally speaking, he has long been expressing his passion

Jean Tonello is one of France’s most well-known bridge builders. For three years, he has regularly consulted for BG Consulting Engineers.A portrait of an extraordinary man.

by building bridges. “A bridge is a piece of culture, a work of art through which an engineer can express himself. Its symbol-ism is powerful: it connects people, as Saint-Exupéry said.”

Building industrial plants was the specialty of his father, Emile Tonello. In the 1930s, the senior Tonello moved away from Paris. The electrical industry was coming to the

Alps and Emile’s Paris employer opened a subsidiary in Aix-les-Bains. But the war brought business to a halt. In 1939, Emile Tonello and several other employees took over the engineering fi rm for which they worked. Fifteen years later, Emile was alone at the top, the head of the company. “From my father,” says Jean Tonello, “I in-herited my entrepreneurial spirit; from my mother, my government-oriented thinking.

My mother worked in public administration for many years and several relatives held high positions in Paris. My familiarity with both cultures turned out to be an advan-tage in my profession, since bridges are commissioned by the government but built by private enterprises. Bridge construction is a business that serves the community.I like that combination.”

Jean Tonello studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, then garnered his fi rst practical experience.After completing his military service in Africa he moved to Paris, where he found a position at Boussiron and worked with Nicolas Esquillan—an internationally ac-claimed engineer who became his men-tor. It was in Paris that he discovered his passion for building bridges. “At the time,” says Jean, “my father’s offi ce was very ‘provincial’, far away from the decision-making centres for large construction projects.” He chose to work there anyway, since his father’s operation was growing and a friend came to join him as a busi-ness partner. The partner took care of the fi rm’s traditional areas of business, while Jean Tonello began developing a new one: bridge building.

Tonello Consulting Engineers made a name for itself, quickly earning the respect of the largest bridge-building fi rms. In the

1970s and 80s, France was busy building highways and other infrastructure. Jean Tonello erected bridges for roads and rail-ways, with a preference for cable-stayed bridges. His close proximity to the Alps led him to specialise in securing traffi c routes against rockslides, avalanches, etc. His business grew, thanks also to the Olympic Games in Albertville.

■ Jean Tonello ■ Bridge building ■ New activity ■ Expansion of BG’s competencies

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WITH BG SINCE 2006Tonello Consulting Engineers was founded in 1939 and sold to BG in 2006. The fi rm’s key competencies include planning and erect-ing bridges and viaducts; building safety structures for roads and rail lines; construct-ing wind energy plants; and providing expert opinions and consulting services.Through its acquisition of Tonello Consulting Engineers, BG has successfully expanded its range of services to include bridge building, thus strengthening its strategic position in the areas of infrastructure and transport.

Building Bridges Between People

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As Jean Tonello grew older, he looked for an appropriate successor, but found none. In 2006, he decided to sell to BG, in the

fi rm belief that his business would con-tinue to thrive under the new company’s leadership. Since then, he has actively participated in that success, as well as the success of BG’s other subsidiaries, having come on board as a consultant.

Jean Tonello watches a plane take off. “I became an engineer back before com-puters,” he notes. In his lectures in Paris (ENPC) and Grenoble (Polytech), he has refl ected upon the tension between tra-ditional and modern methods of analysis. “Computers are invaluable, essential tools. But we can’t just blindly trust their models. We have to maintain a keen awareness of the effects of actual physical forces,”he adds with a wink. “Bold and lasting structures were built before hard disks ever existed!” ■

A bridge is a piece of culture, a work of art showing the engineer’s ingenuity.

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< The structural lightness of a cable-stayed bridge: a specialty of Tonello Consulting Engineers, a BG subsidiary since 2006.

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BG Consulting Engineers, he worked tire-lessly on the magnetically levitated Swiss-metro subway train. That project continues to gather dust on a shelf, waiting until the time is right. “Still, the m2 in Lausanne is a step in the right direction. In Switzerland, the success of a fully automated subway is not a given. The fact that the m2 exists shows the openness of Lausanne’s resi-dents,” he notes, with a touch of local and engineering pride.

INFRASTRUCTURE | m2 SUBWAY, LAUSANNE

Forty-seven-year-old engineer Yves Trottet is fascinatedby the creative power of technology; projects like

the m2 subway in Lausanne spark his enthusiasm.A guided tour beneath the city.

Take a look at the glass safety door separating the platform from the tracks,” says Yves Trottet. “It is set at the correct angle to the slope of

the train platform, so it is out of the verti-cal. The m2 is pitched at an average slope of 6%, with a maximum of 12%. Most of the stations are on a gradient, and the struc-ture had to make allowances for this.”

The train pulls into the station and the door opens. Yves Trottet secures a spot for me in the front carriage. The dimly-lit tunnel stretches away before us. “One of the 30 subprojects we completed for the m2 was the lighting and electrical supply for the facilities. We installed elevators and escalators, wired the stations, designed the electrical grounding, and planned safety features. So many challenges! The greatest one,” he confesses, “was probably coordinating communication between the civil engineers and the transport system engineers.”

Yves Trottet believes in the creative power of technology, and is often disappointed by policymakers’ lack of daring. Before joining

m2 FACTSThe m2 in Lausanne is Switzerland’s first subway. It is fully automated (driverless) and travels on rubber tires.

Within a span of 5.9 kilometres, the m2 negoti-ates an elevation gain of 338 metres. The slope is as great as 12%, which makes this line unique in the world.

The line was opened on October 27, 2008. After six months in operation it had already transported more than 10 million passengers.It serves 14 stations and travels between Ouchy, on Lake Geneva, and Les Croisettes,a district north of the city.

www.lausanne.ch > Major city projects > Métro m2

The m2 climbs upward on its rubber tires. We are gaining 338 metres in elevation, or three times the height of the Montmartre hillock in Paris. What does the word “m2” mean to our guide? After a moment of thought comes a fl ood of words: “Fast, con-venient, intelligent, effi cient. The backbone of public transportation in Lausanne. A technical challenge. Less traffi c…and, the prospect of m3, the new subway route cur-rently being discussed in Lausanne.”

Yves Trottet is lucky to be able to choose the projects on which he works. Swissmetro, the Mont Blanc Tunnel, and m2 represent three big accomplishments of this man who is an engineer because he loves the work. “When a project fascinates me, I want to be part of it. I love to put ideas in motion.”

As we arrive at Les Croisettes station, the end of the line, the train switches tracks to begin the trip back down. Yves Trottet describes, explains, and reasons. This is far from being the fi rst tour he has led. The m2 fascinates his friends and colleagues just as much. Yves Trottet is happy to take them on an underground adventure through “his” pride and joy, the m2 subway line. ■

Gabriel Suarez, Christian Bussard, Thierry Occelli, Cyril Schneider, Scott Rankin,André Staehli, Roland Perroud, Yves Trottet.

Not Swissmetro but almost:Yves Trottet in “his” m2.

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■ m2 ■ Ouchy-Les Croisettes ■ 14 stations ■ 5.9 kilometres ■ 338-metre elevation gain ■ 12% slope

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< Tradition meets modernity: the creative power of technology has been fascinating people for centuries.

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ENVIRONMENT | WATER MANAGEMENT, VAL-DE-RUZ

Why do the municipalities in Val-de-Ruz wish to jointly manage their water?Water knows no boundaries. That is why such regional cooperation makes sense in this case; it is more economically and ecologically sound. What is happening in Val-de-Ruz is both ambitious and promising.

What areas will be included in the collaboration? The project plans to transfer responsibility for the entire water cycle—from potable water supply through wastewater disposal and treatment to agricultural drainage and water-way maintenance—over to a single publicly-controlled authority.

Where did the idea come from,and when will it be implemented?Back in the autumn of 2005, several munici-palities were discussing the maintenanceof their existing systems. Questions ofownership began to come up. Specifi cally,the issue was how best to divide the neces-

Sixteen municipalities in Neuchâtel’s Jura region are looking to combinetheir water management.Didier Gretillat of the Val-de-Ruz Est water authority explains why.

“Water Knows No Boundaries”

One valley, one water management system: Val-de-Ruz is planning for the long term. >

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ENVIRONMENT | WATER MANAGEMENT, VAL-DE-RUZ

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sary investments among the various owners. This led to the idea of managing water jointly. In June 2008, the execu-tives from all 16 municipalities agreed to the joint project, basing their decision on the results of the studies that have been undertaken. By the end of 2009, the public will also have a chance to comment, and the project can then be implemented. What is the signifi cance of this project for the individual municipalities?The municipalities will be relieved of operational responsibility for managing their water. They will be able to manage and control the new company through their representative on its board.Benefi ts will also arise from cooperation with cantonal and federal authorities, who will be able to discuss relevant matters with a single partner.

And what will be the benefi t toconsumers and the environment?For consumers, we are creating a 24-hour customer service hotline to provide information about services and emer-gencies, for example in case of fl ooding. Furthermore, prices for a given service will now be the same throughout the service area. Consumers will also receive clearly

structured bills. And the environment will benefi t because wastewater disposal will be entrusted to a professional team having the know-how needed to operate all the plants as safely as possible and minimise the risk of pollution and fl ooding.

A project of this magnitude requires good planning and excellent communi-cation. You have chosen BG Consulting Engineers as your partner. Why?BG understands how to transform a vision into reality. The company brings together several crucial elements under one roof, in-cluding technical expertise, an interdiscipli-nary approach, and the enthusiasm needed to bring an innovative project to life.

How was consensus reached among all of the municipalities?The reservations of individual municipali-ties were overcome through dialogue. The

key is to always be listening for questions and concerns and to allow time for the process to mature naturally.

Convincing others requires solidarguments. What role did BG play inthis process?A pivotal one! The quality of BG’s reports, studies and presentations convinced the municipalities of the project’s benefi ts. ■

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“BG’s reports, studies and presentations convinced the munici-palities of the project’s benefi ts.”

“BG understands how to turn a vision into reality,” says Didier Gretillat, who sits on Cernier’s city council and is Vice-President of the Val-de-Ruz Est water authority.

Jürg Schweizer, Etienne Monbaron-Jalade, Olivier Chaix and Jean-Marc Cuanillon.

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FLOOD PROTECTIONIN THE URTENEN VALLEYThe Urtenen valley (on the Bernese plateau) requires better protection from fl oods. Twenty-two municipalities are working together towards this goal, and BG Consulting Engineers is working closely with them. Pos-sible protective measures include retention ponds, fl ood plains, and widening of water-ways, some of which will also be revitalised in the process.

“Listening to and supportingthe client is crucial in managing this

collaborative project.”

■ 16 municipalities ■ 1 water management system ■ Turning vision into reality ■ Environmentally friendly

ENVIRONMENT | WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, MARNE AVAL, PARIS

Alain Piguet, Michel Gambotti, Jean Montfort, Thierry Morard and Stéphane Bielser.

All Marne aval wastewater treatment plant structures likely to generate odours or noise were covered to avoid spreading.

Given the context of population growth and runaway urbanisa-tion in the Ile-de-France, and its desire to preserve the quality

of the natural environment, the SIAAP has embarked upon a huge project to modify the distribution of the wastewater it collects and increase the capacity of its wastewater treatment plants.

The plan to expand the Marne aval plant is among these measures. The objective is to increase the plant’s capacity so it can treat the equivalent of the waste produced by 300,000 people. The expansion will also make it possible to absorb rainwater fl ows, which can reach 2.1 m3/s, the equivalent of a small river.

One of the many challenges was to install this new kind of high-capacity plant in the heart of Noisy-le-Grand, in a heavily built-up area in the eastern suburbs of Paris. Right from the start of the operation, the

project identifi ed all the plant’s potentially negative aspects and eliminated their impact, transforming it into a “charming neighbour.”

For example, the water treatment tech-niques employed led to the design of a highly compact project that left some breathing room. The site was laid out by dividing the land into strips parallel to the Marne river, designed as corridors land-scaped with riparian vegetation to create a wooded area along the river and an orchard to the north of the plot.

Any structures likely to generate odours were covered and placed at a lower level so that polluted air could be collected and treated in odour removal towers. The system’s effectiveness is continually monitored by a sensor network linked to the facility’s control system. Noisy equip-

In the context of its master plan, the SIAAP (InterdepartmentalDrainage and Sewage Authority of Greater Paris) began a majorrenovation programme in January 2007, with the participationof BG Consulting Engineers. Here is the story of the operation.

ment was enclosed in sound-proofed areas. Finally, the volume of waste was signifi cantly reduced through the use of a sludge incinerator. Smoke emissions from the incinerator are subject to extremely thorough treatment.

Both the structure of the Marne aval plant and the principles behind it are sustain-able. A steam turbine uses heat gener-ated by the combustion of the sludge. It provides nearly 70% of the incinerator’s electricity needs, produces hot water and supplies heat to a number of areas. In addition, photovoltaic modules can supply 180 kW of power. The ashes produced by the incinerator can be recycled in concrete manufacture or used as backfi ll material.

The plant is of course at the cutting edge of technology in terms of eliminating pollution. Wastewater goes through three treatment steps that are highly effective in reducing carbon, nitrogen and phos-phorous pollution, and meet the strictest environmental standards.

In its capacity as an assistant to the client, and with the support of Cabinet Merlin, BG has played a key role for SIAAP through-out the design and implementation phases

■ 2.1 m3/s ■ 2.6 GWh/year generated ■ A 115 million euro project

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A Good Neighbour:The Marne aval WastewaterTreatment Plant

Detached houses are located less than 200 metres from the plant’s settling ponds.

The Marne aval wastewater treatment plant is located in a heavily built-up area in the eastern suburbs of Paris.

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of this facility. The project will be complet-ed in 2009, after two-and-a-half years of construction work, at a total cost of nearly 115 million euros. It has remained within the many constraints imposed, including the not insignifi cant one of keeping the old station in operation for the duration of the project. ■

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ENVIRONMENT | WATER SUPPLY, ALGIERS

Bernard de Montarsolo, Hacène Bekhouche and Roger Achard.

From mountains to valley: Four tunnels maintain a continuous slope where the natural topography would otherwise hinder the fl ow of the water.

Water is a scarce resource in Algeria, which is not surpris-ing in a country that is 90% desert. Still, the fact that

many Algerian taps regularly go for days without yielding a drop of water cannot be blamed on the local climate alone. For decades, the government has failed

For decades, Algiers has sufferedfrom water shortages. Now, a 90-kilometrepipeline supplies this city of severalmillion people with potable waterfrom the mountains.

to invest suffi ciently in water resource management. Happily, those days are over and Algeria is now investing 12 billion euros to put its management of water resources on the right track. Current construction projects include dams, pipes for drinking water, seawater desalination plants, water treatment plants and collection networks.

These policies are based on a new water law passed in 2005.

The situation has improved considerably since the capital city of Algiers—and the six million people in its greater metropolitan area—was connected to a 90-kilometre drinking water pipeline that originates from the Taksebt reservoir. Taksebt lies at the foot of the Djurdjura, a range of high mountains where, at an elevation of about 2,000 metres above sea level, there is enough snow for winter sports even in the spring. The snow-covered peaks represent a signifi cant water reserve. The creation of the Taksebt reservoir has doubled the city’s drinking water supply. All of the cit-ies along the pipeline also benefi t; fi fteen branch pipes along the way bring them fresh water from the Djurdjura.

Seven cubic metres of water per second, or 605,000 m3/day, is the system’s impres-sive supply rate. To ensure that the water from the mountains reaches the kitchens and bathrooms of Algiers and neighbour-ing cities, it is initially pumped upwards to a hilltop 45 metres above the artifi cial lake. Here it is converted to drinkable water through fi ltration, purifi cation, and chlorination. From this point on, the water is conveyed through a gravity-fed system in two pipelines that are 1.8 and 2 metres

in diameter. Four tunnels, with a total length of 12 kilometres, guarantee a suffi cient slope where the natural topography would otherwise hinder the fl ow of the water.On its path through the mountain, thewater is carried by a single pipe measuring2.5 metres in diameter.

The entire project cost 450 million euros. Construction began in 2005, and the city of Draa Ben Kehda, 25 kilometres from the lake, was receiving drinking water from the Taksebt reservoir just 18 months later. Since July 2008, the precious “blue gold” has been fl owing all the way to Algiers.

■ 605,000 m3/day ■ 2 metres in diameter ■ 7,000 documents ■ 450 million euros

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BG IN ALGERIABG Consulting Engineers has had a continuous presence in Algeria since the 1970s. Forty of its staff members currently work there.

During construction of the water pipeline from Taksebt to Algiers, a team of 15 BG employees from Switzerland, France, and Algeria was present on site. All of the project calculations and implementation plans were controlled from BG’s headquarters in Lausanne.

Water for Six Million in Algiers

The client was the ANBT (Algeria’snational dam and transfer authority), and the main contractor was Canada’s SNC Lavallin. On behalf of the authorities, the group led by BG Consulting Engineers was mandated to control all calculations and the implementation plans for the project, and to oversee the quality of construction on-site. By the time building approval was secured, BG had already inspected and revised 7,000 documents.

BG’s presence at the construction sites helped planners and builders avoid mis-takes and allowed it to suggest signifi cant improvements to the project. The com-pleted structures were, and are, perfectly in harmony with the interests of both the ANBT and SNC Lavallin. This second company has in fact contracted to operate the water supply system for the fi rst fi ve years and to assume responsibility for any defects that might appear. ■

The man-made reservoir has suffi cient volume to double Algiers’ supply of potable water.

< More water for Algiers: the seaside city is supplied with drinking water from the mountains.

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ENVIRONMENT | WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM, LUGANO

To prevent local fl ooding and pollution of the lake, Lugano’sdrainage system needs to be improved. The tools used by BG ConsultingEngineers will make it possible to take the most appropriate steps.

Ticino is often thought of as “Switzerland’s sunroom.” Yet abundant rainfall is also typical of the weather in the southern

Alps. In Lugano, heavy rains regularly tax the city’s drainage system to its limits. This can cause untreated, mixed wastewater to reach Lugano’s bay, creating an aesthetic problem for this tourist-friendly city. In addition, sewage backups can cause base-ment fl ooding and related damage.

The regional water treatment association and the City of Lugano must fi nd solutions. Future needs, such as the addition of new neighbourhoods to the existing drainage and treatment network, must also be taken into consideration. The present system must be examined from a broader point of view that extends beyond today’s city lim-its. Adopting a regional perspective makes it possible to consider solutions that prob-ably would not be found if the focus were limited to the Lugano municipal area.

BG has initially been asked to inventory the regional drainage system. Relevant data are being collected from a wide range of documents. The company has at its disposal specifi c tools that enable effi cient

IT PAYS TO PLAN WELL The further along the project, the smaller the chance of influencing its final costs. Or, to put it another way, the greatest savings can be achieved in the planning phase. However, cutting costs is possible only when the overall framework and the amount of room fornegotiation are known. In the case of Lugano’s drainage system, both conditions are met. Thanks to BG’s structured data collection and hydraulic simulation model, efficient and cost-effective solutions are being devised.

collection of such data according to clearly defi ned criteria. With the data collected from the Lugano region, BG is creating a computer model of the city’s drainage sys-tem, which includes simulation of various rainfall scenarios. Detailed rainfall data al-

low past events to be analysed on-screen. Weaknesses in the current system stand out clearly. At the same time, the model shows where the drainage system still has extra capacity even during heavy rainfall.

In the next stage, BG will plan for the future. Analysis of the simulations allows various conceivable measures for solving Lugano’s drainage problems to be defi ned. Using the computer model, the impact and suitability of the various ideas can be re-viewed. BG’s engineers can do a “dry run” to test solutions for Lugano’s problems.

BG’s studies have produced three poten-tial, mutually complementary approaches

Daniel Baumgartner, Karin Cirillo and Bernhard Hohl.

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■ Flooding and pollution of the lake ■ Optimisation of the water drainage system

to the problem that are currently being examined further:

• Solutions on a regional scale are worth pursuing. Specifi cally, additional analyses must focus on whether mixed wastewater

can be directed to other locations during heavy rains.

• In conjunction with an upcoming road construction project in Lugano, the city centre’s drainage capacity could be increased considerably by building new wastewater pipework along with thenew road.

• Improved use of the existing system would be fast and cost-effective, since this would not require new construction. It may be possible to use the capacity of the existing pipes in a more targeted manner, reducing the risk of basement fl ooding in the area. ■

Thinking beyond the current city limitsmakes it possible to consider new waysto solve Lugano’s water drainage issue.

< This idyllic picture is misleading: during heavy rains, untreated wastewater fl ows directly into the lake and causes basement fl ooding.

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ENVIRONMENT | WATER CYCLE, GRANDS MOULINS PARK, PARIS

A corner of southeast Paris,where history has been almost completely erased by urbanisation, is being taken over by plant life that will soon begin servingas a record of the prevailing weatherand the passing of the seasons.

■ 6,000 m3 of water per year ■ Three plots ■ 12,100 m2 of land in total ■ Water cycle ■ Seven plant species

Hervé Lamort, Khalid Essyad and Jean Montfort.

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< Adding the plants: a breath of fresh air forthe neighbouring apartment buildings.

A GROUP EFFORTThe Grands Moulins Park project involves several participants. As the co-contractor responsible for water management, civil engineering, and water treatment networks and facilities, BG is part of a group for which the landscape architecture fi rm ah-ahpaysagistes is the representative. BIOTEC, which specialises in vegetation engineering, is responsible for choosing the seed mixtures and helophyte plants.Water—supply, network and use—is managed by a complex hydraulic system that takes the type of plantings and maintenance into account. This infl uences the location of the different environments.

Welcome to the Gardensof Creation

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The Grands Moulins Park project now being completed in the13th arrondissement of Paris boggles the mind. The client, the

Paris City Council’s Department of Parks and the Environment, has chosen tocreate a sustainable project. It consists of a patchwork arrangement of environ-ments—with varying substrates, slopes, and moisture—that will result in a wide variety of plant life, which in turn will bring biodi-versity right to the heart of the capital.

self-suffi cient with natural water, maintain the environment at the right level of hu-midity, and ensure through natural, proven processes that the water’s quality is ap-propriate for the uses to which it is put. Water needs were accurately broken down: a continuous supply of water to the wet environments, irrigation of meadow areas and shrubbery during dry periods, and water required for operational purposes.

A prefabricated concrete tank with an optimised volume of 700 cubic metres is located under the central garden’s square. Its usable volume is determined essentially by what happens during the summer. To evaluate this, BG Consulting Engineers implemented analytical approaches usually reserved for major hydraulic structures such as dams, i.e., hydrology, water require-ments, and regulation.

The tank is used to store rainwater, which is mechanically pre-treated. It then feeds into a pressurised circuit intended for technical uses (watering, cleaning, rinsing, etc.) and a gravity-fed circuit that successively crosses the “rain wall,” the distribution channels,

the riparian areas, and a series of wet zones—meadows, ponds, water garden, and pool. It guarantees savings in the amount of water supplied from the po-table water system and

reduces the amount of water discharged into the sewer. On average, it covers 75%of the water needs, up to 90% in a wetyear and 60% in a dry year.

Now we are ready for the new plants and dreams of delightful moments spent justa stone’s throw from the famous FrançoisMitterrand Library. ■

Two objectives underlie the project’s design and implementation: The idea is to “think sustainably,” to subtly show nature as it exists in the cityscape, in all its diversity and adaptability—that is, fi rst, to reduce maintenance costs (watering, weed control, mowing, fertilising, etc.) to a mini-mum; then to best encourage biodiversity and guarantee it for the long term while leaving plenty of room for natural changes.

Aside from the poetry of the project, the mission is of great importance for this fu-ture public park. Water management is its cornerstone. The park’s originality lies in

the fact that by nature, it uses water eco-nomically. The park’s layout is an integral part of the project from both aesthetic and technical standpoints. “The water in the gardens will be rainwater collected from the central garden and the roofs of neighbouring buildings, then purifi ed before being stored […] and reused for watering the gardens,” explains Khalid Essyad, a BG engineer. By using rainwater as much as possible, the water system will make the gardens practically

The project’ssustainability goalis to achieve self-suffi ciency in water.

Maison desJardiniers

Merck Serono makes medications for multiple sclerosis, and sooncancer, in Corsier-sur-Vevey, on a site where cigars were once produced. The redesign and expansion of this industrial site is an exemplary achievement for BG Consulting Engineers.

IBUILDING | MERCK SERONO PRODUCTION SITE, CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY

Geneva based biotechnology company Serono has been sail-ing under Merck’s fl ag since 2007, when it joined the German

group. Merck Serono, as the company is now known, is one of the world’s leading biotechs. It has more than 17,500 employ-ees who develop, produce, and market therapies and drugs in the areas of oncol-ogy, neurodegenerative diseases, fertility,

metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as autoimmune and infl ammatory disorders.

Despite having a German hand on the helm, Merck Serono remains loyal toSwitzerland. As a separate division within the Merck group, it is based in Geneva and has several manufacturing plants in west-ern Switzerland. ©

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One of these is in Corsier-sur-Vevey. Since 1999, Merck Serono has been operating a development and production centre there on the site of a former cigar factory. This is where Erbitux, a drug used to treat color-ectal, head, and neck cancers, will soon be manufactured. Merck Serono is investing hundreds of millions and building two new production lines, a wastewater treatment plant and a logistics centre. Two hundred new skilled jobs will be created.

The existing plant is being redesigned and expanded without interrupting production and is to be completed by 2010. To achieve this ambitious goal, Merck Serono is count-ing on BG’s expertise and resources. The company is responsible for, among other things, technical fl uids and energy-related issues and for carrying out environmental assessments and infrastructural work.

Michel Friedli, head of the infrastructure sub-project (including pipes, wastewater, telecommunications, and roads), explains BG’s strategy for dealing with the many challenges at hand.

Mr. Friedli, what are the highlights of the Merck Serono project for you?Together with the client, we have to come up with sound solutions to a very diverse range of problems at short notice. There is a great variety of work and manychallenges remain.

What are the biggest diffi culties facedin the project?Finding optimal solutions at very short notice… (laughs). Seriously though, the number of people involved and the fl ood of information do pose a diffi cult challenge.

“A challenge? Undertaking a large-scale project without

interrupting production.”

BUILDING | MERCK SERONO PRODUCTION SITE, CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY

■ Biotechnology ■ 200 jobs ■ Environmental studies ■ Work infrastructures ■ Energy issues

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Gabriel Suarez, Christian Matti, Gilles Pirat, Sébastien Bouron and Michel Friedli.

Two new production lines, a logistics centre, and a wastewater treatment plant: Merck Serono is investing in Corsier-sur-Vevey.

Merck Serono is a big project for BG.How are you mobilising the required resources?About 10% of BG’s employees are involved in the project in one way or another, which means that our staff must be fl exible and available. We have also hired extra staff and partner companies.

Does working with outside partners not pose a risk?Not when you know your partners well. We have been working with most of these com-panies for many years, and our relationship is built on trust. They are part of the team, so to speak.

Merck Serono is a global company, which means that you work with English-, French-, and German-speaking partners. Do you sometimes feel you are working on the Tower of Babel?Sometimes! We often use a mixture of all the languages at meetings. Everyone uses his native language, so sometimes we do have to ask more questions, to make sure there are no misunderstandings. However, this is not a problem, as we have an open, constructive working relationship with Merck Serono. ■

IN-HOUSE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTThe additional volume of water used by the new production lines for the cancer drugErbitux at Corsier-sur-Vevey is equivalent to the amount used by 7,000 residents. The vol-ume of wastewater produced would prove too much for the public treatment plant, so Merck Serono is building its own, in order to comply with water pollution control requirements.

“About 10% of BG’s employees are involved in the project in one way or another.”

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BUILDING | NESTLÉ R&D CENTRE, KONOLFINGEN

Hans-Peter Staehli and Pius Neff.

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Abuilding in which food products for the entire world are devel-oped must meet strict standards. Nestlé has decided to expand

its production facility in Konolfi ngen, and BG is supporting it as the general planner. The project includes enlargement of the research building, construction of a drying tower for making powders, a high rack warehouse, and a number of infrastructure facilities.

Nestlé’s various food powders are made in the spray-drying tower. Afterwards, the powders are enriched and mechanically processed in the research labs. During the development process, large quantities of intermediate products and additives must be stored in areas subject to stringent hygiene standards. The fully automated high rack warehouse serves this purpose. It contains over 200 stainless-steel tanks that hold 600 litres each, arranged as if in an oversized wine cellar.

The project’s complexity was already evi-dent during the kick-off meeting with the client (see box), especially with respect to hygiene requirements: The future facilities would have to comply with strictly defi ned standards. The new facilities are classifi ed into three categories of hygiene standards:

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basic, moderate, or high. Areas subject to high standards of hygiene will have to meet extremely strict requirements as to layout, clothing, and working conditions.

The crux of the matter lies not within these areas themselves, however, but in the movement between them (a fl ow issue). Pius Neff, BG’s project leader, explains it this way. “When you have to pass through a ‘basic hygiene’ area that is surrounded by high-standard areas, the matter is critical. To get from one area to another, employees would have to change—for example—their shoes twice: once when entering the basic hygiene area, and again when re-entering the high-standard area. If work routines were under such constraints, the employees would be changing their shoes constantly!

This would mean ineffi cient operation and would compromise the facility’s hygiene standards. That is why we have analysed and optimised the facility’s layout.”

BG opted to colour code the new building’s various hygiene areas on the plans. That way, everyone involved in the project can immediately recognise unfavourable combi-

nations of rooms and react accordingly. For this project, the planners have placed areas with the same hygiene standards adjacent to one another whenever possible. This results in larger areas within the building where employees can move about freely.

Nevertheless, there will still be points within the facility where areas with different hygiene standards overlap and must be separated. But the project planners have avoided placing rooms subject to high hygiene standards next to those with basic standards. Such room combinations are always separated by a “moderate hygiene” room that serves as a buffer, thereby ensur-ing that overall hygiene standards are main-tained in sensitive areas of the facility.

Of course, it will never be possible to com-pletely spare the employees of high-tech research facilities tasks such as changing their shoes and washing their hands. But thanks to BG’s careful general and detailed planning, these tasks will be reduced to a minimum so that research and production can proceed smoothly. ■

Expanding Nestlé’s Swiss research facility in Konolfi ngenis a project with very high quality standards.

To enable researchers at the facility to work moreeffi ciently in the future, BG Consulting Engineersis paying special attention to hygiene standards.

“To ensure that hygiene standards are met, we favoured an optimal layout of the buildings by function.”

KICK-OFF MEETINGAt BG Consulting Engineers, the fi rst step of a project is the initial workshop. The company examines the client’s goals and needs, asks for an explanation of any special requirements, and notes expectations and suggestions. The partners get to know one another and bring each other up to speed. This ensures that everyone involved in the project is on the same wavelength.

< A morning meeting at the Nestlé construction site in Konolfi ngen. Good communication guarantees the success of this innovative project.

■ Nestlé ■ High expectations ■ Many needs ■ Three hygiene standards ■ One building

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ENERGY | HYDROELECTRIC POWER

Hydroelectric power has a long tradition—and a future. Switzerland is looking to take full advantage of its available potential byexpanding and modifying existing plants.

No other source of energy has con-tributed more to Switzerland’s industrial development than hydropower. Once upon a time,

it powered grain and saw mills, and eventu-ally looms and lathes. Today, it accountsfor 57% of the electricity Switzerland generates. By way of comparison: Italy gets 20% of its electricity from hydropower, France 15%, and Germany only 4%.

Switzerland’s current annual productionof hydroelectric power is equal to35,500 GWh. Of this, 47% is generated by run-of-river power plants, 49% comes from reservoir power plants, and 4% from pumped-storage power plants. Yet thecorresponding energy potential is even greater. By modifying and expanding cur-rent plants, 2,000 GWh more could be produced annually through the year 2030, according to calculations by the SwissFederal Offi ce of Energy. That wouldcorrespond to a 7% increase in produc-tion, or roughly twice the amount of energy used annually by the city of Berne.

Over the past three decades, the electricity industry has invested little in developing additional hydropower, choosing instead to focus on maintaining current plants. This is likely to change soon. Hydropower is once again gaining popularity, with good reason:

• It produces renewable, emission-free energy; as the debates surrounding climate change become more heated and oil resources continue to shrink, domestic sources of energy become increasingly attractive.

• Europe is encouraging wind and solar power; the need for load-balancingelectrical power from pumped-storage plants is growing.

• Electricity prices are rising across Europe; this increases the electricity industry’s willingness to invest, creating openings for projects aimed at improving effi ciency that might have been rejected in the past due to pay-back considera-tions.

Various electrical energy producers already have concrete projects in the works. One example is Energie Electrique du Simplon SA (EES). Its power plant system in the Simplon Pass area consists of three reservoirs and an equal number of power stations. Feasibility studies have shown that EES could increase its production by 40%—or 120 million kWh—by building a new turbine pump facility.

Doing this will require that a new dam about 80 metres high be built at the Fah site. No dam of this size has been constructed in Switzerland in forty years. The Fah reservoir

will be connected to the existing Serra lake by a new head race tunnel and a vertical drop shaft more than 500 metres high. This arrangement will bring the water to a new underground plant equipped with turbine pumps to generate a total of 110 MW of power. It will then be possible to take full

advantage of all the water collected by the new and existing EES structures. These will supply peak and regulation energy, a major asset for the economy and the smooth operation of the national and international distribution networks.

As this example shows, hydropower haslost none of its relevance. Not only does Switzerland’s oldest domestic energy source have a long tradition, it has a bright future as well. ■

Several electrical energy producers have projects in the pipeline, for example, in the Simplon region.

Pierre Michel (PRA), Karine Rausis, Hervé Détraz and Didier Pantet.

< Promoting hydropower: buildinghydroelectric power plants is part of BG’s tradition(photo: Cleuson-Dixence underground facility).

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■ Renewal ■ 2,000 GWh ■ Increasing productivity ■ Turbine pump plant

A CORE COMPETENCY AT BGBG Consulting Engineers’ involvement in power plant construction also has a tradition, as attested by a long list of reference projects.

As a competent partner, BG will assume responsibility for project management and all the engineering services ranging from construction of underground facilities, tunnels, distribution networks, penstocks, and transport mains; up to and including general management.

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ENERGY | A-ONE BUSINESS CENTER, ROLLE

The A-One Business Center in Rolle stands out for its prominent tenants, elegant architecture, and intelligent energy balance.

The list of tenants includes a surprising number of big names, among them Japanese automaker Nissan and American pharmaceu-

tical giant Cardinal Health (both in their European headquarters), and American technology fi rm Honeywell. Yet theA-One Business Center, located in Rolle, Vaud canton, stands out for more than just its international appeal. It also boasts easy access to the highway between Lausanne and Geneva, attractive architecture featur-ing crisp lines and facades of continuous glass, and a superb view of Lake Geneva and the Alps. It is no wonder, then, that all seven of the centre’s offi ce complexes—with a total of 32,000 m2 of fl oor space for 1,600 jobs—were rented long before they were completed.

The A-One Business Center’s “inner quali-ties” are equally attractive. It bears the Swiss Minergie label, used to distinguish energy-effi cient buildings. To achieve this high standard, BG’s engineers chose to in-corporate, among other things, a thermo-

active building system (TABS). The system makes it possible to heat or cool large building complexes with less energy. Using concrete core conditioning, a building’s thermal storage capacity, i.e., the thermal inertia of its mass, is used to help regu-late its interior temperature. Water—warm (25-30°C) in winter and cold (18-21°C) in summer—is fed through pipes embedded directly in the building’s concrete ceilings. These large heat-exchange surfaces make it possible to keep the working environ-ment at comfortable temperatures with only minor adjustments to the water temperature.

One surprising discovery was that the additional costs associated with this type of energy-effi cient design are relatively modest. In the case of the A-One Business Center, they came to barely 3% of the total

construction costs. This is an investment that can be recouped in the medium term, because compared with conventionally constructed buildings, the A-One Business Center requires about 40% less energy to heat and 70% less to cool. And in terms of comfort, the offi ces in Rolle meet the high-est standards.

For BG Consulting Engineers, the A-One Business Center is a model project. The complex shows that rational, client-oriented design and construction do not preclude sustainability. Put succinctly: the A-One Business Center gets a grade of “A” for both comfort and energy effi ciency. ■

The additional costs associated with an energy-effi cient design are modest.

Jean-Baptiste Brunet, Rodolphe Martin, Charly Cornu, and Diego Salamon.

< Under the spotlights, the A-One Business Center shines thanks to its sustainability, comfort, and energy effi ciency.

Storing surplus solar energy in the ground:in Geneva’s Florence-Champendal district,innovative energy concepts fi nd fertile ground (simulation of heat storage in the ground).

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■ 1,600 jobs ■ Thermo-active building system ■ Minergie label ■ Comfort

STORING HEAT IN THE GROUND Fifteen apartment buildings containing 407 low-energy apartments are to be built in Geneva’sFlorence Champendal district. The site is being developed by Geneva’s cantonal energy department. BG Consulting Engineers has drawn up a comprehensive design for the project, which includes shell construction in line with Minergie standards. The remaining energy requirements are to be generatedby solar panels on the roofs of the new buildings and two existing schools in the neighbourhood.

This project’s real innovation lies in its use of seasonal thermal storage with geothermal probes, which allows surplus solar energy collected during the summer to be stored in the ground and used directly in the winter without the need for additional heat pumps. Simulations show that 65% of the 15 apartment buildings’ hot water needs and up to 90% of their heating needs can be supplied by the planned facili-ties. Gas heating will be used to cover the rest.

40 ■ BG 2009 BG 2009 ■ 41

A few hundred years ago, the architect and the engineer were one and the same person. But the complexity of tasks and technology’s meteoric development have gradually over-taken this romantic image of the humanist builder. While recreating this character may be an elusive hope, one can still dream of a new mode of co-creation that calls for inter-action between disciplines to benefi t a new, collective kind of knowledge.BG’s multidisciplinary skills in engineering expand its ability to manage complexity in its interactions with the best architects. The road is diffi cult because cultural barriers are fi rmly in place and operational methods very different. For example, professions involving fl uid and energy management in buildings are only very rarely called upon during initial design work. Times change, and integrated project design requires that all of the

Web 2.0 for a Networked CompanyIn the beginning was the World Wide Web, christened “Web 1.0”. The pages were static and rarely updated. Viewed as a tool for data distribution and display, the Web was like a brochure copied onto the screen. Today, BG Consulting Engineers is going beyond this and has completely redesigned its Internet site with a “Web 2.0” approach: dynamic content management, collaborative content creation, interaction with users, etc. In a company like BG that is organised in a network, where collaboration and exchange of knowledge play a major role, such a tool is welcome.Among the new functionalities expected within the next few months are intranet/Internet integration, distribution of editorial responsibili-ties, simplifi ed content editing, information-sharing tools, the ability for project teams to work off-site, and the essential bridges to the online document management platform, etc. That said, nothing will replace informal exchanges in “Cafeteria 2.0”, a communication tool of unrivalled power! ■

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary in 2004, BG Consulting Engineers demonstrated its commitment to the sustainable character of art by commissioning a monumental fresco from internationally renowned artist Gérald Poussin. In this triptych, completed in 2008 for the renovation of BG’s headquarters in Lausanne, Gérald Poussin gave his inspiration free rein to express his vision of paradise on Earth. Armed with his imagination and his brushes, he created a luminous fresco lush with a tropical forest abounding in mischievous, colour-ful animals. As a sensitive and open artist, he invites us to share the fresh, innocent world that lives within him. A former collaborator of the Hara-Kiri and Charlie Hebdo monthlies, Gérald Poussin gained recognition through his animated fi lms, cartoons, and comic strips before diversifying his artistic activities. He has been a painter, sculptor, illustrator, and designer of furniture, objects, theatrical stage settings, and costumes. He has exhibited in Geneva, Basle, Zurich, Paris, Milan, Berlin and Tokyo. ■

COMMUNICATIONSSOCIETY

The 2008 BG Prize for Sustainable Develop-ment Goes to…Young people represent the world’s future. Who better than they can build a sustain-able living environment? For many years, BG Consulting Engineers has been sensi-tive to the development of new profession-als, and it encourages the best students to carry on this vision.In this spirit, the BG Sustainable Develop-ment Prize has been awarded for the past four years to a Masters project from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne that makes a signifi cant contri-bution to the design of systems, projects, or developments that incorporate eco-nomic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainable development.The 2008 prize was awarded to twostudent architects, Cédric Liardet and Jean Wagner, for their forward-looking refl ections on “Offering the Most with Minimal Energy Use: A Hotel for the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne.” This work offers a bold extrapolation for optimal reuse of the site and the excavated material. ■

Developing the Professions of the FutureSocial commitment also implies a commit-ment to the professions that will shape tomorrow’s environment.BG Consulting Engineers strongly believes this and invests time in professional as-sociations having activities with a more or less direct and long-term impact on its key competencies. Several dozen engineers participate in the executive committees of associations. Whether the issue is water or soil, structural engineering or energy, or developing the professions of engineer, architect, or geologist, BG contributes to the future of the natural and built environ-ments. ■

BG AdvertisesBG AdvertisesBG Consulting Engineers has embodied its ambition in a simple visual communication concept: the harmony between thenatural and built environments. In a more philosophical sense,the concept evokes the meeting of the Earth (nature) and Man(culture). Several visual variations were produced by the SYNC public relations fi rm of Lausanne. All of the ads express the idea that creating a sustainable living environment calls for a strongpartnership among the stakeholders. The emulation of BG’scollective intelligence combines with a profound respect fornature. Reactions to the concept show that the message isgetting through… ■

Water in the DesertIn 2008, in Algiers, BG Consulting Engineers participated in the sixteenth edition of World Water Day organised under the aus-pices of the Ministry of Water Resources (MRE-Algeria) with the encouragement of the United Nations. Participants came from around the world. Hacène Bekhouche, who heads BG’s activities in Algeria, held a conference there on managing the rise of the Souf Valley (El Oued) aquifer, and welcomed the Algerian Minister of Water Resources, Adelmalek Sellal, to BG’s booth. ■

Every three years, the congress of the French Association for Tunnels and Underground Space (AFTES) brings together the main players in underground works from France and adjacent countries. The last edition, which took place in Monaco in 2008, underlined the key role played by underground spaces in the socio-economic development of these countries. It allowed BG Consulting Engineers to meet French decision-makers in the tunnel sector and to present its expertise during a conference on the topic of “safe, long-lasting tunnels.” This conference focused on the principles and implementation of safety measures for the Monaco tunnel on the A500 access ramp. ■

Underground Spaces: The New Frontier

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A New Relationship Between Architects and Engineerssystem’s components be considered right from the fi rst sketches. These components include the natural and built environment in the vicinity, climate, physical aspects of the building, static and dynamic analysis of structures, energy management, etc. The engineers and architects of tomorrow are hoping for fruitful discussions and solid com-plicity in order to design a sustainable living environment. ■

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TALENT

Professor André Gardel passed away on December 20, 2008.All those who knew him remember a man of quality, a visionary of brilliant intelligence who was open to the technical, economic, environmental, social and political realities of our time.

As a student, he earned his civil engineering degree from the Polytechnic Institute of the University of Lausanne (EPUL, later EPFL) at 22 years of age and continued his studies with a math-ematics degree from the University of Lausanne (UNIL), whichhe completed when he was 24.

In 1954, as the company director, he joined with Professor Daniel Bonnard to found Bonnard & Gardel Consulting Engineers, which quickly distinguished itself by its multidisciplinary approach with the arrival of civil and mechanical engineers, chemists, physicists and electricians. These were later joined by environmental engi-neers. This focus allowed BG to stand out right from the begin-ning and to leap into the international scene.

With André Gardel’s encouragement, BG opened its capital to its executives, and to all employees as of 1984. A partnership system that benefi ted the most enterprising staff members ensured transfer of ownership from the senior managers to the younger employees capable of taking on responsibilities and seeing to it that the company would continue to grow.

André Gardel became a privat-docent in 1959, then a professor at the EPFL in 1963. For 25 years, he taught energy economics as well as the design of energy facilities—hydroelectric, gas-fi red, oil-fi red and coal-fi red power plants, nuclear power plants, etc. In 1970, he created the IENER energy production institute, which eventually had up to 40 employees.

Nine years later, he published his refl ections with Pergamon Press in Energy: Economy and Prospective. In this work, a veritable textbook on energy economics, he brilliantly forecasted the devel-opment of global consumption in the 21st century. Thirteen years before the Rio summit, he pointed out that increased CO

2 content

in the atmosphere would become a major concern in the future.

André Gardel was also a painter, proving that in addition to being a brilliant scientist and visionary entrepreneur, he was a sensitive man who could excel in this area. He produced nearly 500 works in oils, watercolours and acrylics. He found his greatest inspira-tion in landscapes, still-lifes and abstract art. ■

André Gardel, BG Co-Founder

OBITUARY

Thanks to its many employees, BG is a regular idea factory. And innovation means enthusiasm and an appetite for hard work as well. The company brings in many tal-ented people who are ready to roll up their

Meeting of the Minds

Fountain of YouthAbout 30 apprentices and interns are welcomed and trainedeach year at BG Consulting Engineers’ various sites. While theapprentices receive parallel training in technical and commercialprofessions at the company and in school over a period of threeor four years, the interns are assigned specifi c missions thatvary in length depending on the topic of study. BG has had the pleasure of seeing some of these young people become company employees a few years after their initialexperience. ■

Opportunities for Personal Development

BG Consulting Engineers cares about staffdevelopment. The company strives to offer its employees prospects that are in line with both their interests and the development of the

business, throughout their career.Employees benefi t from various opportunities for ongoing in-house and outside training. In 2008, BG dedicated 3% of its pay-roll to training. At the end of the year, each employee is assessed during an interview that serves as an annual review as well as an opportunity to set goals for the future and discuss personal motivations.A positive working environment is also a daily concern. The com-pany’s originality lies in the autonomy and variety of assignments, which give everyone real diversity each day. Employees work in the fi eld, close to their clients. They manage and recruit as often as they launch new projects, and guarantee the quality of the services delivered. The added value that each employee brings to the success of BG’s mission is therefore felt in the most direct way. Each person has room to develop his or her entrepreneurial spirit, which is the number one reason for the company’s low staff turnover rate—7% in 2008. ■

< BG Consulting Engineers welcomed numerous visitors during the “Rhône-Alpes” student forums in Lyons in 2009, and at the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, in Lausanne in 2008 and in Zurich in 2009. Some meetings turned into actual pre-hire interviews.

Lausanne (EPFL)—has already been made in French-speaking Switzerland. It is slowly but surely growing in the German-speak-ing part of the country, and is soaring in France. But the company is not resting on its laurels. It is looking for all kinds of talent, both young and more experienced persons with atypical career paths who are ready to get behind its corporate vision and “be a part of…” Always ready to listen to original ideas, BG is also present atthe major student forums, which are realplatforms for interaction betweencompanies and young people. ■

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sleeves to serve a common goal and join in an act of sustainable creation.On its main markets, BG’s reputation—which is strongly tied to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in

Facts and Figures59.4

2008

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2007

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2006

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20052004

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30

40

50

60

CHF million

15

25

35

45

55

OTHERS10%

SWITZERLAND53%

FRANCE37%

■ Increasing sales ■ Strong presence in France and Switzerland

2008 turned out to be a very good year for BG Consulting Engineers, which continued to expand. Fortunately, the sluggish fi nancial climate did not affect essential investments in infrastructure.

Year after year, BG’s lines of business continue to grow. The company’s areas of expertise are directly related to the enormous challenges facing the planet: population growth, urbanisation, energy and mobility needs, pressure on natural resources and land, growth of natural and man-made risks, obsolescence of infra-structures, etc. The investments needed are considerable and require high-quality engineering in which the key concepts are innovative thinking, complex project man-agement skills and multidisciplinary work: a typical BG approach.

Satisfi ed CustomersIn 2008, a large clientele—60% of which was from the public sector and 40% from the semi-public and private sectors—took advantage of BG’s services. The company builds personalised business relationships, with strong ties between the customer and the project manager that result in optimal management of all operations. Customer satisfaction surveys show that BG enjoys an excellent reputation among its clients, who appreciate in particular:• the company’s expertise, enthusiasm, and

commitment to meeting its obligations,• the imagination and innovative aspects

it brings to the projects,• its ability to effectively defend the

customer’s interests,• its effi cient work management, fi nancial

soundness, and stability.

Market DevelopmentsBG continued to grow in 2008, especially

in France and the German-speaking part

BG2008 AT A GLANCE

of Switzerland. In French-speaking

Switzerland—BG’s birthplace—the com-

pany maintained a large market share. Its

development in the rest of the world was

signalled by a presence in Algeria and by

a number of support activities for large

clients, for example in Russia, South

Africa, Luxembourg or China.

A Wide Range of ProductsBG’s services cover the full project life

cycle, from the statement of requirements

and feasibility studies, through project

studies and executive or technical project

management assistance, to demolition or

conversion. They also include specialised

operations such as expert opinions and

audits. The company’s multidisciplinary

teams were kept busy with a number of

exciting projects in 2008, some repre-

sentative examples of which are described

in detail in this magazine.

• In the transport infrastructure sector,

BG combined its civil and electromechan-

ical engineering skills in works of art and

safety measures for tunnels.

• In the environmental sector, BG

strengthened its position as a market

leader in the wastewater treatment,

waste management and soil decontami-

nation sectors.

• The building sector owes its growth to its

ability to incorporate aspects of energy

savings, safety, and quick fulfi lment into

construction, through close interaction

with architectural fi rms and general

contractors.

• The energy sector has seen remarkable

development, especially in hydroelectric

power and renewable energy in general.

Solid FinancesThe company’s fi nances are sound and sales fi gures continue to grow. Consolidat-ed sales for 2008 increased to 59,433,000 Swiss francs (+18%), marking the third consecutive year of double-digit growth for BG! This feat is all the more remarkable considering that it was due mainly to in-ternal growth. Such favourable conditions allowed the company to maintain a high level of investment, thus guaranteeing increased performance for its customers.

Adaptive Changes in GovernanceThe governance structure has kept up with amendments to Swiss corporation law, in particular through the creation of a risk/audit committee. Changes in the presidency have been widely publicised and generated very positive feedback. In July 2008, Jean-Daniel Marchand left the position of CEO to become Chairman of the Board of Directors. The vacant CEO slot was fi lled by Laurent Vulliet, former Dean of the School of Architecture, Civil

and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL).

Employees: An Essential ResourceIn 2008, BG demonstrated its commitment to the staff by hiring an HR Director.Several initiatives were launched tostimulate talent recruitment, renew contacts with tertiary-level institutions, promote continuing education for employ-ees and improve master wage agreements. Sixty new employees joined the company in 2008.

A Healthy Working EnvironmentThe working environment for employees is continually being improved. Several of the sites have been modernised, including the headquarters in Lausanne, or moved to more spacious (Berne) or strategic (Mar-seilles) locations. As every year, substan-tial investments were approved to replace the company’s computer equipment and systems. In terms of public relations, strategic planning led to the decision to hire a Communications Manager in 2009, to introduce BG magazine, and to create a new web site.

Encouraging OutlookGiven the fi nancial environment, caution is appropriate and downward pressure on prices is not unthinkable. However, 2009 began with a growing number of orders on the book coupled with encouraging prospects. ■

2008 in Reviewin Excellent Shape

Innovative thinking, complex project man-agement skills and multidisciplinary work: a typical BG approach.

■ Staff composition is both appropriate to missions and forward-looking

• 65% are engineers and graduates of the top Universities

• 30% are graduates of certifi ed training programmes(technical or administrative Swiss Federal Profi ciency Certifi cate, Baccalauréat + 2)

• 5% hold apprenticeships and internships

■ 3% of the payroll is dedicated to training

■ 25% of the company’s employees are women

■ 97% of the company’s capital is held by the employees

■ 16 sites belong to the company’s network

London

Paris

Aix-les-Bains

Algiers

Lyons

Marseilles

Delémont

Biel/Bienne

Neuchâtel

Fribourg

Sion

Basle

Geneva

Lausanne

Zurich

Berne

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Beyeler Ingenieure AG, located in Berne, joined BG Consulting Engineers in the spring of 2009 and is helping to develop the company’s activities in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, whereBG is experiencing solid growth.Founded in 1978, this consulting engineer-ing fi rm employs about 20 people in the fi elds of building and structural engineer-ing (reinforced concrete, metal and wood

BG Plugs In

FUTURE

The pinch analysis method has been used successfully for more than 20 years to manage en-ergy in all sectors of industry. As

energy prices surge, an approach called “pinch light” enables SMEs and SMIs to use this method of energy integration to become more competitive and achieve their environmental objectives.Other possible applications are the design and optimisation of complex energy sys-tems in buildings (thermal spas, hospitals, etc.), and to an even greater extent energy planning for city neighbourhoods and the surrounding urban areas. The method guarantees the effi cient use of local en-ergy resources as well as overall optimisa-tion of energy conversion systems.

BG Gains New Strengthin German-Speaking Switzerland

Managing Energy in SME-SMIs

In order to reduce internal communication costs, ensure a high level of availability for communication systems, standardise technology among the company’s entities, and centralise administration, BG Consult-ing Engineers has committed to setting up a convergence network for data, voice and video based on powerful inter-site connec-tions (WAN).By installing a new generation telephone system (Voice Over Internet Protocol or VOIP) at all of its sites, BG is taking a decisive step towards unified messaging.* The first installations have been completed at the headquarters in Lausanne and the new site in Marseilles. Migration of all of the company’s sites will be staggered through the end of 2010. BG’s global network project makes it a pioneer among SMEs.

The pinch analysis method, a veritable “toolbox” based on structured and systematic analysis of heating and cooling needs within a defi ned system, has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness with energy savings of up to 40%.Having developed in-depth expertise in both continuous and discontinuous processes, BG Consulting Engineers was selected by the Swiss Federal Offi ce of Energy to help create the methodologyand certifi cation of the pinch light soft-ware developed by the EPFL’s Laboratory of Industrial Energy (LENI). In this role, BG supports “moderators” from the Swiss Energy Agency for the Economy (AEnEC) during the implementation of pilot projects in companies. ■

construction), including foundations and transport infrastructure.Beyeler Ingenieure enjoys an excellent reputation and a strong image, notably from the construction of Swiss Stadium in Berne. It has a high-quality technological portfolio and numerous synergies with BG, especially in structural engineering and building energetics. ■

The company has factored into the equa-tion its overall way of doing business: reduction in business travel, guaranteed efficiency for clients, and organisational productivity. Any difficulties identified are transformed into opportunities for develop-ing a sustainable living environment and responding to client requests. ■

* Handled like a “multimedia” box, unified messagingoffers a single access point for messages and informa-tion of various types, regardless of the terminal used (PDA, PC, land line or mobile telephone).

At the beginning of 2009, FMN Ingénieurs SA of Corcelles (Switzerland), whichspecialises in electromechanical and civil engineering, joined BG Consulting Engineers. Its arrival has increased the company’s presence in the Neuchâtel region and built upits expertise in electromechanical engineering, transport systems and energy. ■

FMN Engineers Joins BG

operator access to a range of services and products that lead to signifi cant savings. energho guarantees at least a 10% reduc-tion in energy consumption.Certain clients, in particular Geneva’s Cantonal Energy Service, also request that energho accreditation be obtained by fi rms that perform energy audits for offi ce or apartment buildings and industrial fa-cilities under the “New Electricity Offers” assistance programme. ■

For more information, visit www.energho.ch

In 2008, BG Consulting Engineers received energho accreditation, which is awarded for three years (renewable) to standard-setting fi rms in the fi eld of rational energy use. BG can now provide on-site technical assistance in this context.

energho Accreditation

energho’s objective: increase the energy effi ciency of public buildings.energho is a non-profi t association supported by the Swiss Federal Offi ce of Energy as part of the SuisseEnergie programme. Its objective is to increase the energy effi ciency of public buildings. As part of its programme for rational energy use, energho developed a subscription concept. A contract with the operator of an energy-hungry public building gives the

Behind the term “alkali reaction” lurks a serious concrete disease caused by reac-tions between the alkaline ions contained in cement pores and the granulates.Signifi cant disturbances result, notably reduced mechanical properties andswelling of the concrete. It often takes several decades for this phenomenon to become noticeable. Its occurrence depends on specifi c conditions of humid-ity, the nature of the aggregates and the concentration of alkaline ions. Currently, corrective measures are very limited.Dams are particularly affected by thealkali reaction. Many storage dams will require renovation, making the need to know more about this “geriatric” disease even greater.

That is why BG Consulting Engineerssupports the scientifi c research of the Laboratory of Construction Materials (Prof. Karen Scrivener) at the Swiss Fed-eral Institute of Technology in Lausanne, in a spirit of continually improving its already recognised expertise in the fi eld of large dams. ■

In the Thick of Alkali Reaction Research

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BG 2009 ■ 4948 ■ BG 2009

EDITORIAL

Shapeyour future

Explore our online job offerswww.bg-21.com

CONTACTS

50 ■ BG 2009

ORGANISATION(Status as of May 2009)

Board of DirectorsJean-Daniel Marchand, Chairman

Laurent Vulliet, Secretary

Joseph von Aarburg

Ernst Brugger

Hervé Détraz

Nestor Epiney

Peter Hufschmied

Beth Krasna

Jean Peyrelevade

Yves Trottet

François Vuilleumier

Executive Board Laurent Vulliet,

Chairman (CEO)

Joseph von Aarburg,

Vice Chairman

Jean-Claude Brentini,

Director, Finance and Administration

Olivier Chaix,

Director, Water and Environment Switzerland

Pierre Epars,

Director, Building and Energy

Pierre Kohler,

Director, Infrastructure and Transport

Denis Pourlier-Cucherat,

Director, Water and Environment France

Central services:

Hélène Hourtané,

Head, Communication and Media

Joseph Pugnot,

Head, Accounting

Béatrice Saxer Brown,

Director, Human Resources

PartnersJoseph von Aarburg • Philippe Barbier

Hacène Bekhouche • Jean-Claude Brentini

Jean-Baptiste Brunet • Olivier Chaix

Daniel Collomb • Jean-Marc Cuanillon

Patrick Dal Palu • Hervé Détraz • Pierre Epars

Grégoire Favre • Hugues Frossard de Saugy

Michel Gambotti • Pierre Kohler

Jean-Daniel Marchand • Michel Mercier

Pius Neff • Olivier Ouzilou • Gilles Pirat

Philippe Pons • Denis Pourlier-Cucherat

Alexis Pourprix • Joseph Pugnot

Karine Rausis • Yves Trottet

Laurent Vulliet • Alan Weatherill

SWITZERLAND

BG Consulting Engineers Ltd

Lausanne: avenue de Cour 61 • Case postale 241 • CH-1001 Lausanne • Tel. +41 21 618 11 11 • lausanne@bg-21.com

Basle: Turmhaus, Aeschenplatz 2 • CH-4052 Basle • Tel. +41 61 921 57 04 • basel@bg-21.com

Berne: Brunnhofweg 37 • Postfach 590 • CH-3000 Berne 14 • Tel. +41 31 380 11 11 • bern@bg-21.com

Biel/Bienne: rue de la Gare 16 • CH-2502 Biel/Bienne • Tel. +41 32 323 69 27 • bienne@bg-21.com

Delémont: rue de la Molière 22 • CH-2800 Delémont • Tel. +41 32 423 01 71 • delemont@bg-21.com

Fribourg: rue P.-A. de Faucigny 5 • Case postale • CH-1705 Fribourg • Tel. +41 26 341 77 84 • fribourg@bg-21.com

Geneva: avenue de Châtelaine 81 bis • CH-1219 Châtelaine-Geneva • Tel. +41 22 979 23 10 • geneve@bg-21.com

Neuchâtel: ruelle W.-Mayor 2 • Case postale 1813 • CH-2001 Neuchâtel • Tel. +41 32 724 04 44 • neuchatel@bg-21.com

Sion: rue des Tonneliers 11 • CH-1950 Sion • Tel. +41 27 323 57 17 • sion@bg-21.com

Zurich: Fraumünsterstrasse 19 • Postfach 2348 • CH-8022 Zurich • Tel. +41 44 212 84 49 • zurich@bg-21.com

Beyeler Ingenieure AG

Berne: Stade de Suisse • Papiermühlestrasse 7 • CH-3014 Berne • Tel. +41 31 958 34 34 • info@beyelering.ch

FMN Ingénieurs SA

Corcelles: Les Vernets • CH-2035 Corcelles • Tel. +41 32 732 50 00 • info@fmn-ing.ch

FRANCE

BG Bonnard & Gardel Ingénieurs-conseils SAS

Lyons: 13, rue des Emeraudes • F-69006 Lyons • Tel. +33 4 72 56 36 00 • lyon@bg-21.com

Marseilles: 20, allée Turcat-Méry • F-13008 Marseilles • Tel. +33 4 91 25 53 53 • marseille@bg-21.com

Paris: 5, avenue de Verdun • F-94200 Ivry-sur-Seine • Tel. +33 1 56 20 65 00 • paris@bg-21.com

St-Genis Pouilly: Technoparc Pays de Gex • 15, rue Lumière • F-01630 St-Genis Pouilly • Tel. +33 4 50 42 28 68 • st-genis@bg-21.com

canalE SAS

Paris: 5, avenue de Verdun • F-94200 Ivry-sur-Seine • Tel. +33 1 56 20 64 60 • canale@canale.fr

Tonello Ingénieurs Conseils Sàrl

Aix-les-Bains: 33, boulevard Domenget • Boîte postale 233 • F-73102 Aix-les-Bains Cedex • Tel. +33 4 79 35 05 36 • tonello@tonello-ic.com

ALGERIA

Algéro Swiss Engineering Sàrl

Algiers: 48, rue Mohamed Allilat • DZ-16300 Kouba-Algiers • Tel. +213 21 28 52 47 • alger@bg-21.com

ENGLAND

BG Consultants (UK) Limited

Ascot: Baxter House • 48 Church Road • Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8RR • Tel. +44 1 344 891 666 • london@bg-21.com

Status report and future prospects for the Group BG Consult ing Engineers - 2009 Edit ion

BG 21 com

Making France’slongest tunnel safe and secure

Energy effi ciencythe example of the A-One-Business-Center

Nestlé expandsbuilding with demanding quality standards

Supply of waterto the city of Algiers

Sustainable development a priority for the EPFL

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Basle

Delémont

Biel/Bienne

Neuchâtel Berne

Fribourg

Lausanne

Sion

GenevaSt-Genis

Aix-les-Bains

Marseilles

Zurich

Algiers

Paris

London

Lyons