Suitability for grandchildren at Kemmeriboden

We all bear a great responsibility for our future generations and our nature. We at Kemmeriboden Bad have written this into our corporate culture and want our descendants to be able to experience our family business, as well as its region, as wonderfully as we do today.

Discover our projects suitable for grandchildren here or experience them on site with us at Kemmeriboden Bad!
 

 

We use green electricity

In addition to our self-produced electricity from the turbine power plant, we buy 100,000 kWh of green electricity annually from "naturemade star" certified hydroelectric power plants. This was awarded by the Bernese power plant BKW with the certificate green electricity.

We try to save energy whenever possible. Our guests can decide for themselves whether they want to have the minibar plugged into the room. Electrical devices that are not in use are switched off completely and not only in stand-by mode.

Furthermore, charging stations are available for our guests arriving by e-car.
 

 

 

Our Kemmeriboden hydroelectric power plant

We operate our own hydroelectric power plant using our water reservoir. With this we produce 150'000 kWh of green electricity annually for our family business. The hydroelectric power plant is a closed system and does not disturb nature and its inhabitants in any way. The 150'000 kWh correspond to the annual electricity consumption of about 42 private households with 2 persons each. With the self-produced electricity we offer our guests the ability to charge their electric cars for free at our charging station.

Our power plant received the award for energy efficiency and climate protection from the ACT Cleantech Agency Switzerland.
 

Turbine strength - for 3 generations!

Turbine strength - for 3 generations!

As early as 1916, the 3rd generation of hosts Christian Gerber and his brother Friedrich, had the first hydroelectric power plant built at Kemmeriboden. At that time, Kemmeriboden Bad was not yet connected to the power grid. The yield was a modest 4 kW/h. In order to achieve the required 6 kW/h, the power plant was upgraded with a diesel generator. Until 1977, the required electricity could be produced by the plant itself.


When Heiner Invernizzi-Gerber, the 5th generation, took over the business with his wife Elisabeth Gerber in 1977, this power was no longer sufficient. More machines were used in the kitchen and each of the 30 rooms was equipped with its own bathroom. Electric light replaced the gas lamps.

In 1998, the hydroelectric power plant was renovated and today it has an average output of 17 kW/h, which means about 150,000 kWh per year, depending on the water flow. However, this is not enough for Kemmeriboden Bad. The hydroelectric power plant covers 30% of the energy demand, but the hosts Reto and Alexandra Invernizzi buy an additional 100'000 kWh of green electricity from "naturemade star" certified hydroelectric power plants.

In 1998, as in 1916, they decided to use the Pelton turbine again. This type is used to process small water masses with a large gradient. In addition, the Pelton turbine can also be operated very well with high efficiency at varying loads. The special feature of this working machine is that the water is fed through an adjustable nozzle and directed as a free jet onto the cup-shaped turbine loops.

The water source is 160 meters above the turbine house. This difference in altitude is necessary to build up the 16 bar pressure required to generate electricity. The water jet reaches a speed of 190 km/h between the source to the turbine. In addition to generating electricity, the water is also available as drinking and spring water.
 

We cultivate regional connections

We work first and foremost with local suppliers and craftsmen and source our products from the region, often directly from the farm. In this way, we promote and support the added value of the communities of Schangnau and Marbach and can proudly say that four bakeries, two cheese dairies and two butcheries go about their business every day in these two communities. We want these businesses and the farms to be preserved for the next generation as well.
 

Culinary partner

 

We are all pulling in the same direction

Grandchild-friendliness also flows into the everyday lives of our employees and guests in small ways.

For example, we use the exhaust air from the kitchen to heat the restaurant via ventilation and rely on heat recovery for our cooling systems.

We do not use pesticides in the maintenance of our outdoor facilities, and we do not use any chemical additives in the construction of igloos. We produce the artificial snow with our own snow lance. For the production we use only water from the Kemmeriboden spring and the cold winter air.

Our wine list offers a wide selection of organic wines.

Winecarte