Work Packages

WP 1

WP1 studies how Swiss cities can design and operate energy systems with the highest possible shares of local renewables. It examines solar energy, biomass and waste, storage, electric transport, distribution grids and microgrids, alongside financing, coordination among stakeholders, business models and policy acceptance. The research supports practical design recommendations for urban neighbourhoods.

WP 2

WP2 investigates renewable energy systems for settlements, farms and industrial sites in the Swiss Midlands, including the Jura. It combines solar, wind, agricultural and woody biomass with storage, electric transport and agricultural machinery. Research addresses local energy use, exports to cities, distribution grids, financing, business models, coordination among stakeholders and policy acceptance.

WP 3

WP3 assesses solar, wind and biomass resources in the Swiss Alps and studies renewable energy systems for alpine settlements and remote sites. It examines winter solar production, storage, mountain transport, distribution grids and interactions with hydropower, including pumped storage. Financing, business models, coordination among stakeholders and policy acceptance are also central to the research.

WP 4

WP4 develops and evaluates urban pilot and demonstration projects with cities and utilities. It supports solutions from concept and design through implementation, operation and optimisation, including district heating, seasonal thermal storage, microgrids and electric mobility. The projects assess renewable energy integration, efficiency, resilience, economic feasibility and social acceptance, with guidance for replication in other Swiss cities.

WP 5

WP5 plans and supports a stepwise demonstration of an integrated renewable energy system in the Swiss Midlands. Starting from a biogas project, it combines photovoltaics, wood pyrolysis, heat and electricity generation, biomethane and biochar production, battery storage and electric vehicles, including tractors. The work addresses coordinated operation, grid integration and practical implementation with local stakeholders.

WP 6

WP6 plans interconnected alpine pilot and demonstration projects, focusing on Davos and Bagnes-Verbier. It uses modelling and monitoring to guide renewable installations, particularly high-mountain photovoltaics, and their integration with hydropower, storage, heating and local demand. Working with stakeholders, it assesses feasibility, winter supply and the potential to export renewable energy to urban centres.

WP 7

WP7 brings regional research into national energy-system models to develop scenarios and transition pathways towards nearly or fully renewable Switzerland by 2050. It examines implications for transmission grids, centralised generation and storage, transport and connections with Europe. Model comparisons and detailed spatial and temporal analysis underpin the project’s Renewable Energy Outlooks.

WP 8

WP8 investigates policies, market design and financing that support the nationwide uptake of decentralized renewable energy. It combines policy analysis, population surveys and market modelling to examine social acceptance, investment and coordination across sectors and government levels. It also assesses distributional impacts across regions and social groups, producing policy white papers and recommendations.

WP 9

WP9 coordinates EDGE’s research and implementation activities, monitors deliverables and milestones, and manages reporting and liaison with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. It oversees administrative and financial management, risks, ethics and gender equality, while organising exchanges with the advisory board, partners and stakeholder forum and fostering links with other SWEET projects.

WP 10

WP10 supports knowledge and technology transfer through internal coordination and external communication. It organises consortium meetings and knowledge exchange, and shares research findings through the website, newsletters, social media, conferences and educational activities. Outreach connects researchers with policymakers, industry and the public to encourage practical use of EDGE’s findings, tools and recommendations.