EDGE
Integrating very high shares of decentralized renewable energy into the Swiss energy system.
EDGE wants to provide scientific evidence to fast-track the growth of locally sourced decentralized renewable energy in Switzerland. The consortium aims to show that by 2035 and 2050, when ambitious shares of renewable energy are reached, the Swiss energy system could be designed and operated in a technically and economically optimal and secure way, and that it could be well positioned in the European markets.
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Extend the existing pool of Swiss energy scenarios with an ambitious vision for renewable energy, using models with high temporal and spatial resolution
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Assess feasibility, limits and implications of decentralized renewable energy generation
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Analyze the interplay of decentralized and centralized renewable energy generation, storage and transmission grids, including the interconnection with Europe
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In cities, investigate systems with highly concentrated energy demand, building-integrated PV, anthropogenic biomass, district heating grids, etc.
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In midlands, investigate systems dominated by high but dispersed demand, woody and agricultural biomass, PV, and wind power
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In the Alps, investigate systems dominated by PV, woody biomass, and wind power
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Bridge research with implementation by steering and participating in the construction of pilot & demonstration projects
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Assess feasibility, limits and performance of such systems and their interaction with existing infrastructure
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Analyze the behavior and acceptance by consumers and other key actors
- Analyze how existing distribution and transformation grids could be adapted to allow the integration of renewable electricity
- Evaluate optimal niches that could be filled with microgrids
- Focus on techno-economic efficiency as well as supply security, positioning Switzerland well regarding uncertain developments in the European markets
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Analyze effectiveness and implementation feasibility of various federal, cantonal, and local policies, market instruments and financial aspects among the three regions
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Analyze different socio-political conditions and policy acceptance
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Identify ways to minimize new emerging inequalities from the energy transition across various stakeholders
News
Successful implementation of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 is a mandatory contribution for Switzerland to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The gap between the greenhouse gas emissions pathways under current policies and the required emissions for carbon neutrality is vast in Switzerland as well as in Europe. Thus, climate change mitigation is a continent-wide challenge that Switzerland must participate in. Climate neutrality in principle requires an almost or fully renewable energy supply in Switzerland, especially exploiting decentralized resources.
Swiss Energy Research for the Energy Transition SWEET
SWEET – "SWiss Energy research for the Energy Transition" – is a funding programme of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). SWEET’s purpose is to accelerate innovations that are key to implementing Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050 and achieving the country’s climate goals. The programme was launched in early 2021 and the funding programme runs until 2032.
SWEET EDGE is a research project sponsored by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy's "SWEET" programme and coordinated by the University of Geneva’s Renewable Energy Systems group and the EPFL Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences
EPFL-UNIL Center for Climate Impact and Action (CLIMACT) and University of Geneva’s Faculty of Science and Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE) provide the management and administrative support to SWEET-EDGE.