Enabling a sustainable and secure electricity supply by 2050 through flexibility and sector coupling

Abstract

PATHFNDR is a research project sponsored by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy’s “SWEET” programme (Call 1-2020) and hosted by ETH Zurich. The project consortium is represented by eight research partners – ETH Zurich, Empa, PSI, ZHAW, HSLU, UNIGE, EPFL and TU Delft – and 25 cooperation partners. The project aims to develop and analyze transition pathways for renewable energy integration in Switzerland. The project will deliver feasible pathways, provide planning and operation tools, develop pilot and demonstration projects, identify new business opportunities and innovation strategies, and analyze potential policies.

About

Since September 2013, Christian Schaffner is the Executive Director of the Energy Science Center (ESC), an inter-disciplinary competence centre to promote energy research and teaching at ETH Zurich. It aims to facilitate the deployment of an environmentally friendly, reliable, low risk, economically viable and socially compatible sustainable energy system. Linking over fifty professors from eleven ETH Zurich departments, the ESC enhances cooperation between ETH Zurich, industry, government and society on energy related issues.

Before that, Christian Schaffner was with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy as head of the grid section, responsible for the development of a grid expansion strategy and a smart grid road-map. He was also involved in the bilateral negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union regarding a contract on energy supply. He received his M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering and his PhD degree in Electric Power Systems from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich in 1998 and 2004, respectively. In addition, he received a diploma in higher education teaching from the same institution in 1999.

Fueling the Future: Catalytic Pathways to Renewable Chemicals and Fuels

Abstract

Organic chemicals and liquid fuels are central to modern society, yet their production remains largely dependent on fossil resources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. The use of renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide as alternative feedstocks presents a transformative opportunity for chemical industry. Catalysts, especially heterogeneous ones, play a critical role in enabling these processes with high productivity and efficiency. This talk will explore catalytic routes to essential chemicals and sustainable aviation fuels, highlighting recent advances and key challenges.

About

Vladimir Paunović earned his PhD in Heterogeneous Catalysis from ETH Zurich (2014–2018), followed by postdoctoral research at ETH and PSI, and a scientist role at ETH. He is currently a group leader at PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, developing catalysts and technologies for CO₂ and renewable hydrogen conversion, with a focus on methanol as a key platform molecule.

Research and technology transfer platform 2.0

Abstract

Advancing from isolated pilot units to systemic transformation requires new models of technology transfer. Small campus facilities, often built with a single purpose, rarely capture the complexity of industrial realities or market dynamics. Instead, transfer platforms should be embedded in real operating conditions and co-developed with industry from the outset. Importantly, it is not only individual companies but entire ecosystems that need to undergo transformation, requiring cross-sectoral collaboration, shared infrastructures, and mutual learning. This presentation illustrates one example of such an approach, showing how TRL, BRL, and policy readiness can progress in parallel to enable successful deployment.

About

Nathalie Casas is a member of Empa’s Directorate and Head of the Department of Energy, Mobility and Environment. She is responsible for the research focus “Energy, Resources and Emissions” and for move, Empa’s platform for sustainable mobility. As a member of CORE, the Innosuisse Innovation Council and other national bodies, she helps shape Swiss energy and climate policy at the interface of research, industry and politics.

Policy Pathways and Flexibility for Switzerland’s Net-Zero Transition

Abstract

This presentation brings insights from the JI SCENE, together with other research projects at PSI LEA, to highlight complementary dimensions of Switzerland’s net-zero transition: policy, technology, and society. It stresses the need for adaptive, EU-aligned, policies and examines the role of the new energy infrastructures and storage in a low-carbon Swiss energy system. It also provides insights into how acceptance shapes renewables deployment and flexibility provision from consumers. The talk underlines that achieving climate neutrality in Switzerland requires robust policies, technical solutions, and societal support.

About

Dr Evangelos Panos, Head of the Energy Economics Group at PSI, holds a PhD in Operations Research from NTUA and a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Patras. With 15+ years’ experience, he applies energy-economic models to assess policy impacts and the role of technologies in the energy transition for Switzerland and the EU, as well as for industry and international organisations like OECD and World Energy Council that are interested in global energy futures.

Managing the energy transition: economic and policy bottlenecks

Abstract

Access to affordable and clean energy is important to maintain high levels of welfare. Ongoing energy transitions, such as the shift to decarbonized energy systems, create distributional costs and risks (e.g., unemployment) that fuel public hostility and may undermine long-term policy efforts. This presentation discusses important recent developments in theoretical and applied energy economics, focusing on technological innovations, their social consequences, and their policy implications.

About

Michaёl Aklin is Associate Professor of Economics and Management of Innovation at EPFL, which he joined in 2023 and where he holds the Chair of Policy & Sustainability. He is also co-managing director of Enterprise for Society (E4S), a center jointly founded by EPFL, IMD, and the University of Lausanne. Prior to joining EPFL, he was Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Michaël Aklin studies the economics and politics of sustainable and steady development and the policies to achieve it.

How geothermal energy can play a key role in the energy transition

Abstract

Deep geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that can play a key role in the energy transition, as it can provide both baseload and dispatch thermal and/or electric power, typically without operative CO₂ emissions. Thus, geothermal energy can serve as largely CO₂-emission-free backup power, firming up the power grids of the future that will increasingly rely on only intermittently available solar and wind power. Furthermore, geothermal energy extraction can also be combined with geologic CO₂ sequestration in so-called CO₂-Plume Geothermal (CPG) systems, whereby all captured CO₂ is eventually permanently stored deep underground and the geothermal power generation is doubled under base case CPG conditions.

About

Martin O. Saar holds a professorship in Geothermal Energy and Geofluids at ETH Zurich. His research interests are in geophysical fluid dynamics of subsurface multiscale, multiphase, multicomponent, reactive fluid (groundwater, hydrocarbon, CO2) and energy (heat, pressure) transport, such as water- and CO2-based geothermal energy utilization, geologic CO2 storage, grid-scale energy storage, enhanced oil recovery, and groundwater flow.