Energy crisis: from challenge to opportunity to accelerate the energy transition

Sector coupling is key 

Homing in on those solutions, further sessions focused on the importance of sector coupling to achieve the transition and net zero. Gianfranco Guidati, from the Energy Science Centre at ETH Zurich, shared a model for a future net-zero energy system for Switzerland. Vividly displayed in transport map style, it mapped how sector coupling is required to reach the net zero target – from photovoltaic capacity to energy storage to different end-user sectors – and showed that it is doable, even if the investment needed is sizeable.  

Tom Kober, from the Energy Systems Analysis Group at PSI, shared some sectoral insights for the pulp and paper industry and the cement sector. In the cement sector, for example, he emphasised the importance of retrofitting existing kilns and the necessity to deploy carbon capture very early on. He also highlighted key cross-cutting technologies needed, notably high-temperature heat pumps in industry and new solutions for increased system flexibility and resilience. 

Swiss energy technology leaders, Raymond Decorvet from MAN Energy Solutions Switzerland, Alexander Beck from Siemens Switzerland and Luca Schmidlin, of synfuels start-up AlphaSYNT, shared their insights into some of the enablers and constraints in practice. They stressed the need to collaborate and connect the dots, the importance of supportive regulation that does not limit the technology options, and the need for finance to take projects from proof of concept over the line to fully developed and proven systems.