The City of Zurich wants to be carbon-neutral by 2040, meaning that its CO₂ emissions have to be reduced quickly. Whether this mean the implementation of binding requirements to replace existing heating systems, additional subsidies for photovoltaics or the expansion of district heating, the City of Zurich is very interested in testing economic and technical solutions and integrating them in the regional energy system. “Ultimately, it is about finding out under which conditions all stakeholders can benefit – then it will work,” says Silvia Ulli-Beer from the ZHAW Institute of Sustainable Development. As part of the DeCarbCH project of SWEET, the new national energy research programme, ZHAW researchers are now analysing the value creation networks from a stakeholder perspective. What are the barriers and drivers? What political measures or legal adjustments are required? What value creation potential, stakeholder networks and innovative business models can accelerate the energy transition?

ZHAW represented in all research teams

The ZHAW is represented on all four interdisciplinary research teams of SWEET (SWiss Energy research for the Energy Transition), the new national energy research programme. SWEET is replacing Innosuisse’s long-standing SCEER (Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research) energy research programme. Working in transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary consortia, the ZHAW researchers are now seeking solutions for the conversion of the Swiss energy system. As part of the EDGE project, for example, regional scenarios and development strategies are being devised. The focus here is being placed on the role of decentralised, renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics, wind and biomass from local sources in connection with existing hydropower and new storage possibilities. “We will pay particular attention to social and technical interdependencies, which are very different in Swiss cities, the Central Plateau and in the Alps,” says Jürg Rohrer from the ZHAW Institute of Natural Resource Sciences.