One current topic in the Swiss, European and global energy transition is the extent to which synthetic fuels such as hydrogen and its derivatives will play a role in different parts of the energy system The Energy Science Center at ETH has recently studied the role of such synthetic fuels in the Swiss electricity system in a six month research project. The study was commissioned and financed by the private individual Heinz M Buhofer and partnered by Eniwa. Furthermore, the project had an advisory board with members from Empa, Tech Cluster Zug, Verband der Schweizerischen Gasindustrie, Eniwa and Steinmann Consulting.
Using the Nexus-e modeling platform, we have developed three main scenarios for the Swiss electricity system in 2050. These scenarios investigate the potential roles of hydrogen and e-methane for (1) the Swiss electricity supply if they are imported, (2) the seasonal storage of electricity storage within Switzerland and (3) the potential cost of producing hydrogen or e-methane in Switzerland.
Our results provide the following five main conclusions:
The results of this study are intended to provide insight into the role of synthetic fuels in a net-zero emission electricity system in Switzerland but do not serve as forecasts. The modeling of the Swiss electricity system is subject to many assumptions and simplifications and all results are outcomes of computational optimization and scenario results present the option with the lowest total cost of power supply.
A detailed description of the project and its results can be found in the full report (3 MB)
You can also have a look at the detailed scenario results in our interactive webviewer.
