Research in the Spirit of Sustainability (01/2015)

Swiss electricity flows before and after energy transition

Electricity flows in 2015 and 2050 Switzerland is a transit country in terms of European electricity supply. Currently, electricity from nuclear or hydro power is mostly transferred from northern Europe to the south. By 2050, the proportion of electricity from renewable sources is set to increase strongly (hydro power, solar energy, biomass). According to the research findings of Weigt’s team, the overall electricity flows will, in fact, change only slightly. However, the day and night rhythm will alter radically: during the day, there will be many peaks in the electricity flow because solar electricity will become much more significant (see graphs on daily use).

Professor Hannes Weigt uses a computer model that he has developed to research into the Swiss electricity network at the University of Basel’s Faculty of Business and Economics (WWZ). “We can picture the Swiss electricity system as a road network,” explains the industrial engineer. “Our model shows the highways within this network.” The Basel researcher simulates in rich detail the ways in which energy supply in the next few decades will change under particular conditions.

At the core of his research lies the transition to sustainable electricity sources. He examines, among other issues, shortages in the supply that regularly lead to network overloads and that could at least potentially hinder the international electricity flow. Together with his team, he investigates how and when these shortages can best be overcome. This is important to enable an increase in the proportion of electricity from renewable sources.