Position paper on proper use of renewable resources

Switzerland's energy independence is just 30 percent. By comparison, self-sufficiency in food, which is often described as insufficient, is almost 60 percent. With a few simple principles for the optimal use of domestic energy sources, this ratio could also be significantly improved in terms of energy supply. Switzerland, for example, has a large potential of domestic renewable resources which, if used correctly, could cover most of its needs in the long term. However, given the diversity and geographical distribution of resources and demand, it is crucial to optimize their use. A position paper by aeesuisse, the umbrella organization of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry, summarizes a few guidelines.

Guidelines for the use of resources for heat generation

Space heating and industrial processes account for around 50 percent of Switzerland's total final energy consumption. Numerous energy resources can ensure domestic heat supply, but not all of them are equivalent to each other. First, a distinction must be made between "locational" and "non-local" resources. The "exergetic" potential of the resource, i.e. its ability to provide certain energy services with high added value, must also be taken into account.

Given these different characteristics of the resources that can be used to provide heat, the following order of priority emerges for the use of decentralized on-site resources for heat generation: Groundwater, geothermal, ambient air. Only if these are not locally available in sufficient quantities, (non-local) energy wood and biogas should be used. Otherwise, the coverage of domestic resources is reduced and the need for imports increases.

Guidelines for the use of resources for power generation

While the quality of heat depends on its temperature, there are no corresponding differences in the quality of electric power. Nevertheless, the question of resource prioritization arises: An electric kWh produced in winter, when Switzerland is significantly dependent on electricity imports, is more valuable than the kWh in summer. Further, the high exergetic value of electricity enables high-value and diverse applications. Against this background, electricity should be used primarily for purposes with high exergetic energy demand. Also, wastage of electricity should be avoided, especially in winter. In addition to the existing ban on electric heating in new buildings and the replacement ban, the use of heat pumps in very poorly insulated buildings should be avoided, or these buildings should be energetically renovated beforehand.

In addition, power generation should be expanded in the winter. This would allow more water to be held in the reservoirs from fall to spring, which would reduce electricity imports from abroad. Seasonal energy storage should also be promoted. Currently, reservoir capacity allows only a limited summer-winter transfer of about nine TWh because reservoirs are full at the end of summer and thus no additional capacity is available. Therefore, either some dams need to be increased (potential of additional 2 TWh) or other forms of seasonal storage such as power-to-X need to be used.

Consequences of not implementing the recommendations

If these guidelines were followed in a consistent and coordinated manner, Switzerland would be able to meet almost all of its energy needs domestically and renewably. If, on the other hand, these guidelines are not followed or are implemented too late, Switzerland will be forced to continue importing massive amounts of fossil fuels and expose society to energy shortages. In short, Switzerland's energy independence depends on its ability to use the right resource in the right place for the right purpose.

Source: aeesuisse