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Tag: Power-to-X

  • New tracker makes the Swiss power-to-X landscape visible

    New tracker makes the Swiss power-to-X landscape visible

    Renewable electricity can be stored in chemical energy carriers such as hydrogen, synthetic fuel and methane (Power-to-X). According to a press release from the Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network SPIN, more than 50 projects in this area are already underway in Switzerland.

    Together with the Coalition for Green Energy & Storage(CGES), SPIN is therefore launching a tracker that provides an overview of known projects in Switzerland. The resulting map makes visible those projects that have gone beyond laboratory tests and have already become demonstration projects or even commercial applications. SPIN collects the data, CGES visualizes it.

    “The tracker facilitates collaboration by providing a structured database that promotes synergies between stakeholders and supports decision-making,” Christoph Sutter and Antonello Nesci, co-directors of CGES, are quoted as saying in the press release.

    Martin Bäumle sees power-to-X technologies as the key to defossilizing the economy. “With the tracker, we are creating transparency, strengthening collaboration and helping to turn promising ideas into scalable solutions,” said the National Councillor (Green Liberal/ZH) and Co-President of SPIN. “Reliable data can help policy makers to adapt regulations and investors to identify new opportunities.”

    The map will be presented at the CGES annual event, which will take place on November 21 at Swissgrid in Aarau. CGES is a coalition of partners from business, academia and the public sector for green energy, founded by the ETH Domain.

  • Clean energy from the summer for the winter

    Clean energy from the summer for the winter

    The growing amount of solar power in summer holds enormous potential that has so far remained untapped in the winter months. In the pilot project in Bassersdorf, surplus solar power is converted into methanol using Power-to-X and stored in the compact Hybridbox®. This innovative energy center reliably provides electricity and heat in winter, even when conventional heating systems reach their limits.

    Methanol as the key to a secure energy supply
    “Green methanol allows us to store surplus electricity locally and use it in winter with low emissions, a crucial component for a secure energy supply,” explains Boris Meier from OST. Methanol is liquid, easy to store and climate-friendly, making the Hybridbox® a flexible energy system that adapts intelligently to individual needs. Maximum efficiency is achieved by combining it with photovoltaics, battery storage and a heat pump.

    Emergency power supply and cost control
    The system is also impressive in the event of a power failure. The locally stored methanol guarantees an uninterrupted supply to the building. In addition, the high level of self-sufficiency ensures stable operating costs in the long term, a clear advantage over rising energy prices. Especially in areas without a gas or district heating connection, the system offers a real alternative to old oil or gas heating systems.

    Successful partnership for sustainable building
    The joint project shows how practical cooperation works. “The combination of energy efficiency, security of supply and CO2 reduction makes the Methanol-Hybridbox® a sustainable solution,” says Roger Balmer.

    Bringing sustainability to life
    Buildings are responsible for around a third of CO2 emissions in Switzerland. Reason enough to break new ground. The Bassersdorf project not only provides a convincing technical solution, but also makes the energy cycle tangible for visitors to the new “Sustainable Building” exhibition in the Umwelt Arena. Developers, investors and interested parties can experience how the climate-neutral living of tomorrow can be realized today. A model that can have an impact far beyond Bassersdorf.

  • Digital map for storage solutions from renewable energy

    Digital map for storage solutions from renewable energy

    The Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network(SPIN) wants to make information about ongoing and planned Power-to-X (PtX) projects more easily accessible. The network is therefore now working with the Coalition for Green Energy and Storage(CGES). CGES was founded in 2023 by the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich(ETH) and Lausanne(EPFL) together with the Paul Scherrer Institute(PSI) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology(Empa) in order to develop scalable solutions for a climate-neutral and independent energy system together with industry.

    SPIN has been maintaining a comprehensive list of PtX projects in Switzerland for one and a half years. It shows where and by whom work is being carried out on converting renewable energies into storable energy sources such as hydrogen, synthetic fuels or methane. This database is intended to provide an overview and help to network stakeholders from research, industry, politics and administration.

    An interactive PtX tracker is to be developed as part of the cooperation now agreed between SPIN and CGES. SPIN will provide the data for this and CGES will visualise the projects on a digital map. Both organisations hope that this will not only increase visibility but also facilitate collaboration between various initiatives and interest groups. It is also intended to support decision-makers in adapting the legal framework. It should enable investors to recognise new business opportunities.

    This platform will also sensitise the public to the importance of PtX, according to the SPIN. The first results of the collaboration are expected to be presented in summer 2025.

  • The future of renewable fuels in Switzerland

    The future of renewable fuels in Switzerland

    Switzerland is lagging behind countries such as Germany in the use of renewable energies for the production of fuels. However, with its companies and research institutions working in this field, it is well positioned to catch up. This was the conclusion of the two Power-to-X Days at the JED in Schlieren, which were organized by the Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network(SPIN), Avenergy Suisse and Swissmem. Around 140 representatives from business, science and politics, including Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Zurich Government Councillor Carmen Walker Späh, spoke about the possibilities of scaling up Power-to-X production.

    The participants pointed out that the development of Power-to-X is dependent on cooperation between industry, the financial sector and research and requires the right framework conditions. “Industry can do its part, but the market launch of new technologies cannot happen without universities and the financial world on board,” said Patrik Meli, Co-President of SPIN, according to a blog post on the first day of the event.

    Markus Bareit, hydrogen project manager at the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, referred to the hydrogen strategy for Switzerland, which the Federal Council intends to adopt in the coming weeks. The canton of Zurich, for its part, is planning a competence center for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Synhelion co-founder Philipp Furler pointed out that the proportion of SAF is to be increased fifty-fold by 2035. Regional initiatives are also part of the transformation, such as the Association for the Decarbonization of Industry in Zug and the hydrogen bus that has been running in Brugg AG since March.

    According to a press release from SPIN, the results of the discussions will be prepared and published in the coming weeks.