Zurich Chapter: What does the energy future look like in 2050?

In 2017, the Swiss electorate adopted the revised Energy Act and thus approved the Energy Strategy 2050. Since then, authorities and associations have been working at full speed on sub-strategies, laws and ordinances with the aim of converting the energy supply to renewable sources and reducing CO2 emissions. Last year, the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine was unexpectedly added to the mix. Prices for electricity and gas rose massively and concerns about security of supply were suddenly on everyone's tongues. For the first time in many years, we were all urged to save electricity and gas.

Around 120 alumnae and alumni came to ETH Zurich for an inspiring event to kick off a loose series of events on the topic of the future of energy. The event was organised in cooperation with the ETH Alumni Association office. The attendees were welcomed by Isabel Sauter, Executive Director of the ETH Alumni Association. In preparation, she had already asked ChatGPT what the energy future would look like in 2050.

After his rather vague statements, five clear and concise short presentations got down to business: Dr Matthias Gysler, Chief Economist at the Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE, presented the Federal Government's Energy Strategy 2050. Dr Thomas Marti, Head of Networks and Vocational Training at the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies VSE, presented the association's own study "Energy Future 2050". Then Daniela Decurtins, Director of the Swiss Gas Industry Association gazenergie, spoke on the "Role of gas in the energy supply of the future". Dr Peter Richner, Deputy Director of Empa, explained in his presentation "The research perspective on the Energy Strategy 2050. Dr Patrick Hofstetter, Head of Climate and Energy WWF, then asked "Energy transition: Why postpone to 2050?".

The event was moderated by Dr Christian Schaffner from the Energy Science Center, ETH Zurich. "The important role of photovoltaics, the decarbonisation of buildings, mobility and industry, and integration into the European energy market", these were three topics that came up repeatedly in the presentations. The concluding panel discussion with questions from the audience ended with three wishes for the energy future: an active decarbonisation strategy, a broad mix of power generation technologies and the setting of binding targets for the next three years. Quote: "Finally act"...

At the end of the event, Irene Steimen, President of the ETH Alumni Zurich local group, presented the speakers - almost all of whom were ETH alumni and alumnae themselves, by the way - with a bottle of a local "energy source" (linseed oil) in keeping with the theme.

Afterwards, we went to the ETH Zurich foyer for further exchanges on energy topics and, of course, for an aperitif. On the terrace high above the roofs of Zurich, lively discussions continued until the sun set red over the Limmat Valley on this summer's day.