The interdivisional PSI Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis conducts analytical research on diverse energy technologies and systems.
LEA is a cross-center laboratory bridging the Centers for Nuclear Engineering and Sciences (NES) and Energy and Environment (CEE). It unites specific analytical research on diverse energy technologies and systems, including nuclear, fossil and (modern) renewables. Taking an holistic and interdisciplinary approach, LEA develops models, analysis and tools to support decision makers and researchers to address complex and systemic challenges in the broad field of energy. LEA includes the groups Technology Assessment, Energy Economics, Risk and Human Reliability, and the Chair of Energy Systems Analysis at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT) of ETH Zurich. The link between LEA and D-MAVT was established in 2022 by the appointment of the LEA Head, Prof. Dr. Russell McKenna.
The LEA areas of activities fall into three main areas:
Lab News & Scientific Highlights
PSI-Forschung im meistbesuchten Museum der Schweiz
Energieforschung erlebbar machen: Das Verkehrshaus der Schweiz schafft eine Plattform für den politischen und gesellschaftlichen Dialog rund um Energiethemen.
Gezielte Innovationsförderung für die Energiewende
Wie entstehen Innovationen und wie können sie für die Energiewende gezielt gefördert werden? PSI-Forscher Michael Weinold ist dieser Frage am Beispiel von LED-Lampen nachgegangen.
Netto-Null: Die Rohstoffe mitrechnen
Ein neues Rechenmodell des PSI veranschaulicht die komplexen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Technologie, dem Bedarf an kritischen Rohstoffen und der Umweltbelastung auf dem Weg zur Klimaneutralität.
Publications
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Brazzola N, Meskaldji A, Patt A, Tröndle T, Moretti C
The role of direct air capture in achieving climate-neutral aviation
Nature Communications. 2025; 16: 588 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55482-6
DORA PSI -
Bruhn S, Sacchi R, Horup L, Zindel A, Birkved M
Historical and future LCA insights on tiny houses vs conventional housing typologies in Denmark
Energy and Buildings. 2025; 346: 116172 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116172
DORA PSI -
Funke C, Densing M, Sacchi R, Panos E, Sansavini G, McKenna R
Delving into the black box: stochastic ex-post multi-criteria evaluation of net-zero scenarios with an application to Switzerland
Presented at: 2025 21st international conference on the European Energy Market (EEM); May 27-29, 2025; Lisbon, Portugal. https://doi.org/10.1109/EEM64765.2025.11050135
DORA PSI