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
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.
Decarbonizing Building Construction
The buildings we live and work in are changing – becoming smarter, more efficient, and powered by cleaner energy. But while we’ve made strides in reducing operational emissions, there’s a hidden carbon footprint that remains largely overlooked: the emissions locked into the materials themselves.
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 -
Hahn Menacho AJ, Sacchi R, Bauer C, Moretti C, Panos E, McKenna R, et al.
The global environmental footprint of Switzerland’s net-zero energy system uncovers impacts abroad
Communications Earth & Environment. 2025; 6(1): 266 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02220-5
DORA PSI -
Hahn Menacho AJ, Sacchi R, Bauer C, Panos E, McKenna R, Burgherr P
The material-energy nexus in net-zero transition scenarios: exploring environmental trade-offs and uncertainties
Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2025; 218: 108251 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108251
DORA PSI