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
Targeted funding of innovation for the energy transition
How do innovations arise and how can they be specifically encouraged for the energy transition? PSI researcher Michael Weinold has been looking into this question using LED lamps as an example.
Net zero: Taking raw materials into account
A new calculation model from PSI illustrates the complex interdependencies between technology, demand for critical raw materials, and environmental impacts on the road to climate neutrality.
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 -
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 -
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