Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research – Supply of Electricity (SCCER-SoE) - Phase 2

The SCCER-SoE aims to develop fundamental research and innovative solutions in the domains of GeoEnergies (Deep Geothermal Energy and CO2 sequestration) and HydroPower. In Phase II (2017-2020) it will continue with the implementation of the innovation roadmaps, the development of integrative solutions, testing and installation of innovative technologies, technology assessment and scenario modelling.

The key challenges of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 (ES2050) addressed by SCCER SoE are:

  • Safely extract deep geothermal heat and produce at competitive cost a substantial portion of the national electricity supply, covering up to 5-10% of the national base load supply.
  • Increase by around 10% the present hydropower electricity production under changing demand, climate and operation conditions.
  • Maintain, improve and operate the hydropower infrastructure in the long –term future.
  • The geological capture of CO2 is a viable measure to enable carbon-free generation of electricity from hydrocarbon resources.

PSI’s Technology Assessment group (TAG) is involved in two major tasks of SCCER-SoE that are both part of the integrated activities in WP4 on “Future Supply of Electricity”. In the task “Risk, Safety and Societal Acceptance” TA will work on the risk assessment of accidents in the energy sector, including:

  1. Accident risks at hydropower dams.
  2. Accident risks related to potential blowouts and use of hazardous chemicals during in deep geothermal energy systems.
  3. Risks of carbon capture storage and utilization.

Within the task “Global Observatory of Electricity Resources” the TAG conducts research to achieve the following objectives:

  • Continuation and refinement of technology monitoring and horizon scanning with specific extension and updates to monitor progress towards the goals of the Energy Strategy 2050.
  • Analysis of a broad range of storage options, an integration in the current and future technology portfolio.
  • Comprehensive sustainability assessment of technologies and development of an interactive Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tool to support decision making and policy formulation processes.

Synthesis Reports

The synthesis reports can be found here.

Reports

Potentials, costs and environmental assessment of electricity generation technologies.

Articles

Project details

Duration: 2017-2020
Financing: Innosuisse

Researchers

Partners