Energy and Environment Research Division
Research at PSI comprises all aspects of human energy use, with the ultimate goal of promoting development towards a sustainable energy supply system. Technologies are being advanced for the utilization of renewable energy sources, low-loss energy storage, efficient conversion, and low emission energy use. Experimental and model-based assessment of these emissions forms the basis of a comprehensive assessment of economic, environmental and social consequences, for both present and future energy supply systems.
Division Head: Prof. Dr. Thomas Justus Schmidt
Energy Briefing Event 2023
The Energy and Environment Division of the Paul Scherrer Institut PSI successfully hosted their second Energy Briefing Event at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern. The event focused on the potentials and challenges associated with the production, regulation, and utilization of synthetic fuels. Representatives from WWF, Avenergy, PSI, and BAZL shared their expertise and insights on this topic.
A heartfelt appreciation goes out to Ulrich Koss (Metafuels), Theo Rindlisbacher (BAZL), Christian Bach (Empa), Thomas J. Schmidt (PSI), Thomas Häusler (WWF Switzerland), Daniel Hofer (Avenergy Suisse), and our moderator Stephan Lendi for their invaluable contributions and insightful perspectives.
Energy Briefing Event 2022
On June 28th, 2022, the Energy Divisions (ENE and NES) at PSI hosted their first Energy Briefing Event at the Kursaal in Bern. Knowledgeable voices from industry, research and government shared insights in a dialogue on the feasibility of the Net Zero goal and what next steps are required to achieve this collectively.
A big thank you to Daniela Decurtins (GazEnergy), Particia Sandmeier (Hitachi Energy), Martin Naef (ABB), Pascal Previdoli (BFE), Thomas Schmidt (PSI), Christian Verhoeven (GE), Peter Richner (Empa), Andreas Pautz (PSI) and our Moderator Stephan Lendi for their valuable contributions and insights!
Highlights & News
«Objectiver le débat sur l’énergie»
Le débat sur l'énergie a besoin de plus de faits et de moins d'intuition - c'est ce que plaident l'expert en énergies renouvelables Thomas J. Schmidt et le chercheur en énergie nucléaire Andreas Pautz.
EXSA Young Scientist Award goes to Laura Torrent!
Dr. Laura Torrent, Postdoc at the laboratory for bioenergy and catalysis, was awarded the European X-ray Spectrometry Association (EXSA) Young Scientist Award 2022 at the PhD Level for her Doctoral Thesis entitled "Occurrence and behavior of silver nanoparticles in the environment: Analytical methodologies and laboratory studies".
Jungfraujoch Carbon Balance Campaign measures wildfire emissions from southern Europe
The Jungfraujoch Carbon Balance Campaign is a measuring campaign within the ACTRIS project. It is conducted by the Paul Scherrer Institute in collaboration with the Stiftung HFSJG, Empa, FHNW, as well as groups from Lille (France), York (England), and Aerosol d.o.o. (Slovenia). The campaign’s aim is to comprehensively measure and characterize the diversity of carbon-containing molecules present in the air in hopes to obtain helpful information on their role in climate and weather relevant processes.
Collecter des carottes de glace avant qu’il ne soit trop tard
Theo Jenk, chercheur au PSI, évoque les défis de la recherche sur les carottes de glace à l’ère du changement climatique.
«Il était grand temps»
Les derniers développements dans cette discipline seront discutés lors du congrès international des chercheurs sur les carottes de glace.
Winner of the Schmauss Award 2022!
Imad El Haddad, scientific head (a.i.) of the lab of atmospheric chemistry at PSI, won the Schmauss Award 2022!
The Schmauss award, named after physicist and meteorologist August Schmauss is awarded by the Gesellschaft für Aerosolforschung (GAeF) to recognize outstanding research contributions in the field of atmospheric aerosol science.
Des niveaux de pollution extrêmes enregistrés en Arctique
Des données surprenantes sur les polluants dans l'hémisphère nord
Cooperation and licensing agreement between the Paul Scherrer Institute and Alphasynt
The Paul Scherrer Institute and Alphasynt have recently signed a cooperation- and licensing agreement. In doing so, the two pave the way for a fruitful collaboration in the commercialization of methanation.
Unir les forces pour la transition énergétique
L’Institut Paul Scherrer PSI et la start-up AlphaSYNT commercialisent une nouvelle approche pour stocker l’énergie sous forme de méthane.