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
Un modèle complet du système énergétique suisse
Les systèmes énergétiques font face à des défis complexes s’inscrivant sur le long terme, et marqués par un degré d’incertitude élevé. Pour explorer ces défis et soutenir la prise de décisions, le modèle de systèmes énergétiques suisse TIMES, développé par l'Energy Economics Group du PSI, en est devenu un outil central.
En Afriques, les véhicules électriques pourraient s’imposer plus tôt qu’on ne l’imagine
Dans de nombreux pays africains, les véhicules électriques pourraient devenir économiquement compétitifs bien avant 2040.
Energy systems modelling at LEA
The model that has been behind Switzerland’s most complete analyses of the energy transition is built and run by the Energy Economics Group at PSI’s Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis.
Publications
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Bantje D, Sacchi R, Arendt R, Bauer C, Luderer G
Prospective analysis of external environmental costs of energy provision
Environmental Research Communications. 2025; 7(9): 091015 (17 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ae055a
DORA PSI -
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