The interdivisional PSI Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis conducts analytical research on diverse energy technologies and systems.
It unites specific analytical research concerning diverse energy technologies and systems, including nuclear, fossil and (modern) renewables. In cooperation with external partners (e.g. the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) and many others), LEA carries out energy systems analyses relevant for energy policy issues as well as safety analysis based on Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) and focused on Human Reliability Assessment (HRA). LEA is led by Prof. Dr. Russell McKenna and monitored by a Steering Committee consisting of Prof. Dr. Andreas Pautz (NES Div. Head) and Prof. Thomas J. Schmidt (ENE Div. Head). In April 2017, Stefan Hirschberg retired after serving as the Head of the laboratory since its establishment in 2006. He is now a Senior Level Advisor, contributing to the leadership and continuity of selected activities. Since February 2022, LEA is strongly linked to the Chair of Energy Systems Analysis at the D-MAVT Department of ETHZ.
The LEA areas of activities fall into three main areas:
Lab News & Scientific Highlights
«Le plus grand défi est le manque d'acceptation des éoliennes»
Russell McKenna, expert dans l’analyse des systèmes énergétiques, explique à ETH-News quelles sont, selon lui, les mesures les plus importantes à prendre pour développer l’énergie éolienne.
Russell McKenna and Andreas Pautz on Energy Production in Switzerland
“If we exclude individual measures, it just means that we need more of the others.”
Une promesse complexe
Une aviation climatiquement neutre n’implique pas seulement de réduire les émissions des vols. Une étude du PSI analyse ce qui sera nécessaire pour atteindre cet objectif à long terme.
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 -
Ingwersen A, Hahn Menacho AJ, Pfister S, Peel JN, Sacchi R, Moretti C
Prospective life cycle assessment of cost-effective pathways for achieving the FuelEU maritime regulation targets
Science of the Total Environment. 2025; 958: 177880 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177880
DORA PSI -
Liu Z, Nowack B
Using dynamic release modeling to predict historic and current macro- and microplastic releases
Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2025; 214: 108011 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.108011
DORA PSI