Energy storage boom in Zurich Switzerland

Which energy storage projects have been commissioned in Switzerland?

Axpo commissioned its BESS in February this year while utility Thurplus commissioned a 3MW system in September last year. But Switzerland was the location for one of the largest energy storage projects commissioned in recent years, a 20GWh pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) unit which started operations in June 2022 in the Canton of Valais.

Does human-made storage capacity decrease in Switzerland?

The reduction of human-made storage capacity in Switzerland is not precisely known or monitored. Em-pirical lumped estimates indicate an annual rate of loss of storage volume of ≈ 0.2 to 0.5 % of the total storage capacity in Switzerland and worldwide, re-spectively (Schleiss et al., 2010; Schleiss et al., 2016; Boes, 2011a; ZeK HYDRO, 2020).

Should Switzerland invest in photovoltaics?

If Switzerland starts investing more in photovoltaics, it will end up generating more power than it needs at noon on a summer’s day. To make that midday solar power available both day and night, it needs short-term storage solutions. “But Switzerland’s biggest challenge is actually long-term storage,” says Hug.

What energy sources will Switzerland rely on?

To meet increased energy demand, Switzerland will primarily rely on hydro and photovoltaic energy sources and, to a lesser extent, wind power. But what about the times when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow?

How much electricity does Switzerland produce a year?

The Swiss net annual electricity production amounted to 63 TWh on average over the last ten years (SFOE, 2019b). Thereof, 57 % (36 TWh) stem from HP (net produc-tion after subtracting the consumption of pumps at water adductions), 36 % (23 TWh) from nuclear and

Is hydropower the backbone of the Swiss electricity system?

Robert Boes, ETH Professor of Hydraulic Engineering, sees hydropower as the backbone of the Swiss electricity system: “Hydro is our most important green energy asset, making up about 60 percent of our renewable generation. Its ability to store power also plays a key role in our net-zero strategy.”