MIDLANDS
CITIES
THE ALPS
SWITZERLAND

EDGE

Integrating very high shares of decentralized renewable energy into the Swiss energy system.

EDGE wants to provide scientific evidence to fast-track the growth of locally sourced decentralized renewable energy in Switzerland. The consortium aims to show that by 2035 and 2050, when ambitious shares of renewable energy are reached, the Swiss energy system could be designed and operated in a technically and economically optimal and secure way, and that it could be well positioned in the European markets.

 

Quantify new national-level scenarios and implementation pathways with high shares of decentralized renewable energy
  • Extend the existing pool of Swiss energy scenarios with an ambitious vision for renewable energy, using models with high temporal and spatial resolution
  • Assess feasibility, limits and implications of decentralized renewable energy generation
  • Analyze the interplay of decentralized and centralized renewable energy generation, storage and transmission grids, including the interconnection with Europe
Design and analyze multi-energy systems with a high share of renewable energy to coordinate region-specific supply, demand, and distribution grids in the three Swiss regions: cities, midlands and Alps
  • In cities, investigate systems with highly concentrated energy demand, building-integrated PV, anthropogenic biomass, district heating grids, etc.
  • In midlands, investigate systems dominated by high but dispersed demand, woody and agricultural biomass, PV, and wind power
  • In the Alps, investigate systems dominated by PV, woody biomass, and wind power
Design and demonstrate typical local renewable energy systems for each region in pilot & demonstration projects.
  • Bridge research with implementation by steering and participating in the construction of pilot & demonstration projects
  • Assess feasibility, limits and performance of such systems and their interaction with existing infrastructure
  • Analyze the behavior and acceptance by consumers and other key actors
Investigate how high shares of decentralized renewable energy can be scaled up and integrated with the existing infrastructures of distribution, transmission, centralized generation and storage
  • Analyze how existing distribution and transformation grids could be adapted to allow the integration of renewable electricity
  • Evaluate optimal niches that could be filled with microgrids
  • Focus on techno-economic efficiency as well as supply security, positioning Switzerland well regarding uncertain developments in the European markets
Evaluate various options for policy, market design and instruments, and other measures to mobilize finance, coordinate key actors, and enable socio-political acceptance
  • Analyze effectiveness and implementation feasibility of various federal, cantonal, and local policies, market instruments and financial aspects among the three regions
  • Analyze different socio-political conditions and policy acceptance
  • Identify ways to minimize new emerging inequalities from the energy transition across various stakeholders
News

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SWEET EDGE Consortium Meets in St. Gallen to Shape the Final Phase of the Project

On 25 and 26 June 2026, researchers and partners from across the SWEET EDGE consortium gathered at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) for two days of scientific exchange, strategic discussions and collaboration. The meeting marked another important milestone as the consortium enters the final year of the project.

Hosted by the University of St. Gallen, the meeting brought together researchers from across Switzerland to review the latest scientific results, discuss ongoing implementation activities and define priorities for the months ahead.

Over the two days, participants explored a wide range of topics covering both technical and socio-political dimensions of the energy transition. Among the highlights were discussions on implementation case studies, including innovative approaches to district heating, renewable energy technologies and data-driven energy planning. Researchers also presented new findings on public attitudes towards energy transition policies, the latest results from the SWEET EDGE survey, and progress on the consortium's third Policy White Paper.

The meeting also looked beyond current research outputs. Dedicated sessions focused on developing the final synthesis of SWEET EDGE, defining the project's roadmap through 2027, and reflecting on the consortium's long-term scientific and societal legacy.

Despite the unusually warm summer weather, participants remained fully engaged throughout the programme while also taking the opportunity to discover the beautiful city of St. Gallen and the University campus during a guided visit.

The consortium would like to sincerely thank Prof. Rolf Wüstenhagen, Christian "Cris" Schmid and the entire team at the University of St. Gallen for their warm hospitality and excellent organisation, which created an ideal environment for productive discussions and collaboration.

A special thank you also goes to Jonas Salvesberg and Tobias Schmidt, whose valuable contributions enriched the discussions throughout the meeting, even though they are not present in the group photograph.

As SWEET EDGE enters its final project year, the consortium continues working together to transform research into practical solutions that support Switzerland's energy transition.


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From Research to Practice: SWEET EDGE at Powertage 2026

 

One conversation on stage. Hundreds more across the exhibition floor.

That was the experience of the SWEET EDGE team at Powertage 2026, Switzerland's leading event for the electricity sector, where researchers engaged with utilities, municipalities, policymakers and industry representatives working on the country's energy transition.

Throughout the event, SWEET EDGE researchers showcased how scientific evidence can support practical decision-making, from local energy planning to public acceptance of renewable energy projects.

Bringing evidence to the policy discussion

A highlight of the event was the participation of Prof. Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen (University of Bern) in the panel discussion "Shaping the energy future together: Success factors in practice."

The discussion explored the conditions needed to successfully implement Switzerland's energy transition. Drawing on research conducted within SWEET EDGE, Isabelle shared insights into the social and political dimensions of renewable energy deployment, including the importance of public participation, trust and local acceptance when developing energy projects.

Her contribution demonstrated how social science complements technological innovation by helping identify the governance conditions that enable energy projects to succeed.

Meeting practitioners where decisions are made

Beyond the conference sessions, David Joss (University of Bern) and Philipp Schütz (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts) represented SWEET EDGE in the Networking Zone, where they met professionals from across Switzerland's energy sector.

The stand became a place for discussions with municipalities, utilities, consultants and researchers interested in practical solutions for accelerating the energy transition. These conversations provided valuable opportunities to exchange experiences, answer questions and better understand the challenges faced by practitioners working on the ground.

Supporting municipalities with the Recommender Tool

One of the main attractions at the SWEET EDGE stand was the EDGE Recommender Tool, presented by Philipp Schütz.

Developed within the SWEET EDGE project, the prototype is designed to support municipalities in their energy planning by combining publicly available datasets with advanced energy system modelling. The tool allows users to explore local energy characteristics, visualise energy-related information, evaluate future scenarios and identify pathways towards municipal climate and energy goals.

The tool attracted considerable interest from visitors looking for practical, data-driven support for local energy planning and decarbonisation strategies.

Research that resonates beyond the project

The visibility of SWEET EDGE extended beyond its own stand.

During another Powertage session dedicated to alpine photovoltaic systems, Prof. Regina Betz (ZHAW) publicly highlighted the quality of SWEET EDGE research on alpine PV and acknowledged the contribution of the consortium led by Prof. Michael Lehning. The recognition reflects the growing relevance of the project's research within Switzerland's broader energy community.

Strengthening the bridge between science and practice

Events such as Powertage play an important role in SWEET EDGE's mission to ensure that scientific knowledge reaches the people making decisions today.

By combining scientific presentations, practical demonstrations and direct exchanges with stakeholders, the event created new opportunities to translate research into action and strengthen collaboration across academia, industry and public authorities.

As Switzerland continues to advance its energy transition, these exchanges remain essential for ensuring that innovative research informs real-world decisions.


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The EDGE Second Policy White Paper is Out!


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EDGE Webinar on EVs and Grid Planning


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Agri-PV and Electric Tractors: Opportunities for the Swiss Energy Transition


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EDGE at the Energy Research Talks Disentis 2026

At this year’s Energy Research Talks in Disentis, SWEET EDGE was at the centre of the discussion on Alpine renewables.


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Key insights from the Swiss Electricity Congress

Winter electricity, system stability and acceptance: Key insights from the Swiss Electricity Congress

During the 2nd Day of the Swiss Electricity Congress, one central question dominated the discussions: how can Switzerland’s electricity system be developed in a reliable and affordable way under changing geopolitical, regulatory and climate conditions?

 

A European market with real consequences

Opening the day, Michael Strugl, CEO of VERBUND AG and President of Österreichs Energie, highlighted a fundamental reality: electricity is traded within a highly interconnected European market. When grid congestion increases and price zones become fragmented, price differentials widen. Cross-border cooperation is therefore not ideological, but an economic necessity—it helps share resources, reduce system costs and limit the need for reserve capacity.

 

New regulation, high implementation demands

In the subsequent panel discussion on the new electricity legislation, Cristina Pastoriza (Multidis), Michael Gruber (CEO Energie Thun AG) and Jürg Plugshaupt (Energie Gossau and Plugshaupt Engineering) shared a common concern: the implementation of the new regulatory framework is resource-intensive and costly. These costs are often difficult to anticipate and are ultimately borne by consumers. Dynamic grid tariffs were identified as a promising, yet still marginal, option. The panellists called for regulatory restraint, better anticipation of real-world impacts, and closer dialogue between policymakers and practitioners.

 

Renewable pillars of the Swiss power system

Against this backdrop, Prof. Michael Lehning (EPFL) framed the role of renewable energy sources from a system-wide perspective. According to Lehning, photovoltaics and hydropower constitute the core pillars of the Swiss electricity system. However, additional solutions are needed to address the country’s winter electricity deficit.

Lehning emphasised that wind energy and alpine photovoltaics represent realistic and necessary complements, particularly due to their winter production profiles. At the same time, he pointed to persistent challenges related to social acceptance, spatial planning and project implementation. The key, he argued, lies not only in technical feasibility, but also in early stakeholder engagement and transparent decision-making processes.

 

Conclusion

The Swiss Electricity Congress made clear that the energy transition is less about individual technologies and more about a systemic transformation, integrating markets, regulation, planning and societal acceptance. Prof. Michael Lehning’s intervention underscored that alpine renewable energy technologies can play a meaningful role—provided that the right framework conditions are in place.


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Socio-political and technical perspectives of Alpine PV Implementation


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SWEET EDGE at the ElCom-Forum 2025

 

More than 200 participants from science, industry, and policy gathered at the ElCom-Forum 2025 in Pratteln to discuss one of the most consequential topics for Switzerland’s energy future: the potential electricity agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. Among the invited experts was Prof. Evelina Trutnevyte, Coordinator of SWEET EDGE and Professor at the University of Geneva, who presented new insights on European electricity market integration and Switzerland’s renewable-energy pathways.

 

Why Market Integration Matters — and What It Means for Switzerland

In her keynote presentation “Integration des europäischen Strommarktes”, Prof. Trutnevyte outlined how Europe is rapidly moving toward a high share of renewable electricity, with solar PV and onshore wind expected to expand substantially across major EU countries. She highlighted that market integration is essential for ensuring a cost-efficient, resilient electricity system as Europe decarbonizes.

A key message from the presentation: Countries that remain isolated face significantly higher system costs, especially in a future dominated by variable renewable energy.
This is supported by comparative model results showing that national or regional isolation can raise costs by up to 69% relative to a fully integrated continental system.

For Switzerland, these findings are directly relevant. As Prof. Trutnevyte showed, limited access to European markets increases system costs, raises electricity prices, reduces the efficient use of hydropower and storage, and leads to higher net imports—particularly in summer when export possibilities are constrained.

 

How SWEET EDGE Research Informs the Debate

The ElCom-Forum offered an ideal platform to connect public authorities, researchers, and industry stakeholders. Prof. Trutnevyte presented the work of the SWEET EDGE Renewable Energy Outlooks, which model different trajectories for Switzerland’s future electricity system:

- Renewable Energy Outlook I (2024):
Analysed pathways to reach 17–35 TWh of new renewable generation by 2035.

- Renewable Energy Outlook II (2025):
Explored scenarios to reach 45 TWh in 2050 and a 5 TWh winter import target, with and without constraints on European market integration.

- Renewable Energy Outlook III (2026, ongoing):
Investigates high-renewable systems in Switzerland within the broader European context, including nuclear and decentralised generation dynamics.

Across these studies, one conclusion is consistent: Switzerland benefits economically and operationally from strong integration with the European electricity market.

 

Navigating Technical and Social Challenges

Beyond system modelling, Prof. Trutnevyte emphasised that public acceptance remains a major bottleneck, particularly regarding electricity imports. Imports rank lowest among preferred options in Swiss public opinion surveys.

Here, SWEET EDGE’s interdisciplinary approach becomes crucial. Research on citizen panels demonstrates that providing factual, transparent information significantly increases the public’s ability to understand trade-offs and navigate energy choices.

 

A High-Level Dialogue for Switzerland’s Energy Future

Alongside Prof. Trutnevyte, the Forum featured contributions from leading figures including: Werner Luginbühl; Zbyněk Boldiš (President, ENTSO-E); Yves Zumwald (CEO, Swissgrid); Dr. Tobias Bringmann (VKU Baden-Württemberg); Tobias Andrist (CEO, EBL); and Urs Meister. Their perspectives enriched the discussion on security of supply, grid planning, and Switzerland’s role in the continental energy landscape.

 

Looking Ahead

SWEET EDGE is proud to contribute scientific evidence to this crucial national conversation. Prof. Trutnevyte’s participation underscores our consortium’s commitment to supporting decision-makers with robust, model-based insights into Switzerland’s renewable future.

For more information on the ElCom-Forum and ElCom’s updated position on the Switzerland–EU electricity agreement, visit the official communication linked by the organisers.


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11th EDGE newsletter is out !

📰 Media spotlight: The Renewable Energy Outlook II sparked nationwide coverage – from radio broadcasts to newspaper headlines.

🎉 Milestone: EDGE has reached 1,000 followers on LinkedIn – thanks for being part of our community!

📊 Survey closed: Our second national survey on Switzerland’s energy future has ended. Winners of the raffle will be contacted in November.

🤝 Consortium meeting: Highlights from our 5th in-person meeting in Wädenswil, with presentations, discussions, and even a tour of an agri-PV plant.

🏆 Award: The Nanoverbund project, supported by EDGE, won the Watt d’Or 2025 for its innovative shared heating solution in Basel.

🎥 FAQ explained: Curious about Switzerland’s electricity future? Watch our explainer video on where power will come from in 2050.

📩 Want to subscribe to the newsletter? Do it here.

👉 Read the full newsletter


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Successful implementation of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 is a mandatory contribution for Switzerland to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The gap between the greenhouse gas emissions pathways under current policies and the required emissions for carbon neutrality is vast in Switzerland as well as in Europe. Thus, climate change mitigation is a continent-wide challenge that Switzerland must participate in. Climate neutrality in principle requires an almost or fully renewable energy supply in Switzerland, especially exploiting decentralized resources.

Swiss Energy Research for the Energy Transition SWEET

SWEET – "SWiss Energy research for the Energy Transition" – is a funding programme of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). SWEET’s purpose is to accelerate innovations that are key to implementing Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050 and achieving the country’s climate goals. The programme was launched in early 2021 and the funding programme runs until 2032.

EDGE is a consortium sponsored by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy's SWEET programme and coordinated jointly by the University of Geneva and the EPFL in Lausanne.

The ENAC Faculty at EPFL as well as the University of Geneva’s Faculty of Science and Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE) provide the management and administrative support to SWEET-EDGE.