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.