Learning to shape the future of the energy transition

Like many other countries, Switzerland is pursuing the climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2050. Achieving this goal will require a fundamental overhaul of the energy system with regard to the provision of electricity, heat and mobility. But what exactly does that mean? ¡°For a long time, electricity in Switzerland was generated using nuclear and hydroelectric power, heat was produced using oil and gas, and mobility was powered almost exclusively by oil, whether in the form of petrol, diesel or kerosene for aircraft,¡± says Gianfranco Guidati, Deputy Director of the Energy Science Center of ETH Zurich. ¡°The energy transition means we¡¯ll almost completely stop using fossil fuels.¡± In the mobility sector, vehicles are to be powered by electricity. Heat is to be generated using heat pumps wherever possible, and the demand for electricity is to be met with photovoltaics, hydropower and wind power. ¡°This is the only way we¡¯ll reach the net zero target,¡± says Guidati.

Overcoming various hurdles

Of course, this process involves some major challenges: ¡°For example, if almost a million photovoltaic systems are in operation, as well as countless heat pumps and charging stations for electric vehicles, the system will need to be reorganised from the ground up in order to work effectively,¡± Guidati explains. ¡°The technical challenges are not to be underestimated, but they are surmountable. The keywords here are digitalisation, the regulation of complex systems and, in the future, artificial intelligence.¡±

It also goes without saying that there are societal challenges that must be overcome in order to reach the net zero target. Society will have to accept certain changes, and people may suddenly have to grapple with decisions such as how to heat their home or which car to buy. On the political level, there is a consensus regarding the destination, but not on how to get there. For example, the expansion of hydropower or wind power is already leading to debates at the municipal level as to where wind turbines can be built.

Last but not least, the issue of the energy transition also has to be addressed at companies. It will only be possible to drive forward the transition if specialists and executives at companies are in a position to understand the energy technologies, to assess risks correctly, and to discuss issues with experts on an equal footing.

Driving forward the energy transition with specialist knowledge

This is where the CAS ETH Applied Technology in Energy comes in, providing sound specialist knowledge and practical methods for tackling the complex challenges involved in the energy transition. Participants strengthen their skills in the areas of sustainable energy supply, innovative technologies and strategic implementation. ¡°The CAS combines specialist knowledge with practical relevance and offers clear added value in terms of professional development,¡± says Christian Schaffner, Programme Director of the CAS and Executive Director of the Energy Science Center.

Managers will only be able to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions at their company if they understand how certain technologies work, for example. This includes understanding the future market and responding early when it comes to adapting certain production processes or perhaps even developing products.

Building on the principles

To begin with, however, participants learn how today¡¯s energy system works. This includes an examination of scientific principles relating to the generation, storage and distribution of energy, as well as the legal and economic framework. Participants refresh their skills in maths and physics and fill gaps in their knowledge.

The second module delves deeper into the subject matter: How is energy stored in industry? What developments will emerge in the future and what obstacles stand in their way? These and other questions are addressed in the second module, whose focus is on batteries. Among other things, participants learn how lithium-ion batteries work and where they are used. One key highlight of this module is the experimental setup of a battery of their own.

In the third module, the scope is broadened and participants learn to understand the fundamental setup and workings of the electricity grid. However, this module also looks at the grids of the future and the challenges and opportunities that they bring, including in relation to decentralised generation, microgrids or virtual power plants. Gaby Hug, Professor of Power Systems at ETH Zurich, who leads the third module together with Christian Franck, Professor of Electric Power Transmission, emphasises that the provision of a reliable electricity supply is one of the most important achievements of the last century from both a technical and a regulatory perspective. ¡°However, the system is now under heavy strain due to fundamental changes in electricity generation,¡± says Hug.

Practical use of acquired knowledge

The last module focuses on understanding the energy transition¡¯s impact in industry and includes the application of electrification technologies in the various sectors. Here, participants apply the knowledge they acquired in the three previous modules. Schaffner, who leads this module, says: ¡°One personal highlight of the CAS is the opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange with participants. I¡¯d also like to emphasise the case studies, which allow participants to apply the knowledge they¡¯ve gained to real-life challenges through group work on problems that come straight from industry.¡± This involves an exchange of ideas not only with industry experts but also with Master¡¯s students from ETH.

Schaffner says: ¡°With a deeper understanding of innovative technologies and solutions, as well as regulatory implementation, participants can develop and successfully implement forward-looking energy concepts. They also strengthen their ability to manage complex projects, coordinate various stakeholders and initiate sustainable changes.¡± The CAS ETH Applied Technology in Energy can be undertaken on its own or as part of the MAS ETH in Applied Technology.