Category Archives: PSC Science-Policy Fellowship

Impact of policies on residential multi-energy systems for consumers and prosumers

Response Doctoral Program

In multi-energy systems (MES), different energy carriers such as electricity, heat, and gas interact with each other. When optimally designed and operated, MES can outperform energy systems without sector coupling in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. MES can thus contribute to the transition towards affordable, low-carbon and secure energy.

Continue reading Impact of policies on residential multi-energy systems for consumers and prosumers

Impact of policies on residential multi-energy systems for consumers and prosumers

Response Doctoral Program

In multi-energy systems (MES), different energy carriers such as electricity, heat, and gas interact with each other. When optimally designed and operated, MES can outperform energy systems without sector coupling in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. MES can thus contribute to the transition towards affordable, low-carbon and secure energy.

Continue reading Impact of policies on residential multi-energy systems for consumers and prosumers

Land-free bioenergy for a carbon-neutral Europe –why, what, how?

Response Doctoral Program

Navigating the complexities of bioenergy, its potential for carbon neutrality, and its conflicts with land, food, and feed resources is a pressing issue. What if we could circumvent these issues and focus solely on land-free bioenergy, similar to growing mushrooms on waste coffee grounds for a delicious dish? Waste and byproducts can generate valuable bioenergy, playing strategic roles in a future sustainable energy system.

The ETH Energy Blog post of RESPONSE fellow Fei Wu presents key findings from our latest research papers, providing insights into the strategic applications of land-free bioenergy and its policy implications. Join us in exploring the ‘why,’ ‘what’, and ‘how’ of deploying land-free bioenergy effectively in the quest for carbon neutrality.

Continue reading Land-free bioenergy for a carbon-neutral Europe –why, what, how?

Land-free bioenergy for a carbon-neutral Europe –why, what, how?

Response Doctoral Program

Navigating the complexities of bioenergy, its potential for carbon neutrality, and its conflicts with land, food, and feed resources is a pressing issue. What if we could circumvent these issues and focus solely on land-free bioenergy, similar to growing mushrooms on waste coffee grounds for a delicious dish? Waste and byproducts can generate valuable bioenergy, playing strategic roles in a future sustainable energy system.

The ETH Energy Blog post of RESPONSE fellow Fei Wu presents key findings from our latest research papers, providing insights into the strategic applications of land-free bioenergy and its policy implications. Join us in exploring the ‘why,’ ‘what’, and ‘how’ of deploying land-free bioenergy effectively in the quest for carbon neutrality.

Continue reading Land-free bioenergy for a carbon-neutral Europe –why, what, how?

Zukunft der Landnutzung in der Schweiz unter dem neuen Globalen Biodiversitätsrahmen (COP 15)

Response Doctoral Program

26. September, 2023 – An diesem Fireside Chat des Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center und des Franxini Projekt diskutieren wir, was es für die Landnutzung in der Schweiz bedeuten würde, wenn die an der COP15 formulierten Biodiversitätsziele schweizweit umgesetzt werden. Zusammen mit Vertreter*innen aus Wissenschaft, Politik, Verwaltung und Wirtschaft besprechen wir mögliche Lösungen in einem offenen Austausch.

Continue reading Zukunft der Landnutzung in der Schweiz unter dem neuen Globalen Biodiversitätsrahmen (COP 15)

Zukunft der Landnutzung in der Schweiz unter dem neuen Globalen Biodiversitätsrahmen (COP15)

Response Doctoral Program

26. September, 2023 – An diesem Fireside Chat des Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center und des Franxini Projekt diskutieren wir, was es für die Landnutzung in der Schweiz bedeuten würde, wenn die an der COP15 formulierten Biodiversitätsziele schweizweit umgesetzt werden. Zusammen mit Vertreter*innen aus Wissenschaft, Politik, Verwaltung und Wirtschaft besprechen wir mögliche Lösungen in einem offenen Austausch.

An der 15. UN-Biodiversitätskonferenz (COP15, 2022) in Montreal, Kanada haben sich alle 195 Staaten darauf geeinigt, dass 30% der Land- und Wasserflächen dem Lebensraum- und Artenschutz vorbehalten sein sollen. Der vorgesehene Zeithorizont für die Umsetzung ist 2030.

Spannende Expertenbeiträge geben einen Überblick darüber, wo die Schweiz heute steht.

Dr. Eva Spehn, Akademie der Naturwissenschaften (SCNAT) – COP15 in der Schweiz: Ökologische Infrastruktur und Nutzungskonflikte

Prof. Dr. Maria Santos, Universität Zürich – COP15, Biodiversität und Ökosystemdienstleistungen – Eine internationale Perspektive

Danach wird in interdisziplinären Kleingruppen diskutiert, wie die Schweiz 2030 aussehen wird, nachdem die Biodiversitätsziele erreicht werden. Unter anderem fragen wir uns: Welche Herausforderungen und Lösungen für die Biodiversitätskrise zeichnen sich ab? Wie können wir Arten und Lebensräume schützen, trotz des steigenden Bedarfs an Flächen für die Nahrungs-, Futtermittel- und Energieproduktion und auch Wohnraum?

Der Franxini Fireside Chat, in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, bietet der Diskussion einen ergebnisoffenen, neutralen Rahmen und bindet vielseitige Interessen und Hintergründe mit ein.

Die Veranstaltung findet im Rahmen von “RESPONSE – to society and policy needs through plant, food and energy sciences” statt und wird über das EU Rahmenprogramm Horizon 2020 (GA 847585) finanziert.

Diversifying and scaling direct air capture for a net-zero future

Response Doctoral Program

To meet net-zero targets by mid-century, gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year must be removed through direct air capture and storage (DACS). However, current deployment is low, requiring DACS technologies to be deployed at an unprecedented pace. The ETH Energy Blog post of RESPONSE fellow Katrin Sievert explores the two most advanced capture methods used in DACS, compares their scalability, and stresses the significance of investing in multiple technologies over the next decade instead of solely relying on existing approaches.

Read Katrin Sieverts’ Energy Blog article.

Continue reading Diversifying and scaling direct air capture for a net-zero future

Diversifying and scaling direct air capture for a net-zero future

Response Doctoral Program

To meet net-zero targets by mid-century, gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year must be removed through direct air capture and storage (DACS). However, current deployment is low, requiring DACS technologies to be deployed at an unprecedented pace. The ETH Energy Blog post of RESPONSE fellow Katrin Sievert explores the two most advanced capture methods used in DACS, compares their scalability, and stresses the significance of investing in multiple technologies over the next decade instead of solely relying on existing approaches.

Read Katrin Sieverts’ Energy Blog article.

Continue reading Diversifying and scaling direct air capture for a net-zero future

Unlock valuable protein sources in the pseudocereal buckwheat

Response Doctoral Program

Pseudocereals such as buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) are under-utilized as sources for plant-based proteins in current times, where the world is searching for a diversification of agricultural cropping systems. Buckwheat was an important crop in recent times in Western Europe including Switzerland and has several qualities:

  • It is a valuable source of proteins for human nutrition. Buckwheat contains all nine essential amino acids which makes it a high-quality, complete protein. It is rich in limiting amino acids like lysine and arginine, which are in shortest supply in plant-based diets.
  • It became popular in satisfying the increasing demand for gluten-free foods.
  • It has a unique taste – in contrast to rice or wheat.
  • So far, it is little affected by pests and diseases in the field that could reduce its yield.
  • As a cover crop, it contributes to soil protection and soil improvement as part of a crop rotation.
  • It is good for pollinators and a rich source of nectar while contributing to a biologically diverse agriculture.

Despite all these positive qualities, buckwheat cultivation suffers from low and unstable yields, and in comparison to wheat, the baking quality is inferior. Potentially, this bottleneck can be overcome with breeding. Here, the screening of genetic resources could unlock undiscovered potential and the cultivation of buckwheat on Swiss farms may experience a renaissance!

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