Seasonal energy balancing in Switzerland: What trade scenarios justify power-to-gas and gas-to-power?
On 04.12.2024 by Behnam Akbari, Jared GarrisonTo achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Switzerland anticipates significantly expanding solar photovoltaics and electrifying heating and transport, coinciding with the country’s aimed nuclear phase-out. However, this development creates a seasonal imbalance, with high summer electricity generation but peak demand in winter. Our study investigates the role of power-to-gas technology as a potential solution, which converts surplus renewable electricity into hydrogen or methane. The findings suggest that these domestically produced gases can support a carbon-neutral gas supply, particularly under restricted energy trade conditions, but they remain cost-prohibitive for power generation.