Climate Change . Consumer Behavior . Economics & Policy . Electricity . Energy Supply . Smart Energy . Society . Transportation
When computational models can evaluate the impact of policies objectively, why are they rarely used in public policymaking?
On 14.12.2020 by Marius SchwarzWhat should the future Swiss energy system look like? How can nuclear power be replaced? Will we have enough electricity on days where no sun is shining, no wind is blowing, and heating demand is high? Without clear answers, the discussion on the future Swiss energy system becomes bipartisan and emotional. Computational models can provide answers, facilitating a discussion less driven by subjective impressions but rather by profound technical analysis.
Climate Change . Electricity . Renewable Energy . Society . Transportation
Promoting adoption of electric motorcycles in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities
On 17.11.2020 by Nilkanth KumarKathmandu’s stark air pollution and limited public transport infrastructure poses a challenge towards achieving sustainable and adequate transport. Motorcycles are the most sought after mode of private mobility in Nepal. Electric motorcycles appear to be a viable and promising solution, but several technological, market and behavioural factors hinder their higher adoption.
Climate Change . Society
Climate and energy policy after COVID-19
On 18.05.2020 by Massimo FilippiniThe health emergency caused by COVID-19 has taught us that we are all vulnerable, albeit unequally (geographically, generationally, socio-economically and psycho-socially) to global crises, that the political world and civil society can quickly adapt to a common threat, both with drastic and timely regulations and with recommendations. We have learned that prevention and cooperation at the international level, between civil society and the political world, are essential to limit the damage. These lessons should make us understand that the political agenda on climate change needs also to be strengthened, not weakened.
Climate Change . Electricity . Energy Supply . Renewable Energy . Society
The long way ahead for the energy transition
On 22.04.2020 by Viktoras KulionisConcerns about the consequences of excessive global warming have increased interest in the energy transition. General belief is that the energy transition has been the dominant factor of the increased use of renewable energy. However, only few countries/regions show evidence of an actual energy transition. At the global level, its relevance is short of non-existent when you do the math.
Electricity . Energy Supply . Renewable Energy . Society
Electrifying Rwanda: Why mini-grid companies have lost the game
On 07.04.2020 by Churchill Omondi AgutuRwanda’s goal to reach 100% electrification by 2024 relies heavily on off-grid electricity systems, like solar home systems and mini-grids. Based on my recent field research, this will be a tall order for burgeoning solar home system and, especially, mini-grid companies, who face a number of challenges to scale.
Climate Change . Renewable Energy . Society
COVID-19 stimulus packages represent a critical juncture for climate policy
On 02.04.2020 by Nicolas SchmidGovernments around the world have implemented strong, science-based measures against the spread of COVID-19, ranging from border closures to the lockdown of approximately one-third of the world population. As a result, economic activity of most sectors and countries abruptly and strongly decreased. To prevent a global economic and social crisis, governments around the world have proposed massive stimulus programs.
Consumer Behavior . Electricity . Energy Efficiency . Heating . Society
How energy efficient is your daily life?
On 20.01.2020 by Valentina Stampi-BombelliHave you ever stopped to think about the power consumption of the activities of your daily life? Do you think you can guess the power consumption of each device? Try sorting the power consumption of each device that runs on electricity, and then have fun scrolling on the images of each room below to find out if you guessed correctly!
Energy Efficiency . Society
Can randomized field experiments help close the energy efficiency gap? / Können randomisierte Feldstudien helfen, die Energieeffizienzlücke zu schliessen?
On 05.12.2019 by Nina BoogenSome time ago economists appropriated a method from medical research called randomized controlled trials, which has become the “golden standard” to detect causal effects of a policy intervention. Could they also assist in closing the energy efficiency gap? In this blog article, I argue why they could, but also why they are not a universal remedy.
Renewable Energy . Society
Energy: It’s everywhere, yet we don’t talk about it
On 24.09.2019 by Florian Manuel EgliWelcome! You have found the Energy Blog @ ETH, a newly founded initiative to foster a debate around energy research and policy. We know there is fascinating work coming out of ETH Zurich, but often the work is very specific and its implications for society, policymakers, and individuals do not easily get across. Given the unprecedented challenges to transform our energy system, academic ivory towers do not work. We are here to break them up and mix science with policy and society.