The future energy system and "Power-to-X"

In a joint research project involving five Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research (SCCERs), scientists from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Empa, ETH Zurich, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), the Rapperswil University of Applied Sciences (HSR), the University of Geneva and the University of Lucerne have drawn up a White Paper entitled "Power-to-X" for the Swiss Federal Energy Research Commission (CORE). The aim of the White Paper is to collect the most important findings on Power-to-X technologies. Among other things, the study examines the contribution that various technologies based on the conversion and storage of various forms of energy can make to Switzerland's future energy strategy. Switzerland has set itself the goal of massively reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Energy Strategy 2050, greenhouse gas emissions are to fall by 50 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels and by up to 85 percent by 2050. Thereafter, Switzerland's energy supply should be climate-neutral, i.e. without the emission of greenhouse gases such as CO₂. One component for achieving this goal could be so-called Power-to-X processes.