Policy-relevance of a model inter-comparison: Switzerland in the European energy transition


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Date

2025-08-01

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

The energy transition is reshaping electricity systems, bringing new challenges, and emphasizing the need for strategic planning. Energy policies play a crucial role in guiding this transition. However, assessing their impacts often requires robust modeling involving multiple models and going beyond a single country's scope, analyzing international interactions. In this study, we examine three Swiss energy policies, analyzing their impacts on both the national energy system and the cross-border electricity flows. We use a model inter-comparison approach with four electricity system models to explore scenarios involving Swiss renewable generation targets, the Swiss market integration, and the Swiss winter import limitations, in the context of various European electricity developments. The results indicate that a renewable generation target leads to a reduction in net imports and electricity prices. Additionally, reduced market integration impacts both Swiss and European energy transitions by limiting trade benefits, underutilizing Variable Renewable Energy Sources (VRES), and increasing electricity supply costs. Lastly, we observe that limiting Swiss winter imports adversely affects electricity trading, driving up both supply costs and electricity prices.

Publication status

published

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Volume

391

Pages / Article No.

125906

Publisher

Elsevier

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Subject

Energy transition; Market integration; Model inter-comparison; Capacity expansion; Policy relevance

Organisational unit

09452 - Sansavini, Giovanni / Sansavini, Giovanni check_circle

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