Ever heard of Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)? It's a way to measure the average cost of generating electricity over a system's lifetime, allowing us to compare different technologies fairly.

Today, renewable technologies like wind and solar are mature and cost-effective. Their costs have plateaued at low levels, making them the most affordable options available. This plateau means there's no advantage in waiting for prices to drop further - now is the time to act and invest.

Based on the current debate on nukes, I have also added these to the overview. The cost of nuclear energy is rising, showing that the trend is not our friend here.

While solar panels and wind turbines are cost-efficient sources of clean energy, they come with a challenge: intermittency. Additionally, in Switzerland, solar potential is lower compared to sunnier regions, and wind turbine installations often face public resistance. Ever heard of «NIMBY»? Overcoming the "Not In My Backyard" mindset is a driving force to our dual land use solutions at Leiser.

Solar Energy in Switzerland

Currently, Switzerland's photovoltaic (PV) installations generate about 73% of their energy during the summer months and 27% during the winter months. By focusing on winter solar potential, we could increase the winter share to around one-third. However, that’s expensive. Plus, solar power is only produced during daylight hours, which limits its availability.

The Windy Complement

Here's where wind energy comes into play:

• Winter Production: In Switzerland, wind energy plants produce two-thirds of their electricity during the winter, exactly when we need more energy for heating and lighting.
• Cost-Effective: Wind energy is the most competitive renewable energy source in Switzerland during winter.

This makes wind energy an ideal supplement to hydropower and solar installations, which produce the most electricity during the summer months.

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To overcome the intermittency of solar and wind energy, we need to store excess energy generated during peak production times. Both hydropower and battery storage can help us do this.

Battery Storage - BESS and Vehicles

Think beyond traditional Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS):

• Electric Vehicles as Storage: The number of electric vehicles (EVs) in Switzerland is growing, and the cars on the road are relatively new. With bi-directional charging, their batteries can act as a large, decentralized energy storage network, storing excess solar and wind energy and feeding it back into the grid when needed.
• Falling Battery Prices: Batteries have become significantly cheaper, making both BESS and e-mobility more affordable.
• BESS and New Business Models: With BESS, we can stabilize the grid and charge during times of overproduction - when electricity prices are low or even negative - and discharge during high-demand periods when prices are higher.

Switzerland's Topographical Advantage: Hydropower

Switzerland's landscape gives us a natural edge:

• Pumped Hydro Storage: We use excess energy to pump water uphill to higher elevations.
• On-Demand Energy: When needed, we release the stored water through turbines, generating electricity.

This method allows for large-scale energy storage over extended periods, enhancing grid stability.

The Power of Combining Multiple Technologies

Combining solar and wind energy, along with effective storage solutions, are key to a successful energy transition. In Switzerland, the synergy between solar, wind, and hydropower is particularly strong  to fill in the gaps during winter months.

Global Potential of Solar and Wind

By combining different renewable technologies, we can optimize energy production based on local conditions.

• Regional Variations: The ideal mix of renewable energy sources varies by region. Some areas have higher solar potential, while others are windier.
• Complementary Resources: Global maps show that regions with lower solar potential often have higher wind energy potential, and vice versa.