How can we educate the public about energy in Switzerland? What exactly will the future of energy look like? And what role do cows play? A new exhibition at Verkehrshaus Luzern, the Swiss Museum of Transport, aims to answer questions like these and sensitise the public to new approaches to our energy supply.
Energy Science for Tomorrow
Alexandra Cron, Gianfranco Guidati & Regina Moser, 20 April 2023
The new "House of Energy" was recently inaugurated at the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz. The museum is part of the newly developed exchange between the public, business, research and the political sector on energy. One of the exhibits was developed by "Energy Science for Tomorrow" (E3TOTO), a joint initiative of the ETH Board – comprising ETH Zurich, EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) and Empa, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), in collaboration with NCCR Automation, Design++ and SATW.
Through the eyes of researchers
The Energy Science for Tomorrow exhibit allows the public to look into the future through the eyes of researchers: Using a relief of Switzerland and augmented reality (AR), it shows how energy and climate goals can be achieved by 2050 if Switzerland relies entirely on renewable energy. Many elements must work together to achieve this goal: combined forces, political will and a lot of new know-how, as well as trained experts to develop, build and operate new technologies.
Through the eyes of researchers
The Energy Science for Tomorrow exhibit allows the public to look into the future through the eyes of researchers: Using a relief of Switzerland and augmented reality (AR), it shows how energy and climate goals can be achieved by 2050 if Switzerland relies entirely on renewable energy. Many elements must work together to achieve this goal: combined forces, political will and a lot of new know-how, as well as trained experts to develop, build and operate new technologies.
Making a vision visible
Dr. Gianfranco Guidati is the deputy director of the Energy Science Center (ESC) at ETH Zurich; he developed this vision of the future energy supply for the AR platform together with Design++. What is his motivation?
Why is Energy Science for Tomorrow bringing energy research to the Swiss Museum of Transport?
We work in a research and education institution, which means we generate the knowledge of how a future energy supply can work and educate the people who will ultimately implement this vision. But beyond that, we also want to communicate our findings to society in a way that is not just scientifically correct, but also simple and understandable. We have taken a big step in this direction thanks to the Energy Science for Tomorrow project. I want to do my part to help us achieve the net zero goal so that one day my grandchildren's generation will not live in a world that is five degrees warmer than today.
What was the thinking behind this platform?
Our vision was presenting the difference between today and 2050. We quickly came up with the idea of augmented reality. For example: in 2023, cows are just standing around in the pasture. In 2050, there will be a biogas plant next to it. We created a stylised version of Switzerland, showing the main features: the Jura, the Midlands and the Alps. After simplifying this topography, we assigned the different elements to real places so that viewers would see a connection to reality. For example, we moved geothermal energy to the west, to Geneva, because they are pioneers of geothermal energy there. And we placed nuclear power plants in the north because that's where they really are.
Dr. Gianfranco Guidati is the deputy director of the Energy Science Center (ESC) at ETH Zurich; he developed this vision of the future energy supply for the AR platform together with Design++. What is his motivation?
Why is Energy Science for Tomorrow bringing energy research to the Swiss Museum of Transport?
We work in a research and education institution, which means we generate the knowledge of how a future energy supply can work and educate the people who will ultimately implement this vision. But beyond that, we also want to communicate our findings to society in a way that is not just scientifically correct, but also simple and understandable. We have taken a big step in this direction thanks to the Energy Science for Tomorrow project. I want to do my part to help us achieve the net zero goal so that one day my grandchildren's generation will not live in a world that is five degrees warmer than today.
What was the thinking behind this platform?
Our vision was presenting the difference between today and 2050. We quickly came up with the idea of augmented reality. For example: in 2023, cows are just standing around in the pasture. In 2050, there will be a biogas plant next to it. We created a stylised version of Switzerland, showing the main features: the Jura, the Midlands and the Alps. After simplifying this topography, we assigned the different elements to real places so that viewers would see a connection to reality. For example, we moved geothermal energy to the west, to Geneva, because they are pioneers of geothermal energy there. And we placed nuclear power plants in the north because that's where they really are.
The AR platform as seen through the lens of the viewer. Photo: ETH Zurich / Andreas Eggenberger
What will Switzerland's energy supply look like in 2050?
There are three main elements: electrification of transport through electromobility, electrification of heat through heat pumps and solar energy to generate electricity. The problem with generating electricity is that we are shutting down nuclear power plants, but at the same time we need more electricity. How can we still generate enough electricity to close the gap? Solar power is the critical element, but unfortunately it is available mainly in summer. There are various approaches to ensuring sufficient power supply in winter as well, e.g. by expanding hydro reservoirs, heat storage or biogas production (hence the cows in the exhibition). Electricity imports are also an important element, which is why an electricity agreement is so important, so that we do not lose touch with Europe. In this context, increasing electricity consumption through electromobility and heat pumps is actually a very positive feature of our future energy system, because this switch saves much more oil and gas than the additional electricity we need.
Dialogue is important
Our presence at exhibitions is just one of the formats we have planned to make research more widely available for discussion. Energy Science for Tomorrow will also develop other opportunities for dialogue with the public at the Swiss Museum of Transport and throughout Switzerland. Initial ideas already exist, for example for talks, direct dialogue with researchers and students, games, workshops, digital platforms and labs.
There are three main elements: electrification of transport through electromobility, electrification of heat through heat pumps and solar energy to generate electricity. The problem with generating electricity is that we are shutting down nuclear power plants, but at the same time we need more electricity. How can we still generate enough electricity to close the gap? Solar power is the critical element, but unfortunately it is available mainly in summer. There are various approaches to ensuring sufficient power supply in winter as well, e.g. by expanding hydro reservoirs, heat storage or biogas production (hence the cows in the exhibition). Electricity imports are also an important element, which is why an electricity agreement is so important, so that we do not lose touch with Europe. In this context, increasing electricity consumption through electromobility and heat pumps is actually a very positive feature of our future energy system, because this switch saves much more oil and gas than the additional electricity we need.
Dialogue is important
Our presence at exhibitions is just one of the formats we have planned to make research more widely available for discussion. Energy Science for Tomorrow will also develop other opportunities for dialogue with the public at the Swiss Museum of Transport and throughout Switzerland. Initial ideas already exist, for example for talks, direct dialogue with researchers and students, games, workshops, digital platforms and labs.
