Reg4Fuels
Maximizing the value of carbon-neutral fuels in integrated energy networks through regulation
Contact: Prof. Giovanni Sansavini
This project, sponsored by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy under the Research Program EWG, is a collaborative effort between the Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab (RRE) and the Energy Science Center (ESC) at ETH Zurich, along with the Faculty of Economics at the University of Italian Switzerland (USI).
The research focuses on the potential of carbon-neutral hydrogen and methane fuels to accelerate Switzerland’s transition to carbon neutrality by 2050. By examining both Swiss and European regulatory landscapes, the findings are integrated into advanced energy system models to explore how these fuels can replace fossil fuels and provide critical
temporal flexibility.
Through detailed energy system and grid modeling, the project evaluates the contributions of hydrogen and methane under various transition scenarios. It also investigates the evolution of fuel supply chains and their implications for energy security, supply reliability, and grid resilience under extreme climate and trade conditions. The research culminates in regulatory and policy recommendations to maximize the value of these fuels in the energy transition.
Key contributions by the RRE Lab:
The Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab plays a central role in:
- Evaluating the value of carbon-neutral fuels:
- Assessing trade-offs between hydrogen and methane for addressing Switzerland’s temporal flexibility needs.
- Comparing the benefits of importing vs. domestic production of hydrogen and methane.
- Analyzing the role of fuel storage in supporting the energy transition.
- Enhancing energy security and system resilience:
- Assessing system adequacy under diverse climatic and European transition scenarios.
- Evaluating the resilience of Switzerland’s transmission network.
- Exploring the necessary evolution of the gas grid to support carbon-neutral fuels.
This project provides actionable insights to guide Switzerland's regulatory and policy frameworks, ensuring a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future.