SURE - SUstainable and REsilient energy for Switzerland
The SURE research project is investigating selected events that could have a significant impact on the Swiss energy system of the future. The project addresses the question of how to design the energy and power supply in such a way that it is as resilient, adaptable and sustainable as possible.
The 16 research and industry partners are investigating how disruptive events influence the energy landscape and what consequences can be drawn from the simulated results. What is new about this cooperation is the wide range of models and analysis tools that are linked in the project and deliver broad-based results. Topics relating to infrastructure, renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainability, security of supply and economic efficiency are linked and their reaction to disruptive events is examined.
Project infos
Project Duration2021-2026
Contact at TEP EnergyMArc Melliger, Martin Jakob
Contracting partyBundesamt für Energie (BFE)
Project partnersPSI (Lead), ETHZ (FEN), ETHZ (SusLab),USI, ZHAW, Uni Bern, SUPSI, Uni Genf, EPFL
Project WebsiteSURE Website
A resilience and sustainability concept for the urban contextPDF
Report on modelling of demand and supply for the transition phasePDF
Report on grid and infrastructure security of the city of ZurichPDF
Report on interactive visualization of heatgrid planning resultsPDF
Techno-economic cost-effectiveness analysis of process heat decarbonizationPDF
A resilience and sustainability concept for the industry and the mobility sector PDF
Report on the assessment of the adoption potential of process heat decarbonisation optionsPDF
Develop effective policy instruments to foster process heat decarbonizationPDF
Report on resilience and sustainability concept for the industry and the mobility sectorPDF
Reference projects
Data centers in Switzerland - Electricity consumption and efficiency potential
Server rooms and data centres account for a substantial proportion of electricity consumption in Switzerland. We are currently conducting a survey to validate electricity consumption and energy efficiency potential.
Preparation of energy data for Pensimo Management AG
TEP Energy has been recording the energy data of Pensimo Management AG's approximately 600 properties every year since 2023.
Scope 3 emissions of a portfolio of existing commercial buildings and new construction projects
Together with its partner Sustainserv, TEP Energy is supporting one of Switzerland's leading property managers and developers with environmental reporting (ESG). To this end, methodological issues are being clarified and initial results published in the environmental report. This includes the calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions of Scope 3 of the 'Construction' phase (construction + disposal) of maintenance and renovation activities for the entire building portfolio which includes existing buildings but also newly built projects.
Heating plan Dresden
The state capital of Dresden is currently drawing up heat planning for its urban area in accordance with the Heat Planning Act, which came into force on 1 January 2024. TEP Energy is supporting the Saxon state capital of Dresden in this endeavour. TEP is using the Spatial Energy Analysis Toolbox (SEAT) and a building stock model to achieve the energy and climate targets in a sustainable and economically efficient manner.
Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector
Together with partners, TEP Energy is developing methodological principles (F0) based on the WLCNN method, examining the achievability of net-zero targets (F1) using technical and economic scenarios and developing implementation strategies (F2, F3) with technical and political concepts. In addition, existing standards are analysed in order to harmonize regulations and ensure comparability (F4).
Potential and feasibility study for heat supply in Aesch
The municipality of Aesch (BL) is developing a climate-friendly, economical and secure heat supply for households and businesses. The aim of the municipality is to achieve the national climate targets (net zero by 2050) and build a sustainable energy infrastructure. As part of the feasibility study, renewable energy sources for heating and hot water, including geothermal energy, local and district heating solutions and air-to-water heat pumps, were analysed. TEP Energy analysed their economic viability and possible implementation in various sub-areas. The study was carried out in collaboration with eicher+pauli, the municipality of Aesch and the Basel-Landschaft Office for Environmental Protection and Energy and forms the basis for the municipality's heat planning.
Energy renovation rates in the building sector
Various federal and cantonal energy and climate policy measures are aimed at significantly increasing the energy renovation rate. Based on this comprehensive survey, the report shows how the energy renovation rate has developed in recent years and how high it currently is.
CO₂ emissions tool for the ETH Board: analysis, scenarios and net zero by 2040
The ETH Board's CO2 emissions tool was adapted and expanded.
Municipal heat planning in Volketswil
With reference to its climate policy objectives and as a result of its energy city process, the municipality of Volketswil is having its municipal energy planning revised.
Municipal energy planning in Glarus
Based on the cantonal energy law revision of 2021, the municipality of Glarus is revising its municipal energy planning with the aim of achieving a fossil-free heat supply. TEP Energy is supporting the municipality with its solutions, such as the Spatial Energy Analysis Toolbox (SEAT) and the building stock model, in order to achieve the energy and climate targets in a sustainable and economically efficient manner.
Solar energy strategy and potential study in Wädenswil | TEP Energy
TEP Energy is conducting a solar strategy and potential study to accelerate the expansion of solar energy in the city of Wädenswil.
Energy Policy Simulator
TEP Energy is supporting the San Francisco based think tank Energy Innovation in the expansion of its Energy Policy Simulator (EPS).
Future of Gas Study
TEP analysed the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of buildings of residential and service sector in EU27 countries to model different pathways of fossil fuel substitution.
Motivations for Investment in Smart Technologies and Energy Efficiency: The Case of Residential Buildings
Through the MISTEE project, we analyse how households' investments in buildings' energy efficiency and smart technologies are motivated and what impact different policies can have.
Calculation Tool for 2000-Watt Sites II
Revised calculation tool for the evaluation of settlement areas regarding indicators of the 2000-watt society.
Country-specific Market Reports for Buildings
Building Market Briefs (BMB) is a Climate KIC initiative within the flagship Building Technologies Accelerator (BTA) that aims to gather and promote knowledge about the buildings' and construction sector to promote low carbon investment and scaling.
Swiss Energy Perspectives 2050+
To update the SFOE's energy perspectives, we are preparing the scenario results for the services and agricultural sector.
IEA ECB Annex 70: Analysis of Building Energy Data with a Scalable Building Stock Model
Relationship between building park modelling and real building and energy data.
Ex-Post Analysis of Energy Demand in the Swiss Service Sector
Together with Prognos and Infras, we periodically carry out ex-post analyses of the energy demand in Switzerland on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). TEP Energy is responsible for the sectors services and agriculture.
PUEDA+: Promotion of energy efficiency in data centers and server rooms
Program to promote energy efficiency in the Swiss IT industry
Evaluation of measures using impact and cost analysis within the "Solar Strategy” project
Review of the expansion path of solar energy in the cantons of Aargau and Zurich
From the Certificate to Physics
Ways to net zero compatible buildings in the city of Zurich
New Trends in Energy Demand Modelling
In this Horizon2020 project, the impact of new societal trends on the energy consumption are modelled and analysed.
LICS – Low-investment-cost retrofit solutions
Potentials and limitations of existing and new low-investment-cost retrofit solutions to achieve a benchmark of 6 kg CO2 per m2 in existing buildings
SeEiS - Modelling of the Substitution Effects of Renewable Energies in the German and European Electricity Sector
On behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), an analysis of the effects of fossil fuel substitution on emissions calculations was conducted.
Biodiversity in the Urban Area
Concept for assessing the costs and benefits of biodiversity measures in urban areas
Energy certificate data to characterise the building stock
Gaining knowledge about the energetic quality of the German building stock from energy performance certificates
Reference Values of Cooling Systems in Buildings
Compilation of cooling reference values and improvement of the data basis to have a better support for strategic building planning
Energy Law Report for the Canton of Basel-Landschaft
Development of a methodology for the periodic evaluation of the measures and goals of the canton's energy law.
sEEnergies - Cost potential curves for refurbishment strategies in Europe
Quantification of synergies between Energy Efficiency First Principle and renewable energy systems for 2050 decarbonization
REFLEX Project: Flexibility and Technological Development in the European Energy System
REFLEX focuses on techno-economic learning, fundamental energy system modelling and social and environmental life cycle analysis.
Heating Initiative Switzerland
On behalf of the Swiss Heating Initiative (WIS), the decarbonization of the heating sector will be examined by 2050. Spatial potential analyzes and the Swiss building stock model (GPM) are used.
Heat Roadmap Europe (HRE) – Study on the European Heating and Cooling Market
In Europe, the energy system is to be decarbonised in the long term, i.e. no more CO2 emissions will be emitted. We estimate energy efficiencies cost potential curves for 14 European countries.
The Role of Gas Infrastructure in the Future Energy System
Energy policy decisions and technological developments lead to an increase in fluctuating renewable energy production. More flexibility in the power grid and storage possibilities is required to which the buildings' sector may contribute.
CoolCity
Assessment of the potential for lake water use for heating and cooling in the city of Zurich
EEG Workshop: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies in Buildings (EEG)
The EEG Workshop on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Buildings (EEG) is part of the global programme "Energy Efficiency and Building Technology Accelerator" (EEB) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Climate-KIC.
CREAM – Integrating Climate Change Mitigation, Resource Efficiency and Adaptation in Building Stock Modelling
Objectives, strategies and measures in the field of climate protection, energy planning and the further development of energy networks in cities are designed using the Building Park Model (GPM) in a cross-sectoral manner.
Definition and monitoring of security of supply on the European electricity markets from 2017 to 2019
Within the framework of the project, existing concepts of supply security on the European electricity market are to be analysed and monitoring concepts based on them are to be further developed.
Study on the Subsidiary Ban of Fossil-Fuelled Heating Systems
Swiss climate policy is facing major challenges, especially in the buildings sector. The study investigated the effects of a possible ban on fossil-fuelled heating systems from 2030, if the climate targets cannot otherwise be achieved.
Energy-Saving Contracting
Increasing energy efficiency is one of the central pillars of Swiss energy policy and energy-saving contracting contributes to this goal.
INSPIRE Tool: Energetic, Ecological and Economic Renovation of Buildings
With the INSPIRE tool you can calculate energy, ecological and economic indicators as well as strategies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and primary energy consumption of buildings.
Mapping and Analyses of the Current and Future (2020-2030) Heating/Cooling Fuel Deployment (Fossil Fuels/Renewables) in Europe
The energy balances of statistical offices in many countries and Eurostat are often incomplete. This EU service contract maps current and future energy demand for heating and cooling.
Instruments for Implementing Efficiency Measures in Building Technology
Which instruments support the implementation of efficiency measures in building services engineering as effectively and efficiently as possible?
Extension of the Building Stock Model for the SIA Efficiency Path
Using the enhanced building stock model, the primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions of new buildings and renovation projects are compared with the target values to review the impact of energy policy objectives.
Analysis of the State of Insulation Materials in the Swiss Building Stock
With regard to energy and resource policy, we must ask ourselves how we will deal with insulating materials in the future.
Energy Supply Concept 2050 for the City of Zurich
The Energy Supply Concept 2050 used a scenario approach to show that the heat supply of the city of Zurich could meet the goals of the 2000-watt society.
Potential Assessment of Measures in the Field of Building Technology
Where are what potentials to increase energy efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in building services engineering?
Analysis of Market Opportunities and Potentials in the Heating and Cooling Sector
Evaluation of new market opportunities on behalf of a large Swiss electricity supplier.
Integration of embodied Energy into the Building Stock Model (BSM)
By 2050, the City of Zurich intends to fully meet the goals of the 2000-watt society. Energy consumption in existing buildings and embodied energy are also part of this scope.
Contributions to the ewz Energy Research Programme on the 2000-watt Society
«Energy Research City of Zurich» is a 10-year programme for applied energy research.
Economic Analysis of Measures for the Energy Strategy 2050 – Efficiency Regulations for Electrical Appliances
With the Energy Strategy 2050, the Federal Council is pursuing the goal of significantly reducing electricity consumption in Switzerland by 2050 compared with a reference development.
Electricity Efficiency of the Swiss Economy – Evaluation and Scenarios of the EnAW
The impact of EnAW's previous activities in the field of electricity efficiency is statistically evaluated and the future development is bottom-up estimated.
Pilot Study: Building Stock Model (BSM) for Office, School and Residential Buildings
In collaboration with the ETH Chair for Sustainable Building, we developed a pilot version of the building stock model for Switzerland and for the city of Zurich.