ESC News
Towards integrating social science in energy system models
The workshop “CROSS-CoSi Scenarios”, co‑organised by the University of
Basel and ETH Zurich, brought together experts from social sciences and
energy‑systems analysis to explore how the human dimension can be better integrated into energy system modelling.
ESC welcomes Dr. Siobhan Powell as member
Dr. Siobhan Powell joins the Energy Science Center (ESC) as a new member of the competence center. She is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics (D-MTEC).
Powering Coffee Farms: Agriphotovoltaics for Energy Access and Climate Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa
Coffee producers depend on reliable power for processing and irrigation, yet many rural farms remain off-grid and exposed to volatile diesel prices. A master’s project at ETH Zurich’s Power Systems Laboratory explores this challenge through the world’s first large-scale agriphotovoltaics concept for coffee cultivation. Focusing on Angola, the research shows that installing solar panels above coffee plants can deliver affordable electricity and climate resilience in one system.
Dr. Alejandro Nuñez-Jimenez joins the Energy Science Center (ESC) as a new member
The Energy Science Center (ESC) is very happy to welcome Dr. Alejandro Nuñez-Jimenez as a new member of the competence center. He is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics (D-MTEC).
The SPEED2ZERO initiative presents key findings after three years of research
On Friday, 23 January 2026, the SPEED2ZERO final event brought together researchers and committed stakeholders from industry, policy, and society working towards a net-zero and biodiversity-positive Switzerland. The researchers presented the key findings from three years of research on the nexus between climate, energy, biodiversity and associated social and political issues.