ESC News

Why do some technologies become dramatically cheaper over time, while  others remain stubbornly expensive? Understanding this question is crucial for decisions on energy, climate, and innovation policy. The concept of technological learning offers a powerful framework for explaining long-term cost reductions and forecasting the future competitiveness of emerging technologies.

On 18 May, the Energy Science Center (ESC) hosted its flagship Energy Career Day at ETH Zurich, a full-day event structured to build bridge between academic ambition and industry in the energy sector. The day was divided into three segments, aiding the journey of future energy professionals from initial career preparation through direct one-on-one industry networking, and ending with high-level strategic insights.

Transport is Switzerland’s single largest emitting sector. Around 14 million tons of CO₂ equivalents per year, more than a third of the national total. And unlike buildings or industry, it has barely improved: transport emissions in 2023 were only 8% below 1990 levels, compared to a decrease of 46% in the building sector. With passenger cars accounting for roughly 77% of all land-based passenger-kilometres, the car fleet is where the problem sits. 

Dank Wasser- und Kernkraft produziert die Schweiz seit Jahrzehnten vergleichsweise sauberen Strom. Wegen der Elektrifizierung brauchen wir künftig mehr. Im Interview erklärt ETH-Energieexperte Christian Schaffner, wie die Schweiz diesen zusätzlichen Bedarf decken kann.

Clean technology markets have undergone a profound transformation. What began as a science-based necessity to mitigate climate change has rapidly evolved into a compelling economic opportunity. This was a central theme of a recent talk by Timur Gül, Chief Energy Technology Officer at the IEA and a proud alumnus of both PSI and ETH Zürich.