Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Electricity Strategy

In course

CIVIL-340: Study and analysis of energy systems

L'analyse critique de stratégies énergétiques nécessite de comprendre les différentes filières énergétiques impliquées dans l'approvisionnement en énergie et leurs impacts sur l'économie, l'environnement et la société. Le cours introduit à la formalisation ...

Description

This lecture covers the analysis of energy systems with a focus on electricity strategy, using Switzerland as a case study. It discusses the country's electricity production, consumption, import-export balance, renewable energy sources, and strategic options for the future. The instructor, Prof. Edgard Gnansounou, explores the challenges and constraints in the Swiss energy policy context, emphasizing the need for a sustainable and secure electricity supply. Various energy generation technologies such as hydropower, thermal power plants, geothermal power, and photovoltaics are also examined, along with energy storage solutions and interconnections with neighboring countries.

This video is available exclusively on Mediaspace for a restricted audience. Please log in to MediaSpace to access it if you have the necessary permissions.

Watch on Mediaspace

Instructor

Edgard Gnansounou

1983 Ing. Civil EPFL
1991 Dr ès Sciences techniques, EPFL
Directeur du Laboratoire de systèmes énergétiques (LASEN) de 2003 à 2008
Dès 2008, Responsable du groupe de Recherche en Bioénergie et Planification énergétique
Co-fondateur du bureau d'étude ENERS Energy Concept
Président de la Fondation SUD (Solidarités Universitaires pour le Développement)

Je suis membre de différentes associations professionnelles parmi lesquelles figuent le Conseil Mondial de l'énergie (CME) et l'Association internationale pour l'économie de l'énergie (AIEE). Comme membre du groupe d'étude du CME sur les vulnérabilités, j'ai développé les métriques utilisées pour évaluer la vulnérabilité énergétique des pays industrialisés. Depuis janvier 2008 : membre du Comité d'édition du journal international Bioresource Technology. Depuis 2009: membre du Comité de la "European Biofuels Technology Platform"

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Environmental science

Environmental policy: Topics in environmental policy

Related concepts (32)

Energy policy

Energy policy is the manner in which a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of energy development including energy conversion, distribution and use as well as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to contribute to climate change mitigation. The attributes of energy policy may include legislation, international treaties, incentives to investment, guidelines for energy conservation, taxation and other public policy techniques. Energy is a core component of modern economies.

Energy development

Energy development is the field of activities focused on obtaining sources of energy from natural resources. These activities include the production of renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuel derived sources of energy, and for the recovery and reuse of energy that would otherwise be wasted. Energy conservation and efficiency measures reduce the demand for energy development, and can have benefits to society with improvements to environmental issues.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Renewable resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy sources are sustainable, some are not. For example, some biomass sources are considered unsustainable at current rates of exploitation. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling.

Energy storage

Energy storage is the capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time to reduce imbalances between energy demand and energy production. A device that stores energy is generally called an accumulator or battery. Energy comes in multiple forms including radiation, chemical, gravitational potential, electrical potential, electricity, elevated temperature, latent heat and kinetic. Energy storage involves converting energy from forms that are difficult to store to more conveniently or economically storable forms.

Renewable energy commercialization

Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat. Second-generation technologies are market-ready and are being deployed at the present time; they include solar heating, photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power stations, and modern forms of bioenergy.

Related lectures (29)

Solar Energy: Photovoltaic & Thermal MOOC: SES Swiss-Energyscope

Explores solar energy capture, storage, and conversion into electricity, discussing photovoltaic and thermal systems, market trends, and future potential.

Hydropower Innovations: Water Turbines and Pump-Turbines

Covers the importance of water turbines and pump-turbines in advancing hydropower technology and sustainability.

Energy Infrastructures: Germany Case Study

Explores the challenges and solutions of integrating renewable energy sources, using Germany as a case study.

Renewable Energies: Technologies and Transition

Explores renewable energy technologies, transition dynamics, and storage solutions for a sustainable future.

Large-Scale Photovoltaics: Challenges and Insights