Podcast Series "Energy Fact Check"
There is a danger of blackouts, nuclear power capacity has to be boosted again, an electric car is no cleaner than a petrol car, and Switzerland is too small to make a difference in the climate crisis – statements like these and politically charged terms are dominating the discussion about the energy of the future. In a four-part special series of the ETH Podcast, we take a closer look at these claims. The Energy Science Center supported the Podcast team in their search for answers.
Listen to the special series of the ETH Podcast.
This special series of the ETH Podcast is exceptionally in German instead of the usual English.
Episode 1
No blackouts thanks to new nuclear power plants?
High commodity prices due to the war in the Ukraine and rising energy consumption driven by new digital technologies such as blockchain are fuelling fears of electricity bottlenecks or even nationwide blackouts. This has resulted in the resurfacing of an energy policy demand that had until recently seemed outdated: "We need new nuclear power plants if we are to prevent a blackout!" We look into this statement together with the Director of the Energy Science Center, Christian Schaffner, and Gabriela Hug, Professor at the Institute for Power Systems & High Voltage Technology.
More information:
Episode 2
Are electric cars really better than petrol cars?
More and more electric cars are whizzing through our streets. They are of course more environmentally friendly. But are they really? After all, batteries pollute the planet, and electricity is not always clean either. That’s why we keep hearing that cars such as those manufactured by Tesla are no better than those with internal combustion engines. Christian Schaffner, Head of the Energy Science Center, doctoral student Christine Gschwendtner, and Anthony Patt, Professor of Climate Policy, explore with us what e-mobility really means for the power grid and the environment.
More information:
Anthony Patt in the Zukunftsblog
Episode 3
Is the energy transition too expensive?
Switzerland is to become climate-neutral by 2050. This means increasing the supply of sustainable energy instead of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. But this requires large investments. That is why the question as to whether the energy transition is too expensive is being repeatedly raised. Together with Christian Schaffner and Marius Schwarz (Project Manager for external pageNexus-e) from the Energy Science Center, we look for answers – including against the background of the war in Ukraine.
More information:
News Article "From price shock to independence from fossil fuels"
ESC Policy Brief "Steps to fossil-fuel independence for Switzerland"
Episode 4
Is Switzerland too small to avert the crisis?
“Switzerland is too small to avert the energy and climate crisis.” This claim is repeatedly cited as a counterargument to climate-policy goals. Is there any truth behind this statement? We ask Christian Schaffner, Head of the Energy Science Center, Marco Mazzotti, engineer and specialist in CO2 capture and storage, and Sonia Seneviratne, environmental scientist and climate researcher.