PATHFNDR Conference 2024

The power shift: 
Will flexibility and sector coupling lead the way? 

PATHFNDR held its first conference as part of the Energy Week at ETH Zurich. The conference delved into the future of energy systems while achieving net-zero GHG emission goals and focused on the role of flexibility and sector coupling. 

PATHFNDR Conference
The conference took place on 7. November at the Audi Max. It was open to the public including researchers as well as representatives from industry and government. The conference offered presentations and panel discussions by experts from the public and private sectors.

Poster Exhibition
A scientific poster exhibition on the latest research results of PATHFNDR was displayed from 4.-8. November in the foyer HG F (Uhrenhalle).

Coffee with Scientists
At the coffee with scientists sessions on 7. November in the ETH main hall, the audience had a cup of coffee with scientists and asked questions or exchanged ideas about the energy transition.

Workshops 
The workshops on 8. November were by invitation only. 

Find below the agenda along with the link to presentations and posters showcased during the conference. 

Thursday, 7. November 2024

08:00 Registration

Keynote

Location: ETH Zurich, Audi Max (HG F30)

09:00 Welcome by Prof. André Bardow, ETH Zurich

09:15 Keynote: A US perspective on the energy transition by Prof. Bri-Mathias Hodge, University of Colorado Boulder

Plenary session 1: Why do we need flexibility and sector coupling?

Location: ETH Zurich, Audi Max (HG F30)

10:00 Input presentations

  • Sector coupling and flexibility: an inseparable union – the Swiss case
    Francesco Sanvito, TU Delft
  • Large-scale flexibility from small-scale actors: a deep-dive on electric vehicle charging 
    Siobhan Powell, ETH Zurich
  • The critical role of flexibility in local electricity grids 
    Turhan Demiray, ETH Zurich
 
10:30 Panel discussion moderated by Jared Garrison, ETH Zurich
 
  • Prof. Bri-Mathias Hodge, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Jochen Markard, ZHAW
  • Kaja Hollstein, Swissgrid
  • Simon Weiher, AXPO


11:00 Coffee break with Q&A to speakers

Plenary session 2: What do buildings and electromobility contribute?

Location: ETH Zurich, Audi Max (HG F30)

11:30 Input presentations

  • Increasing the local flexibility potential of buildings: small-scale flexibility systems (nanogrid) 
    Hanmin Cai, Empa
  • Flexibility from building inertia and coordinated heat pump activity 
    Prof. Philipp Schütz, HSLU
  • Enabling demand-side flexibility provision from e-mobility and buildings 
    Federica Bellizio, Empa
 
12:00 Panel discussion moderated by Gianfranco Guidati, ETH Zurich
 
  • Prof. Stefan Pfenninger, TU Delft
  • Mevina Feuerstein, Amstein + Walthert
  • Peter Cuony, Groupe E
  • Nadine Brauchli, VSE


12:30 Networking lunch with Q&A to speakers and poster exhibition 

Plenary session 3: What policies and market designs are needed?

Location: ETH Zurich, Audi Max (HG F30)

13:30 Input presentations

  • Streamlining energy scenarios for the sector-coupled net-zero Swiss energy system
    Niklas Nolzen, ETH Zurich
  • Are policies shifting from solely promoting electrification to meeting demand-side flexibility needs?
    Adrien Mellot, ETH Zurich
  • Shifting renewables to when they are needed: participation of flexibility aggregators in wholesale markets 
    Thomas Hübner, ETH Zurich


14:00 Panel discussion moderated by Ingmar Schlecht, ZHAW

  • Prof. André Bardow, ETH Zurich (SWEET-PATHFNDR)
  • Prof. Martin Patel, UNIGE (SWEET-DeCarbCH)
  • Prof. Joëlle Mastelic, HES-SO (SWEET-LANTERN)
  • Prof. Hannes Weigt, University of Basel (SWEET-CoSi)


14:30 Poster pitches

14:45 Closing remarks by Christian Schaffner, ETH Zurich

Coffee with scientists

Location: ETH Zurich, Main Hall (HG E-Hall)

15:00 – 16:00

  • What can Switzerland learn from the energy transition in the USA?
    Prof. Bri-Matthias Hodge, University of Colorado Boulder

  • (Why) are Power-to-X technologies important for the energy transition?
    Prof. André Bardow, ETH Zurich

  • Does the integration of renewable energy destabilize the energy. system?
    Prof. Giovanni Sansavini, ETH Zurich

  • Can flexibility accelerate the integration of renewable energy?
    Prof. Stefan Pfenninger, TU Delft

  • What are the benefits of smart grid technologies?
    Prof. Mario Paolone, EPFL

  • Will the public even notice the transition to a zero emission society?  
    Prof. Anthony Patt, ETH Zurich

  • Who should decide when to charge your electric car?
    Siobhan Powell, ETH Zurich

Poster exhibition

Location: ETH Zurich, Uhrenhalle (HG F-Hall)

8:00 – 16:00

The exhibition will showcase the work of 25 researchers.

Friday, 8. November 2024

Stakeholder workshop (by invitation only)

Location: ETH Zurich, Main Building (HG F33.1)

08:00 Registration

09:00 Welcome and introduction

09:10 Presentations of existing pilot & demonstration projects

09:35 Idea pitches for future industry & academia projects 

10:05 Coffee break 

10:20 Discussion session

11:10 Summary of discussions

11:25 Closing remarks

12:00 Networking lunch 

Research workshop (by invitation only)

Location: ETH Zurich, Main Building (HG F33.1)

13:30 Welcome and introduction

14:00 Pitches of key messages

14:30 Discussion session

15:20 Summary of discussions

15:50 Closing remarks  

16:00 Apéro

© 2021 SWEET PATHFNDR Project