PATHFNDR Final Event 2026

On the Path to Net Zero: Flexibility and Sector Coupling as Key Drivers

Date: 27 October 2026 | Time: 9:30 – 16:00 + Apéro | Location: Eventforum Fabrikstrasse 12, 3012 Bern

After five years of research, the PATHFNDR consortium invites political and economic decision-makers, industry representatives, and the research community to its final event on flexibility and sector coupling for the Swiss energy transition.

The event marks the launch of the Synthesis Report “On the Path to Net-Zero: 10 Statements on Flexibility and Sector Coupling for the Swiss Energy Transition”, which distils the consortium’s key findings.

The morning opens with keynote addresses to set the political and economic context, followed by the presentation of the key findings by the researchers. The afternoon is dedicated to explore the implications of these recommendations for policy, markets, regulation, infrastructure, and technology. An interactive exhibition invites participants to discuss directly with the PATHFNDR researchers and to deeply reflect on the statements relevance for their respective sector or organisation.

Programme

08:30 – Registration & welcome coffee

09:30 – Welcome & opening by Professor André Bardow and Dr. Christian Schaffner (PATHFNDR Co-Directors)

09:45 – Keynotes with Antje Kanngiesser (CEO at Alpiq) and Professor Dirk Müller (RWTH Aachen)

10:45 – Coffee break

11:15 – Input presentations on the key findings of the Synthesis Report by PATHFNDR researchers

13:00 – Networking lunch

14:30 – Expert Dialog: Exploring the relevance of the “10 Statements for the Energy Transition” for your sector or company in an interactive exhibition

16:00 – Apéro & Networking accompanied by the AXPO Band

How to get there

By public transport: From Bern main station, PostBus route 101 takes you directly to the Güterbahnhof stop. From there, a short walk across the bridge leads directly to our entrance.

Current construction notice: the direct footpath from Güterbahnhof to Eventforum is temporarily closed. Please follow the signposted diversion shown on the map on site and allow a little extra walking time.

By car: The nearest car park is Insel. Take the ‘Forsthaus’ exit and follow signs for ‘Inselspital, Insel-Parking’. The walk to Eventforum is around 700 m. Alternatively, Neufeld car park is approximately 1.5 km away on foot. Take the ‘Neufeld’ exit and follow signs for ‘P+R’.

Sneak peek of the 10 statements of the synthesis report

Publication: 26 October 2026
Explore the full findings in the PATHFNDR synthesis report and discuss them with us at the PATHFNDR Final Event on 27 October 2026 in Bern.