Energy
EPFL takes another step towards carbon neutrality
Teaching
EPFL
Today EPFL inaugurated its new heating plant, which has the capacity to heat and cool the Lausanne campus solely by drawing water from Lake Geneva and recovering excess heat from a connected data center. The ceremony was attended by local political leaders including Vassilis Venizelos, who is a Vaud Canton councilor and the head of the Canton’s department of youth, the environment and security.
Combining forces for the energy transition
TechTransfer
PSI
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the start-up AlphaSYNT have a common mission. By signing a cooperation and licensing agreement, they aim to commercialise a novel approach to “power-to-gas” conversion, or to be more specific: “power-to-methane”. The innovative methanation process developed by PSI will allow energy to be stored as methane gas in future.
Why it will be imperative to reduce the size of rental properties
Research
EPFL
A PhD thesis carried out at EPFL has shown that, based on realistic forecasts, the only way we’ll be able to shrink the environmental footprint of residential dwelling by 2050 in Switzerland is through a joint effort between housing owners and tenants. 
A self-learning algorithm that helps save heating energy
TechTransfer
Empa
With energy prices soaring, heating costs will also inevitably rise in the coming winter. In order to mitigate this, solutions for operating buildings more efficiently are needed. The Empa spin-off viboo has developed an algorithm that makes it possible to operate even older buildings with around 25 percent less energy – while user comfort remains the same or even improves.
Green electronics made from wood
Research
Empa
Sustainable electronic components can be made from wood with the help of a novel process that uses a laser to engrave electrically conductive structures on veneers. A research team at Empa and at ETH’s Institute for Building Materials has developed a practical and versatile method for making wooden surfaces electrically conductive.
A paper battery with water switch
Research
Empa
A team of researchers at Empa developed a water-activated disposable paper battery. The researchers suggest that it could be used to power a wide range of low-power, single-use disposable electronics – such as smart labels for tracking objects, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices – and minimize their environmental impact. The proof-of-principle study has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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