This project, part of SFOE’s technology monitoring program, focuses on solar photovoltaic power generation and conversion of biomass into heat, electricity, synthetic gas, and biochar – mostly via gasification.
Regarding photovoltaics (PV), the work undertaken considers the fact that current developments in the PV sector are progressing rapidly and estimates made in the past must therefore often be regarded as outdated today. This applies both to the expected development of PV technology itself and to its current and future costs. Furthermore, in the past, technology monitoring did not analyze PV alternatives to conventional rooftop systems – for example, PV systems on facades, in alpine regions, on existing infrastructure, and in agriculture ("Agri-PV"). These areas are now also covered, as they could make an important contribution to Switzerland's electricity supply in the future. Regarding “Gasification of biomass”, the current state of the art, the expected technical development, and the current and future economic viability of various processes that have not yet been the focus of technology monitoring will are investigated: a) Gasification of wood for electricity generation; b) Hydrothermal gasification of high moisture biomass such as sewage sludge and municipal waste; c) carbonization and pyrolysis of biomass for the production of biochar and energy carriers; d) methanation of CO2 from biomass gasification together with hydrogen for the production of electricity.
The Technology Assessment group mainly acts as project coordinator and with synthesize the main findings provided by the project partners. While the School of Applied Sciences in Bern and SUPSI are evaluating PV systems, PSI-LEP and the university of Lucerne are responsible for the biomass sector.
Project details
Duration: 2024-2025
Funding:
- SFOE
Partners:
- PSI-LEP
- Berner Fachhochschule
- SUPSI
- Hochschule Luzern
