Is Switzerland on stand-by?
The Swiss enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world but this has only been possible through the consumption of ever-greater amounts of energy.
A fairly simple solution to this growing problem is within easy reach – otherwise known as energy efficiency, says energy expert Michael Kaufmann.
Kaufmann, head of the SwissEnergy programme within the Federal Energy Office is a key figure behind the search for new ways to cut energy consumption.
And he has an ambitious target: to maintain the above-average living standards of the Swiss while using less energy.
“Energy efficiency means getting the most out of the smallest possible energy inputs,” he told swissinfo. “Today we have new technologies which can generate the same performance from a machine, car or electrical appliance using only half the energy.”
The Swiss have not yet got the message.
In 2005, they consumed over 890,000 Terajoules (TJ). A TJ is equal to 280,000 kilowatt hours (KWh) which means Switzerland consumed 250 billion KWh in 2005, or 42,000 KWh per person. This was a 1.3 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
If real reductions are going to be made without cutting into living standards, then home-building and the appliances placed inside the household have to be targeted, Kaufmann says.
New specially designed houses and buildings which meet stricter norms for key attributes such as heating and insulation use up to 80 per cent less energy than conventional structures.
And consumers must be convinced of the benefits of purchasing energy-efficient yet more expensive cars and appliances.
“When you consider the long-term life of an appliance, the higher price is more than compensated through lower energy consumption and costs,” said Kaufmann.
Just by installing the latest dishwasher or coffee machine, you can consume around one-third less electricity, according to the Swiss agency for efficient energy use.
On hold
The office also points out that consumers can already do a lot with existing appliances simply by turning them off, avoiding the temptation to keep them on stand-by.
SwissEnergy is keen to highlight the fact that stand-by only reduces energy by a third.
But Kaufmann admits that cheap energy is keeping the Swiss on stand-by. “No one voluntarily turns off an appliance because electricity is not that expensive.
“That’s why special devices and technical solutions are needed to overcome the standby problem, or bus bars – electrical conductors – with which a series of appliances can be turned off with the flick of a switch.”
Industry
Kaufmann also says Swiss industry has to play its part by improving production methods. “Huge savings are possible through more efficient motors, supply-and-control units and compressed-air devices,” he explains.
And various programmes exist, alongside parliament’s carbon dioxide tax, to reduce Swiss industry’s CO2 emissions which are currently around 10 million tons per year.
“We have noticed a definite move by industry towards reductions in energy consumption,” he says.
The energy chief says it is possible for the Swiss to maintain their present standards of living. “I don’t want to lecture about having to give something up – it’s more about sound, intelligent behaviour.”
On the other hand, Kaufmann warns that over-consumption will cancel out a lot of the savings made through greater efficiency.
swissinfo, based on a German article by Christian Raaflaub and Gaby Ochsenbein
Energy consumption in Switzerland (2005 compared with 2004):
Fossil fuels: 11.8 million tons or 502,890 TJ (+0.5%); 56.5% of overall consumption
Electricity: 57,330 Gigawatt hours (GWh) or 206,390 TJ (+2.1%); 23.2%.
Gas: 30,228 GWh or 108,820 TJ (+2.7%); 12.2%.
Wood: 3,845 million cubic metres or 30,450 TJ (+2.9%); 3.4%.
Community heating: 4447 GWh or 16,010 TJ (+4,5%); 1.8%.
Industrial waste: 12,050 TJ (+1%); 1.4%.
Other renewable energies: 2,292 GWh or 8,250 TJ (+7.7%); 0.9%.
Coal: 210,000 tons or 5,580 TJ (-1.2%); 0.6%.
As part of its new energy policy, the Swiss government has chosen to focus on efficiency.
Parliament has adopted clear efficiency targets under the new energy law.
The Federal Energy Office plans to present its efficiency programme and targets at the end of 2007.
From 2008 SwissEnergy will have SFr16 million a year at its disposal to develop energy efficiency measures.
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