For those unfamiliar with our line of work, it might seem quite abstract to imagine this process: How is a conductor lifted from the ground during installation?

The Erlenmatt Ost site in Basel is home to one of the largest self-consumption communities in Switzerland, where over 500 people consume mainly locally produced, renewable electricity. The project, which won the Watt d’Or award, signifies the trend throughout Switzerland towards a more decentralised electricity system.

Deadwood in forests promotes biodiversity. This is no different on the routes of overhead lines. Since deadwood is increasingly left standing or lying in place under lines, the rare Alpine longhorn beetle makes an appearance from time to time.

A large part of the extra-high-voltage grid operated by Swissgrid consists of overhead lines. Electricity pylons ensure the necessary stability and safety for power transmission. The grid comprises around 12,000 pylons and 6,700 kilometres of lines. As the regular monitoring of exposed infrastructure is very time-consuming, Swissgrid launched a feasibility study called «Pylonian» in 2021. The objective was to monitor selected electricity pylons around the clock using sensors based on Internet of Things technology.

Transformers are the heart of the grid. They are used to increase or reduce the voltage of electricity. 25 Swissgrid transformers connect the 380-kilovolt grid to the 220-kilovolt grid in Switzerland. One of these transformers is installed in the Mettlen substation in the municipality of Eschenbach (canton of Lucerne). It is currently being replaced by a more powerful transformer. This will strengthen security of supply and grid stability in Switzerland.

Lines are switched off for safety reasons during construction or renovation work. The planning of these outages is highly complex and would be unthinkable without a software solution. Swissgrid is applying user-centred design for the further development of its software to ensure that the employees responsible for planning work can be given even better support in the future.

Even grid operators are suffering from a shortage of skilled labour. How serious is the problem? And how can it be solved? We asked two employer branding experts.

«Technical agreements» are sometimes discussed as an alternative in the political debate about an electricity agreement with the EU. However, they have clear disadvantages compared to an electricity agreement. They therefore do not represent a real alternative in terms of grid stability, security of supply in Switzerland, legal certainty and the ability of Swiss players to help shape the electricity system.

The Federal Council adopted the definitive negotiating mandate with the European Union (EU) on 8 March 2024. It includes negotiating guidelines for an electricity agreement. Will it be worth the wait? In any case, this important dossier is finally progressing again. We are very pleased by the news, as the whole of Switzerland would ultimately benefit from an electricity agreement.

More and more solar plants, heat pumps and charging stations are being installed in Switzerland. What does this mean for the distribution grid? We asked two specialists from Energie Thun AG.

The relationship between Switzerland and the EU poses challenges for all Swiss electricity market players. In the summer of 2023, the Federal Council adopted benchmarks for a negotiating mandate with the EU, thereby driving forward the relationship. The decision on the negotiating mandate is now imminent. In an interview, Marc Ritter, CEO of AEW Energie AG, explains the significance of this development and of a potential electricity agreement with the EU for a Swiss power supply company.

Possible power shortages, power system failures, blackouts – these were topics of much discussion last year. Why is the electricity grid reaching its limits and what is Swissgrid doing to counteract this?