LOW-CARBON ENERGY FOR A CLIMATE-FRIENDLY FUTURE
We use more and more electricity every year. This is because the
population is growing, more people use electric cars and heating, and
digital tools (phones, computers, data centers) are everywhere. To
protect the climate, scientists explain that our energy systems need to
change deeply. According to international experts (such as the IPCC),
reaching climate goals means rethinking how we produce and use
electricity.
In Switzerland, people use about
56.1 TWh of electricity in 2023. Producing this electricity with low-carbon energy is not just a
technical challenge. It also raises important questions: "How much land
do energy installations need?", "What materials are required?", "How do
people react to different technologies?", "How reliable are these energy
systems over time?" This interactive simulation lets you explore these
questions. The numbers used here are simplified and approximate.
Hi! I’m your guide.
Try building an energy mix to reach 56.1 TWh/year.
There is no perfect solution, only trade-offs to explore.
Nice start!
Each icon represents a simplified amount of electricity. Some
technologies add energy quickly, others more slowly.
Nuclear power adds a lot of energy at once.
It is compact and powerful, but raises long-term questions about waste
and safety.
Renewable sources often need many units.
They are low-carbon, but they raise questions about space, materials,
and variability.
Interesting mix!
Real energy systems combine several technologies to balance strengths
and weaknesses.
Well done!
You reached Switzerland’s annual electricity demand. Now ask
yourself,
What did this mix require in
land, materials, and acceptance? Check out the relative impacts
comparison below.
Hydropower already provides most of Switzerland’s electricity today
(SFOE, 2023), but expanding it further is limited by geography and
ecosystems.
That can work for energy production.
But what might it mean for land use, materials, or public acceptance?
These bars show relative impacts.
They are not exact numbers, they help you compare trade-offs.
What consequences could your energy choice have for land use, materials,
and public acceptance ?
