Melting glaciers have little impact on Swiss hydropower
Melting glaciers can provide a windfall of water for hydropower plants, such as Zervreila (pictured) in Graubünden.
Keystone
Although rapidly melting glaciers provide a temporary boost to Swiss hydropower production, their disappearance does not pose a threat, finds a study from the University of Lausanne.
“For the first time, a comprehensive model of water flow into Swiss hydropower plants has quantified the contribution from glacier retreat,” pointed out the SNSF.
Since 1980, melting glaciers have contributed an average of 4%, or 1.4 terawatt hours (TWh) per year, to the total Swiss hydropower output. As glacial melt slows down, this is expected to drop to 0.4 TWh. This decline would correspond to 2.5% of the total hydropower – which is in line with the federal Energy Strategy 2050External link.
“The slowdown in glacier melt will add to other projected losses in productivity, such as those linked to the Water Protection Act, which governs renewal of concessions granted to dam operators,” stated Bettina Schaefli, holder of an SNSF professorship at the University of Lausanne, in Thursday’s release. She went on to say that the study showed that these losses “should be offset by the expansion of hydroelectric capacity envisaged by the Energy Strategy 2050”.
The study’s calculations were based on historical data as well as a simulation of future development. The research appears in the journal Renewable EnergyExternal link.
Other study participants included scientists from the universities of Lausanne, Fribourg and Zurich; the federal technology institutes of Lausanne and Zurich; and WSL, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research.
More
More
Swiss electricity getting cleaner, says energy report
This content was published on
The electricity consumed in Switzerland is ever greener, according to government statistics: some 62% came from renewable sources in 2016.
Uri voters clear path for hotel and marina complex in central Switzerland
This content was published on
Voters in canton Uri in central Switzerland have rejected a Green Party initiative aimed at regulating the development of the lakeside site in Isleten.
Valais voters reject plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
This content was published on
Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland have turned down a proposal for the region to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Scientist predicts 30% of Swiss glacier ice could be saved
This content was published on
If the Paris climate accord is implemented, up to one-third of all ice stored in larger Swiss glaciers could be saved, a top glaciologist predicts.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.