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.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
COP29: Swiss NGOs call for strong financial support
This content was published on
Ahead of COP29, Swiss NGOs call for wealthy nations to pay $1,000 billion a year to help other countries solve climate problems.
Real Swiss wages likely to rise in 2025, says UBS bank
This content was published on
Higher wages and falling inflation are likely to boost Swiss purchasing power, which will be dragged back by rising health premiums.
This content was published on
Switzerland has a new tectonic map at a scale of 1:500,000, containing updates to geometry, distribution and nomenclature of the tectonic units.
This content was published on
Swiss artist Daniel Spoerri, known for his artworks using leftover food with dirty cutlery and crockery, has passed away in Vienna at the age of 94.
Climate change tipped to alter Swiss avalanche patterns by 2100
This content was published on
Climate change is expected to result in fewer avalanches overall in Switzerland but to increase the danger of wet snow avalanches by 2100.
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.