106 L. DoBIGNY AND M. SAHAKIAN
introDuCtion
The Swiss energy system is relatively decentralized compared to neighbouring countries, with regional energy providers for electricity, gas, and
district heating that generally take the form of private entities with the
State as a primary stakeholder. Some private companies exist, as well as
energy production cooperatives (citizen-led and producing renewables),
but they are marginal compared to the role of public local companies in
contributing to Swiss energy production and distribution. However, new
consortiums between citizens and local public companies are emerging,
particularly towards renewable energy (RE) generation and involving
the implementation of RE plants with the financial participation of citizens. Through a citizen referendum in May 2017, Switzerland adopted
the “2050 Energy Strategy” involving the following measures: lowering
energy consumption, improving energy efficiency, and promoting RE. A
progressive nuclear phase-out is also planned. Following a brief overview
of socio-material dynamics of household energy use and energy policy in
Switzerland, this chapter examines the characteristics of Swiss sustainable
energy initiatives, and provides a good practice example of an initiative
that seeks to contribute to sustainable transformation in the energy system through support for sufficiency-based lifestyles.
soCio-materiaL DynamiCs of househoLD energy
use in switzerLanD
A specificity in Switzerland is the system of central heating in buildings
with estimated individualized heating bills for apartment units, and little to no thermostats. With the exception of metering in private homes,
and the limited smart meters being deployed among households, there is
little opportunity to apprehend detailed individual consumption for heating in apartments, as these are often calculated on an annual basis and
bundled in with other utilities. Legislation in favour of individual bills
for heating and hot water has been in place since 1993 for new building constructions. Further revisions of this legislation (the most recent
one dated 2018) have included older building stock, albeit selectively.
In buildings that boast the Swiss energy-efficiency label, Minergie,
energy consumption is calculated by individual meters per apartment unit, and sophisticated floor heating systems result in the necessity to fine-tune hydraulic valves in order to adapt indoor temperatures.
introDuCtion
The Swiss energy system is relatively decentralized compared to neighbouring countries, with regional energy providers for electricity, gas, and
district heating that generally take the form of private entities with the
State as a primary stakeholder. Some private companies exist, as well as
energy production cooperatives (citizen-led and producing renewables),
but they are marginal compared to the role of public local companies in
contributing to Swiss energy production and distribution. However, new
consortiums between citizens and local public companies are emerging,
particularly towards renewable energy (RE) generation and involving
the implementation of RE plants with the financial participation of citizens. Through a citizen referendum in May 2017, Switzerland adopted
the “2050 Energy Strategy” involving the following measures: lowering
energy consumption, improving energy efficiency, and promoting RE. A
progressive nuclear phase-out is also planned. Following a brief overview
of socio-material dynamics of household energy use and energy policy in
Switzerland, this chapter examines the characteristics of Swiss sustainable
energy initiatives, and provides a good practice example of an initiative
that seeks to contribute to sustainable transformation in the energy system through support for sufficiency-based lifestyles.
soCio-materiaL DynamiCs of househoLD energy
use in switzerLanD
A specificity in Switzerland is the system of central heating in buildings
with estimated individualized heating bills for apartment units, and little to no thermostats. With the exception of metering in private homes,
and the limited smart meters being deployed among households, there is
little opportunity to apprehend detailed individual consumption for heating in apartments, as these are often calculated on an annual basis and
bundled in with other utilities. Legislation in favour of individual bills
for heating and hot water has been in place since 1993 for new building constructions. Further revisions of this legislation (the most recent
one dated 2018) have included older building stock, albeit selectively.
In buildings that boast the Swiss energy-efficiency label, Minergie,
energy consumption is calculated by individual meters per apartment unit, and sophisticated floor heating systems result in the necessity to fine-tune hydraulic valves in order to adapt indoor temperatures.