108 L. DoBIGNY AND M. SAHAKIAN
owners to switch from oil heating systems to heat pumps, or towards
insulation works); energy efficiency for appliances (through monetary incentives) as well as for cars (by enacting binding legislation); RE
implementation (via the introduction of monetary schemes similar to
feed-in tariffs in other European countries); the promotion of RE production and usage among households and at the neighbourhood level;
and smart metering in households. Smart technologies are in a pilot
phase, but a recent report by the Swiss government signals that such
technologies are on the rise—put forward with the hope of engendering greater energy efficiencies in relation to systems of distribution.
The Swiss government is also supporting research in energy transitions,
focused mainly on technical innovations, but with more modest financial support dedicated to socio-economic aspects of energy production
and consumption.
Due to the Swiss energy system, made up of mostly local and public
utilities, and a participative democracy where citizens engage with energy
issues (through regional and national referendums), there is a degree
of trust in the local utilities by the general population, and towards the
energy transition.
trenDs in energy initiatives aimeD
at swiss househoLDs
In Swiss campaigns, and when it comes to tackling the demand side
of energy usage, individual actions and efficiency measures are mainly
being promoted: for example, turning off lights and appliances, changing old energy-intensive appliances for more efficient models (e.g.
fridge), or other technical changes in the household (e.g. buying LED
bulbs, by offering a special discount), among others. Local utilities,
federal institutions, environmental NGos and associations mostly lead
these campaigns. There are also some efforts to promote solidarity
between the so-called Global North and Global South: for example,
initiatives to save energy in Switzerland, with savings invested in RE
schemes elsewhere.
A key characteristic in Switzerland is the number of Sustainable
Energy Consumption Initiatives (SECIs) that are led by academics and research teams. This is due to an ambitious national research
owners to switch from oil heating systems to heat pumps, or towards
insulation works); energy efficiency for appliances (through monetary incentives) as well as for cars (by enacting binding legislation); RE
implementation (via the introduction of monetary schemes similar to
feed-in tariffs in other European countries); the promotion of RE production and usage among households and at the neighbourhood level;
and smart metering in households. Smart technologies are in a pilot
phase, but a recent report by the Swiss government signals that such
technologies are on the rise—put forward with the hope of engendering greater energy efficiencies in relation to systems of distribution.
The Swiss government is also supporting research in energy transitions,
focused mainly on technical innovations, but with more modest financial support dedicated to socio-economic aspects of energy production
and consumption.
Due to the Swiss energy system, made up of mostly local and public
utilities, and a participative democracy where citizens engage with energy
issues (through regional and national referendums), there is a degree
of trust in the local utilities by the general population, and towards the
energy transition.
trenDs in energy initiatives aimeD
at swiss househoLDs
In Swiss campaigns, and when it comes to tackling the demand side
of energy usage, individual actions and efficiency measures are mainly
being promoted: for example, turning off lights and appliances, changing old energy-intensive appliances for more efficient models (e.g.
fridge), or other technical changes in the household (e.g. buying LED
bulbs, by offering a special discount), among others. Local utilities,
federal institutions, environmental NGos and associations mostly lead
these campaigns. There are also some efforts to promote solidarity
between the so-called Global North and Global South: for example,
initiatives to save energy in Switzerland, with savings invested in RE
schemes elsewhere.
A key characteristic in Switzerland is the number of Sustainable
Energy Consumption Initiatives (SECIs) that are led by academics and research teams. This is due to an ambitious national research