– Classification of themes – All

08 Août Swiss industry’s innovative capacity 1997–2014: reassessed

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
August 2018

Authors: Hans-Peter Herzig, Rita Hofmann, Claudia Schärer, Peter Seitz Main themes: innovation Nature of publication: study Switzerland regularly comes top of rankings evaluating countries’ innovative capacity. Despite this positive assessment, an increasing number of voices are noting an alarming decline in the innovative capacity of Swiss industry. Where does the truth lie?  

08 Avr Renewable energy production is head of the pack

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
April 2018

Authors: Bjarne Steffen, Dominique Hischier, Tobias S. Schmidt Main themes: energy Nature of publication: study Specialists of the Energy Politics Group at ETH Zurich were commissioned by SATW to analyse - for the first time ever - the total energy balance of key forms of power production in Switzerland using standardised methodology. The study examined natural gas, geothermal energy, nuclear power, photovoltaics, coal, hydro power, and wind power and firstly calculated their non-renewable cumulative energy demand required to build and supply a system and for power production. For fossil fuel production processes and nuclear power, this is first and foremost the energy in the relevant fuel (gas, coal, uranium). The second element determined was the energy return on energy investment (EROI), which describes the relationship between the power produced and the (‘grey’) energy invested across a system’s entire life cycle. These key figures were used to assess total energy balance. Hydro power’s total energy balance is outstanding. What is impressive is how much it outstrips other forms of power production in terms of its energy return on energy investment.

08 Août Critical metals: How Swiss industry can look ahead

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
August 2017

Authors: Alessandra Hool, Hans-Jörg Althaus, Christian Hagelüken, Ernst Lutz, Armin Reller, Patrick Wäger, Bruno Walser, Margarethe Hofmann Main themes: resources, metals Nature of publication: workshop results The term “critical raw materials” refers to raw materials (and in particularly metals) defined by the European Union as being urgently needed for this business location in the future but presenting, due to their unsecure supply, risks for the European economy – this affects Rare Earth Elements as well as other elements such as indium, cobalt, tungsten and many more. Participants from research, industry, medium-sized companies, associations, and politics came together in a workshop to discuss ways in which Switzerland could respond to the threat of supply bottlenecks for critical raw materials. They identified obstacles preventing the topic from being suitably prioritised by companies, attributed involved key stakeholders, and discussed ways of establishing greater transparency in the field of critical raw materials. The greatest challenge was identified as being not a lack of data, but rather an unclear and dispersed flow of information, few opportunities for companies to individually gather information, and a lack of knowledge on strategies for handling raw materials limitations. The greatest challenge facing Switzerland and Europe is to increase awareness of the issues surrounding secure supply of raw materials. The short brochure offers an overview of the topic, focusing on Switzerland in particular, and provides recommendations.

08 Mai Technology Outlook 2017

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
May 2017

Authors: Claudia Schärer et al. Main themes: early identification, technology Nature of publication: study One of SATW’s key missions is early identification of new, possibly disruptive technologies that will become relevant for Switzerland’s economy and society in the next three to five years. Every two years, the SATW therefore publishes the Technology Outlook. The current report presents 31 technologies drawn from the fields most relevant to the Swiss economy .

08 Fév Big data – ethical challenges for companies

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
February 2017

Authors: Christian Hauser, Helene Blumer, Markus Christen, Lorenz Hilty, Markus Huppenbauer, Tony Kaiser Main themes: Big Data Nature of publication: study Who we are, what we do and who we communicate with are all now routinely recorded by countless devices. This is not targeted monitoring but rather an inherent characteristic of digital technology. In addition, data are increasingly easy to store and evaluate using ever more complex procedures. Some people view these developments as signifying tremendous potential for innovation, whilst others perceive a sword of Damocles hanging over privacy and personal freedom. Although both points of view are widely touted, the discussion of big data (and of the very term itself) remains in its infancy. To investigate this topic, experts at SATW have spent a year and a half examining big data at the interface between companies and their customers. These specialists have developed five current and potential future applications of big data and identified eight ethical standards and values that could be affected by big data. Their findings have been used to formulate recommendations for action for government and business that will aid in facilitating the development of big data technology and compliance with ethical frameworks.

08 Déc Dealing with risks – old and new challenges

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
December 2016

Authors: Wolfgang Kröger et al. Main themes: risk Nature of publication: white paper The term risk still varies in its scope, and depending on the relevant community may be limited to the consequences of an undesired event or may also include positive aspects and opportunities. There is no universal definition, while the key elements of risk – in particular “probability” and its interplay with other elements – are frequently poorly understood. We are often left perplexed by residual uncertainties which may result from a lack of knowledge or the inherent randomness of events (take earthquake as an example), with the same going for the handling of residual risk. The simple risk concept with a multiplicative combination of frequency and consequence is often considered inappropriate for events with a high level of damage (despite their admitted rarity), asserting aversion to risk – as is for example common in the nuclear sector. These challenges (some old, some new) and touted opportunities were the subject of a workshop in November 2013. The aim of this white paper is to present a collection of selected articles to interested parties.