Energy in different forms is an essential key resource in today’s society. In order to prevent a severe shortage or to be able to cope with one without major damage to the economy and society, the Energy Division (in some cases the Industry and ICT divisions as well) devises measures for electricity, natural gas, oil and wood.
Overview of measures
Measures concerning electricity
Appeal to reduce electricity consumption
Restrictions of use and prohibitions
Power quotas and immediate quotas
Grid shut-downs
Stockholding of emergency electricity pylons
ICT resilience measures in the electricity sector
Life without electricity is unimaginable these days – almost nothing works without it. However, we should be conscious of the fact that the supply of electrical power is not endless and shortages are possible.
In the event of an electricity shortage, the National Economic Supply NES would appeal to the population to reduce electricity consumption voluntarily – at home, at work or during leisure time. This would prevent or delay for as long as possible prescribed measures for restricting or prohibiting power consumption.
The Confederation may restrict or prohibit the consumption of electrical power. This step can already be taken in parallel with the appeals to reduce electricity consumption. The restrictions and bans are designed in escalation steps, starting with comfort restrictions such as the ban on object lighting to drastic measures such as plant closures.
The goal is to implement interventions that are optimally adapted to the respective situation, depending on the supply situation, meteorological conditions and the consequences for the economy and population. Vital goods and services must not be significantly affected. Depending on the supply situation, the EAER may adjust the lists of restrictions and prohibitions in a power shortage situation.
This measure is put into effect by ordinance. The cantons are responsible for monitoring compliance with this measure. Although only a limited percentage of electrical energy can be saved through the use of this measure, it is of great psychological importance for the management discipline of the population. It makes it clear that the country is in an exceptional situation.
Quota system and immediate quota system affect end consumers with an annual consumption of at least 100 MWh. These are more than 34,000 large consumers, who account for almost half of Switzerland's electricity consumption. In addition to the large savings potential, focusing on this group of consumers has the advantage that the measure can be implemented in a binding manner and its effect can be measured quickly.
The quota is set for one day (immediate quota) or one month. With the monthly quota, large consumers can use the quota according to their needs spread over the month. OSTRAL is entrusted with the implementation of this measure.
The quota system is an essential measure to prevent grid disconnections. No exceptions are foreseen. However, the economy and in particular the operators of infrastructures for supplying the country with vital goods and services are dependent on a flexible approach to quotas. Therefore, a solution is being sought for the passing on of quotas.
Grid shut-downs are envisaged as the last possible measure. They are intended to prevent a comprehensive grid collapse and thus a blackout. For this purpose, individual sub-grid areas in the electricity grid are switched off in turn. OSTRAL is responsible for implementing this measure.
Consumer groups with vital services, such as energy and water supply, emergency services or basic medical care, can be exempted from grid disconnections if this is technically possible, but this is likely to be the case only in isolated cases. The consequences for the economy and the population would be serious, with severe restrictions. Therefore, everything possible is being done to prevent grid disconnections.
The largest electricity supply companies have agreed to support each other in the event of a crisis under the ‘Universaltragwerke für die Stromverteilung’ agreement (Universal support structures for electricity distribution). In order to ensure the distribution of electricity, they undertake to keep one emergency pylon in stock and to rent it out to each other in times of crisis. In the event that a regular structure fails, the universal support structure is used as a temporary solution. This allows the disconnected power line to be quickly put back into operation.
Industry recommendations define a minimum standard for guaranteeing ICT services in electricity companies. Specific measures – best practices – are defined for electricity companies whose services are vital to supply (grid levels 1 to 4). Industry players at lower grid levels are required to implement these recommendations in line with their level wherever possible.
Measures concerning natural gas
Appeals to reduce gas consumption
Non-contractual switch away from natural gas
Management of single-fuel gas systems
If there is a shortage of natural gas, the NES's goal is to reduce demand in order to deal with the bottleneck. A gas shortage could severely affect the daily lives of several hundred thousand people. However, gas consumption can be reduced with measures that are acceptable to both private individuals and companies.
Reducing natural gas consumption in private households
Room temperature
Hot water
Cooking
Set the temperature on the heating system/thermostat/radiator valve correctly or be aware of your heating energy consumption!
You can reduce the maximum temperature for the heating system or for the room thermostats or radiator valves according to how you use a room or building.
The rule of thumb when heating is: for each degree you reduce the room temperature, you save up to six per cent gas and costs. Here are a few tips on how to save on heating:
- The recommended maximum room temperature is 18 °C in the living/dining room, kitchen and WC, 15 °C in adjoining rooms (hallway), 22 °C in the bathroom, 16 °C in bedrooms and 20 °C in children's rooms.
- Reduce the room temperature at night as well: turn down radiators at least one hour before going to bed, and floor heating three hours before going to bed. Only switch back to recommended full operating temperature one to three hours before getting up[HPB1] .
- Reduce the room temperature even more in rooms that you rarely use. Keep the doors to these rooms closed.
- If you are not at home for a longer period of time, reduce the room temperature even more. Please note, however, that reheating a room after it has cooled down too much requires a comparatively large amount of energy.
- Reduce the temperature to an absolute minimum in unoccupied rooms and holiday homes. However, make sure that no frost damage can occur.
- The same applies in administrative buildings belonging to industrial companies, service companies, hotels, shopping centres and leisure centres: reduce the room temperature to 18 degrees.
Use warm water carefully!
- Take a shower instead of a bath.
- Do not wash dishes under the tap. Put water in the sink instead.
- Repair dripping taps and leaking cisterns.
- When brushing teeth, shaving, washing dishes, etc., do not leave the hot water tap running.
- Use flow restrictors – tap and shower attachments that help save water.
- If you are going to be away for more than five days, it is worth switching off the hot water heating.
- Switch off unused systems completely or leave them running at a minimum to avoid frost damage.
Look for products that can be prepared quickly and do not require long cooking times!
Reducing natural gas consumption in companies
Companies with dual-fuel installations
Some Swiss companies have dual-fuel installations that work with both natural gas and oil. If there is a gas shortage, they can switch to using oil and – in the event of a general fuel shortage ‒ also draw on the compulsory stocks that have been set up for this purpose.
In the event of a severe shortage, companies that do not have dual-fuel systems must expect their consumption to be rationed or, in the worst case, that they will even have to stop operating.
Switching a dual fuel installation from gas to oil is a common practice in the natural gas industry regulated on a contractual basis. In the event of disruption to supply, switchovers can be ordered for the duration of the crisis, in addition to those contractually agreed between gas suppliers and consumers. The aim is to ensure that supply can be maintained to customers with non-convertible systems. By switching to oil, dual fuel installations can continue to operate without restriction. This measure will reduce the overall consumption of natural gas within a short period of time.
If the shortage of natural gas cannot be compensated for by appealing to people to reduce consumption and by switching dual fuel systems to oil, consumption can be further reduced by introducing supply quotas for major customers.
In this case, the customers concerned are only entitled to a restricted quantity of gas (quota) for a certain period of time or they can only consume natural gas at certain times.
Measures concerning oil
Release of compulsory stocks
Accompanying measures
Aviation fuel quotas
Petrol and diesel rationing
Heating oil management
In Switzerland compulsory stocks have to be held of a number of essential goods. This means that certain sectors of the economy are required to maintain stocks of these goods as a contribution to security of supply. The Confederation supervises and subsidises the maintenance of these compulsory stocks. The essential goods concerned are: foodstuffs (certain foods and fertilisers), energy (e.g. petrol, heating oil) and therapeutic products (antibiotics, painkillers, insulin preparations). More information on this topic can be found under Strategic stockpiling.
Compulsory stocks can be released within 1 to 2 weeks, ensuring goods remain available in the case of a disruption to supply.
As a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Switzerland is obliged to support emergency energy measures decided on by the agency, even if our country is fully supplied.
There are a number of other measures that can be taken either individually or in combination in support of the main measures. ‘Soft’ measures are intended to encourage people to save fuel on a voluntary basis. Appeals are made to drive in a more energy-efficient way, to form car pools, to use public transport instead of private vehicles and to reduce travel for leisure purposes.
Other measures such as introducing legislation to reduce speed limits also help to reduce fuel consumption.
In addition to the release of compulsory stocks, quotas can be introduced for the use of aviation fuel: sales of aviation fuel can be restricted, meaning consumption at Swiss airports will fall. This measure is aimed at importers and dealers who have concluded supply contracts with the airlines at Swiss airports, as well as at domestic and foreign airlines which purchase aviation fuel at Swiss airports.
If quotas are introduced, suppliers are obliged to supply their existing contract partners with the calculated quota at the beginning of the quota period.
Fuel rationing may be introduced to limit consumption in the event of a considerable and prolonged fuel shortage in the country, thus safeguarding transport and the continued functioning of the economy.
During a rationing period of two months, fuel can only be purchased at manned petrol stations with a fuel ration card. These are no longer valid after the end of a period of rationing. Ration cards are distributed by the communes.
In order to keep administration to a minimum, largely uniform allocations are made. The ration cards are transferable. This means that vehicle owners’ individual needs can be better met. Certain consumer groups, such as the emergency services or the postal service, will be dealt with differently.
The consumption of heating oil can be managed and reduced in the event of serious and prolonged supply crises.
Individual average annual consumption of heating oil over the previous two years is taken as the basis for calculating the amount of heating oil required. These figures are provided by operators of heating systems or other heating oil consumers and are verified by the communes.
Heating system operators are free to choose their supplier and the size of individual deliveries. However, oil may only be delivered when an oil tank is less then half full.
Measures concerning wood energy
Increasing lumber production
In the event of a severe energy crisis, the domestic raw material wood can be used to partially compensate for the fuel shortage, especially for supplying heat. Wood meets around five percent of Switzerland’s energy requirements.
Because timber can be stored for a long time, existing stocks could meet the normal requirements over two winters if demand remains constant. However, if demand increases sharply, additional lumber might have to be made available in time for a second winter of fuel shortages. In an acute energy crisis, it has to be assumed that the demand for wood will increase sharply, which may lead to a supply shortage. In such a situation, in view of the considerable potential of the available forest, increasing lumber production is an effective measure to mitigate an energy supply crisis.
Last modification 28.11.2023
