Sixth call for proposals for SWEET funding programme launched
Bern, 06.07.2023 - The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) has launched the sixth call for proposals under the SWEET (SWiss Energy Research for the Energy Transition) funding programme. The guiding theme of the call, which has a total budget of CHF 8 million, is 'Critical Infrastructures, Climate Change, and Resilience of the Swiss Energy System'. This call is a joint activity with the National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS). The deadline for applications is 18 October 2023.
The focus of the sixth call for proposals is on critical infrastructures, such as power plants, dams, and the power grid. The research questions centre on:
- How does the changing energy system affect critical infrastructures?
- How vulnerable is the energy system to technical, natural, and societal hazards?
- What can be done to mitigate the risks for the energy system and society and make the energy system more resilient?
The term 'energy system' here refers to the evolving system. This also addresses the impacts of events such as the decommissioning of nuclear power plants, as well as trends such as increasing electrification, decentralisation of the power supply and digitalisation of the energy system (cyber risks). Of particular interest are hazards that are caused or exacerbated by climate change.
The 2020 national risk analysis by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) found that two of the top ten risks were related to the energy system. This call for proposals was therefore prepared in close collaboration with the FOCP and the National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS). The consortium resulting from the call will contribute to the cross-sectoral programme "NCCS-Impacts".
The call will be conducted in two stages. Consortia can submit pre-proposals by 18 October 2023. The two consortia with the highest-ranking pre-proposals will be invited to submit full proposals. One consortium will be selected for funding. The call budget of at most CHF 8 million will be awarded for a term of 6 years. The results of the sixth call are expected to be announced in July 2024, and the research work is scheduled to start in October 2024.
Details of the entry conditions are set out in the 'Call Guideline' (attached to this press release).
SWEET (SWiss Energy Research for the Energy Transition) funding programme
The SWEET programme issues rolling calls for proposals for consortium projects and will continue until 2032. Funding is provided only for consortium projects that address central research topics of the 2050 Energy Strategy and Switzerland's long-term climate strategy in a comprehensive manner. SWEET focuses on solution-oriented research and on demonstrations of the results achieved. The SFOE has the lead for the SWEET programme.
National Centre for Climate Services
The NCCS is a network and coordination body made up of nine federal offices (including the SFOE) and research institutions. It brings together existing climate services, promotes dialogue between actors and works collaboratively to develop and communicate appropriately tailored information, procedures and solutions. A programme on cross-sectoral impacts of climate change ('NCCS-Impacts') aims to develop practical climate services for public administration, business and society by the end of 2025.
Address for enquiries
SFOE Media Office, 058 460 81 52
Office of the NCCS, 058 460 96 63
Publisher
Swiss Federal Office of Energy
http://www.bfe.admin.ch
