SPIN DAY 2024: A Milestone for Scaling Up Power-to-X Production in Switzerland’s Energy Transition

On November 7, 2024, SPIN DAY took place in Schlieren. It was the second of the Power-to-X DAYS, organized by the Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network (SPIN) in collaboration with Avenergy and Swissmem. For the first time, representatives from finance, industry, technology, science, politics, and public administration gathered to address a crucial question: How can we effectively scale up Power-to-X production for a successful energy transition?

Power-to-X is seen as a cornerstone in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and achieving both national and international climate goals. This was underscored by speeches of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin in the morning and Zurich’s Councillor Carmen Walker Späh in the afternoon. Both highlighted the critical role of Power-to-X and Power-to-Gas technologies in their addresses. Zurich, for instance, plans to establish a competence center for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to accelerate this energy solution, while the federal government is actively supporting Power-to-X projects.

Building the Energy Transition: Dialogue as the Foundation for Progress

SPIN DAY underscored the importance of overcoming barriers between sectors and fostering trust to achieve the energy transition goals. Participants gained valuable insights through keynote speeches and panel discussions. National Councillor Martin Bäumle discussed the essential political frameworks required to support the scaling of Power-to-X and hydrogen technology, while Hans Hess of Synhelion outlined the requirements for building a synthetic fuel production infrastructure. Finance was represented by Felix Schneider from Hy24, who detailed the conditions necessary to attract investment in Power-to-X projects. Complementing these insights, Dr. Anna Gawlikowska of Swiss AI AG explained how artificial intelligence can enhance planning for Power-to-Gas and hydrogen infrastructure. Following the keynotes, representatives of UBS, Porsche, AlphaSynt and National Councillor Monika Rüegger discussed conclusions and how the different sectors can better work together towards the common goal of defossilizing the energy and mobility sectors.

Workshops as a Catalyst for Energy Transition Solutions

A key part of SPIN DAY was the afternoon workshops, where participants developed actionable ideas and identified risks and challenges. The workshops focused on financing models, regulatory hurdles, and incentivizing investment in Power-to-X and hydrogen projects. These interactive working sessions showcased the potential of cross-sector collaboration to drive the scale-up of Power-to-X production (Power-to-Liquid and Power-to-Gas) technologies essential for a successful energy transition.

Looking Ahead: Outcomes and Ongoing Collaboration for Scaling Power-to-X

The workshop outcomes will be reviewed and published in the coming weeks. These results will document SPIN DAY’s progress and serve as a foundation for further dialogue and cooperation. SPIN remains committed to supporting a strong network of stakeholders and actively promoting the practical implementation of these insights.

Conclusion: SPIN DAY 2024 as a Catalyst for Power-to-X, Hydrogen, and Power-to-Gas in Switzerland’s Energy Transition

SPIN DAY 2024 demonstrated that scaling up Power-to-X and hydrogen technologies is a technical challenge. It is also a collaborative effort across sectors. The connection between politics, finance, and industry lays a cornerstone for Switzerland’s energy transition. SPIN DAY was a successful step toward a sustainable, energy-independent Switzerland powered by hydrogen, Power-to-Liquid, Power-to-Gas, and other renewable-based solutions.

Erste Eindrücke vom SPIN DAY 24: