The energy transition requires more than renewable electricity. To reach climate goals and ensure a stable energy supply, we need solutions that can store renewable energy and make it usable across different sectors. This is where Power-to-X comes into play.
Power-to-X (PtX) is an umbrella term for technologies that convert renewable electricity into other forms of energy or valuable products. One of the most widely discussed applications is Power-to-Gas. In this process, electricity from solar or wind power is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen can either be used directly as a clean energy carrier or combined with recycled CO₂ to produce synthetic methane. Both options create a versatile energy source that can be stored, transported, and used in industry, mobility, or heating.
The benefits are clear:
- Energy storage: Power-to-Gas makes it possible to store renewable energy over long periods, bridging gaps when sun or wind are not available.
- Sector coupling: By converting electricity into gas, renewable energy can be integrated into existing infrastructures, such as natural gas grids.
- Climate neutrality: When produced with renewable electricity, hydrogen and synthetic gases can replace fossil fuels in hard-to-defossilize sectors.
In Switzerland the Power-to-Gas Congress by Energie-Cluster brings together stakeholders from industry, research, and politics to discuss how PtX can support the Swiss energy transition. It provides insights into the current state of technology, pilot projects, and the regulatory framework needed to scale up these solutions.
One of the highlights will be a presentation by Thorsten Herdan, CEO of HIF EMEA, a leading company in the field of synthetic fuels. He will address the challenges of scaling up Power-to-Liquid production, which relies on hydrogen as a key intermediate product. Power-to-Liquid enables the production of sustainable fuels for aviation, shipping, and road transport—sectors where direct electrification is difficult. Herdan’s perspective underlines how closely connected Power-to-Gas and Power-to-Liquid are within the broader Power-to-X landscape.
Expect also some exciting news about next year’s event and be a live witness.
As the discussion shows, Power-to-X is more than a technological vision—it is becoming a practical tool for building a sustainable, resilient, and climate-friendly energy system.