Bringt die Energiewende unser Stromnetz ans Limit? | Einstein | SRF Wissen

The energy transition is gaining momentum: more solar power, more heat pumps, more electric vehicles. The Swiss electricity grid isn't designed for this. But expansion is slow. Is the risk of a blackout increasing? How effective are new storage systems? And why aren't the power lines being laid underground? 🔔 Subscribe to SRF Wissen on YouTube now 👉    / @srfwissen   ⏰ A new episode of "Einstein" every Thursday at 5:30 pm More about the video ––––––––––––––––––––––––– The State of the Energy Transition in Switzerland Switzerland aims to largely phase out fossil fuels by 2050. Electricity demand is rising – while production is becoming increasingly volatile. Solar power from thousands of decentralized installations is gradually replacing nuclear power plants and supplementing hydropower. But the current electricity grid isn't designed for this. At Swissgrid's control center, it's clear that production and consumption increasingly need to be actively managed. The national transmission system operator is therefore planning billions in investments in new capacity – but many projects are delayed for years. Resistance to overhead lines – controversial underground cables Hardly any power line project goes unchallenged. In Valais and the Reuss Valley in Aargau, municipalities and interest groups are resisting new and taller pylons. Their demand: lay the lines underground. But Swissgrid warns that underground cables are more expensive, technically more complex, and jeopardize grid stability. Critics counter that modern technology allows for the safe operation of underground cables. The distribution grid under pressure It's not just the transmission grid that's under pressure. A major effort to manage the energy transition is taking place in the Swiss distribution grid. It comprises over 200,000 kilometers of lines and is operated by around 600 regional electricity companies. In neighborhoods, the power grids were once designed for refrigerators and stoves – today, more and more heat pumps, electric cars, and solar panels are being added. Costs are threatening to explode. Is the solar boom overwhelming the grid? The ongoing solar boom, in particular, is pushing the system to its limits. On sunny days, solar panels already produce more electricity than is consumed. In the future, this figure is expected to increase significantly. Feeding these peak loads into the grid would be expensive and often unnecessary, according to grid operators and experts. Batteries instead of expensive grid expansion Flexible tariffs and, above all, battery storage offer a solution. In the transmission grid, large batteries, such as the planned world's largest redox flow battery in Aargau, can play a crucial buffering role. In neighborhoods and individual homes, battery storage can prevent overpriced grid expansion. 👀 Watch now: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 Solar power from small-scale systems 03:10 Challenges of the energy transition in Switzerland 05:16 Consequences for Swissgrid's distribution network 12:02 Underground cables instead of overhead lines? 17:31 The underground cable of the future 20:47 Blackout horror scenario 25:08 Consequences for the lower levels of the distribution network 29:09 Optimizing electricity production and consumption with smart grids and batteries ________________________ ◾ Director: Andrea Fischli-Roth ◾ Editor: Jörg Niggli ◾ Host: Tobias Müller © 2026 SRF ________________________ This is Einstein: We tell stories that inform, educate, and entertain. There are virtually no limits to the range of topics. Everyday phenomena and mysteries are explored alongside complex scientific subjects. We make connections to bridge the gap between everyday life and science. Come along on a fascinating journey into the world of knowledge. A new episode of "Einstein" airs every Thursday at 5:30 pm. 📸 The "Einstein" presenting team on Instagram: ► Kathrin Hönegger:   / kathrinhoenegger   ► Tobias Müller:   / tobias._.mueller   👉 Would you like to suggest a topic? Then write to us at: [email protected] MORE KNOWLEDGE, EVERY WEEK ––––––––––––––––––––––––– 🔔 Subscribe to SRF Wissen on YouTube now and activate the bell: ► https://www.youtube.com/srfwissen?sub... 👇 More knowledge is available here: 📰 Knowledge to read: https://www.srf.ch/wissen 🎧 Knowledge to listen to: https://www.srf.ch/audio/themen/wissen 👀 Knowledge to watch: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/themen/wis... ________________________ 🧠 Channel info: Discover, experience, understand, be amazed – that's SRF Wissen on YouTube. Here you'll find fascinating videos on the topics of knowledge & science, environment & sustainability, and health, nature & animals. All bundled on one channel. ______ SRF's Social Media Netiquette: ► https://www.srf.ch/social-netiquette #SRFWissen #SRFEinstein #EnergiewendeSchweiz #WissenErleben #Wissenssendung #SRF #Doku