H2 Barometer Switzerland, edition 3, April 2023

Independent assessment of the hydrogen economy in Switzerland by E-Bridge and Polynomics.

A comparison of the VSE's Energy Future 2050 and the SFOE's Energy Perspectives 2050+ on the future importance of hydrogen in the energy system shows the broad spectrum of possible scenarios. Central to the role of hydrogen in Switzerland are import prices and possible reconversion to electricity in the winter months. The import prices and also the available quantities are in turn strongly dependent on the development of the import corridors.

For business models with domestic hydrogen production, the tariff regulation for electricity purchases from the electricity grid is particularly relevant. The exemption of H2 electrolysis from grid usage fees is still politically open: Should the focus be on promoting energy storage in order to advance the transformation of the energy system, or on grid-serving use?

In order to include the potential for hydrogen in local energy planning, bottom-up analyses are necessary. The example of such a study for Germany shows that there are many different solutions for heat supply and that local conditions are decisive. Findings from local analyses should also be used in Switzerland to substantiate top-down scenarios of the federal government.

The H2 Barometer is published by the Swiss Gas Industry Association in collaboration with E-Bridge Consulting and Polynomics. The Barometer is published twice a year and available in German and French. You can receive future issues by registering here: