Those responsible in the canton have outlined what could happen if Switzerland ran out of energy.
Electric cars could be largely banned in a shortage.
While the fountains in the city of Zurich have already been switched off to save electricity and, above all, to set an example, there is still an almost demonstrative normality in the canton.
Readiness level 1 still applies, the lowest of four levels in the escalation model of the national economic supply, said Daniel Bucher, head of networks at the cantonal electricity supplier EKZ, on Tuesday in front of the media. “BG 1”, that is the normal state.
“Of course, no one can know whether it will stay that way,” added Zurich building director Martin Neukom (Greens), “but the canton is considering what if”. So what would happen if there were actually smaller or larger energy deficits in winter.
There are three cantonal scenarios. They don’t have military-inspired designations such as “degree of readiness”, but are simply called “good”, “medium” and “poor”.
“Good” means that the winter is warm, electricity imports are working and there are few restrictions on gas. In this case, voluntary restrictions are enough to reduce electricity consumption by five percent and a switch from gas to oil heating to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent.
Things get a little more critical in the “medium” scenario: the winter is cold, electricity and gas imports are only available to a limited extent. Then the first stricter measures would come into force, such as reducing the opening hours of indoor pools. That would reduce consumption by a further ten percent. In addition, emergency power generators and reserve power plants would be put into operation, which increased the amount of electricity by 5 percent.
The third scenario, “bad”, describes a cold winter and severely restricted electricity and gas imports. There would also be another unexpected event, for example a failure of a Swiss nuclear power plant. Then there would be quotas. Large consumers would have to reduce their electricity consumption. That could reduce consumption by a further 15 percent.
Secret plans in vault
If all else fails, there would even be cyclic shutdowns, which would cost another 20 to 30 percent. Large areas of the canton of Zurich would then be alternately temporarily without electricity. The plans for this are in a safe, said EKZ man Daniel Bucher.
First, a model is planned in which half of the canton is alternately without electricity for four hours or twelve hours a day. In a second model, the canton is divided into three; each area would then be without power for eight hours.
“So that the same communities would not always be without electricity at the same hours, the downtimes would be shifted by one hour at the weekend,” said Bucher. He emphasized that Switzerland and Zurich are currently far away from such an extreme scenario.
Not only the federal government and the canton are required, but also the municipalities. According to Jörg Kündig, President of the Association of Municipal Councils in the Canton of Zurich, it is important to “plan for the worst and hope for the best”.
The canton of Zurich recently published a guide as a tool for the municipalities. That Document describes in detailwhat to do if there is a major energy shortage.
It becomes clear that it will not necessarily remain with appeals. Among other things, the municipalities have to develop a control concept with the trade police and “participate in the control and enforcement of the measures”. Additional tasks would be coordinated with the municipalities on the initiative of the canton police.
Tumble dryers could be banned
Large consumers would be primarily affected by the restrictions and controls, but private households could also be affected. The Federal Council would decide exactly how, depending on the situation. In the Zurich document, however, there are initial indications in the appendix.
Among other things, tumble dryers could be banned. In addition, the use of electric cars could be restricted. They should only be taken out of the garage for “essential journeys”. This includes trips to work, to the doctor, to go shopping, to court dates – and, somewhat surprisingly, “for attending religious events”.
In the event of a power shortage, the Müller family could drive to church in their Tesla on Sundays, but not afterwards to the cinema or to grandmother’s for coffee and cake.
The authors of the guide emphasize that these rules are only exemplary and non-binding. The Federal Council would have to decide anyway. But they show what restrictions are at least being considered for private individuals.
Cantonal employees have it warmer
The cantonal authorities also want to save energy for themselves, but as with the city of Zurich fountains, it is more about symbolism than about real contributions: the canton, said Neukom, with its entire administration and all its institutions, consumes only 0.6 percent of the Zurich fountain electricity
Overall, the canton wants to be a little less strict with its employees than the city of Zurich: while the temperature in the city offices, schools and authorities is reduced to 19 degrees, the thermometer in the canton’s administration buildings should not fall below 20 degrees.