Urban resilience of Electricity Grids: A comparison between Switzerland and the USA

Electricity grids are the backbone of modern cities, ensuring uninterrupted energy access for homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. As urbanization accelerates and climate challenges intensify, the resilience of these grids has become increasingly vital. A comparison between Switzerland and the United States reveals two contrasting systems, each with valuable lessons for building more resilient urban energy networks.

Switzerland a stable and forward-thinking grid

Switzerland is known for its reliable electricity supply. This is based on a mix of stable infrastructure, renewable energies and a highly networked supply. However, the issue of grid stability is becoming increasingly relevant in this context to ensure that the entire grid does not collapse. But what characterizes the complex but stable system in Switzerland?

Decentralized power generation:

Hydropower plants supply around 60% of the electricity. Their decentralized distribution reduces risks such as large-scale outages caused by natural disasters.

Difficulty of the integration in renewable energies:

Photovoltaics and to some extent wind power are increasingly being integrated into the grid. The federal government is pursuing ambitious goals where more than 40 percent of future electricity requirements are to be covered by photovoltaics by 2050. However, these integrations can make it challenging as photovoltaics can cause grid instability if not managed well. Various projects are on-going for supporting stable energy distribution through intelligent grids (“smart grids”).

EKZ (energy supplier of the canton of Zurich) is undertaking various local authority projects in this context, ranging from smart charging stations for cars and e-bikes (Wädenswil and Effretikon) to smart villages (Richterswil). The latter begins with intelligent lighting that combines safety and well-being. In addition to monitoring of the village stream, further  infrastructure projects are to be developed.

High infrastructure investment costs:

High infrastructure investments ensure regular modernization and maintenance, minimizing outages and enhancing grid resilience. These efforts guarantee reliable electricity access for Swiss households now and in the future.

Challenges and Opportunities in a Vast Grid

The US has one of the world's largest power grids. The size comes with its own challenges especially in today's changing climate.

Ageing infrastructure
Many sections of the grid are decades old and prone to outages. Between 2000 and 2020, the frequency of large-scale power outages increased significantly not only related to the ageing infrastructure but also:

Extreme weather conditions:

Hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters regularly affect the grid. In particularly vulnerable regions such as Florida during hurricane season or California where forest fires often lead to precautionary shutdowns to prevent further damage.

Fragmented grid structure:
The US electricity grid is divided into three large regions (West, East and Texas grid), complicating inter-regional energy sharing and limiting the grid’s ability to adapt to renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

However, resilience efforts like New York’s microgrids and state-level renewable initiatives such as California’s solar investments are paving the way for a more adaptive energy future.

Building Resilient Grids: Lessons for the Future

Switzerland’s decentralized and renewable-driven grid provides a compelling model of stability and proactive planning. Its investments in innovation and local projects could guide other nations in building smarter, more sustainable systems.

Meanwhile, the U.S. demonstrates the power of adaptability and localized solutions, with microgrids offering a path forward for urban centers facing aging infrastructure and climate risks.

By combining Switzerland’s stability with the U.S.’s innovation, nations worldwide can create electricity grids that not only withstand today’s challenges but thrive in tomorrow’s uncertain climate.

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Wasserkraft Schweiz: Statistik 2023

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