Costless energy courtesy of the sun

The underlying dilemma is clear: sooner or later, fossil energy reserves will be exhausted. Reason enough not to delay the search for and implementation of alternatives. Indeed, numerous innovations for harnessing renewable energy in the housebuilding sector have culminated in the zero-energy building. The fact that energy-efficient design is not confined to new-build projects was admirably underlined by Zurich-based architect Karl Viridén. His alteration scheme to a century-old property in the Kreis 4 district of Zurich demonstrated that the passive building standard and a tenfold reduction in energy consumption are achievable even with old building fabric.

2,000 watts are ample

Mark Zimmermann, head of EMPA's Centre for Energy and Sustainability in Buildings (ZEN), outlined his vision of the 2,000-watt society. This assumes a cut in the energy requirement per head population to the 1960 level, equal to roughly one-third of present average consumption. Key demands include the use of renewable sources to cover three quarters of our energy requirement and a general reduction in energy consumption over the next 50 years combined with a significant rise in energy efficiency.

From PR ploy to flourishing trade sector

Improved energy efficiency was also the focus of Kai Deponte's paper. BP Solar's European Marketing Chief is seeking further refinements to the photovoltaic systems produced by his company, a global leader in the field and currently boasting an 18% share of the world market. Ultimately, however, greater energy consciousness is the key issue. As Deponte pointed out, "To achieve a broader awareness among the population, you have to show where energy comes from."

Petroleum giant BP is serious about alternative energies. The BP photovoltaics subsidiary, formed nearly 30 years ago in response to criticism from environmental campaigners, is now big business and is looking to secure a hefty slice of the future billion-dollar market.

The wind also blows for free

Like photovoltaic panels, wind farms can tap into a practically unlimited source of energy. Thea Hefti from Zürcher Windcraft AG described the design and use of wind generators in the context of specific projects. "Wind energy is a marketable commodity that complements other energy sources," she announced to her audience, citing Germany as a shining example. "In April 2000, our northern neighbour introduced the most progressive legislation worldwide for the promotion of renewables (Renewable Energy Law, EEG), which obliges grid operators to buy renewable power and guarantees a minimum rate for the generator." This naturally makes investing in renewable energy technology much easier, a fact emphasized by BP representative Deponte, who singled out the EEG as a key reason for the 60% plus growth in photovoltaic systems in the past year alone.

Hefti also hopes that the first offshore wind parks, soon to be erected in the world's oceans, will provide a further fillip to the wind energy boom. "The wind industry has already outstripped the computer branch and is the most rapidly growing sector worldwide."

Eco-fund hits rock bottom

Seen from Erol Bilecen's perspective, on the other hand, the boom has already tailed off. The fund manager at Bank Sarasin reported a downturn in the sustainable investment sector which wiped 63% of the value of assets between May 2001 and October 2002. Regrettably, the knock-on effect was to deprive the market of badly needed finance for a concerted, long-term promotion of renewables. Even the sustainability sector, it appears, is not immune to the vicissitudes of the economy. All the more ironical, then, was Bilecen's conclusion that at least the long-term outlook for sustainable investments was positive, given that "sooner or later non-renewable energy sources will all be used up".

The people do get it wrong after all…

Swiss National Councillor Regine Aeppli pondered the failure of politics – with the blessing of the nation. "The Swiss habitually say ‘no’ to everything," she declared provocatively, alluding to a string of lost referenda on energy issues in recent years. "The people are supposedly always right," she stated. "But where energy is concerned, I have my doubts." Calling for a rethink in Switzerland, she proposed the internalization of external costs. Aeppli believes that fossil fuel prices are still, without reason, kept artificially low and places the blame squarely on the powerful business/middle-class lobby. At the same time, she pledged a new energy initiative aimed at introducing to Switzerland the key planks of the German EEG legislation, which was much lauded by the conference delegates.

Oil or sun, war or peace

Hans Alt, German television presenter and committed campaigner for renewable energies, looked even further into the future. He views as contemptuous the current sabre-rattling of the sole remaining superpower and its covert policy of securing existing crude oil reserves by using military force if necessary. A nightmare scenario, based on estimates by reinsurer Munich Re which assumes no change in peoples’ behaviour, puts the cost of remedying environmental damage by 2050 above the aggregate gross national product of all countries of the world. As Alt pointed out to his audience, "In a world where over 100 species of flora and fauna become extinct every day, mankind too is living on borrowed time."

In Hans Alt's view, a sustainable energy policy is the only solution to the dilemma. "We consume as much energy in a single day as nature produced in 500,000," he noted, calling for a greater use of solar and wind energy in response to shrinking fossil fuel reserves. "Politics naturally has to perform a regulatory function and create the necessary framework. Only thus will renewables gain wholehearted acceptance." For Alt, the solution to the problem of mankind's survival lies in the heavens, in the form of "a sun that sends us 15,000 times more energy than we need". He closed with the rhetorical question as to whether people will finally embrace the light in the sky or continue to peer into black holes in the earth. The future is in our hands.

Pascal Lorenzini