The United States of America and Switzerland are currently undergoing a fundamental transformation of the energy sector that poses huge new challenges to society, science, economy and politics. Tackling these challenges will require the most brilliant minds in both countries. The Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days from August 19 - 21, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland, will bring them all togeth¬er in order to exchange perspectives, and to share expertise and practical experiences in the emerging new energy world. Around 300 high-level representatives have registered for the different workshops and events. The 2015 edition of the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days focuses on Integrated Building Systems. Organized under the auspices of the Swiss Minister of Energy Doris Leuthard, the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days offer a unique platform for high-level attendees from both the North American and Swiss energy communities to showcase the best energy technologies, projects and market innovations, expand their network, explore potentials for innovation and learn more about doing business in Switzerland and the US.

A delegation of the Fukushima Prefecture will visit Switzerland from 13 to 15 July 2015.

In 2014, Switzerland's final energy consumption fell by 7.7% to 825,770 terajoules (TJ) compared to the previous year. The warm weather experienced in 2014 had a significant effect on Swiss energy consumption.

The United States of America and Switzerland are currently undergoing a fundamental transformation of the energy sector that poses huge new challenges to society, science, economy and politics. Tackling these challenges will require the most brilliant minds in both countries. The Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days from August 19 - 21, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland, will bring them all together in order to exchange perspectives, and to share expertise and practical experiences in the emerging new energy world. The 2015 edition of the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days focuses on Integrated Building Systems. Organized under the auspices of the Swiss Minister of Energy Doris Leuthard, the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days offer a unique platform for high-level attendees from both the North American and Swiss energy communities to showcase the best energy technologies, projects and market innovations, expand their network, explore potentials for innovation and learn more about doing business in Switzerland and the US.

In 2014, electricity consumption in Switzerland fell by 3.1% to 57.5 billion kilowatt hours (kWh); domestic consumption (including losses occurring in transmission and distribution) was 61.8 billion kWh. Production at Switzerland's power plants rose by 1.9% to 69.6 billion kWh, or 67.3 billion kWh after deduction of the electricity consumed by storage pumps, which was 2.3 billion kWh. The electricity export surplus in 2014 was 5.5 billion kWh, 3.1 billion kWh above the value for the previous year; this led to a corresponding increase in the monetary export trade balance in Swiss francs of 442 million francs in contrast to 327 million francs in 2013.

Walter Steinmann, director of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and Alicia Barton, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a partnership in the area of clean energy technologies. The focus of the joint efforts will be in energy efficiency, the electrical grid and the collaborative fostering of innovation.

Switzerland is consolidating its international commitment to sustainable development. In a fourth phase, SECO, the SDC and the SFOE are allocating a total of CHF 6.8 million to the REPIC Platform for the years 2014 - 2017.

Switzerland's final energy consumption increased by 2.5% in 2013 to 896,000 terajoules (TJ) compared to 2012. The main reason for the increase was the cold weather. Positive developments in the economy also contributed to greater demand as did the continuing growth in the population.

More than 70 Swiss scientists, entrepreneurs, and associations from the energy sector, as well as representatives from the Swiss government and policy makers will be present at the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days from July 9 - 12, 2014 in Boston, USA. The event, jointly organized by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) und swissnex Boston, the Consulate of Switzerland, shall present the best Swiss energy technologies, projects and innovations at one of the world's leading hubs for research and innovation in clean energy technology. Furthermore, this event aims to forge new relationships and partnerships between Switzerland and the US. The inauguration of the "Watt d'Or - Swiss Energy Excellence" exhibition by Swiss Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will be one of the highlights of the Swiss-US Energy Innovation Days.

In 2013, electricity consumption in Switzerland rose by 0.6 percent to 53.9 billion kilowatt hours (kWh). Domestic consumption (including losses in transmission and distribution) reached 63.8 billion kWh. Production at Switzerland's power plants rose by 0.4 percent to 68.3 billion kWh, or 66.2 billion after deduction of electricity consumed by storage pumps. The electricity export surplus of 2.4 billion kWh in 2013 was 0.2 billion higher than in 2012, while by contrast the monetary export trade balance in Swiss francs (CHF) fell to CHF 327 million compared with 771 million in 2012.