Digitalization in the energy sector

The ongoing digitalization process is influencing our everyday life. Worldwide there are now more mobile phone contracts than people. An ever increasing number of devices are being connected to the Internet: there will be around half a billion by 2030. Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a rapid pace. Digital platforms are changing existing business models and creating totally new ones. Data infrastructures and information are at the heart of the digitalization process and this is giving rise to issues relating to data protection and data sovereignty. These profound changes are being described as “digital transformation” or “digital revolution”. This process needs to be actively structured and subjected to future-oriented regulation, including in the area of energy supply.

The impacts of many of the developments, opportunities and risks associated with digitalization in the energy sector are not yet known. In view of this, together with an interdisciplinary team of experts the SFOE conducts ongoing analyses of significant developments and impacts of digitalization and actively supports digital innovation in the energy sector. It also encourages digitalization through various projects and carries out ongoing checks of potential or necessary amendments to the regulatory framework.

SFOE activities to date

Digitalisation – what is it really?

Digitalisierung im Energiesektor - Bild 2

Digitalization is a process that is driven by new technologies in which data and information play the major role. Digitalization can be basically divided into three sectors: 1) physical measuring infrastructure in electronic form; example: sensors to acquire data. 2) Data infrastructure; example: processing and networking of data. 3) User programs; applications and automation. Cyber security and resilience are integrated components of digitalization and concern all three sectors.

Documents

Joint Call 2021

Dialog "Digitalization in the Energy Sector"

Data and data infrastructure

Cyber Security

Building and heating sector

Digital Innovation/Hackathon

Smart Grid Roadmap

Specialist staff
Last modification 27.01.2022

Top of page

https://www.bfe.admin.ch/content/bfe/en/home/supply/digitalization.html