Understanding Switzerland's energy strategy through a video game

Grasping the complexity of Switzerland's energy strategy for the period between now and 2050 is no easy task. To engage the public with this crucial issue, the interdisciplinary consortium SURE (Sustainable and Resilient Energy for Switzerland), with the contribution of a USI team led by Prof. Michael Multerer, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Informatics, has developed "Ensured Energy", a video game that simulates the choices required to lead the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient system.

Switzerland is preparing for a profound transformation of its electricity system: a progressive phase-out of nuclear power, the growth of renewables, emission reductions, and diligent cost management. It is a delicate balance where decisions must be technically sound and politically viable. "Ensured Energy", developed within the interdisciplinary consortium SURE (Sustainable and Resilient Energy for Switzerland), allows players to step into the shoes of national energy supply managers. In about 15-20 minutes of gameplay, they must decide whether to invest in photovoltaics, expand hydroelectric power or rely on gas, while constantly monitoring budgets, demand, and CO₂ emissions.

The project is built on utilising official data and decades of historical time series. "The mechanics of the game allow even non-experts to make decisions about the energy transition by grappling with real-world trade-offs," explained Michael Multerer, Professor at the USI Faculty of Informatics and member of the team that created the video game, in an interview with Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana (RSI). Beyond its educational reach, the project holds significant scientific value. The participants' choices, collected anonymously, were analysed to better understand the attitudes and perceptions of the population. "'Ensured Energy' was also used as a large-scale behavioural laboratory," Multerer noted, explaining that in-game decisions were linked to sociodemographic characteristics to study reactions to energy shocks and policies.

Initially promoted as part of a national survey, the game involved thousands of citizens. "The feedback indicates that most players rated the experience positively, finding it engaging and easy to understand," the professor concluded.

The full interview, conducted by RSI journalist Simone Pengue, is available by clicking here. (Italian only)