Network
An electricity grid is a complex system consisting of lines, transformers, switching systems and other installations that transports electricity from various production locations to consumers. The Swiss electricity grid (distribution and transmission networks) has a total length of over 233,000 kilometres, which is almost six times the circumference of the Earth. Of this figure, the local distribution networks (network level 7) account for 75%, while Swissgrid’s national transmission network (network level 1) makes up just over 3%, covering around 6,760 kilometres. The remaining kilometres are comprised of the high/medium-voltage levels (network levels 3 and 5). In Switzerland, around 600 network operators are responsible for ensuring a safe, high-performance and efficient electricity network and, in turn, for supplying electricity to end customers.
Network expansion and investment
Investment in maintaining and upgrading the existing electricity grids is important to ensure a high level of operational performance and network security in the long term. Investment in the upgrading and expansion of the electricity network also ensures it is well equipped to meet future challenges, such as rising demand for power and increasing levels of renewable energy being fed in locally.
System services
ElCom monitors compliance with the ESA and developments on the electricity markets in relation to secure and affordable supply. Its remit also covers monitoring the procurement of system services, particularly control energy and reserve power supply.
Increases in network capacity
Connecting renewable energy producers to the grid may require an increase in the capacity of the connection line and expansion of network capacity from the connection point. Some of these costs are recoverable on the transmission network and the network operator and producers are compensated by Swissgrid (Art. 15b ESA; Art. 13e f. ESO).
Merchant lines
Merchant lines are cross-border transmission lines. While the transmission capacity is managed by the network operators, its utilisation is reserved for the investors. These exemptions are limited to a specific time frame upon expiry of which the line is transferred to the ownership of the national grid operator.
Metering
End consumers, producers and storage facility operators must use smart meters that measure consumption from the electricity network at 15-minute intervals. 80% of metering systems in a network area must be smart meters by 1 January 2028. The remaining 20% may remain in use until the end of their lifespan. The introduction of smart meters gives rise to various regulatory issues, particularly in relation to the measurement of consumption and feed-in to the grid from solutions used for self-consumption by several participants and/or sale at the place of production. ElCom has issued various decisions on these issues and has published a notification on the self-consumption model. It has also answered many enquiries on these issues, the most important of which are published in the regularly updated Q&As on the Energy Strategy 2050. The documents referred to above can be found in the relevant sections of ElCom’s website.