Economic advice, method- and data-based

The market development of hydrogen is currently sluggish. In the international H2 ramp-up, there is a clear gap between announced targets and actual realisation. This is not least because production costs are higher than previously assumed. Our adjusted HySuiX parameters reflect these developments. Switzerland's national hydrogen strategy dispenses with targets and relies on decentralized responsibility and regional H₂ hubs. The industry is calling for additional planning security and faster approval procedures. The federal government's review of the connection to the EU hydrogen backbone is welcomed, as this is considered to be central. There is reason to hope for a generous interpretation of P&D plants that can reclaim electricity grid fees. The EU has introduced the Union database for PoS guarantees, which is changing the guarantee of origin market. In Switzerland, there is a new national HKN register, and talks are currently being held on recognizing virtually imported biomethane. In Switzerland, the Network Transformation Plan for Renewable Gases (NeG) initiative has also been launched - modelled on the German H2vorOrt initiative. The strategies for renewable gases in our neighboring countries are different: France has ambitious expansion targets for biomethane and rapidly increasing feed-in volumes. Germany, on the other hand, is focusing more on hydrogen in the long term and has no expansion target for biomethane. Switzerland has no expansion targets for renewable gases. However, biomethane feed-in will be subsidized by the federal government for the first time from this year, only to be possibly cut back again towards 2027 as a result of the austerity program.

Based on our analysis, we identified hospitals within the group of central hospitals (K112) that differ in their patient and service structure from the other central hospitals and therefore incur additional costs due to performance-related factors, using only a few variables. The analysis process was carried out in two steps: First, variables that could define a hospital with comprehensive care function were selected based on expert input. Subsequently, the available variables were analysed using data-driven methods.

The supply of and demand for biomethane is developing positively in Switzerland. This is thanks to private initiatives and support from the gas industry. There is great potential in the use of livestock manure, although Switzerland faces additional challenges with its rather small-scale agriculture. The current version of the new CO₂ Ordinance (CO₂-Verordnung), which is still being consulted on until October 17, will hardly provide any additional impetus. According to our hydrogen marginal cost index HySuiX, the production costs for green hydrogen (H₂) in Switzerland have recently fallen. However, shortly before the planned publication of the Swiss government's hydrogen strategy, the mood in the industry remains cautious, although there important progress in regions close to the border. These topics are covered in the new Barometer, published by the Swiss Gas Industry Association in collaboration with E-Bridge Consulting and Polynomics. The Barometer is published twice a year and available in German and French. You can receive future issues by registering on the VSG Website.