Brazil

Swissnex welcomes SWEET researchers to Brazil for knowledge exchange on the energy transition

Researchers from two Swiss Energy Research for the Energy Transition (SWEET) consortia will visit Brazil to explore joint research opportunities in decentralized energy systems, sustainable fuels, and energy storage. This initiative is supported by the KTT programme of the SFOE.

Brazil, 12 August 2026

From 24 August, Swissnex in Brazil will host researchers from two different SWEET (SWiss Energy research for the Energy Transition) consortia. SWEET is funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). The mission will connect Swiss researchers with Brazilian universities, research institutes, public institutions, and industry representatives to identify opportunities for knowledge and technology transfer.

The delegation includes Dr. Cristian Pons-Seres de Brauwer, from the Institute of Responsible Innovation, Sustainability and Energy (RISE-HSG) at the University of St. Gallen, representing the EDGE consortium. EDGE studies how decentralized renewable generation, energy storage, demand flexibility, and new business models can contribute to Switzerland’s future energy system. Dr. Evangelos Panos, from the Energy Economics Group at the Paul Scherrer Institute (EEG-PSI), represents reFuel.ch, which focuses on sustainable fuels and renewable chemicals for sectors where direct electrification remains difficult.

During the program, the researchers will meet Brazilian partners from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, working on energy systems, climate policy, sustainable fuels, and industrial decarbonization. The discussions will compare research priorities, approaches, and market conditions in both countries, with the aim of identifying areas for future collaboration and knowledge exchange that can broaden the perspectives of both consortia.

The mission reflects Swissnex’s role in connecting complementary expertise across Switzerland and Brazil. Although the two countries have different energy systems, both are working to integrate more renewable energy, increase system flexibility, decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, and strengthen energy security. These shared priorities create opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge exchange across different contexts.

The visit takes place during two weeks of Swissnex activities focused on energy transition, running in parallel with dedicated agendas for Swiss startups and artists-researchers, creating additional opportunities for exchange across science, innovation, and artistic research.