Cooperations

The aim of the external pageSwiss Competence Center for Energy Research – Supply of Electricity (SCCER-SoE)call_made is to carry out innovative and sustainable research in the areas of geoenergy and hydropower.

The SCCER-SoE researches, develops, and tests new technologies and optimizes existing infrastructures for energy production in the future. Working in close cooperation with the industry, the SCCER-SoE creates innovative research units, establishes technology platforms, invests in laboratories, and coordinates national as well as international research projects. These are financed by a number of different sources.

As a national network, the SCCER-SoE brings together expertise from 25 Swiss scientific institutions, industrial enterprises, and federal agencies. Its activities are undertaken in coordination with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. The SCCER-SoE is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Commission for Technology and Innovation.

The external pageJoint Programme Hydropower of the European Energy Research Alliancecall_made spans the entire energy chain from water catchment to system integration, and it includes cross-cutting elements such as markets and market design as well as environmental impacts, effects of climate change and policy and societal issues. It is structured into six Sub-Programmes (SPs) and emphasizes cross-disciplinary cooperation between these, synergies with other EERA Joint Programmes and existing European and international projects, and actively engages with the industry in order to secure relevance and impact for the hydropower sector and the renewable energy system.

VAW is involved by vice-coordinating SP2 "Hydropower Structures" and closely interacting with SP4 "Water resources, environmental impacts and climate adaptation".

external pageICOLDcall_made groups National member Committees and leads the dam construction and operation profession in setting standards and guidelines to ensure that dams are built and operated safely, efficiently, economically, and are environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. ICOLD assists nations to prepare to meet the challenges of the 21st century in the development and management of the world’s water and hydropower resources.

VAW actively participates in ICOLD by attending and contributing to the triannual congresses, with Prof. Robert Boes currently being co-opted member in two technical ICOLD committees.

The external pageSwiss Committee on Damscall_made is a private, non-governmental association. It represents Switzerland within the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). The objective of the committee is to promote the progress in the establishment of projects, the construction, maintenance, monitoring and operation of hydraulic structures and the environment.

VAW actively participates in STK, with Prof. Robert Boes currently being vice-president and board member as well as member of the STK technical commission and the STK research fund.