With the adoption of the European Green Deal (EGD), European countries have devised energy policies to align with its objectives. These policies focus on increasing renewable primary energy (RPE) and electricity production to achieve carbon neutrality, with progress indicated in strategic documents. Notably, the correlation between global energy system electrification and electricity production is evident in most national policies, with France and Austria as notable outliers due to their unique energy strategies. France emphasizes complete electrification via nuclear power, while Austria relies on synthetic and biofuels for heating and mobility.
Switzerland's Energiestrategie 2050 exemplifies a commitment to reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while phasing out nuclear power. However, regional variations in energy systems, regulations, and potentials lead to diverse transition pathways at the cantonal level. Governments employ tools such as taxes and subsidies to guide these transitions, aiming to minimize socio-economic costs and environmental impacts. The evolution of the energy market, influenced by factors such as natural gas prices, will significantly alter energy service costs to consumers. The overarching goal is to motivate and guide citizens and industries towards the national objectives, using governmental levers to influence the energy sector, behaviors, and market dynamics.

A significant challenge in implementing high proportions of renewable energy is ensuring the security of supply. This concept traditionally meant maintaining a two-week stock of fossil fuels but needs redefinition in light of the shift toward intermittent and decentralized renewable energy sources. This shift necessitates new strategies for energy storage during outages, as well as for the distribution grids and infrastructure.
European nations employ varied strategies to ensure a stable energy supply. The approach depends on the type of renewable energy strategy adopted, affecting the extent of reliance on imports. Countries focusing on electrification mainly depend on importing electricity and tend to have lower import needs with increased shares of renewable primary energy. In contrast, countries using a mix of electricity, bio, and synthetic fuels depend on both fuel storage and significant imports. Nations with lower import dependencies typically rely on nuclear power or possess high renewable energy potential.
The reliance on importing and distributing resources or storing energy vectors requires substantial investments in infrastructure to ensure adequate security of supply. These investments increase the overall costs of the energy system, costs which are ultimately borne by the consumer. For instance, electricity pricing currently includes a significant portion of grid costs. Addressing these challenges involves integrating infrastructure to manage bottlenecks and assess the feasibility of transport and distribution, all while considering the impact on the overall energy system costs.

National systems encompass diverse regions with distinct geographical, meteorological, demographic, anthropological, and economic characteristics. These variations result in unique end-use demands and renewable energy potentials for each region. The critical challenge lies in incorporating these differences into energy system planning, determining the optimal locations and technologies for installation and operation. Additionally, it involves deciding whether to capitalize on synergies between regions through centralized integration and regional exchanges or to focus on local production through decentralization.

The Paris Agreement marks a significant global commitment to climate change mitigation, aiming for climate neutrality before the century's end. To achieve these ambitious goals, energy system modeling is crucial, yet it often falls short in considering the wider environmental and social impacts. Our research introduces a novel methodology that incorporates life-cycle impact assessment indicators into energy system modeling. This approach allows for a more thorough evaluation of economic and environmental outcomes, taking a comprehensive view of potential impacts.
Using Switzerland's energy system as a focal point, our model demonstrates that optimizing key environomic indicators can yield considerable economic benefits. System costs could decrease significantly by minimizing the impacts from operating fossil fuel technologies and accounting for the indirect effects associated with constructing renewable infrastructure. However, an emphasis on economic efficiency alone may inadvertently shift burdens to other environmental areas, despite a substantial reduction in carbon footprint.
Our research advocates for the adoption of multi-objective optimization, which delves into the intricate balance between environomic goals and technological options. By doing so, it sheds light on more holistic strategies for energy systems optimization, addressing the various trade-offs and enhancing the societal acceptance of solutions to global climate challenges. This study not only contributes to the academic discourse but also offers practical insights for policymakers and industry leaders striving for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.
Keywords: Energy System Modeling, Life-Cycle Impact Assessment, Multi-Objective Optimization, Renewable Energy, Environmental Burden Shifting, Switzerland, Carbon Neutrality.

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