On January 9, 2026, the students dove right into the second required module of the CAS “Nuclear Energy Work Environment”—with exciting insights into the topics of risk management and the electricity market. 📊⚡
🔎 Nicolai Braun, Director of the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, demonstrated how risk management is put into practice at a nuclear power plant. As so-called High Reliability Organizations (HROs), nuclear facilities consistently prioritize the protection of people and the environment. Safety is the top priority, which is why the following four safety objectives are central to nuclear power plants:
– Reactivity control
– Fuel element cooling
– Limiting radiation exposure
– Containment of radioactive materials
Risk management is based on international best practices. The Significant Operating Experience Reports (SOER) from the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) provide operational insights and recommendations that are translated into concrete improvement measures and reviewed as part of peer reviews.
🔎 Lukas Schmidt, Head of the Administration & Central Functions Department at the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant, took the students on a journey through the Swiss electricity market—from the turbine in the power plant to the outlet in the home. 🔌
📌 Switzerland’s Energy Supply in Transition:
– About one-third of Switzerland’s electricity comes from nuclear power. 💪
– In winter, Switzerland is a net importer of electricity; in summer, it is a net exporter.
– Photovoltaic systems and run-of-river power plants supply a lot of energy in summer—in winter, nuclear energy plays a central role, accounting for 45% of the total.
– This seasonal imbalance requires electricity storage: Switzerland has approximately 2.6 GW of pumped-storage capacity.
– As new renewable energy sources are expanded, the need for large-scale storage increases.
– Security of supply, economic efficiency, and sustainability are likely to become even more important in the future. At the same time, it is clear that electricity demand will increase in the long term.
An intensive and informative day with many valuable insights into risk management, security of supply, and the future of energy in Switzerland. 💡
🔎 Further information about CAS:
CAS Working Environment Nuclear Energy
