On January 9, 2026, students hit the ground running in the second compulsory module of the CAS "Working Environment Nuclear Energy" – with exciting insights into the topics of risk management and the electricity market. 📊⚡
🔎 Nicolai Braun, Head of the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, demonstrated how risk management is practiced in a nuclear power plant. As so-called High Reliability Organizations (HROs), nuclear facilities consistently focus on protecting people and the environment. Safety is the top priority, which is why the following four protection goals are central to nuclear power plants:
– Control of reactivity
– Cooling of fuel elements
– Limitation of radiation exposure
– Containment of radioactive substances
Risk management is based on international best practices. The Significant Operating Experience Reports (SOER) of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) provide operating experience and recommendations that are implemented in concrete improvement measures and reviewed in peer reviews.
🔎 Lukas Schmidt, Head of Administration & Central Functions 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 socket in the household. 🔌
📌 Switzerland's energy supply in transition:
– Around one third of Switzerland's electricity comes from nuclear energy. 💪
– Switzerland is a net importer of electricity in winter and a net exporter in summer.
– Photovoltaics and run-of-river power plants supply a lot of energy in summer – in winter, nuclear energy plays a central role with a 45% share.
– The seasonal imbalance requires electricity storage: Switzerland has around 2.6 GW of pumped storage capacity.
– With the expansion of new renewable energies, the need for large storage facilities is increasing.
– 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 | BFH
