brenet
building and renewable energies network of technology
brenet – From Applied Research to Practice
brenet is the Swiss university network accelerating the transfer of applied research into practice on the path to net zero – with a focus on sustainable construction, renewable energy, and building technologies
«Only the future interests me, because that’s where I am going to spend the rest of my life.»
Albert Schweitzer
brenet provides a nationwide network and the organizational framework to drive the transfer of applied research into practice. Through exchange formats, knowledge pooling, and the creation of connections, we support our member institutes and industry players in jointly developing and implementing scalable solutions for the transition to net zero.
Currently, nine Swiss higher education institutes are members of brenet. brenet is an association under Art. 60 ff. of the Swiss Civil Code and was founded in 2002.
brenet ResearchLunch 2026
More topics to follow
Practical insights from applied research for researchers, companies, public authorities, and industry players – at lunchtime
Achieving net-zero emissions requires not only the expansion of renewable energy sources but also scalable and flexible storage solutions. The third brenet ResearchLunch brings together experts and practitioners to examine the implementation and potential of various storage technologies within the Swiss energy system. Five contributions from brenet experts demonstrate how storage can support decarbonization strategies, how buildings and heat pumps can be integrated into grid services, and which tools are available for planning electrified energy systems. The session also highlights circular battery concepts and second-life applications, which offer potential for more efficient resource use and contribute to the stability of the energy system.
Afterwards, we will discuss how these projects can be transferred into practice, explore the specific needs of industry players, and identify how research and practice can connect to accelerate the deployment of storage solutions on the path to net zero in buildings, districts, and industry.
The discourse between the various participants enables diverse perspectives and valuable insights.
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Industry players – Which of the presented storage technologies appear scalable, economically viable, and system-friendly – and what prerequisites are needed for practical implementation?
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Research – Where are the current knowledge gaps, and which concrete next research steps would most effectively support transfer into practice?
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System – Which political, regulatory, or financial levers would most accelerate pilot projects and the broad scaling of storage solutions?
The event is aimed at professionals and interested parties from research, industry, public administration, and practice-oriented organizations in the fields of energy and construction.
tba | 12.15 p.m. – 1.15 p.m. | Online | Register soon!
Participation is free for students and staff of brenet member institutes.
An external participation fee of CHF 30 applies.
With automatic subtitle translation in multiple languages (AI-powered).
2026 – brenet ResearchLunch #4 | #5 | #6 | TBA
Member Institutes
The member institutes demonstrate a high level of competence in one or more of the following areas: sustainable construction, building services engineering and renewable energies.
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services
Ecole d'ingénieurs et d'architectes de Friborg (EIA-FR)
Laboratory energy environment and architecture
Fribourg
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services, Research: Renewalbe Energies
FHNW University of Applied Sciences
Institute for Automation
windish
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services
Haute école du paysage, d'ingénierie et d'architecture (HEPIA) | Laboratory for Energy Environment and Architecture (LEEA)
Geneve
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Research: Renewalbe Energies
OST - Eastern Swiss University of Applied Sciences
Institute for Solar Technology SPF
Rapperswil
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services, Research: Renewalbe Energies
SUPSI | Dipartimento Ambiente, Costruzioni e Design | Istituto di Sostenibilità Applicata all’Ambiente costruito (ISAAC) | Mendrisio
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services, Research: Renewalbe Energies
FHNW, University of Architecture, Construction and Geomatics | Institute Sustainability and Energy in Construction (INEB) | Muttenz
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services
Haute école du paysage, d'ingénierie et d'architecture (HEPIA) | Laboratory for Energy Environment and Architecture (LEEA)
Geneve
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Services
ZHAW, School of Engineering Institute for Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering (IEFE)
Winterthur
Research: Buildings & Quarters, Research: Renewalbe Energies
Lucerne University | Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture | Building Technology and Energy (IGE) | Lucerne
The Executive Board
Prof. Barbara Sintzel
Chairwoman
INEB | FHNW
Director Institute Sustainability and Energy in Construction
Hofackerstrasse 30
CH-4132 Muttenz
Prof. Francesco Frontini
Member of the board
SUPSI - Dipartimento ambiente costruzioni e design (DACD)
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio
Prof. Dr. Frank Tillenkamp
Member of board
Daniel Philippen
Member of the board
Prof. Dr. Oliver Steiger
Member of the board
Head of Coordination Office
Janina Schombach
Head of the Coordination Office
brenet
Attn. Janina Schombach
c/o Institut Nachhaltigkeit und Energie am Bau INEB | FHNW
Hofackerstrasse 30
4132 Muttenz
The Advisory Board
The brenet advisory board supports the competence network with its connections to the economy, authorities and politics.
The members of the advisory board accompany and promote the activities of the network.
Sjef de Bruijn
Head of the Solar Energy Systems Division
Ernst Schweizer AG, Metallbau
8908 Hedingen
Manuel Zanutto
Head Comfort Technology
Siemens Schweiz AG / Building Technologies
6312 Steinhausen
Wiebke Rösler Häfliger
Director
Amt für Hochbauten der Stadt Zürich
8001 Zürich
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Competences
The cooperation of the brenet member institutes opens up a wide range of competences to our research and development partners. With the competence matrix (in german) you will find the optimal combination of knowledge of the individual institutes for your project. The administrative office will be happy to coordinate your request with the various competencies of the members.
To the brenet competence matrices: