Energy Day 2025 – A sustainable discussion about challenges and solutions in the energy sector
On Wednesday, 27 August 2025, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) hosted the third Energy Day, with over 130 interested guests from the fields of administration, industry, science and defence accepting the invitation and making the journey to Payerne. The location was chosen as part of the COREB project with the aim of creating an ecosystem for research and innovation on site. The focus of this event was on discussing common challenges and solutions in the energy sector.
Moana Häfeli, Communication Staff, armasuisse Science and Technology
In brief:
The Energy Day is a technology platform for industry and authorities focusing on sustainable energy solutions for defence. The event provides an opportunity to identify common challenges and to promote collaboration and the exchange of knowledge at various levels. This will increase the visibility of sustainable energy solutions and help to develop a better understanding of the opportunities and risks that will arise for the future energy supply for defence and security.
The DDPS is focusing increasingly on the topics of energy and energy sustainability, particularly due to Switzerland’s dependence on fossil fuels. Recent developments such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are highlighting the adverse effects of external dependencies, which is now something Switzerland is also experiencing. As a result, the Energy Day is a special platform to engage in discussions with partners from administration, science and industry on the topic of solutions for the secure provisioning of electricity, fuel and combustibles.
With this year’s slogan “Challenges for current and future, easily manageable, robust energy solutions in terms of their relevance to defence”, Energy Day 2025 provided an opportunity to bring together a wide range of consumers to discuss current and future challenges as well as solutions in the energy sector.
Approximately 130 guests attended the event, taking part in various key note presentations, an exhibition area with over 20 exhibitors, plenary sessions and an open discussion in four focus groups at the Boschung Group’ premises at the swiss aeropole technology park in Payerne.
Energy as a key area – Different perspectives
Dr Thomas Rothacher, Deputy National Armaments Director and the Director of armasuisse S+T, opened his welcome address by underlining the significance of energy in the modern world. Current geopolitical developments are making it particularly clear that energy has been an essential commodity for some time now, opined Dr Thomas Rothacher. The Ukraine conflict clearly shows that the ability to quickly make decisions and act on these is particularly important for supplying energy to military forces, he continued. “That’s why the mutual sharing of views and experiences today at the Energy Day is an important part of the ecosystem for securing the supply of energy to the military forces.” With these words, he appealed directly to the guests in attendance and thus provided the framework for Energy Day 2025.
The participants were also welcomed to the event by Anne Marion Freiss, President of COREB, and Massimo Fiorin, Managing Director of Swiss Aeropole SA. Following a brief introduction to COREB, the development organisation for the Broye region in the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg, Anne Marion Freiss drew on the closing address made by Dr Thomas Rothacher and called on the audience to engage in the mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise. Massimo Fiorin held a short presentation for those in attendance on the underlying vision, capabilities and competences of Swiss Aeropole SA before handing over to those giving key note presentations.
A defence perspective
The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are clearly demonstrating the significance of energy. It is becoming clear—particularly in the context of the military—that the way in which energy is understood and the role it plays are increasingly changing. Described as a commodity at the start of the day, representatives of the Swiss Armed Forces identified energy as a weapon in the field of security and defence. “Modern wars are not only conducted with weapons, but also with energy,” emphasised Major General Stephan Christen. The developments in Ukraine and the Middle East are sending a clear signal: Energy is not just a logistical commodity, but also an operational and strategic resource, which is why its supply can have direct and indirect impacts on Switzerland’s security.
In addition, all of the Swiss Armed Forces’ sphere of activities, such as in aviation, are being confronted with energy-related challenges, remarked Michael Leuthold, Commander of Payerne military airfield. On this, the representatives from the Swiss Armed Forces are all in agreement: It is crucial that we find holistic solutions that address current and future challenges, such as improving the country’s cyber defence capabilities and promoting mobile stockpiling solutions and our defence against kinetic weapons.
The view from the industrial sector
The keynote presentations held by representatives from the industrial sector focused mainly on solutions to the challenges that were a hot topic at the Energy Day. The speakers demonstrated the latest products and services being offered by their companies, showcasing potential energy solutions for the Swiss Armed Forces. These included lithium-ion batteries – an alternative means of providing a robust and constant supply of energy to systems operating in the field, ranging from drones to communication systems. Another topic covered was the use of sustainable fuels in the vehicles operated by the Armed Forces, logistics and administration.
In the same manner, the targeted use of artificial intelligence (AI) is also playing an essential role in the area of energy consumption. To this end, representatives from the industrial sector presented various methods of using AI to reduce energy consumption, such as the use of new data and AI chips with the appropriate specifications. However, an experiment with an electric cross-country vehicle clearly demonstrated that natural intelligence also has its place: The vehicle was made to scale a mountain range, which was conducted completely independently of the power grid and required a great deal of improvisation. These informative demonstrations emblematised the countless technical options in the energy sector.
Plenary session, focus groups and an exhibition – mutual exchange of views and the transfer of knowledge
The morning was rounded off with contributions to plenary discussions from the fields of research and industry. These ranged from the interesting presentation by the Boschung Group, who hosted Energy Day 2025 on their premises, to deeper insights into the work with hydrogen-powered hypersonic flights carried out by Destinus in Payerne. In addition, Prof. Dr Kai Hermann, Lecturer for Energy Technology at the FHNW Institute of Thermal and Fluid Engineering, shed light on his research into the development of modern combustibles in view of the use of alternative renewable fuels.
The afternoon was dedicated solely to exchanging views and experiences, engaging in discussions and networking. Various focus groups discussed the topics of “Mobility and field operation” and “Stationary applications.” Alongside the numerous presentations, the exhibition that was being held at the same time provided a good opportunity for networking as well as for exchanging views and experiences. There were approximately 20 exhibition booths for the audience to visit, thus giving them the opportunity to learn more about a wide range of concepts and operational exhibits, products and services, such as emission-free generators and efficiency-enhancing further developments.
Conclusion and outlook
armasuisse Science and Technology can look back on an interesting Energy Day and would like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone involved to thank the guests, the speakers and the exhibitors for the keen interest they showed as well as for the open and valuable exchange of views and experiences. The next Energy Day is scheduled to be held again in two years’ time.
