Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency

The energetic utilisation of biomass and the optimisation of material and energy flows are the focus of our scientific work.

We are working on the clean and efficient energy supply of the future in the field of alternative fuels, combustion research and resource efficiency. Together with our partners in the business and science sectors, we design products that are environmentally-friendly and also strengthen Switzerland's status as a location for business.

Our institute is jointly supported by the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI – the largest research centre for natural and engineering sciences in Switzerland. We are also part of the national Competence Centre for Energy Research SCCER Biosweet.

Competencies

Alternative fuels

Hydrothermal gasification | Biofuels | Use of algae | Catalyst research | Elemental analysis

Combustion research

Biomass combustion | Measurement of emissions | Emission reduction | Gaseous combustion | Combined heat and power generation

Resource efficiency

Optimisation of production processes | Recycling technology | Life cycle analysis | Material flow management

Electricity market 2.0

Regenerative energy production | Smart grid | Energy storage | System modelling | Project development

Selected projects

Retrofit wood gas burner

A research team at FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland is developing a wood gas burner with which old oil-fired heating ...

to Retrofit wood gas burner

Autarky toilet

The aim of the Autarky toilet is to completely dispose of faecal matter in any location – even without an external energy source or any connections to a sewage ...

to Autarky toilet

Electrodynamic fragmentation of electronic scrap

Electronic devices are becoming increasingly complex and compact. This complicates the recycling process – which is why there are plans to introduce new and ...

to Electrodynamic fragmentation of electronic scrap

Wood dust burner for asphalt mixing plants

The aim is for the wood dust burner to be an environmentally friendly alternative to the pulverised coal burners currently used in asphalt mixing plants.

to Wood dust burner for asphalt mixing plants

Testing centre for wood-fired heating systems

As the only facility of its kind in Switzerland, the testing centre for wood-fired heating systems carries out type certification tests (safety and emission tests) for boilers and room heaters for solid fuels.

More about the testing centre