Joint EPS-SIF International School on Energy 2012

The primary goal of the School will be to present all physics fields with relevance for the technologies of energy production, conversion, transmission and savings. Their potential will be presented but also the need for more research and development to fully unfold it will be indicated. For this purpose, basic lectures and topical seminars will be presented by specialists in their field.
The European energy supply situation is very inhomogeneous. There are countries with nearly 100% CO₂-free, others with exclusively fossil-based electricity production. Some countries ban the use or future use of nuclear energy, for others, their dominant electricity production is based on it and they are building or planning new power reactors; some export electricity to a large extent other have the need to import electricity; some have used the last years to approach or even meet the Kyoto goals, others have moved away from them; some invest heavily in Renewable Energies (RE); in other countries they do not yet play a major role. Despite this disparity, Europe has well defined energy and environmental goals. The most ambitious ones are the 2020 targets. In order to meet these goals, most EU-27 countries have to modify their energy supply technologies and have to increase their present RE share. This requires extensive R&D in energy technologies and is a tremendous chance for students in all technical areas, but specifically in physics. Also the energy efficiency has to be increased clearly beyond the present measures taken in the EU countries. The reduction of energy efficiency and the increase of energy intensity (which has been growing in the last decades) is a major challenge where again physics will play a key role.
The School will cover major fields in detailed lectures but it will also serve as a forum of discussions. It brings together scientists working in various energy related areas. The following fields will be covered by lectures or seminars: solar photovoltaic and photothermal sources, hydro, wind, biomass, fossils, fission, fusion, energy saving technology, climate issues along with other topics where physics plays a role. The lectures will also identify cases where more research is necessary. In order to ensure a lively and up-to-date School, there will be plenary sessions going over several days and topical seminars.
In case your are interested in energy technology or even working in this field, we would encourage you to sign up.