The Summer School on Energy Systems provides participants with an in-depth look at the economic, policy and regulatory aspects of sector coupling in the EU and the role hydrogen and electricity will have as important energy vectors of the energy system of the future. These issues are analysed both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. Every day, lectures presenting the economic, policy and regulatory aspects will alternate with lectures allowing participants to dive deeper into modelling issues and see how quantitative models can be used to investigate economic, policy and regulatory problems. On the final day, participants receive the possibility to present and discuss their own research under the supervision of the course faculty.

The aim of the training is:

• To give an understanding of the European Green Deal and why sector coupling runs high on the current policy agenda.
• To explain different approaches in energy modelling and how to apply or elaborate accurate models for a useful analysis of energy-related issues.
• To illustrate recent quantitative research and tools to model coupled energy sectors.
• To examine the interactions between different sectors and better understand the related challenges for policymakers, regulators and businesses.
• To understand the role of hydrogen and further electrification in a sector-coupled system.
• To provide in-depth exchanges and peer-to-peer feedback on the participants’ related research work.

After completing the course, the participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of sector coupling in the current policy debate in Europe.
• Develop a comprehensive view of the interactions between the sectors and the challenges that they raise for policymakers and regulators.
• Distinguish the different pathways of hydrogen and electricity in the future energy system.
• Quantitatively model some aspects of coupled energy sectors, in order to investigate specific economic, technical and regulatory problems.
• Exchange knowledge and experiences with fellow participants and closely interact with experts in the field.
• Gather feedback on their own related research work.

The course is structured along four days. During the first three days, professors and experts will provide interactive lectures. Each lecture will present a general overview of the topic in a way that participants with different backgrounds can reach a similar understanding. After this overview, the lecturers will deepen specific issues that they may consider of relevance. Adequate time for discussion and questions from the participants will be provided.

On the last day of the course, participants will have the possibility to present their current research and receive feedback from their peers. Each researcher presenting his or her work will also have to discuss the research conducted by one of his or her peers. Instructors will be involved in providing comments and suggestions. Please do note that only a selected number of participants will be able to present their work due to time constraints.

During the Summer School, instructors will mix a theoretical and a practical approach, alternating between lectures about principles and case studies. The course is designed to encourage the active participation of students and close interaction with the experts.

The training is designed for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, young academics and researchers that deal with energy systems topics. A minimum understanding of quantitative methods and energy systems modelling is required. A background in engineering or energy economics is recommended.

Please do note that only a selected number of participants will be admitted. Participants are required to enclose to their registration form a short CV (max. 2 pages), a motivation letter (max 2,500 characters) and an outline of their research work (max 3,500 characters) they are willing to present.

Applicants are required to provide the outline of their research following the template they can download here.

The outline of the applicants’ research work is mandatory, as to guarantee a certain level of advancement and to enable participants to be efficiently matched for peer-reviewing and further interaction.

Please do note that there will be a selection of the papers that will be presented on day 4 due to time limits.

Participants will receive a response regarding their admission two weeks after the registration deadline.

Each year, the Florence School of Regulation – Energy and Climate (FSR Energy & Climate) awards scholarships for a wide variety of training courses targeting a broad audience of professionals and academics.

Applications will be assessed by a Selection Committee of FSR members on a yearly basis. The successful candidates will be informed by 28 February 2022 and will be provided with all relevant information on how to enroll in the online course or residential training of their choice.

Send your application by 9 January 2022.

Find more information here

Student Fee: 500 EUR