The Summer School on Energy Systems will provide participants with an in-depth look at the economic, policy and regulatory aspects of sector coupling in the EU. These issues will be analysed both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. In particular, during the first two days of the course, participants will learn about the European energy policy and the way its electricity and gas sectors are organised. They will then discuss the interactions between them and the challenges for regulation, together with the topic of renewable gases. Based on this qualitative overview, the third day will focus on more formalised research and quantitative studies, leaving participants the possibility to present and discuss their own research under the supervision of the course faculty over the following day.

The aim of the training is:

• To explain how energy modelling works and how to elaborate accurate models for a useful analysis of energy issues
• To illustrate recent quantitative research and tools to model coupled energy sectors
• To introduce the European energy policy as it has developed in the past decades and why sector coupling runs high on the current policy agenda
• To better understand the electricity and gas market design and the regulatory framework for energy networks in the EU
• To examine the interactions between the electricity and gas systems and better understand the related challenges for policymakers, regulators and businesses
• To explore in-depth the European approach to sector coupling and the debate on renewable gases
• 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:

• Learn how to quantitatively model some aspects of coupled energy sectors, in order to investigate specific economic, policy and regulatory issues
• Understand the role of sector coupling in the current policy debate in Europe
• Develop a comprehensive view of the interactions between the electricity and gas sector and the challenges that they raise for policymakers and regulators
• Distinguish the different pathways to the decarbonisation of the gas sector and how it can support a low-carbon energy system
• Exchange knowledge and experiences with fellow participants and closely interact with experts in the field
• Gather feedback on their 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 on sector coupling and receive feedback from their peers. Each researcher presenting his or her work will have to discuss also the research conducted by one of the other 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.

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 2,000 characters) they are willing to present. The outline of the research work is not mandatory but recommended since precedence will be given to participants willing to present their own undergoing research.

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.

Student Fee: 500 EUR

The registration fee covers:

• Course attendance
• Certificate of attendance
• Coffee breaks and lunches
• One group dinner in the city center