Eindhoven University of Technology: Students organize conference that focuses on energy transition and growing cities
Team Energy is organizing the ‘Energy Now’ conference for the fifth time. On Tuesday May 17 in the Philips Stadium, scientists, policy makers and other stakeholders will discuss how we can provide growing cities with energy in a sustainable way in the future.
Robert-Jan Smits (TU/e President of the Executive Board), IPCC author and climate scientist Heleen de Coninck and TNO researcher Devin Diran, and others will shine their light on the energy transition in urban areas. There will also be panel discussions and workshops involving various experts and companies.
On the map
This year’s theme is energy systems in cities. As the population grows rapidly, cities will continue to expand. Therefore, the question is relevant how we are going to accommodate the expansion in cities and the associated additional demand for energy. And how do we make it sustainable? “After all, the layout of our cities depends on decisions we take now,” explains Ilse van Deventer, chair of Energy Now.
In this way, the students of Team Energy want to put the energy transition on the map, and encourage companies and other parties to actively participate. By organizing an event with networking and educational opportunities, and by offering space for meaningful discussions, the students hope to promote the development of technological and social solutions for problems within the energy transition.
European Commission
In addition, the European Commission recently set itself the goal of achieving 100 carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030. Eindhoven and Helmond have also been jointly selected for this mission and must come up with a climate action plan. The ‘Energy Now’ conference responds to this.
De Coninck is pleased with the approach that the students have chosen for the congress: “The focus of the ‘Energy Now’ event on cities is very relevant. According to the latest IPCC report, urban areas are responsible for by far the most growth in greenhouse gas emissions, but they also have the greatest potential for reducing emissions. A growing number of cities have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero. This can give us healthier and more attractive cities, but will require an urban planning effort. Few cities are prepared for this.”