Zurich and St. Gallen, Switzerland

Energy Systems in Transition: Economic, Policy and Social Challenges

when 15 August 2016 - 3 September 2016
language English
duration 3 weeks
credits 5 EC

Topics of the course will be among others
• Introduction to energy economy and energy policy
• Renewable energy management
• Policy risks in financing renewable energy projects
• Energy policy and stakeholder engagement
• Development of the EU Energy Policy
• Energy politics
• Energy law in Switzerland
• Negotiation engineering

In addition to the lectures and practical sessions, excursion to the energy region Goms (http://www.energieregiongoms.ch/), the hydro power plant Grand Dixence (http://www.grande-dixence.ch/energie/hydraulic/switzerland/grande-dixence.html) and the nuclear power plant Beznau (https://www.kernenergie.ch/de/akw-beznau.html) are planned.

Course leader

Dr. Silvie Cuperus, Swiss Studies Foundation

Target group

The summer school is open for bachelor (2nd and 3rd year) and master students.

Students should:
• Demonstrate a high motivation and interest in gaining further knowledge on energy issues
• Enrolled in a bachelor (second or third year) or master programm in natural or engineering sciences or economic or social sciences
• Working proficiency in english
Applications are accepted from students performing studies at European universities (Israel, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey included) or students studying outside Europe and holding European citizenship. The European Campus of Excellence course is open to 30 students. Participants will be selected based on academic merit.

Course aim

The energy sector is a major contributor to some of the most pressing societal challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion and local air pollution. We are presently facing huge and unprecedented challenges in replacing the current fossil fuel based energy systems with a sustainable, more secure and equitable supply. To mitigate these problems, new energy technologies need to be developed and diffused. Firms and institutions, such as public policy, as well as the energy consumer play a particularly important role in achieving these goals. The global challenge has to be addressed by an interdisciplinary approach and global as well as local strategies. Comprehension of the interconnectivity between different fields such as energy production, energy consumption, society, policy and economy is crucial for a successful transformation of the energy systems.
The summer school will enable students to share knowledge and learn from each other as well as from experts in the field. It provides a unique setting for students to work together and to build a network across Europe. Awareness for the challenge of our future energy supply will be raised, a better under-standing of the energy issues will be encouraged and global solutions to meet the challenges will be discussed.

Credits info

5 EC
It is the participant’s responsibility to verify the validity of the course and validate it at their home university.

Fee info

EUR 0: -
EUR 0: -

Scholarships

Thanks to the generous funding provided by the Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, stipends for all 30 participants can be provided. They cover travelling, boarding and lodging.