The Transition Institute 1.5, in partnership with the Energy Technology Systems Analysis Program (ETSAP) and CMA Mines Paris – PSL, organized a week-long International Autumn School from Monday, November 6th, to Saturday, November 11th, 2023, at the Mines Pierre Laffite campus in Sophia Antipolis.
This international Autumn School focused on the theme of “Prospective Modeling and Climate Change: Energy & Water Issues.” All instruction and lectures were conducted in English.
During the week, general lectures provided participants with presentations on the challenges of prospective modeling, issues related to energy systems, and the connection between water and energy.
The Water-Energy Nexus
In the context of the growing challenges posed by climate change and the pursuit of sustainable development goals, it becomes crucial to understand the complex relationship between energy consumption and water resources. Indeed, climate change intensifies the depletion of water sources and directly impacts energy production, distribution, and efficiency. The energy sector heavily relies on water resources for essential processes, influencing both their availability and quality. To address these intricate dynamics, prospective modeling emerges as a powerful tool to better comprehend certain mechanisms and develop effective strategies to tackle the critical interaction between energy and water resources in the face of climate change challenges.
An Enriching Training Experience
In addition to the three days of conferences, participants will engage in group work. These sessions will allow participants to explore the TIMES model (for beginners) or discuss their ongoing work if they are already advanced users of this model. A prospective study project will be conducted, and students will work on it in groups throughout the week. The final half-day will be dedicated to an oral presentation of this project and potentially the drafting of an initial version of an academic article to be submitted to a peer-reviewed international journal.
Testimonials from Participants
Áine GREENE, Research Associate at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University (CGEP), United States
“The International Autumn School 2023 provided an excellent opportunity for me to advance the learning curve in energy system modeling. It was an intense, insightful, and rewarding week dedicated to prospective issues, surrounded by distinguished experts, researchers, and PhD students, which accelerated my understanding and appreciation of TIMES, its applications, and its utilization for impact.”
Thomas Gaël BEBGA, Statistician and Energy Economist at the Ministry of Economy of Cameroon
“This week allowed me to acquire the necessary techniques for prospective modeling and issues related to climate change: energy and water. I also particularly appreciated the hands-on work with TIMES.”
Imène BEN REJEB-MZAH, Head of the Data Analytics Team at Climate Analytics and Alignment (C2A), BNP Paribas
“The topic is perfectly aligned with my current focus in research and development: measuring the climate alignment of financial portfolios, where we use net-zero climate scenarios as references, as well as quantifying risks related to water stress.”
Marie CODET, PhD student at CMA Mines Paris – PSL
“It was an excellent opportunity to meet modelers and researchers interested in water and energy-related topics. The presentations and practical training were of high quality.”
Farzaneh AMIR KAVEI, Energy Engineer, PhD candidate in Innovation for the Circular Economy at the University of Turin
“Water modeling in energy system optimization models is still not addressed in either the energy modeling community or the water modeling community, although it deserves special attention. That’s why I chose to enroll in the International Autumn School 2023.”
Sukriti SHARMA, PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, India
“The knowledge gained during this training week will not only refine the technical aspects of my modeling work but also contribute to a more holistic and interdisciplinary perspective in developing sustainable solutions for hydrogen systems in India. I plan to apply this newfound proficiency in TIMES modeling directly.”
Tania LOUIS, Ph.D. in Health Biology, Scientific Mediator, and Educational Content Designer, Author (her website). She conducted a three-day training on scientific communication during the International Autumn School.
“Effectively communicating one’s work and the state of knowledge in their field is a crucial skill for all research personnel. Therefore, it seems essential to train as many researchers as possible in this regard. However, it is even more crucial for those working on topics that directly concern citizens, such as climate change. In addition to their peers, these researchers may potentially need to communicate with colleagues from other disciplines, as well as with journalists and decision-makers! Putting oneself in the shoes of a non-expert audience and crafting an intelligible discourse to convey a message is a learned skill. I am always delighted to assist individuals who wish to undergo training in this field.”
You can review the report from the previous edition, the Summer School 2019: “Prospective Modeling & Energy Transition.”
