Opening lecture: Challenges and Opportunities for Solar Energy by solar pioneer dr. Pierre Verlinden
The Paris Agreement mandated a reduction of CO2 emissions to prevent the average Earth temperature from rising more than 2 °C (preferably not more than 1.5 °C).
Dr. Pierre Verlinden talks about the consequences and challenges of this mandate and presents a plan for an Energy Economy with 100% renewables to meet net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Additionally he discusses the future of renewables - and solar energy (PV) in particular - from 2022 to 2050. He addresses the challenges for the next 3 decades when the PV market grows to multi-terawatt (TW) per year. This has an influence on the consumption of some materials that have the risk of running out of stock in the near future (scarce elements). For example the silver consumption in current cell technologies, Indium consumption in hetero junction (HJT) cells and perovskite-Silicon cells, Bismuth in low-temperature multi-bus bars (MBB) or Smart Wire Contacting Technology (SWCT) assembly and Copper in PV systems.
Finally dr. Verlinden talks about material sustainability, integrated PV in f.ex. building façades and cycle paths, and other renewables.
The lecture will be held in English and is followed by a reception.
Program
- 19:00-20:00 Lecture by dr. Pierre Verlinden
- 20:00-21:00 Panel Debate
- 21:00-22:00 Reception
Participation is free, but please confirm your attendance by August 25th 2023.
More info about the speaker
Research institute imo-imomec and Faculty of Engineering Technology are honored to award the Francqui Chair to solar pioneer dr. Pierre Verlinden.
Within this framework we organise a lecture series: