SPRING SCHOOL CEAD

Spring school CEAD

2026 Edition - Rethinking Electrification: Powering the Electrified Everything

The fifth edition of CEAD will turn its spotlight on a theme that sits at the very heart of the energy transition: electrification. The reason is simple: we finally have renewable energy that is both affordable and scalable. Solar and wind can be rolled out quickly, and when we use electricity, we use energy more efficiently—just think of electric cars or heat pumps. What is even more exciting is that electrification is now reaching into places where it once seemed impossible, from heavy transport to industry.

That is why CEAD 2026 will place electrification at the centre stage. Together, we will explore its many dimensions: electricity production and distribution, energy storage, smart grids, and the role of AI and digital tools in keeping these systems reliable and flexible. In doing so, CEAD also comes full circle. The first four editions explored materials, waste management, industry, and heavy industry. Now, we return to materials and production, but with a fresh perspective—how electrification can transform them and, in turn, our energy future.

Participants will collaborate on international, interdisciplinary group projects and participate in panel discussions, thereby building their communication skills and increasing their awareness of the global importance of decarbonization. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to contribute effectively to the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The Spring School will be held at Hasselt University (Belgium) from Sunday, 3 May (evening), to Friday, 8 May 2026. A virtual component will follow, to be completed by 20 May 2026. The program will be conducted in English.

The application deadline is 15 February 2026, and notification of acceptance is expected by the end of February 2026. The program is open to students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering and science fields. Selection will be based on a motivation letter and academic background.

This Summer School is an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme organised by the Faculty of Engineering Technology of Hasselt University in collaboration with KU Leuven and the EURECA-PRO network. Eligible students may apply for an Erasmus+ short-term mobility grant through their home universities.

Participation in the complete programme (on campus and virtual) is mandatory.

ON CAMPUS PART
From Sunday May 3 (evening 8 p.m.) to Friday May 8 (4 p.m.) 2026, each participant will take part in all the modules.

A SNAPSHOT OF THE WORKSHOPS ...

Learn about SDGs today, apply them tomorrow as transformation engineers!  by Prof. dr. Sonja Schreurs, Faculty of Engineering Technology @UHasselt, research centre CMK (Centre for Environmental Sciences), Nuclear Technology Centre, Belgium

Electrifying Intelligence: Co-designing AI Tools for Solar PV with Generative AI by Dr. David Moser and Mousa Sondoqah, Becquerel Institute, Italy

Metamaterials: reconciling lightweight ecological design with good noise and vibration  by Prof. dr. Elke Deckers, Faculty of Engineering Technology @KULeuven, research group Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics (LMSD), Belgium

Underground smart grids by Prof. dr. Wilmar Martinez, Faculty of Engineering Technology @KU Leuven, research group Electrical Energy Systems and Applications, EnergyVille ESAT, Belgium

Material challenges in the energy transition: from mining to recycling by Prof. dr. Jan Ivens and Yixue Zhang, Faculty of Engineering Technology @KU Leuven, research group composite materials, Belgium

Powering the Electrified World: Designing Reliable and Intelligent Power Conversion Systems by Prof. dr. Ehsan Jamshidpour, Faculté des Sciences et Technologie (ENSEM) @Université de Lorraine, research group GREEN (Groupe de Recherche en Energie Electrique de Nancy), France

Solar Design for a Circular Economy: Making PV Modules Easy to Recycle by Prof. dr. Patrizio Manganiello, Faculty of Engineering Technology @UHasselt, research centre imo-imomec & EnergyVille, Belgium

New challenges and modern tools on solar resource and forecasting by Prof. dr. Andreas Kazantzidis, University of Patras, Physics Department, Greece

+company visits

VIRTUAL PART
9 May-20 May 2026

• Online student team meetings to prepare the written report
• Written report on the teamwork
• Quality survey

Upon completion of CEAD 2026, participants walk away with:
1 | new insights into the position (and limitations) of efficiency and renewables on the road to carbon reduction.
2 | new concepts and approaches that can be used in the development of solutions for carbon reduction.
3 | new knowledge on how AI can contribute sustainably.
4 | new insights in the green optimisation of materials, production and processes in different fields of industry.
5 | fresh perspectives on how effective policymaking can accelerate the energy transition.

And participants have boosted: 
5 | their intercultural communication skills and critical thinking through international teamwork.
6 | their awareness of the global necessity and civic interest of the reduction of the carbon footprint.

A jury will evaluate the learning outcomes through a group presentation and a written report. 

ON-CAMPUS PART FROM 3 MAY (evening 8 p.m.) to 8 MAY (4 p.m.) 2026

Detailed weekly schedule coming soon.

• Deadline: 15 February 2026 via this online form
• You can only apply for the complete on-site and virtual programme.
• All applicants will be informed about their selection by the end of February 2026.
• Selection will be based on your motivation, study results and progress, study field, and gender to ensure interdisciplinarity and diversity of committed student teams with a general background in engineering and sciences.

• No registration fee
• Welcome drink, lunches, a group dinner, and a cultural activity offered by the organisation
• Free bike available throughout the week
• Accommodation offered by the organisation
• Travel and visa costs, transport, and other meals at your own expense.
• Participants from partner universities can apply for an Erasmus+ grant to cover most of the costs of short-term mobility at their home university.

Accommodation

Shared rooms with breakfast will be booked for you in a hotel in Diepenbeek, near the campus.

Any booking of flights or other travel before your official acceptance for the summer school is your responsibility.

Academic coordination

Prof. dr. Bart Vermang (UHasselt)
Prof. dr. Ir. Eric Demeester (KU Leuven)

Administrative coordination and contact

Mrs. Karine Evers | karine.evers@uhasselt.be

Organisation

Faculty of Engineering Technology
UHasselt - KU Leuven
Agoralaan Buildings H and B
3590 Diepenbeek
BELGIUM

With the support of EURECA-PRO and Erasmus+.

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