On September 10th, scholars from the University of Tokyo and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), jointly brought the 3rd live session of the 'Climate x' Training Program 2024, focusing on energy systems and storage, which are crucial components in the transition to clean energy.

The lecture of Prof. Ryuji Matsuhashi, Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering at The University of Tokyo, is titled Pathways to Carbon-Neutral and Economically Acceptable Energy System. Specializing in energy systems analysis and global environmental issues, Prof. Matsuhashi focused on transforming energy systems to achieve carbon neutrality for various countries and regions and the concept of energy taxonomy during his lecture.

Prof. Shoibal Chakravarty, Senior Researcher at IISc’s Divecha Centre for Climate Change then explored interactions with transportation and power sectors. Themed A Deep Dive into a Critical Technology for Energy Transition, his lectured discussed future progress needed in technology and manufacturing, and examined price trends and economic implications.

The joint expertise added crucial technical and policy perspectives to the global clean energy dialogue and enhanced participants' understanding of the challenges and opportunities in these fields. During the lecture, the concept of dualism was introduced, though it is often excluded in the taxonomy of energy systems. When it comes to energy transitions, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; decarbonization requires multiple pathways to achieve net-zero emissions. A key theme in the first half of the lecture was technological openness. This was followed by an in-depth discussion of the major issue of intermittency in renewable energy sources, which underscores the need for effective energy storage solutions. We explored various battery technologies and their energy densities, and discussed the critical role China plays in reducing costs across the global battery supply chain.

The 2024 Climate x Leadership Training Program, strategically supported by UNESCO and GAUC's global partners, aims to empower youth with the knowledge, skills, and tools to become the climate leaders of tomorrow. The program inspires participants to envision a sustainable future, take meaningful action, and unlock their potential as leaders for a carbon-neutral future.

The next session of the 2024 Climate x Leadership Training Program is scheduled for September 12th, as two consecutive "Youth Dialogue" will be hosted during the Global Youth Summit of Net-zero Future at Tsinghua University. Each forum will invite research scholars, experts from collaborating enterprises or international organizations, and four young innovators to engage in conversations on the two major themes of "Climate x Mitigation" and "Climate x Adaptation" respectively.

Reporter: Maximilian Arras

Editor: AN Najiang

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