Conference Topics

This Topic covers the wide range of multidisciplinary efforts required to ensure the rapid deployment of PV technologies on a massive and global scale as a key element of the energy and the broader ecological transition.

As such it covers a range of essential aspects:

• integration of PV generated electricity into the electrical grid and the wider energy system, including storage and sector coupling;
• analysing and ensuring that PV is implemented sustainably and ecologically in all dimensions;
• financing, market development and policy making;
• addressing and ensuring societal acceptance of the role of PV in a just energy transition.

5.1     Energy System Integration; Storage

Energy management including modelling of integrated supply-demand systems, digital monitoring, control, forecast and dispatch involving various energy sources and users, including heat pumps, electromobility and others; Technology and engineering of storage systems and their integration; Direct applications of PV generated electricity, e.g., desalination, P2X.

This subtopic comprises the systemic approach to integrate PV generated electricity, in ever increasing amounts, into the wider energy system, including balancing supply and demand.  Experience from other renewable sources and grid operators are welcome. Hybrid systems with auxiliary generators, such as biomass CHP are included here. PV solutions to meet the needs of increased electromobility are highly relevant.

The wide spectrum of storage systems is also addressed: Technology and engineering of storage systems for PV electricity: accumulators, supercapacitors, Redox flow, CAES, flywheels, storage in heat/cold, pumped hydro, seasonal storage including sizing, operation and performance of such storage to improve the overall service of the PV System. We consider papers which describe the technical relation and interaction between PV generation and storage/conversion, aimed to optimise the “dispatchability” and functionality of PV driven electricity systems, covering the full range of size from the local, to regional and continental. The time scale covers the full range from grid stabilisation to seasonal storage.

Industrial applications in which PV generated electricity is converted directly into a useful product or service, including conversion of PV electricity into other energy carriers are also included here, e.g., PV-to-gas/fuels including hydrogen production (P2X); Water desalination, sterilization and upgrading; PV process heat and other novel applications in industrial processes.

5.2     Sustainability, Environment, and Circularity of PV

Safety and environmental issues; life-cycle analysis (LCA) of modules and systems, CO2 footprint, water use, sustainability of materials, customised products and sustainable design, product regulation concepts, recycling and waste management, decommissioning, raw material availability, resource efficiency and material flows, PV in the circular economy, urban and spatial planning.

As a renewable energy solution PV must also address concerns about its environmental impact. This topic specifically calls for papers from experts in environmental science and engineering, health and safety, and also socio-economists dealing with the circular economy and LCA.

5.3    Modelling and Scenarios for Renewables, Policy, Global Challenges

Modelling and scenario analysis; interplay with other renewable energy systems; Policies for R&D, innovation and deployment; role of policy, trade barriers, regulatory frameworks for grid integration; education, training and job creation; Upscaling of PV and deployment at TW scale.

This is the subtopic for policymakers, researchers, energy-law experts, media communicators, but also teachers and communicators. The more global aspects solicit papers from large, often collaborative efforts to analyse the role of PV in a larger context, often related to energy modelling or scenario analysis. Projecting PV towards 2030, 2050 and comparing the calculations are typical subjects in this subtopic, as well as the relation of PV to greater policy efforts in the worlds regions, or international agreements, including UN Sustainable Development Goals and IPPC.

5.4    Costs, Economics, Finance and Markets

Cost models and cost reduction, soft and area related costs; competitiveness, economics of, and business models for PV and storage/conversion (P2X); PPAs, financing and investment; market development and segmentation; market design for PV as dispatchable power and electricity market participation and integration; utility scale development, prosumer aspects and digitalisation.

In this subtopic we address market analysts, project developers and business experts from finance, and investment and utilities. It covers the more non-technical aspects of installing and dispatching PV electricity, new scenarios and the market conditions required to make them happen as well as analysis of present market development and trends.

5.5     Regional Experiences; Combatting Energy Poverty

PV roll-out in developing and emerging economies, business models and finance, scenarios, roadmaps and experiences at local and regional scale of PV implementations; approaches to employ PV to alleviate poverty and energy poverty, barriers to PV deployment and solutions to overcome those.

This subtopic is intended to provide opportunities to share scenarios and experiences at local and regional scale of PV implementations, especially those from regions that often have less visibility. Sharing of lessons learned at local, municipal or regional level is a key aim. Discussions and examples of the role that PV can play in the alleviation of poverty in general, and energy poverty in particular, in different regions of the world are welcome.

5.6    Societal Challenges; Citizens’ Participation, Awareness

PV impacts on society, awareness and social acceptance of the energy transition, barriers perceived by society, roles of citizens and examples addressing these, role of behaviour, cooperatives enabling PV deployment, trade-offs between different societal goals.

This subtopic addresses SSH scientists and looks at societal challenges around the ongoing energy and ecological transition, and how to ensure the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies in a rapid and fair manner. Citizen’s participation is essential at the local and global scale and methods and studies to help achieve this are relevant here.