
All Roads Lead to Rome: Nuclear Role in the Energy Transition Era
Overview
Between 1990 and 2019, electricity demand doubled. It is expected to roughly double again by 2050. At least 80% of the world's electricity must be low carbon by 2050 to have a realistic chance of keeping warming within 2°C of pre-industrial levels. The electricity and heat sector is the largest source of human-made CO2 emissions. It is also the sector that can most readily be decarbonized. Nuclear energy, a form of energy released from the nucleus, the core of atoms, made up of protons and neutrons, is an abundant and zero carbon energy source able to provide safe, flexible, resilient, sustainable and cost-effective solutions to support production activities, energy equity, security of supply, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Harnessing the power of the atomic nucleus for peaceful purposes was one the most astonishing scientific and technological achievements of the 20th century. It has benefited medicine, security, and energy. Yet, after a few decades of rapid growth, investment in nuclear energy has stalled in many developed countries. Today, the landscape has evolved significantly because of factors like technological advancements, energy security considerations, rising energy costs, and the urgency of addressing climate change.
Notably, Italy was a pioneer of civil nuclear power and even today, after its phase-out, the Country remains at the forefront of technological advancements in this field.
During this Symposium, hosted by the Rome Advanced District, hear from academic and industry experts of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Politecnico di Milano, and Politecnico di Torino-Energy center, about rigorous scientific discourse and expert insights from the industry, grounded in real-world experiences.
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Overview
Between 1990 and 2019, electricity demand doubled. It is expected to roughly double again by 2050. At least 80% of the world's electricity must be low carbon by 2050 to have a realistic chance of keeping warming within 2°C of pre-industrial levels. The electricity and heat sector is the largest source of human-made CO2 emissions. It is also the sector that can most readily be decarbonized. Nuclear energy, a form of energy released from the nucleus, the core of atoms, made up of protons and neutrons, is an abundant and zero carbon energy source able to provide safe, flexible, resilient, sustainable and cost-effective solutions to support production activities, energy equity, security of supply, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Harnessing the power of the atomic nucleus for peaceful purposes was one the most astonishing scientific and technological achievements of the 20th century. It has benefited medicine, security, and energy. Yet, after a few decades of rapid growth, investment in nuclear energy has stalled in many developed countries. Today, the landscape has evolved significantly because of factors like technological advancements, energy security considerations, rising energy costs, and the urgency of addressing climate change.
Notably, Italy was a pioneer of civil nuclear power and even today, after its phase-out, the Country remains at the forefront of technological advancements in this field.
During this Symposium, hosted by the Rome Advanced District, hear from academic and industry experts of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Politecnico di Milano, and Politecnico di Torino-Energy center, about rigorous scientific discourse and expert insights from the industry, grounded in real-world experiences.
Agenda
Registration and Morning Coffee
Welcome and Introduction
Keynote Speech 1: The West and the Rest: Current State of the Global Debate and Evolving Policies in the US, EU, Middle East, and Asia
Keynote Speech 2: Nuclear Technologies and Markets
Panel 1: Why Has New Nuclear Been Deployed Efficiently in China, Korea, and the Emirates, But Not in the US and EU? What Business-Industrial Model Makes Sense?
Coffee Break
Keynote Speech 3: Fact-Check on Nuclear Issues
Keynote Speech 4: Let’s Run Nuclear: The Swedish Experience
Lunch
Keynote Speech 5: Italian Energy Mix: Status and Forecast
Panel 2: The Role of Academia and Current Status of R&D on Nuclear Energy
Panel 3: Italian Industry Needs & Supply Chain
Panel 4: Italian Policies and Regulations on Nuclear Energy: Today's Debates, Positions, and Way Forward
Conclusion
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Agenda
9:00 AM
Registration and Morning Coffee10:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction10:15 AM
Keynote Speech 1: The West and the Rest: Current State of the Global Debate and Evolving Policies in the US, EU, Middle East, and Asia10:45 AM
Keynote Speech 2: Nuclear Technologies and Markets11:30 AM
Panel 1: Why Has New Nuclear Been Deployed Efficiently in China, Korea, and the Emirates, But Not in the US and EU? What Business-Industrial Model Makes Sense?12:15 PM
Coffee Break12:30 PM
Keynote Speech 3: Fact-Check on Nuclear Issues1:00 PM
Keynote Speech 4: Let’s Run Nuclear: The Swedish Experience1:30 PM
Lunch2:30 PM
Keynote Speech 5: Italian Energy Mix: Status and Forecast2:55 PM
Panel 2: The Role of Academia and Current Status of R&D on Nuclear Energy3:50 PM
Panel 3: Italian Industry Needs & Supply Chain4:45 PM
Panel 4: Italian Policies and Regulations on Nuclear Energy: Today's Debates, Positions, and Way Forward5:30 PM
Conclusion