Energy
The course
The Energy course from the Mad for Science programme of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation is a course developed and organized by the Catalan Institute of Energy (ICAEN), with the collaboration of the Catalonia Energy Research Institute (IREC), aimed at 1st and 2nd year A-Level students with a scientific vocation interested in STEM careers. This course was created with the idea of introducing the multidisciplinary environment offered by the IREC where different disciplines come together to solve all kind of problems, mainly related to the energy transition to a new clean energy model, distributed and with citizens at the center. The main objective of this course is to foster scientific vocations and promote the knowledge and education of excellence in energy of young people in Catalonia.
The course will be held on different Saturdays from January May 2024 at the Catalonia Energy Research Institute (IREC) facilities.
During 15 theoretical and practical sessions students will get to know the world of energy. They will learn that the energy transition for the construction of a sustainable future will be based on renewable energy, storage and a responsible and optimal consumption of resources. From IREC research, we do research to improve how to produce renewable energy, such as photovoltaic or wind, or on how we save this energy for when we need it to heat our house or move our vehicles. We will learn what the digitization of energy is, in a world that will be increasingly interconnected. We are waiting for you!
The course will cover the following areas:
- How is energy produced?
- How is energy stored?
- How is energy distributed?
- How do we consume energy?
Specific goals
Academic studies
- To promote among young people scientific vocations related to energy in particular and to technological research in general, as an object of study and as a tool for research.
Research
- Make students aware of the importance of energy in different areas of research, science and engineering.
- Know the operation of research centers linked to energy.
- Valuing multidisciplinarity and technology as necessary pieces for the progress of knowledge.
Science
- Engage students to be critical and value science in general.
- Understand the difference between basic research and applied research in energy.
Sessions 2024
Day: Saturday 20th of January, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: to specify.
Session coordinator: Judith Frutos.
Language: catalan.
In this session we will do an introductory session on energy, how it is generated and how it is consumed, comparing conventional power generation methods with fossil fuels and renewable energies. We will talk about energy efficiency and the current challenges to face the so-called "energy transition" and the possible scenarios for the new energy model.
Session 2: How do we extract the energy from the wind?
Day: Saturday 27th of January, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: José Ignacio Rapha.
Language: catalan.
Wind energy is obtained from moving air. Windmills are generally used, which can be found both on land and in the sea and which can be higher than Montjuïc. In this session we will explain how electricity is generated using this technology, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the challenges it presents for the future.
Session 3: How do we extract the energy from the sun?
Day: Saturday 3rd of February, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Alejandro Pérez-Rodríguez.
Language: spanish and catalan.
We will explain the basic principles of solar energy generation to produce energy (photovoltaic), heat (solar thermal) and fuels (solar fuels). We will focus on teaching you how solar energy is generated with photovoltaic farms, as well as with other more innovative technologies such as transparent or flexible photovoltaics. Do you want to know where we can find these elements? We will explain it to you in this session!
Session 4: What is the internet of things?
Day: Saturday 10th of February, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Álex Morata.
Language: catalan.
Can you imagine a world in which objects are digitally connected, exchange information, make decisions and act on the environment? In this session we will talk about the Internet of Things (IoT), which is already a reality and will have an immeasurable impact on our cities, businesses, industries and, ultimately, in all areas of daily life. One of the biggest challenges for the deployment of this technology is the sustainable and reliable energy supply of a network of millions of offshored devices (nodes). In this session we will talk about the generation and storage of energy for IoT.
Session 5: Capture energy from the environment
Day: Saturday 17th of February, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Andreu Cabot.
Language: catalan.
In this session we will review the various forms of energy that surround us and how to harness them to produce the electricity we use to activate sensors, charge our mobiles, operate autonomous systems, among other applications.
Session 6. Conventional batteries and new storage methods
Day: Saturday 24th of February, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Sebastián Murcia and Elías Martínez.
Language: spanish.
In this session we will explain the basic principles of operation of a conventional battery, and how new more efficient batteries are designed to store energy or using more sustainable materials. We will also explain how to take advantage of sunlight and water (or also CO2) to produce biofuels, and how to contribute in this way to control greenhouse gas emissions.
Session 7. Sustainable mobility and storage
Day: Saturday 2nd of March, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Maite Etxandi and Pol Paradell.
Language: catalan and spanish.
In this session we will explain what an electric vehicle looks like, how its battery works and what its performance is like. We will also learn how the network of electric chargers on the road is planned to ensure mobility over long distances. We will also talk to you about sustainable mobility options for public transport and we will reflect on the future role of the automobile in society.
Session 8: Synthetic fuels of the future
Day: Saturday 9th of February, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Martí Biset i Elena Martín.
Language: spanish.
The session provides basic tools for students who want to enter the field of catalysis. Fundamentally it provides knowledge in the design and manufacture of heterogeneous catalysts, how they act, their importance in research and in industry, and some examples of sustainable catalytic reactions with the environment.
Session 9: Hydrogen as an energy vector
Day: Saturday 16th of March, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Marc Torrell.
Language: catalan.
First we will explain what hydrogen is, what it is for in the energy context, and how it can be used to store energy. The different hydrogen generation technologies will be explained, as well as the main applications both in the industrial, domestic and mobility fields. Participants will be able to have a global vision of new energy scenarios based on renewable sources, and how energy can be stored beyond batteries.
Session 10. How do we measure the environmental impact of new technologies?
Day: Saturday 6th of April, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Luis Alberto López and Isabella Bulfaro.
Language: spanish.
The current electricity network will have to adapt to the new paradigm of renewable energies. What will this entail? The electricity grid will have to be smart, including a series of energy meters and management with devices such as smart meters, smart appliances and integrate renewable energy sources. In an intelligent electrical network, the ability to control the production and distribution of energy is very important. We will explain what challenges are presented in this session!
Session 11. What is a smart grid?
Day: Saturday 13th of April, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Anzhelika Ivanova.
Language: spanish.
The current electricity grid will have to adapt to the new paradigm of renewable energy. What will that imply? The electrical grid will have to be smart which includes a follow-up of energy mediators and management with devices such as smart meters, smart appliances and integrating renewable energy sources. In a smart grid, the ability to control energy production and distribution is very important. We explain what challenges are presented in this session!
Session 12: How do we design buildings with almost zero energy consumption?
Day: Saturday 20th of april, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Angelos Mylonas and Jordi Macià.
Language: catalan and spanish.
In this session we will explain how to design and build an almost zero energy building. Through discussions and dynamic activities we will review what factors we must take into account to design the envelope and facilities, and the relevance of renewable energy and energy management of the building to achieve our objectives.
Session 13: How do we rehabilitate a building to make it more energy sustainable?
Day: Saturday 27th of April, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Elisenda Clèries and Luca Borghero.
Language: catalan and spanish.
During the session we will introduce the most relevant aspects that influence the energy behavior of our buildings and how these factors influence aspects such as health and comfort. We will review the most relevant strategies to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings through specific rehabilitation actions and changes in the behavior of the people who use it.
Session 14: What's Green IT?
Day: Saturday 4th of May, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Joaquim Romaní.
Language: catalan and spanish.
In this workshop we will introduce you to data centers and, more specifically, their relevance in the digitized world we live in today. We will review the energy consumption and impact of daily actions such as the use of WhatsApp and we will introduce tools that allow us to evaluate the energy behavior of a Data Center and how to reduce our environmental impact.
Session 15: Active consumers: challenges and solutions
Day: Saturday 11th of May, 2024.
Time: 10am to 2pm.
Place: IREC, Jardins de les Dones de Negre, 1, 2nd floor. 08930 Sant Adrià de Besós.
Session coordinator: Anna Magrasó.
Session run by: Josh Eichman and Dimitrios Lagos.
Language: spanish and english.
In this workshop we will learn about the components of the electricity bill and the options available to reduce costs. We will analyze how we consume electricity in urban homes and if it is feasible to install a community solar system to produce our energy. We will also talk about what energy poverty is and reflect on potential schemes to mitigate this problem.
Collaborating entities
The Catalan Institute of Energy is a public company of the Generalitat de Catalunya that works intensely to make the transition to a new sustainable energy model possible, in balance with the environment and people.
The goal is to achieve clean, safe, and accessible energy for everyone. This challenge includes all civil society and all productive sectors. And also, the new generations who have to have the tools that allow them to imagine and transform the energy environment according to the needs of each moment.
The Catalonia Energy Research Institute is the reference research center in the energy sector in Catalonia and is part of the CERCA system of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Created in 2008, it aims to contribute to the sustainable development of society and increase the competitiveness of the industrial area in the energy sector. The center develops research of excellence in the medium and short term, innovation and the development of new technological products and the dissemination of relevant knowledge for citizens.
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