Skoltech is an international graduate research-focused university that was founded by the group of world-renowned scientists in 2011. Skoltech's curriculum focuses on technology and innovation, offering Master's programs in 11 technological disciplines. Students receive rigorous theoretical and practical training, design their own research projects, participate in internships and gain entrepreneurial skills in English. The faculty is comprised of current researchers with international accreditation and achievements.

Skoltech Sci Talks 2.3 – Exploring the frontiers of global energy

DSC_0034More than 80 journalist, industrialists and researchers came to hear how the directors of Skoltech’s energy CREIs (Centers for Research, Education and Innovation) describe their work in accordance to the global energy frontiers.

Skoltech is the home for three energy research centers – Center for Energy Systems, directed by Prof. Janusz BialekCenter for Electrochemical Energy Storage, directed by Prof. Keith Stevenson; and Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery, directed by Mikhail Spasennykh - and for five more research centers for other areas. you can find them all in this link.

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Alexey Ponomarev, Vice president for strategy and industrial cooperation

The event was opened with a presentation given by Alexey Ponomarev, Vice president for strategy and industrial cooperation, who described the current global trends in Energy, and how Skoltech has the competencies to get involved in the Russian and global energetic market. After him, each director presented the scientific research and cooperation with the industry done by his center.

The interesting thing was how, in the spirit of Skoltech, the different expertises integrate and reflect the aspects of the energy market – from exploration and production of unconventional and hard-to-recover hydrocarbons, through transport of the energy in grids, to advanced storage. All in the face of global warming and the efforts to find alternative and renewable energy sources on one hand, and efficient use and consumption of current energy resources on the other hand.

Prof. Janusz Bialek, Director of the Skoltech Center for Energy Systems

Prof. Janusz Bialek, Director of the Skoltech Center for Energy Systems

The directors explained the importance of the event: “It’s important that the public and the journalists get to hear about what the investments are realizing. It’s also good that we have several different centers represented, so they can see how integrated these ideas are” said Stevenson. “The more we explain about Skoltech, about our projects and programs, the more people know who we are. Students, postdocs and especially partners with whom we cooperate come to us after such events” added Spasennykh, and Bialek concluded “The wider public will appreciate better the role played by Skoltech and importance what we do. Social acceptance is crucial for our long-term survival. Journalists play an important role in shaping public opinion.”

At the end they were rather content with the event, as Bialek summed it: “It was very useful as it allowed us to tell a wider audience about how Skoltech tackles global energy
problems. We’ve had a very useful feedback from journalists and the industry”.

Prof. Keith Stevenson, Director of the Skoltech Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage

Prof. Keith Stevenson, Director of the Skoltech Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage

And what did the guests think? Victor Khaikov, president of the National Association of Oil and Gas Service told us: “It was very interesting, because I’m from the real industry, you see. I represent companies which explorate and drill, and when we meet scientific people, when they tell us about new ideas of the future, future technologies, or the way the future will go – it’s very useful. We need to keep these ideas in mind when we plan our future steps, in the real industry. Because our efficiency, technologies, equipment, and the way we make our business – all of this depends on scientific research. We need to cooperate because science is not just science to itself. It is about applying science in the real world.”

Mikhail Spasennykh, Director of the Skoltech Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery

Mikhail Spasennykh, Director of the Skoltech Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery

After the presentation session, both researchers, journalists and industrialists got to the practical session of mingling and networking over food, drinks and jazz music. We hope this would lead to future joint projects for the benefit of Russia and the world.

 

 

Photos by Sk.ru

 

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