EPS Conference: The Contribution of Physics to Energy Storage, Production, and Distribution

13 Apr 2026, 12:00 → 14 Apr 2026, 15:00 Europe/Zurich

Palais des Académies

Conference Overview

This conference explores how advances in physics are shaping the future of energy systems. Organised by the European Physical Society (EPS), it brings together experts from academia, industry, and public policy to examine the scientific, technological, and societal dimensions of the energy transition.

Through keynote lectures and moderated panel discussions, participants will address recent scientific breakthroughs, pathways for technological deployment, and the policy frameworks required to enable a secure, efficient, and sustainable energy system.

The programme covers a broad range of topics, including wind and solar energy, energy storage, critical raw materials, nuclear energy, and other emerging technologies relevant to energy production and distribution.

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Confirmed Speakers and Panelists

Pietro Barabaschi
General Director, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)
St Paul lès Durance, FR

Gianfranco Brunetti
Head of Unit, European Commission
LUX

Anne Isabelle Etienvre
General Administrator, CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission)
Paris, FR

Adrian Fabich
Institute Director, SCK CEN (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre)
Mol, BE

Giorgio Graditi
General Director, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies,
Energy and Sustainable Economic Development)
Rome, IT

Carlos Hidalgo
Director, CIEMAT (National Fusion Laboratory)
Madrid, ES

Carlos Lledo Fernandez
Robert Gordon University
Aberdeen, UK

Bruno Meyer
Secretary General, G0 15 (Reliable & Sustainable Power Grids)
Paris, FR

Alexandre Ponrouch
ICMAB-CSIC (Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona)
Barcelona, ES

Mairi Sakellariadou
EPS President
King's College London, UK

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Moderators

Laban Coblentz
Head of Communication, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)
St Paul lès Durance, FR

Luca Romano
University of Rome Tor Vergata
Rome, IT

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Monday 13 April

12:00 → 13:00 Welcome Coffee

13:00 → 13:30 Welcome Introduction

13:00 Welcome Introduction

Speaker: Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou (EPS President, King's College London, UK)

13:30 → 15:00 Generation

Convener: Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou (EPS President, King's College London, UK)

13:30 Generation One

Speaker: Mr Giorgio Graditi (General Director, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Rome, IT)

14:00 Generation Two

Speaker: Mr Adrian Fabich (Institute Director, SCK CEN (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre), Mol, BE)

14:30 Generation Three

15:00 → 16:00 Generation - Panel Discussion: Dispatchable sources key issues : cost, safety, waste

Convener: Laban Coblentz (Head of Communication, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor),St Paul lès Durance, FR)

15:00 Generation Panel Discussion

Speakers: Mrs Anne Isabelle Etienvre (General Administrator, CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), Paris, FR), Dr Carlos Hidalgo (Director, CIEMAT (National Fusion Laboratory),Madrid, ES)

16:00 → 16:30 Coffee Break

16:30 → 18:00 Storage

Convener: Dr Alfredo Portone (European Physical Society Energy Group Chair, Barcelona, ES)

16:30 In the conquest of my precious: Sustainable Materials for Energy

Speaker: Prof. Carlos Lledo Fernandez (Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK)

17:00 Storage Two

Speaker: Dr Alexandre Ponrouch (ICMAB-CSIC (Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona),Barcelona, ES)

17:30 Storage Three

18:00 → 18:45 Storage - Panel Discussion: Non dispatchable sources key issues : energy storage, environmental impact, security of supply

Convener: Laban Coblentz (Head of Communication, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor),St Paul lès Durance, FR)

18:00 Storage - Panel Discussion: Non dispatchable sources key issues : energy storage, environmental impact, security of supply

18:45 → 19:15 Future of Nuclear Energy : The ITER Project and a perspective on nuclear fusion

18:45 Future of Nuclear Energy

Speaker: Pietro Barabaschi (General Director, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor),St Paul lès Durance, FR))

19:15 → 21:15 Cocktail Dinner

Tuesday 14 April

09:00 → 10:30 Distribution

Convener: Prof. Kristel Crombé (European Physical Society Executive Committee Member, Royal Military Academy, Ghent University, BE)

09:00 Distribution One

09:30 Distribution Two

Speaker: Mr Bruno Meyer (Secretary General, G0 15 (Reliable & Sustainable Power Grids), Paris, FR)

10:00 Distribution Three

10:30 → 11:00 Coffee

11:00 → 12:00 Distribution - Panel discussion: Distribution key issues : smart grids, cost, grid stability

Convener: Dr Luca Romano (Luca Romano University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, IT)

11:00 Distribution - Panel discussion: Distribution key issues : smart grids, cost, grid stability

12:00 → 12:30 Commissioner perspectives on EU energy future

12:00 Commissioner Perspectives on EU Energy Future

Speaker: Mr Gianfranco Brunetti (Head of Unit, European Commission, LUX)

12:30 → 13:00 Summary & Conclusion

12:30 Summary & Conclusion

Speaker: Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou (Professor of Theoretical Physics, EPS President, King's College London, UK)

13:00 → 14:00 Light Lunch