PhD Day 2024: A day of inspiration, recognition and connection
On 25 October, our EnergyVille PhD community came together for the annual EnergyVille PhD Day. Organised by the PhD Committee, the event provided an opportunity for researchers to share knowledge, learn from each other and take a moment to reflect on their contributions to the energy transition.
Keynote by Prof Ivan Gordon & PhD pitches
The day began with a relaxed networking breakfast, giving everyone time to exchange ideas and experiences in an informal atmosphere. This was followed by a keynote speech by Prof. Ivan Gordon, in which he stressed the importance of political and societal stakeholders focusing on technological innovation to achieve a successful energy transition.
One of the highlights of the morning was the PhD Pitches session. In short but powerful presentations, selected PhD students shared their research in just a few slides. Prof. Patrizio Manganiello (UHasselt) and Prof. Dirk van Hertem (KU Leuven) judged the pitches and awarded the first prize to Shu-Ngwa Asaa (UHasselt) for his inspiring pitch. The second prize was shared by Nicolas Pirson (KU Leuven) and Jonathan Parion (UHasselt). The winners went home with a selection of local delicacies, a nice recognition of their talent for making complicated material accessible.
The Ronnie Belmans PhD award
The award is named after Prof Ronnie Belmans, the first CEO and founder of EnergyVille. A visionary and pioneer in the field of energy systems, he played a key role in shaping the mission and success of EnergyVille. His commitment to sustainable and innovative energy solutions continues to inspire the entire research community and highlights the importance of collaboration between academia, industry and policy to make progress in the energy transition.
During the ceremony, four recently funded researchers competed for the award, each having ten minutes to explain their research. In the end, Dr Thomas Roose (KU Leuven) won the award for his research on ‘Small-Signal Modelling and Stability Analysis of Multi-Terminal DC Systems – For Low- and High-Voltage Applications’. His work touches on crucial challenges within the stability of power systems, a topic that is essential for the future of our field.
Workshop on generative AI in research
The final session of the day was an engaging workshop on the use of generative AI in research, with a specific focus on ChatGPT. Participants reflected on both the potential applications and the ethical issues involved, a topic relevant to anyone working with AI and data.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who made EV PhD Day 2024 a success – from participants and speakers to organisers and partners. This annual gathering not only showcases the achievements of our PhD community, but also strengthens the collaborative spirit that is so important to our mission: building a more sustainable energy future together.