SCIENCE
A1 Pavilion
Within the exhibition "GIFT AND RESOURCE. THE CHALLENGES OF ENERGY," two meetings are scheduled each day to delve into not only the scientific aspects addressed in the exhibition, but also issues related to the environment, society, economy, and geopolitics.
Program | A1 Pavilion
SUNDAY, August 20, 2023
4:00 PM
3 TIMES 10.000
A story that involves all of us, with the Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere as protagonists. A complex, exciting, but also dramatic story. A story that can have a happy ending. It all depends on us.
Roberto Battiston, Experimental Physicist, former President of ASI
Introduction: Marco Bersanelli, Full Professor of Astrophysics, Department of Physics, University of Milan
MONDAY, August 21, 2023
12:30 PM
TO CONTINUE A MEETING. DIALOGUE WITH...
Ambrogio Fasoli, Director of the Swiss Plasma Center (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in Lausanne, President of the EUROfusion Consortium
Marcella Marconi, Director of the Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte, National Institute of Astrophysics, Naples
Introduction: Carlo Sozzi, Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, National Research Council, Milan
4:00 PM
ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION
What is the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost to public finance of "modal rebalancing" policies (shifting the demand for transportation of people and goods from road to railway and collective means)? How to evaluate the EU's goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and the Directive that envisages banning the sale of petrol, diesel, and internal combustion engine light vehicles from 2035 onwards?
Francesco Ramella, Bruno Leoni Institute
Introduction: Francesco Mambretti, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa
TUESDAY, August 22, 2023
12:30 PM
BIOMETHANE FROM RESIDUES: CHARACTERISTICS AND REAL PROSPECTS
Biogas represents a strategic energy vector for Italy, as well as an essential tool for decarbonizing our country. Currently, biogas in Italy is mainly produced from organic waste, but what are its real development prospects?
Barbara Barbarisi, Head of New Projects, Innovation, and Sustainability at Montello S.p.A.
Introduction: Sergio Riva, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), CNR, Milan
16:00 PM
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, MYTHS, AND REALITIES
We all agree that sustainable energy is necessary in a world besieged by dwindling resources and climate change. But what exactly is sustainable energy? How realistic is cutting our dependence on fossil fuels, and what are our alternatives? I will examine some possibilities and discuss the myths and realities surrounding them.
José Cadenas, Ikerbasque Professor of Physics, Donostia International Physics Center
Introduction: Marco Bersanelli, Full Professor of Astrophysics, Department of Physics, University of Milan
WEDNESDAY, August 23, 2023
12:30 PM
NUCLEAR FISSION ENERGY: STATE OF THE ART AND PROSPECTS
Nuclear fission energy, which has great potential, experienced significant development around the 1980s and still provides a considerable fraction of electrical energy. However, fears related to safety and management of radioactive waste have resulted in further developments mainly occurring in the East. Research continues, also with significant industrial initiatives in recent years, with the prospect of providing more complete answers concerning safety and waste management.
Marco Beghi, Department of Energy, Polytechnic University of Milan
Introduction: Andrea Caprotti, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
4:00 PM
ENERGY TRANSITION: THE PATH, CHALLENGES, ADVANTAGES
What does the transition towards increasingly using renewable sources within the Italian, European, and global energy mix consist of? What could be the economic, social, and technical implications of this massive change, still in its early stages? What transformations await us, both in terms of disrupting our lifestyle habits (mobility, heating, etc.) and rethinking infrastructure (such as electric grids, which are currently far from adequate for future scenarios)? A politician long involved in this field will discuss these topics with an energy expert journalist.
Davide Bartesaghi, CEO of Editoriale Farlastrada, energy expert journalist, director of the Solare B2B and Energia in città magazines
Massimiliano Salini, Member of the European Parliament, EPP
Introduction: Francesco Mambretti, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa
THURSDAY, August 24, 2023
12:30 PM
ALL THE COLORS OF HYDROGEN
The promise of the hydrogen vector and its role in the energy transition. The expectations and potential of "green" hydrogen.
Fabrizio Pirri, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Polytechnic University of Turin and Italian Institute of Technology
Introduction: Marco Beghi, Department of Energy, Polytechnic University of Milan
4:00 PM
THE SUNLIGHT AND LIFE ON EARTH
Sunlight plays a fundamental role in life on Earth. What is the origin of the energy that allows the Sun to shine, and what are the physical characteristics of its light that make it so important for life?
Nuccio Lanza, National Institute of Astrophysics, Catania Astronomical Observatory
Introduction: Francesca Farina, Euresis Association
FRIDAY, August 25, 2023
4:00 PM
HYDROCARBONS: THE ENERGY THAT TELLS THE STORY OF OUR PLANET
Nicola Pajola - Geophysical Advisor at Eni for the Americas, Europe, West Africa, and Former Soviet Union
