The rapid pace we’ve suddenly adopted for getting off the gas is counterproductive, argues prof. David Smeulders (TU/e). It’s only going to make our CO2 emissions rise.
There are no more places available for this event. It may be possible to obtain a ticket at the entrance, but we’re not able to guarantee it.
As of July 2018, new neighborhoods which are yet to be built are no longer connected to the gas distribution network. A big step towards carbon-free heating, but are we really ready to make such a change? The electricity required to power alternative heating solutions such as heat pumps is still largely generated by means of fossil fuels, some of which are much more polluting than the gas used in our homes today. ‘The speed with which we want to achieve electrification is simply ten times too fast’, says David Smeulders.
Before we make the transition, we should first ensure that we can generate, store and distribute enough renewable energy to sustain such a system. Smeulders encourages you to think critically about the Climate Agreement and its solutions, in particular the Dutch transition from natural gas. With the audience he will discuss how we need a ‘think before you act’-mentality rather than rushed, semi-developed solutions.
David Smeulders is professor of Energy Technology at TU/e and chair of the research group of Engineering Thermodynamics for Energy Systems.
This lecture is organized in cooperation with TU/e’s Team Energy and marks the official kick-off for their campaign towards the Energy Now congress on 22nd of May. This fourth edition of Energy Now is centered on Smart Energy Distribution; the potential role the energy grid can play in the sustainable energy transition. Energy Now brings students, professionals, companies and research groups together to start the energy discussion.