EuroSun 2022: Bringing the solar community together

From 25 - 29 September, ISES together with the IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme, welcomed almost 500 scientists from 54 countries to Kassel for EuroSun 2022, the International Conference on Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry.

After four conference days with contributions by 16 invited speakers from leading European and global institutions, almost 300 expert oral and poster presentations, five workshops, as well as two excursions to solar industry and research institutions, it is clear that a sustainable and crisis-proof heat and energy supply with renewable energies is possible. Critical pillars for this include especially heat pumps, solar energy and district heating based on local heat management plans.

Spread over 20 conference themes, the latest research results, trends and technology developments covering components, applications and cross-cutting topics such as solar resources & energy meteorology, strategies, scenarios, financing and policies were presented. Special focal areas were thermal storage as well as digitalization and artificial intelligence, whereby the conference emphasis on heat supply especially for buildings and industry, could not have been more timely.

A particular focus of the EuroSun 2022 organizers was to promote the exchange between young and experienced experts. Several events were held especially for young researchers including a Masters Course in Solar Energy, a Solar Speed Dating session and a special Young ISES Party. 75 students were also given free admission to the conference as well as the option of private accommodation offered by local researchers during the conference days. The enthusiasm of young and emerging experts was omnipresent during the conference and the conference was enhanced by the exchange and the shared motivation to establish renewable energies as the solution to current and future supply problems.

Prof. Klaus Vajen, Chair of the EuroSun 2022 conference, was very satisfied with the event: "Both in terms of security of supply and for climate protection, the long-neglected heat supply is of crucial importance. Many technical solutions using renewable energies have already been developed, are produce in Europe and can be used immediately."

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Kassel and contributed to making EuroSun 2022 a success! The next EuroSun, again together with the IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme, will be held in 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands.