Preparing the Next Generation – Education and Skills for the Future of Hydropower
As the EU accelerates its commitment to a green and sustainable energy future, hydropower remains a cornerstone of the energy transition. However, as energy systems evolve, so must the educational pathways that support them. This raises a critical question: Is Europe’s higher education system adapting fast enough to equip future hydropower professionals with the right knowledge and skills?
Join us for an engaging session titled:
“Education – Knowledge and Skills for Future Hydropower”
📅 21 May 2025
🕓 16:00 – 17:30 CET
🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/FVSoJoh492Y9aGnK7
Why This Matters
Recent insights—such as those shared by student researcher Magdalena Kaliba through a virtual mobility grant—highlight a concerning trend: a gradual shift in university curricula away from technical and engineering-focused courses toward more general approaches. Courses teaching core hydropower design principles (such as turbine runner, blade, spiral, and draft tube design) are in decline.
At the same time, the EU’s green transition requires a new generation of engineers, researchers, and innovators who can drive sustainable hydropower development. Bridging this gap is urgent—and this session will explore solutions.
What to Expect
The session will present findings from the Erasmus+ “Everyone” project and other educational initiatives within the PEN@Hydropower consortium, focusing on how to improve collaboration between academia and industry.
Speakers:
Robert Stopar (Turboinstitut, Slovenia) – Offering an industry perspective on current and future skill needs.
Magdalena Kaliba (Technische Universität Wien, Austria) – Sharing insights from a student’s point of view, including curriculum gaps and mobility experiences.
Prof. George Caralis (National Technical University of Athens, Greece) – Bringing academic insights into the changing role of education in the energy transition.
Moderator:
Marko Hočevar
This session is a must-attend for anyone involved in hydropower education, research, or policy. Together, we’ll explore how higher education can evolve to meet the demands of a changing energy landscape, and what joint actions are needed between academia and industry.