INPATH — TES: Innovative pathways to PhD research in thermal energy storage

The goal of the project Innovative Pathways to Thermal Energy Storage (INPATH-TES) is, following the EC SET-Plan Education and Training Roadmap, to create a network of academia, research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises to implement a joint PhD programme in the area of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technologies with the final result to educate professionals on these technologies for the European research and industry institutions. A total of fourteen courses have been proposed and defined in detail, which are currently being developed. These courses are classified in three groups: five basic common PhD courses, four common technology specialization courses, and five research management, dissemination, and communication courses. For the development of the PhD programme the presence of a wide range of stakeholders ensures the inclusion of knowledge, experiences and needs. Within the project some main challenges have been identified so far, the development of the PhD programme, the implementation of the programme in the participating country and institutions due to the structure, the doctoral training and the access to the PhD programme. Furthermore the development of a Master degree programme (MSc) in Thermal Energy Storage seems to be a challenge and the continuity of the programmes after the EU funding ends.