On the morning of October 23, Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and professor at the University of Southampton, was invited to deliver a keynote lecture titled "Sustainable Energy Technologies at Different Scales: Low Carbon Transformation Pathways" at Beijing Normal University(BNU). More than 150 people attended the lecture. The lecture was moderated by Zhang Lixiao, Vice Dean of the Office of Science and Director of the Science and Technology Department.

At the lecture, Bahaj systematically introduced sustainable energy technologies at different scales and pathways to a low-carbon transition against the backdrop of global carbon emission reduction. He noted that in the context of the fifth wave of new energy technology currently led by China, the UK's Climate Change Committee has also put forward targeted national plans for advancing regional net-zero emission goals through energy transition.

Bahaj opened with a video showing that the Earth's surface receives a vast amount of naturally provided renewable energy every day. He further explained humanity's utilization of renewable resources by breaking down the physical conversion mechanisms of four types of renewable energy—solar, wave, tidal and wind power—covering different application scales from small household systems to centralized large-scale plants. He emphasized that the economics of renewable energy have undergone a historic reversal, but the energy transition is not a solo effort of any single technology; rather, it requires "the coordinated operation of fossil fuels and renewable energy," along with battery storage and microgrids to relieve pressure on aging power grids, so as to address the decarbonization challenges in key areas such as heating and transportation.

Faculty and students present at the event discussed the relevant issues in light of the African projects presented by Bahaj. He encouraged young students to be bold in breaking boundaries, to think about the scalability of energy systems, and to work together to bring about real change in the world.

After the lecture, Shen Zhenyao, Dean of the School of Environment, presented Bahaj with a souvenir medal, expressing gratitude for his sharing of cutting-edge science and technology, which broadened the academic horizons of faculty and students and ignited their passion for scientific exploration.