Conference Programme

Energy for a Net Zero Society
achieving a just transition

 

DAY 1 Tuesday September 22nd 2020
Blavatnik School of Government, 120 Walton St, Oxford, OX2 6GG
10.30 Opening Address: Energy for a Net Zero Society
11.00 First Plenary Session: Keeping warm and staying cool in a net zero society
Our societal need to keep warm and stay cool in homes and workspaces drives a major slice of current greenhouse gas emissions. To reach net zero we will need to transform energy systems for heating and cooling. Analysis suggests that this will be hugely challenging, involving a range of solutions across different regions, building types and end users. Big questions around how to deliver heat load in winter without excess cost of idle capacity in summer, the right combination of building efficiency improvement, new fuels  (hydrogen, bio-methane, steam, etc.) and potentially a range of seasonal storage and flexibility remain to be resolved. Now with the adoption of a net zero target, is a timely moment for strategic new thinking around how to shape markets, share costs, harness UK capabilities and reconcile regional priorities to deliver zero carbon energy for buildings.
12.20 Questions and Discussion
13.00 Lunch
14.00 First Parallel Session – Dialogue & Paper Sessions x 6
15.30 Tea
16.00 Second Parallel Session – Dialogue & Paper Sessions x 6
17.30 Student and Young Energy Professional Session
19.00 Conference Drinks and Dinner – After Dinner Speaker
Worcester College, 1 Walton St, Oxford OX1 2HB
DAY 2 Wednesday September 23rd 2020
Blavatnik School of Government, 120 Walton St, Oxford, OX2 6GG
08.00 Diversity and Skills Breakfast Session
Dr Maureen Paul, OFGEM, other speakers tbc
09.00 Opening Address: Energy for a Net Zero Society
Laura Sandys, Challenging Ideas
09.20 Second Plenary Session: Mobility in a net zero society
The electrification of personal transport now seems inevitable. The substantial electrification of road freight is also possible, though dependent on how the technology options, including batteries, catenaries and hydrogen, develop. There remain many other uncertainties along the way, depending on developments in road and charging infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, shared ownership, flexible working in time and place, and smart grids.  And big issues are raised. With so much stored electrical energy on the move, this changes the ecosystem of the energy vectors, making roads as much as pipes an energy vector.  With electrification of motion and the associated sensors will come new diagnostics and information of our whereabouts and mobility status.  This has benefits and risks in an information society. Finally, what are the options for aviation and shipping, and – in respect of the former – for constraining demand.
Richard Bruce, Director of Energy, Technology and Innovation, Department for Transport
Prof Jillian Anable, Chair in Transport and Energy, ITS, University of Leeds
Gloria Esposito, Head of Projects, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
10.20 Questions and Discussion
11.00 Coffee
11.30 Third Parallel Session – Dialogue & Paper Sessions x 6
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Third Plenary Session: Jobs prosperity and production in a net zero society This is an overarching evaluation of energy inputs and output in wider economic activity. The plenary will ideally cover industry in all of its aspects from energy intensity, carbon footprint, innovation and employment.  It will also cover the way the zero carbon is to be embedded in the macro economy, and explore where there are tensions in terms of the cost to GDP of decarbonisation and the opportunity for the zero carbon economy to be more efficient than the high carbon system we have today. The session will also cover the financial structure on society behind the investment needed – how to make the zero carbon society works for all and no-one gets left behind due to financial or digital exclusion.
EDF speaker tbc
15.20 Questions and Discussion
15.45 BIEE AGM
16.00 Tea and Close

 

 

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