Congress Programme

Hall 4, Block 1

In an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world, energy security has moved to the forefront of the energy and economic agenda. Growing resource scarcity, more frequent natural disasters linked to climate change, volatile markets, and political instability in and around energy exporting countries are just a few of the many pressing points of concern for energy suppliers and consumers alike.

Hall 4, Block 2

The world’s vast wealth of energy resources and opportunities, from unconventional oil and gas reserves and renewable energy sources to naturally privileged energy transportation routes, storage or skills centres, are not evenly distributed. Regional collaboration and integration are the keys to unlocking enormous untapped potential. This session explores leading examples of global cooperation projects and how they are changing the realities of regional vs national collaboration.

Hall 4, Block 3

European energy policy has been strongly pursuing decarbonisation in the energy sector. Although the European Union has developed a number of policy and regulatory initiatives, national regulations remain very different and often contradictory. How can Europe approach common regional and coherent sub-regional energy policies?

Conference Room A, Block 5

The traditional perception of the community paradox - democratised access but with the heavy industry in someone else's backyard - is being overcome by a new approach to achieving a social license to operate. From Britain to Beijing, Cameroon to Canada, case studies are emerging of successful energy projects with community buy-in. What are the ingredients of success, the consequences of failure, and the 360 benefits of smart community project planning?

Conference Room A, Block 6

98% of electricity supply directly depends on access to water. Water stress and competition for water resources are increasing and expose energy systems to new vulnerability. Technology choice, coordinated regional water planning, internal water pricing, and innovative insurance models are among the solutions implemented to adapt to a more water-constrained future

ICC Fishbowl

From ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy to taking urgent climate action to keep the world below 2°C, the global community has set itself ambitious energy targets that will require unprecedented collaboration. Innovative approaches requiring public-private partnerships, investments and new business models will be needed to the complete fulfillment of the SDG7 objectives and successfully transform the world’s energy systems.

Conference Room A, Block 4

The abundance of cost-competitive renewable energy technologies is accelerating transition towards decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised energy systems. Market design regulation, from electricity trading to grid operation, will need to be updated to integrate a growing share of intermittent renewable energy supply. Maintaining investment in electrical supply security, grid reliability and resiliency is a strategic priority.

Hall 4, Block 1

Soaring demand for electricity in the growing economies of the Middle East and North Africa is set to drive the process of regional integration in the MENA region. APICORP forecasts that the MENA region needs to invest $260 billion over the period 2018-2023 to meet this demand. What does it take to enhance utilization of the GCC’s existing interconnection and what is the potential for expanding the grid beyond the GCC region?

Hall 4, Block 2

Managing a robust energy transition is not straightforward. Success requires integrated policy approaches and frameworks, such as those encouraged by the Council's World Energy Trilemma to address the emerging synergies and co-benefits in a shifting ‘glocal’ energy landscape. How are policy makers navigating new threats and opportunities, whilst balancing with pressures to keep security high and costs

ICC Fishbowl

By 2040, energy demand and consumption will have radically transformed. Citizens of the world could be using drone capsules for transporting to work, water desalination may become the main water source and hydrogen may be the new oil. What does this mean for energy systems? This session will discuss the results of a topic-based survey by Congress participants. Our forward thinking panelists will analyse and challenge the results, painting a picture of the future using today’s reality.

Hall 4, Block 3

The unprecedented global will for action on climate change is rightly recognised as a paragon of international cooperation. As students across the globe continue to take to the streets to call for climate action, the demand for stepping up change is clear. Collective action can make a difference, and a profound one, but are the international pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 bold enough to stop global warming?

Conference Room A, Block 5

The energy world is undergoing a grand transition, driven by a combination of factors including the fast-paced development of new technologies, an unstoppable digital revolution and global environmental challenges, combined with changing demographic patterns. As part of this new reality, greater electrification of the overall energy system is expected and the big question is the importance of gasoline versus electrons versus hydrogen in the future energy system.