Description

Innovation and Disruption: the energy sector in transition - Oxford 2016 Research Conference is a conference dedicated to the drivers of change in energy, both positive and negative with a focus on the themes of disruption and innovation which are characteristics of current energy industries and markets.

Topics

Will change be driven by the market, or by policy? Will energy consumers become the real drivers of change in the future?
What will be the major trends or likely discontinuities affecting the energy sector over the next five to ten years?
How might dramatic technical innovations in both hydrocarbons and renewables change the future energy mix and the thrust of policy?
How important is the climate agenda in shaping and instigating innovation?
How is disruption and transformation opening up opportunities for radical new business models and for innovative new products and services?
New Business New Opportunities
Where is the innovation coming from and who is going to invest?
What role will new technologies play in shaping the way energy is produced, distributed and used?
How do energy companies feel about the prospect of disruptive technological change? Threat or opportunity?
What model of innovation works best for such a capital intensive long term industry?
How could ‘big data’, new technology and new offerings combine to unlock a cleaner, efficient, consumer-friendly future?
Who will be the winners and losers?
Facilitating the Transition
What will be the impact of distributed generation, storage and demand response? What will they achieve for customers? What will they mean for suppliers?
How do we chart a course through to a low-carbon, secure and affordable energy system?
How will governments and regulatory authorities need to respond to these changes?
How do we allow for the uncertainties?
How does what the UK does fit with actions at European and international level? What can the UK learn from elsewhere?
What can economic analysis contribute? What is the role for policy?