Innovation and Disruption: the energy sector in transition - Oxford 2016 Research Conference

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.

Key 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?

Who should Attend

Energy analysts, researchers, strategy and policy thinkers from all backgrounds, including:

• Academia
• Industry
• Government
• Research organisations
• NGOs
• The finance community
• Consultancies