Please join us for our 27th Annual Energy Policy Conference!
Ensuring Reliability: The Right Energy in the Right Places at the Right Times
U.S. Association for Energy Economics, National Capital Area Chapter
(NCAC-USAEE)
Co-hosted with George Mason University, Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Energy Science and Policy (CESP)
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Venue: Van Metre Hall (Arlington Campus)
3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
In most developed countries, particularly in the US, energy reliability and availability have progressed to become a near universal expectation. As the energy transition deepens globally and new sources of energy demand materialize, there are growing concerns about the ability of energy systems to continue to provide reliable and affordable service. There is active debate across the energy industry about the severity of the risks and the best solutions to any challenges.
In this conference, we will examine the potential supply-demand gaps across energy systems and consider the solutions through the lens of energy economics. We will have leading experts lay out and evaluate the supply and demand challenges, both domestically and internationally. We will see how data centers and electrification are driving unexpected electricity demand while examining the constraints on supply and the incentives needed to drive solutions. We will examine the role of natural gas in this context, and feature a major study by the National Petroleum Council on greenhouse gases across the gas value chain to be released that week. We will also tour an exciting new lab at George Mason that is finding technical solutions to the issues we will discuss.
Conference Agenda
8:30-9:00 am Breakfast and Registration
9:00-9:15 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
- TJ Conway, Principal, RMI; President, NCAC-USAEE
- Mark J. Rozell, Dean, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University
9:15-9:40 am Introduction: Framing the Reliability Imperative
- Jeff Plewes, Principal, Charles River Associates; Vice President, NCAC-USAEE
- Daniel Shawhan, Fellow, Resources For the Future
9:40-10:40 am Drivers of Energy Demand Growth
- Moderator: Nicole Shi, Associate, Charles River Associates
- Panelists:
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- Gregory Mathe, Manager, Electric Transmission Communications, Dominion Energy
- Colin Murchie, Independent Consultant
- Thomas Pierpoint, Vice President of Operations, NOVEC
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10:40-10:50 am Smart Grid Lab Introduction
- Liling Huang, Associate Professor, George Mason University
10:50-11:10 am Networking Break and First Lab Tour
11:10 am- 12:00 pm Keynote
- Julian Nebreda, President and CEO, Fluence
12:00-1:30 pm Lunch + Panel (Tackling GHG Emissions in the Natural Gas Value Chain)
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- Moderator: Richard Meyer, Vice President, American Gas Association; NCAC Board Member
- Panelists:
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- John Dabbar, Chair of the Coordinating Subcommittee for the Natural Gas GHG Emissions Study; Managing Director Low Carbon Technology, ConocoPhillips
- Alex Dewar, Managing Director and Partner, BCG
- Adam Pacsi, Methane Policy Advisor, Chevron
- Robert Stout, Senior Fellow, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Duke University; Executive Director, Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab (EEMDL)
1:30-2:30 pm A Global Perspective on Energy Reliability
- Moderator: TJ Conway, RMI
- Panelists:
- Ben Cahill, Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
- Lisa Viscidi, Senior Manager - Energy, Climate & Natural Resources, Deloitte Consulting
- Claire Wang, Senior Advisor, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, US Department of State
2:30-3:00 pm Networking Break + Second Lab Tour
3:00-4:00 pm Solutions to Ensuring Energy Reliability
- Moderator: Natasha Turkmani, Associate, EIG
- Panelists:
- Jordan Kwok, Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs, Exelon
- Pallas LeeVanSchaick, Vice President, Potomac Economics
- Rachel Wilson, Manager, Strategy & Market Development Analytics, Form Energy
4:00-4:10 pm Closing Remarks
4:10-6:00 pm Cocktail Reception
Important Notes:
- Pro-tip for Non-Members: If you become member and then register for the conference you can save money!