For all recordings of our past events - don't forget to check out the Energy Futures Lab Youtube channel!
Past Events
Since its foundation 2006 Energy Futures Lab has hosted an annual lecture on relevant, timely energy topics from world leading figures from the world of academia, industry and politics.
Global Energy Transition Trends and Hydrogen, June 2024
On 13 June 2024, Energy Futures Lab hosted Michael Liebreich, co-managing partner of EcoPragma Capital and CEO of Liebreich Associates, for the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture. Michael delivered an enlightening talk on the latest global energy transition trends and the future of hydrogen.
Nuclear - at the core of the energy transition, December 2022
On 7 December 2022, Energy Futures Lab hosted Ian Funnell, Chair of the National Nuclear Laboratory for the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture. Ian spoke about current developments in nuclear energy and how the future of nuclear science can benefit today's society.
The Urgency of the Global Energy Transition(s) in a Post COVID-19 World Order, October 2021
On 19 October 2021, Energy Futures Lab hosted Dr Kandeh Yumkella, an internationally renowned consultant and distinguished development economist who served almost two decades in the United Nations system, including as Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All. Dr Yumkella presented some of the outcomes of the first UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy in almost 40 years and discussed their implications for global energy transitions.
The Energy System Transition: In Real Time, September 2020
On 24 September 2020, Energy Futures Lab hosted Roisin Quinn, Head of National Control and Chief Engineer at National Grid ESO. Roisin spoke about the UK's Net Zero target and what it means for the operation of the GB power system and share reflections on managing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity demand.
Grid solutions - Transforming electricity networks to enable the energy transition, March 2019
On 26 March 2019 Energy Futures Lab hosted Dr Vera Silva the Chief Technology Officer of GE Grid Solutions for the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture.
Electricity’s expanding role in the era of climate change, May 2018
On May 8 Energy Futures Lab hosted Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO of ABB, for the institute's Annual Lecture.
Grand transition, digital revolution and new energy realities, June 2017
Dr Christoph Frei presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2017, Grand transition, digital revolution and new energy realities. He discussed how the energy transition has the potential to change the way in which we produce and consume energy.
Global energy policy challenges, innovation and the catapult, March 2016
Nick Winser presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2016, Global energy policy challenges, innovation and the catapult. He discussed global energy policy challenges, innovation and the role the Catapult can play.
Practical Paths to Paris: Unleashing the Green Economy, January 2015
Sir David King presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2015, Practical Paths to Paris: Unleashing the Green Economy. The talk focussed on the need for surge in research activity switch the global economy away from its present reliance on fossil fuels.
The future of energy in passenger vehicles, June 2014
Dr Wolfgang Epple presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2014, The future of energy in passenger vehicles. The talk discussed the various merits and challenges of these pathways for global CO2 reduction from passenger car use, and presented various solutions and discuss some of the major business and commercial considerations.
Exploring Alternative Futures - Shell Scenarios, March 2013
Ed Daniels presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2013, Exploring Alternative Futures - Shell Scenarios. The talk discusses Shell's forecasts for energy supply up to 2100 and introduced the newly-published scenarios and some of the plausible, alternative views of the future that consider long-term trends in economics and energy supply.
More sustainable power generation technologies, March 2012
Charles Soothill presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2012, More sustainable power generation technologies. The talk addressed some of the scenarios we can forecast and tried to measure the outcomes and the necessary research and development from the standpoint of Alstom, a major supplier of power generation equipment world wide in fossil, nuclear and renewable.
Global trends in clean energy investment, March 2011
Michael Liebreich presented Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2011, Global trends in clean energy investment. The talk provided an in-depth look at the flow of money into the energy sector: where it is coming from, where it is going, and what is driving it – as well as looking at some of the macro- and microeconomic trends that hold the key to the future of the world’s energy system.
The road map to 2050, December 2009
Steve Holliday presented the annual Energy Futures Lab lecture 2009, The road map to 2050. The talk looked at how world of 2050 will be vastly different from the one we know today. It covered the need for dramatic change to create a world in which energy efficiency and affordability go hand in hand with sustainability and security of supply.
Sustainable, Secure, Affordable Energy, December 2008
Ed Miliband MP presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2008, Sustainable, Secure, Affordable Energy. This was Mr Miliband's first major speech on energy as Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change. You can read more about the event and a transcript of the speech here.
Securing Our Energy Future, November 2007
Sir Roy Gardner presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2007, Securing Our Energy Future. Sir Roy talked about the challenges of ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy adequate supplies of affordable energy. He covered the need for international co-operation and, in that context, argued that a single, liberalised European energy market is essential. He also highlighted his concerns about the skills gap within the energy industries and will explain why he believes that talented young people should see energy as an exciting career choice.
Changing Energy, November 2006
Dr Paul Golby presented the Energy Futures Lab Annual Lecture 2006, Changing Energy. The event was preceded by a showcase of the energy research undertaken at Imperial College london.
The Dennis Anderson lecture series is Energy Futures Lab’s flagship annual energy policy lecture. It is run in conjunction with the Imperial Centre for Energy Policy and Technology. The series is run in commemoration of the huge contribution to the energy-environment debate provided by Professor Dennis Anderson.
Dennis Anderson was Professor of Energy and Environment at Imperial College London who set up the Imperial Centre for Energy Policy and Technology in 1998. Dennis combined engineering and economics, having worked as Chief Economist at Royal Dutch Shell and Senior Advisor at the World Bank where he played a major role in helping the Bank recognise the importance and value of the Environment. Shortly before his death in 2008 Dennis acted as Executive Advisor to the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change.
The Crunchy Decade: A look at the challenges for the next ten years in the energy transition, November 2023
Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of Energy UK, delivered the 2023 Dennis Anderson Lecture, The Crunchy Decade. Emma is passionate about efforts to improve diversity in the energy industry and in this lecture she explored some of the challenges that lie ahead as the energy transition progresses over the coming decade.
The Path to a Net Zero UK, December 2020
Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, gave the 2020 Dennis Anderson Lecture, The Path to a Net Zero UK. He covered a ground-breaking new analysis from the Climate Change Committee, detailing the choices for fully decarbonising the UK economy and advising on a path to meeting the UK’s Net Zero target by 2050 at the latest.
Energy and climate policy: The science of necessity or the art of the possible? February 2019
Professor Jim Skea, the Co-chair of Working Group III of the IPCC gave the 2019 Dennis Anderson Lecture, Energy and climate policy: The science of necessity or the art of the possible? He addressed the cognitive dissonance in the policy space, exploring the nature of the changes needed to achieve low emission pathways, the obvious next steps required to move in the desired direction, and some lessons for science-policy communication.
Peak oil demand and long-run oil prices, December 2017
Spencer Dale, Group Chief Economist at BP plc gave the 2017 Dennis Anderson Lecture, Peak oil demand and long-run oil prices. Hi discussed the issues and ideas around "peak oil demand" and the implications this will have for the behaviour of global oil markets..
UK energy policy: Full steam ahead, but to where? February 2015
Ian Marchant, former Chief Executive of SSE plcgave the 2015 Dennis Anderson Lecture, UK energy policy: Full steam ahead, but to where? His talk looked at the current state of UK energy policy and discussed what is happening, why it's happening and the pace at which it is happening.
Energy: The New Political Frontier, December 2013
The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben gave the 2013 Dennis Anderson lecture, Energy: The New Political Frontier. His talk covered the global effects of the interaction between climate change, gas and renewables.
The changing shape of UK energy supply, October 2012
Mr John Hayes MP, Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, gave the 2012 Dennis Anderson lecture, The changing shape of UK energy supply. His talk covered the evolviong nature of the UK's energy supply.
Smart, safe, and just: Goals for the global energy system, November 2010
Professor Rob Socolow, author of the Princeton Wedges presented the second Dennis Anderson Issues in Energy seminar, Smart, safe, and just: Goals for the global energy system. The talk focussed on Professor Socolow's research on the characteristics of a global energy system responsive to global and local environmental and security constraints. He covered global carbon management, carbon dioxide capture from fossil fuels and storage in geological formations, nuclear power, energy efficiency in buildings, and the acceleration of deployment of advanced technologies in developing countries.
Issues in Energy Symposium, June 2010
The Dennis Anderson Issues in Energy Symposium was held on 17 June 2010 and featured Lord Stern and Dr Will Cavendish. Lord Stern led the British government’s Review on the Economics of Climate Change released in 2006. Will Cavendish is Director General of International Affairs at DECC, responsible for the post-Copenhagen negotiations and energy security issues. Both presented a 'view from here' and the theme for the discussion was the interaction between security and climate agendas