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The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception and poster display from Imperial researchers, showing the latest developments in the field of sustainable energy. It will offer the general public the chance to engage directly with those developing new technologies and ideas.
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE FUTURES – SHELL SCENARIOS
Abstract
Shell has been using scenarios since the early 1970s to allow generations of leaders make better business decisions. Scenarios are stories that consider “what if?” questions and consider a range of plausible futures and how these could emerge from the realities of today, whereas forecasts focus on probabilities. Scenarios recognise that people hold beliefs and make choices that lead to outcomes.
Shell’s scenarios team considers changes such as in the global economic environment, geopolitics, resource stresses such as water, greenhouse gases, and energy supply and demand. Shell’s new scenarios – which will look out to 2100 for energy supply/demand and environmental impacts – are due to be launched at the end of February.
Over time, Shell Scenarios have gained a global following among governments, academia and other businesses. In an industry often defined by uncertainty and volatility, Shell is stronger thanks to the forward planning capacity that scenarios bring. Ed Daniels, an alumnus of Imperial in Chemical Engineering, leads the development of downstream technologies in Shell’s Projects & Technology organisation. Ed will introduce the newly-published scenarios and some of the plausible, alternative views of the future that consider long-term trends in economics and energy supply.
Biography
Edward Daniels was appointed Executive Vice President of Global Solutions Downstream within Shell’s Projects & Technology organisation in July 2009. He has responsibility for technology support to Shell’s downstream assets and products (including fuels and lubricants), as well as all commercial activities spanning licensed technology, catalysts and services to customers in the oil and gas, petrochemical and other processing industries. In November 2012 he was appointed Chairman Shell UK Limited, effective 1 January 2013. Edward will combine this role with his current role.
In June 2011, Edward was elected as Technical Vice President of the Council of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the global professional institution for chemical and process engineers. He attained Chartered Engineer status in 2010 and was elected as a Fellow of the IChemE the same year.
Receiving a Masters of Chemical Engineering degree from Imperial College London in 1988, Edward joined Shell in the same year to work in its refining business. He undertook a number of assignments and, during this period, studied for his MBA with Henley Business School which he was awarded in 1995.
His current portfolio is delivered primarily through teams working out of Shell’s technology centres in Amsterdam, Houston, Bangalore and Hamburg.