EMH 2024 Annual Forum

Lunch Break

Networking & Poster Break

Welcome Reception & Cocktail

Session 6: Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening System Reliability

This panel will dive into the multifaceted nature of system reliability within energy modeling frameworks, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to enhance reliability. It will explore the integration of system reliability within energy modeling frameworks, drawing on insights from ongoing studies such as the NERC ITCS. The focus will be on how to effectively incorporate new reliability metrics and climate projections into existing models to enhance the management and prediction of energy system stability across diverse regions. Experts will discuss methodologies to improve model responsiveness to various system conditions, such as extreme weather events and shifts in resource mixes, which are essential for maintaining system reliability. The session will also cover the integration of climate data into reliability assessments, a critical component in understanding and planning for future system demands and stressors. By examining case studies and current research, this discussion aims to align model development with strategic policy decisions, ensuring energy systems are robust and adaptable to both foreseeable and unforeseeable challenges

Session 7: Sustainability Considerations in Energy Transitions

Chair: Mark Windfield – York University

Outline: This session will explore the intricate balance between carbon and non-carbon factors in the sustainability of energy transitions. It will emphasize the role of life-cycle perspectives in evaluating different energy pathways and the importance of avoiding ‘carbon tunnel vision.’ By broadening the scope of sustainability assessments, the session aims to highlight how diverse environmental, economic, and social factors intersect in the modeling and decision-making processes. This comprehensive approach ensures that sustainability considerations are fully integrated into the strategic planning of energy system transitions, promoting a more holistic understanding of potential trade-offs and benefits.

Session 8: Spotlight on the Energy Modelling Ecosystem Initiative
Lightning round

Session 9: Economic Efficiency and Political Acceptability Panel

This session will tackle the multifaceted issues surrounding affordability, energy poverty, and the costs associated with transitioning to a decarbonized energy system. The discussions will center on how increases in energy costs impact consumers and the broader political and social acceptability of such changes. The session will examine the spectrum of costs associated with moving towards sustainable energy systems, including what these costs mean for both consumers and policymakers. Additionally, it will consider consumer reactions to increased energy costs and how these reactions could influence policy stability and energy market structures. Insights from regions that have experimented with rate mitigation strategies will be discussed to understand how they have managed the financial impacts on consumers. The necessity of incorporating detailed financial and cost aspects into energy modeling to better support decision-making and system planning will also be a focal point. Moreover, the panel will underscore the importance of ongoing scrutiny of current and future system costs to ensure the economic viability and political feasibility of energy policies.

Closing Remarks