Keynote II Energy Sector in Transformation: Understanding the Main Trends and Drivers

Abstract

The energy sector in Europe and globally is changing rapidly. We see large European energy utilities experiencing fast declining profits or even incur large multi-billion losses. We see the use of more renewable energy sources, but also a fast reduction in financial support from them from governments. We see fast declining technology costs of solar and wind energy. Electricity prices do strange things at the wholesale market, they regularly even get negative. The first steps to plug-in electrical vehicles and pure electric vehicles are taken. Globally there is a shift from energy use increase from developed to emerging economies. This leads globally to continuous high prices for fossil fuels. New ways of exploration of gas (like shale gas in the United States) have a high impact on the competitive position of the different global players and has an effect on the use of coal for power generation in Europe. Where do all these different trends come from, and what are the consequences? What are possible different scenarios where this all is going? And what does that mean for opportunities to apply information technology in this fast changing energy sector? These are the main questions that will be introduced in this keynote speech.