In this Lyceum Workshop, we will apply the IHS Markit scenario building methodology and extensive group interaction to develop high-level long-term scenarios focused on economy-wide deep decarbonization, and the potential technological and socio-political challenges. Participants will be divided into teams, each to explore and develop a plausible scenario.
The power sector is experiencing a confluence of major technological shifts: growing penetration of renewables; use of digital technologies to help predict, manage, and control complex power networks; and increasing concerns for security of power networks from cyber-attacks. How will the power sector navigate through these changes while continuing to meet demands of customers? How are new entrants disrupting the sector? What will be the role of regulation in the face of fast changing digital technologies?
Many US states and Canadian provinces are pursuing deep decarbonization policies that often impact not just the power sector, but their entire economy. The implementation of these policies will require new technologies in power generation, storage, and efficiency, and new strategies for their successful implementation. What is the outlook on the cost and possible business cases for emerging zero-carbon power technologies? How could technologies like floating offshore wind and next-generation battery storage succeed as part of low-carbon strategies? Could hydrogen emerge as both an energy storage medium and a generation fuel?