Our energy system is evolving due to depletion of cheap fossil fuels and the need for carbon emission constraints. Government and business are under pressure to tackle the energy challenges of rising energy costs, energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We witness rapid changes across countries as this evolution takes place, steered both by markets (investment decisions) and government (policy decisions).

It is essential for energy professionals to stay well informed with the latest insights in this evolving world. For this reason, Euan Mearns of The Oil Drum, myself and several others, are organizing the first three-day Global Energy Systems conference, which will take place in Edinburgh, United Kingdom from June 26 - 28 2013. The conference is meant to deliver key updates on the most pressing energy issues and challenges facing our energy system, as well as providing a forum for exchange of substantially different viewpoints. It is supported by several universities and research institutes including University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, Oxford Research Group, Chatham House and others.

The scope is deliberately very broad, covering most primary energy sources, so that a global view of the current energy system can be presented. Session topics include “the limits to easily accessible fossil fuels”, “frontier fossil fuel technologies and basins”, “the viability of nuclear power”, “the costs and benefits of fossil versus renewable electricity”, and “the economics and policy of energy systems”. A few of our confirmed speakers include Michael Kumhof (IMF), Sir David King (former Head Smith School Oxford University), Arthur Berman (The Oil Drum), Dr. William Blyth (Director Oxford Energy Associates) , Peter Jackson (IHS CERA), Lord Ron Oxburgh (House of Lords UK Parliament), Dr. Alexander Naumov (Group Economics BP), and Guy de Kort (Shell Vice President GTL).

Read below the fold for an overview of the conference programme and confirmed speakers to date.

Our energy system is evolving due to depletion of cheap fossil fuels and the need for carbon emission constraints. Government and business are under pressure to tackle the energy challenges of rising energy costs, energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We witness rapid changes across countries as this evolution takes place, steered both by markets (investment decisions) and government (policy decisions).

It is essential for energy professionals to stay well informed with the latest insights in this evolving world. For this reason, Euan Mearns of The Oil Drum, myself and several others, are organizing the first three-day Global Energy Systems conference, which will take place in Edinburgh, United Kingdom from June 26 - 28 2013. The conference is meant to deliver key updates on the most pressing energy issues and challenges facing our energy system, as well as providing a forum for exchange of substantially different viewpoints. It is supported by several universities and research institutes including University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, Oxford Research Group, Chatham House and others.

The scope is deliberately very broad, covering most primary energy sources, so that a global view of the current energy system can be presented. Session topics include “the limits to easily accessible fossil fuels”, “frontier fossil fuel technologies and basins”, “the viability of nuclear power”, “the costs and benefits of fossil versus renewable electricity”, and “the economics and policy of energy systems”. A few of our confirmed speakers include Michael Kumhof (IMF), Sir David King (Oxford University), Arthur Berman (The Oil Drum), Ian Emsley (World Nuclear Association), Lord Ron Oxburgh (House of Lords UK Parliament), Peter Jackson (IHS CERA), and Thomas Ahlbrandt (former USGS WPA, Ahlbrandt Consulting).

Read below the fold for an overview of the conference programme and confirmed speakers to date.

Register now to attend ASPO-USA's 8th conference, held this year at the University of Texas on November 30 and December 1. The theme this year is "The Next Oil Crisis: Is the Boom Just Another Bubble?" The conference features a debate on the subject, "Do Energy Limits Require a New Economic Framework?" among three noted speakers:

• James Kenneth Galbraith - Prof of Economics, University of Texas
• Charles A. S. Hall - ESF Foundation Distinguished Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Jason Schenker - President and Chief Economist, Prestige Economics

Other speakers Oil Drum readers are likely to be familiar with include Arthur Berman, Robert Rapier, Jeff Brown, and Robert Hirsch. Additional information below the fold. Full conference information can be found at the ASPO-USA Conference website.

The 10th International ASPO Conference will take place in Vienna, Austria over the course of three days from May 30 to June 1st 2012. The program nears completion and confirmed speaker details can be found below the fold. The conference will cover a wide range of energy topics including the future availability of fossil energy, geopolitical perspectives on energy and infastructure, economic and societal consequences of the 2nd half of the oil age, peak oil & urban design. To keep updated on conference details and for registration visit the conference website www.aspo2012.at.