Background

The energy transition is a rising concept related to transformation of the global energy sector from fossil-based to (nearly) zero-carbon, virtually by 2050. The concept is driven by the need to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions in order to limit climate change. Decarbonising the energy sector requires urgent actions on a global scale, and while a global energy transition is ongoing, further actions are required to reduce carbon emissions, ensure social equity, and mitigate the actual effects of climate change. Renewable energy sources, sustainable mobility, low emission human activities and new efficient and virtuous behaviours in a circular landscape are at the core of this transformation. The energy transition will also be enabled by information technology and the convergence of digital infrastructures and new technological elements, helped and made real by the creation of new policy frameworks and innovative business models.

Summary

Aim of the workshop is to provide a multilateral vision on the green energy transition seen from the point of view of various players operating in the field of energy, including academia, industrial enterprises and energy consultants, with a main focus on urban areas. Starting from an overview on the numbers of the energy transition as they can be realistically foreseen starting from the current landscape, challenges and opportunities that this process is posing in view of socio-economical limitations and the target of the drastic carbon emissions reduction are discussed, with specific reference to the concept of electric cities, i.e. cities ultimately fuelled by green electricity. In this perimeter, the workshop will present strategic aspects regarding energy infrastructural challenges for instance in terms of resilience to perturbations, such as massive energy demand by electric vehicles, and considering the growing role of prosumers. Speakers from the academia will outline the concept of electric city providing the audience with case studies and data from the major urban agglomerations worldwide. Energy communities and the rising opportunities that they offer will be discussed under the point of view of self-consumption and grid neutrality, in comparison with the concept of energy islands. Experts from energy utilities and primary energy providers will illustrate their views and experiences on how to engage the transition process in urban settings, starting from a world of proved existing technologies and specific solutions. As a necessary complement, the key role of regulation activities in governing the transformation process while guaranteeing the proper pace will be introduced and discussed.

The event is organized by SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) and Ordine degli Ingegneri della Provincia di Milano with the support of Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.