Third workshop: Energy Transition and its community impact

A workshop on energy transition and its societal impacts will take place at Litla-torg, University of Iceland, from 09:30 to 16:30 on March 11.

The aim of the workshop is to create an open platform for dialogue on the key challenges and research capacity in Iceland in this field, to foster scientific collaboration, and to strengthen the capabilities of Icelandic stakeholders to compete for international research funding.

The workshop is organized by the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri, the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, and the Icelandic Research Council (Rannís). It is the third in a series of four workshops under the project Strengthening the Position of Arctic Research in Iceland. The workshop series seeks to enhance dialogue and coordination within the Icelandic research environment on Arctic issues and is funded by the University Collaboration Fund of the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education.

Registration is now open - please register here. Please note that the workshop will take place in Icelandic.

Program: 

09:30 Opening words

09:40 Current status and outlook for the energy transition in Iceland
Jón Ásgeir Haukdal Þorvaldsson, Team Leader for Energy Transition and Energy Efficiency at the Environment and Energy Agency of Iceland 

09:55 Climate Change – Now What?
Hildigunnur H. H. Thorsteinsson, Director General of the Icelandic Meteorological Office

10:05–10:15 A Sustainable Society Powered by Renewable Energy
Ívar Kristinn Jasonarson, Specialist in the Climate and Green Solutions Division at Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland

10:15–10:25 The Icelandic Master Plan for Nature Protection and Energy Utilization and its effects on Local Communities
Hjalti Jóhannesson, Specialist at the University of Akureyri Research Centre

10:25–10:40 Coffee break

10:40–10:50 Introduction to the Working Group Process

10:50–12:00 First Working Group Discussion

12:00–13:00 Lunch

13:00–14:00 Presentation of Research Projects in the Field of Energy Transition

• Energy Transition at the Land–Sea Interface: Research Infrastructure as a Prerequisite for Sustainable Development, Anett Blischke, Geologist at ÍSOR
• Energy at a Crossroads: Consensus and Contradiction in Iceland's Transition, Randall Morgan Greene, Head of Master’s Programme in Coastal and Marine Studies at the University Centre of the Westfjords
• Energy and Climate Law, Ragnheiður E. Þorsteinsdóttir, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Akureyri
• The Status of Energy Transition on Farms – Key Challenges and Opportunities, Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, Assistant Rector, Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHÍ)
• Towards Sustainable Energy Development, Brynhildur Davíðsdóttir, Professor of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Iceland; Eyjólfur Ingi Ásgeirsson, Professor, School of Engineering, Reykjavík University; Hlynur Stefánsson, Professor, School of Engineering, Reykjavík University

14:00–14:15 Coffee break

14:15–14:25 Opportunities in International Funding Programmes for Energy Transition and Arctic-Related Issues
Björg María Oddsdóttir, Egill Þór Níelsson, Kolbrún Bjargmundsdóttir and Sandra Berg Cepero, Specialists at  Rannís -The Icelandic Centre for Research

14:25–15:15 Second Working Group Discussion

15:15–15:30 Presentation of Working Group Results

15:30–15:40 Closing Remarks

15:40–16:00 Light refreshments and networking event