Third workshop: Energy Transition and its community impact

The workshop on the Energy transition and its community impact took place at the University of Iceland on March 11. The aim of the workshop was to create an open forum for dialogue on key knowledge gaps and domestic research capacity, strengthen national scientific collaboration and enhance the participation of Icelandic entities in international competitive funding programs. In addition the workshop sought to map and discuss how the research community could respond to challenges and leverage opportunities associated with the field.

The University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri, the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, and Rannís (The Icelandic Centre for Research) organized the workshop in collaboration with the Icelandic Climate Council. The event is part of the project Arctic Research in Iceland, which aimes to strengthen dialogue and coordination within the national research ecosystem on Arctic issues. The project was funded by the University Collaboration Fund under the Ministry of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education.

Programme: 

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