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Follow undergraduate student Elliana Roostalu as she connects with the energy sector's thought leaders in debate at the 2024 British Institute of Energy Economics Policy Conference.
Diving into the heart of energy debate at BIEE 2024
I'm Elliana, a student on the Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc and I'm excited by the opportunities and challenges that arise with the energy transition. Therefore, when I was presented with the opportunity to visit the 2024 British Institute of Energy Economics (BIEE) Policy Conference, a biannual event encompassing debates and discussions from key policymakers about the UK’s energy transformation from fossil fuel to renewables, I accepted straight away.
I attended the BIEE conference to learn more about the current energy climate and recent developments, which is helpful to foster a wider context for my studies. With the built environment responsible for 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions (UK Parliament, 2022), it is a vital focus for achieving net zero. In our Environmental and Resource Economics module on the course, we explored tools like pollution control targets, while our Sustainable Policy module highlighted the risks associated with uncertain government policies. These themes resonated strongly at the conference, where it was evident that delays and frequent revisions to the UK’s net zero targets — such as the recent decision to push back the ban on petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 — can decrease investor confidence. Investing in renewables is critical to creating a cleaner and healthier future in the built environment.
The hottest topics shaping the future of energy
To kick off the conference, the first speaker, Chris Stark, Head of 'Mission Control' for Clean Power 2030 highlight the necessity for these tools to fuel data-driven approaches to energy, making missions more measurable and tangible. With our modules on the Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc/MEng, we learn how to use important digital tools and software that provide creative and sustainable solutions to real-world problems. We then apply these tools to our coursework projects. One tool in particular came to mind following Chris's speech - OneClickLCA which is a digital software for design, construction and manufacturing to minimise the whole life cycle carbon of our projects to sustainable industry benchmarks and, essentially, build a greener future, faster.
From conference to coursework: Applying what I learned
The main message of the conference was "pace over perfection" and it was inspiring to observe healthy debate amongst speakers in the current execution of achieving Net Zero by 2030. Many agreed that uncertainty within government policy has hindered growth. For example, in September 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be pushed back from 2030 to 2035. This move has signalled less urgency in transitioning to electric vehicles, potentially deterring investment. It was great to bring to life what I'd been learning on my first year of the BSc/MEng, particularly in the module ‘Sustainable Policy: Principles and Practice’: which focuses on the key legal and policy mechanisms for governing environmental systems and for tackling issues of sustainability, including how they are developed and applied, and their impacts. The confernce affirmed for me that the terrain of environmental policy design is complex, and with the UK approaching the remaining years of the 2030 mission, a confident and quick strategy is vital to make change.
Connecting with the energy sector’s thought leaders
Hearing from energy thought leads such as Chris Stark, and specifically his scepticism from opposition, was important for me to see the future of clean power. With investment in clean energy set to double that going into fossil fuels this year, Chris was stern in his belief that the UK has potential to abandon its industrial image and reemerge as a clean power leader, inspiring other nations to follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting professionals, academics, and fellow students at the conference. It was inspiring to connect with individuals who share a passion for shaping the future of energy. A conversation with a member of Cambridge University’s Energy Society particularly stood out, as it motivated me to get involved with UCL’s equivalent. Collaborative opportunities between universities in the energy sector are both impactful and exciting, offering a chance to contribute to meaningful advancements while building connections with like-minded peers.
I find networking essential for building my career in the energy industry. I enjoy organising coffee chats with professionals to learn first-hand about the industry’s culture and trends. This allows me to stay informed about the latest innovations in renewables and the challenges the sector faces. These interactions are invaluable for understanding the industry beyond textbooks and lectures.
Shaping my career path in energy economics
I left the conference feeling motivated by the extent key leaders in the journey to Net Zero were determined to deliver a successful UK energy transition. I am even more motivated to continue my journey within the Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc/MEng, knowing that the theory and practice of industry-backed and data-driven approaches is contributing to this exciting but challenging transition.
I aspire to work in the renewable energy industry, though I am still exploring specific roles. Networking is a critical part of this journey, as I can gain personal insights into various career paths and learn directly from industry professionals. Asking questions like “What does a typical day look like in your role?” and “What steps did you take to reach your position?” helps me understand the practical aspects of different careers and map out my own pathway more effectively.
The conference provided a unique opportunity to engage in these conversations and gain a deeper understanding of the industry. These connections and insights will help me make informed decisions about my career direction and better prepare me for the transition into the workforce.
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