Oxford Energy Day 2026 – Towards resilient energy systems: research, policy and practice

Event was on Thursday 17 Sep 2026Mathematical Institute

Registration closed

This event has now finished and is not open for registration

 

Programme details

08:00 - 09:00

Registration, coffee and networking

09:00 - 09:30

Irene Tracey | Vice Chancellor | University of Oxford

Introduction and overview

09:30 - 09:45

Tina Fawcett and Paul Shearing | University of Oxford

Welcome

09:45 - 12:45

09:45–10:15 Deborah Greaves | Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
Offshore renewable energy: Navigating the course (challenges and opportunities)

10:15–10:45 Jorge Pikunic | VPI Energy
Powering the transition: Reliability, resilience and renewables

10:45–11:15 Coffee break

11:15–11:45 Alison Smith | ECI, University of Oxford
The importance of resilient energy and environmental systems for National Security

11:45–12:15 Jenny Hill | UKRI
Grid resilience, political resilience and economic resilience – can innovation do all three?

12:15–12:45 Jim Watson | UCL
Security, resilience and the energy transition: addressing old and new risks

12:45pm - 14:00

12:45–14:00 Lunch & poster display for competition

14:00 - 15:40

Parallel session 1: Resilience & technologies, economics, energy security
Chair: Ludmilla Steier

14:00–14:20 Andre Cabrera | University of Cambridge
Critical minerals: Securing the materials of the Net-Zero transition

14:20–14:40 Ji-Seon Kim | Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford
Organic semiconductors for sustainable energy technologies: From molecular structure to device function

14:40–15:00 Nakita Noel | Department of Physics, University of Oxford
From atoms to solar cells: Engineering better halide perovskite materials

15:00–15:20 Jesus Lizana | Engineering, University of Oxford
Heating and cooling in a changing climate

15:20–15:40 Cassie Etter-Wenzel | School of Geography & the Environment, University of Oxford
North Sea at what cost? Affordability, security, and long-term resilience

 

14:00 - 15:40

Parallel session 2: Organising for resilience, resilience for whom?
Chair, Marina Topouzi

14:00–14:20 Donal Brown | ECI, University of Oxford
Fear and loathing on Grimsby’s East Marsh: Gonzo Solar and the politics of climate populism

14:20-14:40 Tianning Xu | IONATE
Hybrid Intelligent Transformer – Integrating the speed and precision of solid-state technology into the efficient and reliable transformer design

14:40–15:00 Sandy Arbuthnott | Octopus Energy
How electric homes can power a more resilient energy system: Making cleaner, cheaper and more flexible homes normal – and expected

15:00–15:20 Jenny Figueiredo | Oxfordshire County Council
How Councils are working together to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in Oxfordshire

15:20–15:40 Deborah Petterson | NESO
Resilience demands partnership, and partnership delivers resilience: Strengthening resilience through shared leadership and learning

15:40 - 16:10

Tea break

16:10 - 17:00

Plenary session – panel discussion | Chair: Paul Shearing

16:10–16:40 Paul Shearing | Chair | Engineering Science Department, University of Oxford

Phil Grunewald | Panellist | Engineering Science Department, University of Oxford

David Wallom | Panellist | Engineering Science Department, University of Oxford

Marina Topouzi | Panellist | ECI, University of Oxford

Ludmilla Steier | Panellist | Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

16:50–17:00 Poster winners’ presentation

 

17:00 - 18:30

Drinks reception

Presenters, Panellists and Speakers

Programme & delegates

Please download a PDF of the full programme including the list of delegates attending.

Download programme - PDF (5.87 MB)