Reykjavik University hosts Arctic Energy workshop in collaboration with Tufts, Harvard and the Atlantic Council

Reykjavik University hosts Arctic Energy workshop in collaboration with Tufts, Harvard and the Atlantic Council

12.11.2014

On Thursday October the 30th, Reykjavik University hosted a workshop held in association with the Arctic Circle Assembly. The event was a collaboration of the Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University, the Harvard Kennedy School and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

_{Students from Iceland School of Energy, Tufts University and Harvard University with the
 President of Iceland, Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, at the Arctic Energy workshop}

The aim of the workshop was to draw together students who are interested in arctic and energy issues, and introduce them to leading professionals in these fields. The workshop set the stage for the Arctic Circle Conference with engaging presentations followed by round-table discussions on renewable energy and sustainable development. The round table discussions focused on the following themes: Renewable Energy Potential in the Arctic and Barriers to its Implementation, Challenges and Opportunities in Mitigating Climate Change, Gas and Oil in the Arctic: The Key Issues at Hand, Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Energy Industry. 

^{The President of Iceland, Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, opened the workshop with a discussion on the growing importance of Arctic affairs.}  

Honorary guest speaker Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland, began the workshop with opening remarks. Esteemed guest speakers included Dr. William Moomaw (Professor Emeritus at Tufts University and part of the IPCC panel that won the 2007 Nobel Prize), Zhu Liu (Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School) and Kartikeya Singh (PhD Candidate at Tufts University) each of whom conducted in-depth presentations of their own.

Launch of the Future Arctic Energy Network (FAE)

The event also marked the launch of the Future Arctic Energy Network (FAE), which was formally launched by the President of Iceland, Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson. The FAE network is a new academic network aimed at encouraging and facilitating research of arctic energy issues.  The network, which is powered by Reykjavik University, engages young experts on energy and Arctic issues, with a special focus on technology and innovation.

_{“Arctic opportunities and challenges, such as the impact of climate change, require global approach in order for successful outcomes. The FAE network will create an international platform of rising stars, young professionals and students, which can help us achieve those results" Director of Iceland School of Energy, and one of the FAE network founders, Halla Hrund Logadóttir.}

^{The Future Arctic Energy network student team, Sarah Sternbergh, Mike Doheny, Sven Scholtysik and Almar Barja.}

More pictures from the event can be viewed on our Facebook page