Monday 14.10.2024

08:15 - 09:00 - Registration and Coffee/Networking

09:00 - 10:15 - Conference Opening, keynote speeches, and panel discussions in the HAMRABORG Auditorium

• Opening Address by Organizers - Dr. Jeremy Kasper, Director, ACEP
• Opening keynote speech by Kalistad Lund Greenland Energy Minister followed by a Q&A session
• Plenary session with:

Moderator: Halla Hrund Logadóttir, Director, National Energy Authority of Iceland

Panelists/Presenters:

• Curtis Thayer, Director, Alaska Energy Authority
• Ríkarður Ríkarðsson, EVP of Business Development and Innovation, Landsvirkjun
• Dr. Erin Whitney, Director, Arctic Energy Office DoE

10:15 - 10:45 - Bio Break - Networking - Coffee

10:45 - 12:15 - Concurrent break-out sessions slot #1

Session Track 1: Data collection, presentation interpretation, and sharing: (BLACKBOX)

This session will enhance understanding of the importance of Arctic energy data sets and their prospects. Learn about how Arctic regions can get better usage of the available data or find out where more or new data is needed for energy development.

Moderator:  Leasi Vanessa Lee Raymond, ACEP

Panelists / Presenters:

• Speaker/Presenter: Halldór Jóhannsson, Arctic Portal
• Speaker/Presenter: Leasi Vanessa Lee Raymond, ACEP
• Speaker/Presenter: Dr. Diane Hirshberg, Director of the University of Alaska Anchorage
• Speaker/Presenter: Jón Ásgeir Haukdal Þorvaldsson, National Energy Authority of Iceland

Session Track 2: Sharing Solutions to Shared Challenges: Potentials for Icelandic-Alaskan Partnership. (HAMRAR)

Organizer: Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network - IACN

While the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet, it also offers potential for solving energy and climate challenges. Arctic communities are developing solutions that can benefit other remote areas. This session will explore how cooperation between regions like Alaska and Iceland can advance clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation, guiding renewable energy projects through shared knowledge and community engagement

Moderators:

• Aaron Cooke, NREL
• Dr. Ottó Elíasson, Eimur

Panelists / Presenters:

• Bruno Grunau, NREL
• Jeremy Kasper, ACEP
• Bjarni Pálsson, Landsvirkjun
• Guðmundur Sigurðarson, Vistorka
• Finnur Beck, Samorka
• Donna Kamarei, U.S. Embassy Science Fellow
• Albertína F. Elíasdóttir, SSNE

12:15 - 13:00 - Lunch, provided in Hof Conference Center

13:00 - 14:30 - Arctic Energy Futures: Strategic Approaches for a Sustainable Arctic Tomorrow. (HAMRABORG)

In a rapidly evolving Arctic, the energy landscape presents both significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities. This plenary roundtable gathers visionary leaders from across the region to explore how Arctic nations navigate this complex terrain of energy futures. The discussion will focus on benefiting communities through local resource development, technological innovation, forward-thinking policies, and securing financing in an environment with high costs and limited economies of scale.

Keynote: Dr. Catherine Giessel, Alaska State Senate

Moderator: Dr. Michael McEleney, Arctic Energy Office - US Department of Energy

Panelists:

• Dr. Catherine Giessel, Alaska State Senate
• Dr. Peter Larsen, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory
• Geir Oddsson, Director of Environmental Affairs at Iceland Foreign Ministry

14:40 - 16:00 - Three concurrent break-out sessions #2

Track 1: Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Are Arctic regions leading the way? (BLACKBOX)

This session will explore how Arctic regions are advancing carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies and their role in global climate change mitigation. We will discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing CCS in the Arctic, highlighting innovative projects and the potential for these regions to lead in sustainable carbon management

Moderator and remarks on CCS from a global perspective: Sveinborg Hlíf Gunnarsdóttir, Director ISOR

Panelists/Presenters:

• Gwen Holdmann, UAF/ACEP
• Hallgrímur Óskarsson, Carbon Iceland
• Kristinn Ingi Lárusson, CarbFix
• Katrín Ragnarsdóttir, COWI

Track 2: Powering the Future: Arctic Applications for Emerging Energy Technologies. (HAMRAR)

This breakout session will explore a range of emerging energy technologies with potential applications in the Arctic. Join us to discuss how these innovations can address the region's unique challenges and drive future sustainable energy development.

Moderator: Dr. Robert Leland, Sandia National Laboratories

Panelists/Presenters:

• Dr. Jeremy Kasper, ACEP – Ocean and River Energy
• María Kristín Þrastardóttir & Óskar Svavarsson – Sidewind
• Dr. Jill Lauren Hass – Polar Knowledge Canada/Savoir Polaire Canada
• Ragnar Ásmundsson - National Energy Authority of Iceland

Track 3: Hydrogen: Reality or Fiction. Hydrogen has been touted as the clean, green fuel of the future, but its implementation has seen mixed results. In the Arctic, however, some of the most successful hydrogen projects are taking shape. (NAUST)

This session will explore these successes and discuss how lessons from the Arctic can inform broader hydrogen strategies.

Moderator: Dr. Erin Whitney, Director, Arctic Energy Office DoE

Panelists/Presenters:

• Ole Aune Ødegård, Nordic Energy Research - Nordic Hydrogen Valleys, opportunities in the Arctic
• James Stevens, Tribal Administrator, Atka tribe - Atka Hydrogen fuel production
• Jack Davis, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

16:00 - 16:30 - Bio Break - Networking - Coffee Break

16:30 - 18:00 - Two concurrent break-out sessions #3

Track 1: Innovations and Strategies in Energy Development: (BLACKBOX)

Join us to explore cutting-edge case studies and approaches in energy development from across the Arctic. Researchers and practitioners will share insights on the latest innovations and strategies driving sustainable energy solutions in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Moderator: Dr. Greg Poelzer, Professor, University of Saskatchewan

Panelists/Presenters:

• Ditte Stougaard Stiler, Nordic Energy Research - Explore the chill: Building a sustainable energy future
• Emily He, Pembina Institute - Clean energy process in Canada's remote and Indigenous communities
• Tim Kalke, USsak, General Manager at SEGA Alaska
• Dr. Cary Bloyd, Pacific North-West National Laboratory - Clean energy lessons from islanded grids

Track 2: Energy transition pathways: (HAMRAR)

This session will focus on different energy transition pathways for remote communities, including economic, technical, and political aspects. Researchers and key stakeholders will highlight various examples of energy transition in remote communities, ranging from a circumpolar level to community-based cases such as Longyearbyen

Moderator: Dr. Magnus De Witt, ACEP/UAF

Panelist/Presenter:

• Dr. Magnus de Witt, ACEP/UAF – Energy transitions pathways
• Dr. Mari Juel, SINTEF - sustainable energy technology
• Albert Alonso Villar, Reykjavík University - A transition towards a 100% electric Heavy-Duty Vehicle fleet in Iceland: Feasibility and impact assessment of the charging load on the transmission and distribution system
• Þorsteinn Másson, Blámi
• Håkon Duus, Multiconsult, Troll station Antarctica

18:00 - 18:10 - Bio break – Get to busses for excursion

18:10 - 20:00 - Excursion around Akureyri by bus

20:00 - 22:00 - Gala dinner at conference facilities

Tuesday 15.10.2024

08:15 - 09:00 - Coffee and Networking

09:00 - 10:45 - Panel discussions in the HAMRABORG Auditorium

Introduction: Gwen Holdmann ACEP/UAF

Inspirational Talks: Hearing from energy leaders of tomorrow

• Speaker 1: Jóhanna Auðunsdóttir, Landsvirkjun
• Speaker 2: Leasi Vanessa Lee Raymond, ACEP

Iceland’s Recipe for Success: A Dialogue on Energy Leadership: Join us for an engaging conversation between Gwen Holdmann and Halla Hrund Logadottir, Director of Iceland’s National Energy Regulatory Authority, as they discuss Iceland’s remarkable journey in energy development. In this dialogue, they will explore the key factors behind Iceland’s success in harnessing renewable energy, the lessons learned, and the strategic decisions shaping the nation's energy future. This intimate exchange will provide valuable insights into how Iceland's energy story can inspire innovation and collaboration across the Arctic.

10:45 - 11:15 - Bio Break - Networking Break - Coffee

11:15 - 12:45 - Concurrent break-out sessions slot #4

Track 1: Training Arctic Energy Leaders: Human capacity is one of the Arctic’s greatest resources. (HAMRAR)

This session will explore how building local expertise and fostering knowledge-sharing networks across the Arctic are essential for sustainable energy development. Join us for a conversation to explore diverse approaches to training the current and next generation of Arctic energy leaders.

Moderator: Annalise Klein, UAF/ACEP – ARENA and ELA

Panelists/Presenters: 

• Anna Martz, US Department of State - The US perspective on international collaboration in Arctic energy
• Annalise Klein, UAF/ACEP – ARENA and ELA
• Dr. Elaina Guilmette, USask - Masters of Energy Security Program
• Málfríður Ómarsdóttir, GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme  Iceland
• Juliet Ann Newson, Iceland School of Energy

Track 2: Resilient Infrastructure: Adapting Buildings to Extreme Arctic Conditions. (BLACKBOX)

This session focuses on the challenges of building and infrastructure in the Arctic, where extreme weather conditions demand innovative solutions. We will discuss strategies for designing resilient infrastructure that can withstand harsh environments, with a focus on safety, durability, and comfort.

Moderator: Dr. Alexander Zhivov, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Panelists/Presenters:

• Dr. Alexander Zhivov - Energy resilience of buildings in remote cold regions
• Dominique Pride UAF/ACEP - Electrifying heating loads using renewables at scale
• Prof. Eva Möller, DTU
• Dr. Taro Mori, Hokkaido University - Energy crisis events in north most island of Hokkaido, Japan

12:45 - 13:30 - Lunch, provided in Hof Conference Center

13:30 - 15:00 - Panel discussions in the HAMRABORG Auditorium

The New Frontier of Geothermal Energy - While geothermal energy has long been considered a mature technology, recent innovations are pushing its boundaries. Iceland is leading the way in ultra-high-temperature geothermal, while new developments in lower-temperature systems are making geothermal more accessible across a wider geographic area, particularly for heating. Join us to explore these exciting advances and their potential to reshape energy landscapes globally.

Moderator: Dr. Guðjón Helgi Eggertsson, Specialist Operation Resources, Landsvirkjun

Panelists/Presenters:

• Dr. Guðjón Helgi Eggertsson, Specialist Operation Resources, Landsvirkjun
• Björn Guðmundsson, Krafla Magma Testbed CEO - Establishing the World's First Magma Observatory
• Arna Pálsdóttir, Head of Resource Innovation, Orkuveitan

15:00 - 15:30 - Bio Break - Networking - Coffee

15:30 - 17:00 - Panel discussions in HAMRABORG Auditorium

Unlocking Investment and Business Development in Arctic Energy: The Arctic region holds immense potential for energy innovation, but realizing this potential requires strategic business development and investment. This plenary session will bring together key stakeholders—industry leaders, investors, and policymakers—to explore the unique opportunities and challenges of Arctic energy markets. Discussions will focus on pathways to attract investment, foster entrepreneurship, and build sustainable business models that meet the region’s energy needs while driving economic growth.

Moderator: Mads Frederiksen, Director of Arctic Economy Council

Panelists/Presenters:

• Dr. Greg Poelzer, Professor USsak Canada
• Clay Koplin, Chair, Alaska Energy Authority, CEO Cordova Electric Cooperative
• Kristín Helga Schiöth, CEO Líforka

17:00 - 17:30 - HAMRABORG Auditorium

Closing session

• Gwen Holdmann, ACEP/UAF
• Ambassador Patman, Closing remarks
• Minister Þórðarson, Closing remarks
• Gwen Holdmann, ACEP/UAF closes the event

17:30 - Reception at Hof Conference Center

Wednesday 16.10.2024

08:15 - 09:00 - Coffee and Networking

09:00 - 12:00 - US-Iceland Energy and Climate Expert Introductory Meeting”, Organized by U.S. Department of Energy and Iceland's Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate -Invite Only.

Transfer to Reykjavík for those attending the Arctic Circle.

Option 1: Travel by air. Transfer to airport: departure times 12:20, 16:45, 19:45

Option 2: Educational and scenic transfer by bus to Reykjavík. Depart at 09:00, arrive in Reykjavík around 19:30:

09:00 - 11:00 - Drive to Blönduvirkjun

11:00 - 13:00 - Excursion of the hydro station and lunch

13:00 - 15:30 - Drive to Deildartunguhver

15:30 - 16:30 - Excursion and health stop at Deildartunguhver and Krauma Spa

16:30 - 17:00 - Drive to Grundartangi

17:00 - 18:30 - Excursion of either factory and health stop

18:30 - 19:30 - Drive to Reykjavík downtown for hotel check-in