Edison Electric Institute
Lawrence Jones is Senior Vice President of International Programs at Edison Electric Institute.
EEI's Eighth Annual Global Electrification Forum, held this year from April 15-19, explored the theme Infinite Innovations, Transformative Impact through conversations with global energy experts and thought leaders on how new clean energy innovations can create widespread and lasting impact across the world.
Our opening remarks featured EEI CEO Dan Brouillette in conversation with Charles Oppenheimer, grandson of J. Robert Oppenheimer and an advocate of the clean energy transition and the essential role of nuclear energy. During the session, Oppenheimer emphasized that "this is the time to innovate in the [energy] industry."
"The world needs it," he continued. "We have increasing demand very clearly... and this is the time to jump ahead."
His comments were echoed throughout the conference, as leaders from across industries came together to discuss the energy industry through six different focus areas, including:
People-Centered Transition; Electrifying Economies; Accelerating Innovation; Diplomacy and Governance; Public-Private Collaboration; and Financing and Investment.
Throughout the Forum, the Electrifying Economies sessions featured conversations on the systemic changes needed to electrify the economy and the interdependence between electricity and aviation, food, fashion, and home and building cooling.