Preliminary Plenary and Dual Plenary Sessions

47^th IAEE International Conference

Bridging Continents, Fueling Progress:

Energy Development in a Global Context

(IAEE 2026 – Santiago, Chile)

Introduction

The following program outlines the preliminary design of the Plenary and Dual Plenary Sessions for the 47th IAEE International Conference in Santiago. Plenary sessions — including the Opening, Gala Dinner, and Closing — will feature distinguished keynote speakers offering inspiration, framing, and synthesis. Ten Dual Plenary Sessions (DPS) will convene panels of international experts and leaders to debate critical energy issues from diverse perspectives.

Topics span global energy markets, critical minerals, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, carbon pricing, renewables, storage, and regional integration, while also reflecting Latin America and Chile’s contributions to the global energy dialogue. Alongside these, a robust Concurrent Sessions agenda will be built around submitted academic papers and special sessions on emerging themes.

This program represents a draft outline and is subject to refinement as the conference approaches, ensuring it remains timely, balanced, and relevant for participants, sponsors, and international organizations.

Opening Plenary

Day 2 (Monday, July 20)

Theme: Bridging Continents, Fueling Progress: Energy Economics in an Age of Transition and Uncertainty

Set the stage with a global outlook on how markets, policy, and geopolitics are reshaping energy systems, highlighting lessons from Latin America and Chile for the world.

Dual Plenary Sessions (10 total)

Day 2 (Monday, July 20)

Dual Plenary 2.1 (14:00–15:30)

1. The Economics of Energy Markets in Transition

• Explore how electricity, oil, gas, and coal markets are evolving under the pressures of transition, security, and digitalization, reshaping global trading and investment dynamics.

Dual Plenary 2.2 (14:00–15:30)

2. Critical Minerals and the Geopolitics of Energy Transition

• Examine the role of lithium, copper, and rare earths in global supply chains, and how sustainable mining and geopolitics shape the future of critical minerals.

Day 3 (Tuesday, July 21)

Dual Plenary 3.1 (11:00–12:30)

      3. The Future of Oil, Gas, and Coal in Global Energy Systems

• Assess the economic prospects of fossil fuels under transition pressures, from natural gas as a bridge fuel to coal adaptation and shifting global trade flows.

Dual Plenary 3.2 (11:00–12:30)

      4. Ambassadors’ Dialogue: Global Energy Security in a Fragmented World

• Hear ambassadors from leading economies debate how diplomacy, alliances, and trade are redefining energy security in an era of geopolitical fragmentation.

Dual Plenary 3.23(14:00–15:30)​​​​​​​

      5. Renewable Energy Economics: Costs, Integration, and Procurement

• Analyze the economics of renewables as they become the dominant source of new capacity, focusing on costs, procurement models, and integration challenges.

Dual Plenary 3.4 (14:00–15:30)

6. Electricity Market Design and Major User Economics

• Explore how evolving market structures and large energy users — from industry to data centers — are reshaping electricity market design and system resilience.

Day 4 (Wednesday, July 22)

Dual Plenary 4.1 (11:00–12:30)

      7. Carbon Pricing and Industrial Competitiveness

• Discover how carbon taxes, markets, and border adjustments impact industrial competitiveness, energy-intensive sectors, and corporate carbon management strategies.

Dual Plenary 4.2 (11:00–12:30)

8. Nuclear Energy: Economic Prospects and Challenges

• Debate nuclear power’s role in clean energy portfolios, assessing the economics of large plants, SMRs, financing hurdles, and long-term viability.

Dual Plenary 4.3 (14:00–15:30)

      9. Economics of System Flexibility: Storage, Hydrogen, and Grid Balancing

• Examine the economics of storage, hydrogen, and flexibility services as enablers of renewable integration and sectoral decarbonization.

Dual Plenary 4.4 (14:00–15:30)

10. Regional Energy Integration: Latin America and Global Perspectives

• Compare regional integration experiences across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific to uncover lessons for trade, access, and security.

Gala Dinner Keynote

Day 2 (Monday, July 20)

Theme: Leadership in Global Energy Systems: Navigating Market, Policy, and Technology Change

Gain insights from a distinguished leader on how vision, strategy, and cooperation can guide organizations through volatility and transformation in global energy.

Closing Keynote

Day 4 (Wednesday, July 22)

Theme: Beyond 2030: Market Forces Shaping Tomorrow's Energy Landscape

Look ahead to 2050 with a synthesis of emerging trends in costs, investments, and technologies, and their implications for competitiveness, resilience, and cooperation.

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