83. The Worshipful Company of Fuellers, Duke of Edinburgh Future Energy Conference, Royal Society of Medicine, 29 November 2023


We had a clear direction from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh to tackle the technological and environmental challenges of energy at the end of the morning session of the conference.

Fuellers and a cross-section from other Livery Companies attended a full day conference looking at the way forward for energy.  The Duke of Edinburgh is a Member and Past Master of the Company.


The day started with a perspective from the Energy Policy Research Foundation, USA which looked at business as usual scenarios and was very depressing. Lucian Pugliaresi, President, described the global economic and short-term political pressures which were driving the increased consumption of fossil fuels. The subsequent panel session was far more encouraging, recognising that we were facing a rapid global change to low carbon and renewable energy technologies.  I challenged them on how we share the technology and experiences globally to avoid making the same mistakes as Europe in the past.


Juliet Davenport, President Energy Institute, pushed for new business models and new technologies.  She expressed concern about the shortage of skills, lack of infrastructure investment and poor long-term thinking.

We then had a panel session on large scale and micro hydrogen and ammonia production, fission and small-scale nuclear reactors, and carbon capture and storage.  All before lunch.  The afternoon focused on the transition to new zero and practical experience.  25% of the conference participants had electric cars and all would not think of returning to a fossil-fuelled vehicle.

The day finished with practical experiences from members.  It was particularly encouraging to see the students whom the Fuellers support, fully participating.

I started the day very concerned and finished very encouraged.

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