On August 31, 2021, Energy Dialogues and the Center for Energy Studies hosted the Houston Energy Dialogues for the fifth consecutive year. Co-sponsors of this event were Sempra LNG, Schlumberger and Validere. As in previous years, the dialogues provided a platform for in-depth conversations about the energy industry involving representatives from government, industry, academia, environmental groups and regulatory bodies. Resiliency was a central theme. This report summarizes the day's discussions.
Center for Energy Studies senior director Ken Medlock submitted the written statement below (PDF) before his U.S. Senate testimony on examining the use of energy as a tool and a weapon, ensuring energy security for the United States and its allies.
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Michelle Michot FossMarch 11, 2022
This executive summary recaps a longer report that seeks to quantify the energy security consequences of a disruption of gas supplies from Russia to Europe, and to assess strengths, weaknesses and consequences of potential responses.
Gabriel Collins, Kenneth B. Medlock III, Anna B. Mikulska, Steven R. MilesFebruary 21, 2022
In this paper, the authors seek to quantify the potential energy security consequences of a significant disruption of gas supplies from Russia to Europe, and objectively assess strengths, weaknesses, and consequences of potential response strategies.
Gabriel Collins, Kenneth B. Medlock III, Anna B. Mikulska, Steven R. MilesFebruary 11, 2022
The authors conduct a step-by-step examination of various factors that were blamed for the extended power outage on the ERCOT electricity grid in February 2021. While no single factor fully explains the calamity, the bureaucratic failure in identifying and addressing risks along fuel supply chains was a major failure. Most proposed remedies do not fundamentally address what occurred. The authors make several recommendations, some of which have already been implemented.
Peter R. Hartley, Kenneth B. Medlock III, Shih Yu (Elsie) HungFebruary 2, 2022
The “Energy, Environment, and Policy in the U.S.” map is an online, interactive tool to visualize and highlight the geospatial nexus of energy, environment, policy, and society in the United States. It displays the nation’s critical energy infrastructure, environmental points of interest, and relevant election and demographic statistics at different levels of granularity. This allows the users to effectively navigate key energy and environmental issues with a clear and complete picture of the nation’s infrastructure and demography.
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Shih Yu (Elsie) HungDecember 9, 2021
"The COVID-19 effect is likely to reduce the demand for public transport in favor of lower density alternatives," write the authors. Their study considers links between commuters' demographic factors and incidence of disease transmission, as well as the environmental implications of decreased ridership on public transport.
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ted Loch-Temzelides, Shih Yu (Elsie) HungNovember 4, 2021
In the push for decarbonization, "turquoise" hydrogen offers a unique, commercially viable technology that reduces CO2 emissions, argue Rachel A. Meidl and Kenneth B. Medlock III.
Rachel A. Meidl, Kenneth B. Medlock IIISeptember 23, 2021
Argentina is a risky place for foreign investors. But the country’s Vaca Muerta offers a case study on how unconventional shale gas investment may be lower risk, with implications that could spur shale production outside the U.S.
Gabriel Collins, Mark P. Jones, Jim Krane, Kenneth B. Medlock III, Francisco J. MonaldiAugust 12, 2021
In 2020, Energy Dialogues and the Center for Energy Studies hosted a virtual event at which representatives from industry, academia, environmental groups and regulatory bodies focused on four themes: the impact of COVID-19 on global energy demand, resiliency in the energy industry, net-zero aspirations and pathways for transitioning to a lower-carbon future. This report summarizes the discussions held during the event.