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As technology advances and regulations evolve, the energy industry faces both challenges and opportunities. “Regulatory sandboxes” are a way to test innovative ideas safely to see what works.
The Center for Energy Science and Policy (CESP) at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, along with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, is hosting a three-hour seminar/workshop to explore the potential of regulatory sandboxes to foster energy innovation and competitiveness. The online event takes place Thursday, August 22 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
See this website for the agenda and registration information.
The workshop, "Energy, Economic Development, and Regulatory Sandboxes—Potential, Possibilities, and Challenges," is a gateway to understanding how stakeholders can shape the energy landscape through innovation.
“The workshop will draw on experience abroad as well as other states with the regulatory sandbox concept,” said Schar School Distinguished Visiting Professor Richard Kauzlarich, director of CESP and one of the speakers. “The purpose of a sandbox is to create an environment where stakeholders can play around with different regulatory approaches to regulation of energy and economic development and discuss how such approaches might work in a risk-free environment.”
Topics to be covered include:
- Why Sandboxes Matter: Find out why these testing grounds are game-changers and hear international success stories.
- Global Sandbox Scene: Learn how sandboxes are being used across the United States and around the world in other sectors and what laws are setting the stage for innovation.
- Real-Life Success Stories: Learn from real-world projects that are leading the way in energy innovation.
- How Sandboxes Work: Discover how these playgrounds operate, who can join in, and what makes a project successful.
- Potential Benefits: Discover how sandboxes are helping boost creativity, learning, and competition in the energy sector.
- Challenges and Wins: Explore the ups and downs, including success stories and the hurdles to overcome.
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s 2022 Energy Plan highlights innovation to tackle future energy needs. With Northern Virginia housing the world’s largest cluster of data centers—and with expansion on the rise in Richmond and Southside—Virginia’s energy demand is expected to skyrocket from 2.67 gigawatts in 2022 to 10 gigawatts by 2035.