To further accelerate the progress towards a sustainable future, enhance collaboration among various sectors, and bridge the gap between academia, policymakers, and businesses, we are delighted to announce that the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) will be hosting the 4th ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) in conjunction with The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2024 and The 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) on 27-25 September 2024. These events will offer a platform for academics, practitioners, and stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges of energy and the environment.  

This year’s AICEE is the fourth edition of the annual flagship conference held by ACE. In the previous edition held in August 2023, the 3rd AICEE 145 submitted abstracts with 96 accepted presentations, which were conducted in-person only. Currently, 76 full papers have been submitted and are under review. The accepted papers in the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (forthcoming- June 2024). The 3rd AICEE was convened fully in-person in partnership with Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS), and University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknologi Nasional (UNITEN) Malaysia, ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) II, Energy Research Institute (ERI), Chulalongkorn University, University of Hawai’i, Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), Universiti Brunei Darussalam and support of National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), Thailand, marking the successful start of the conference as the reference for the following editions.  

Theme: Charting ASEAN’s Energy Future for Regional Interconnectivity and Resilience  

Topic:  

This event will present recent research on energy, climate change, and related issues, especially clean energy transition in the context of energy security and sustainability in the ASEAN region. Some possible topics include, but are not limited to: 

I) Energy Transition and New Emerging Technologies 

This topic encompasses the dynamic shift towards a sustainable and diversified energy landscape, fueled by new emerging technologies. It includes approaches to accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy, through policy incentives, technology advancements, and investment in infrastructure. Energy management and policy play a crucial role in optimising energy systems, improving energy efficiency, and shaping regulatory frameworks that promote the integration of renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions. Furthermore, the topic addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with non-renewable energy or fossil energy sources, focusing on their role in the transition and potential mitigation strategies. Lastly, the topic encompasses energy conversion technologies that facilitate the transition, including advancements in energy storage, smart grids, and innovative solutions for efficient and sustainable energy use.  

II) Interconnection: security and accessibility 

This topic encompasses the critical aspects of ensuring secure and accessible energy interconnections. It includes approaches to strengthening the physical and cyber security of interconnected energy systems, fostering regional cooperation and collaboration, and developing robust regulatory frameworks. Additionally, it comprises issues relating to enhancing accessibility to energy infrastructure, promoting equitable distribution of energy resources, and addressing the challenges associated with interconnecting diverse energy grids across ASEAN.  

III) Sustainability and climate change   

This topic encompasses the urgent need for sustainability and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. It includes approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy deployment, and adopting energy-efficient practices across various sectors. Furthermore, it comprises issues relating to pollution control, waste management, green infrastructure, and resilience. By implementing effective pollution control measures, ASEAN can mitigate environmental degradation and its impacts on human health and ecosystems. Additionally, adopting sustainable waste management practices enables the transition towards a circular economy, minimising waste generation and promoting recycling and resource recovery. The development of green infrastructure, including sustainable transportation systems and resilient urban planning, further supports the energy transition by reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience.  

IV) Carbon pricing and green investment 

This topic encompasses the importance of carbon pricing and green investment as crucial mechanisms. It includes approaches to establishing effective carbon pricing mechanisms that incentivise the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promote the transition to low-carbon technologies and practices. Green investment strategies play a vital role in directing financial resources towards climate-friendly projects, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, the topic comprises subtopics such as Green Bonds and Sustainable Investment instruments, exploring the role of financial instruments in channeling investments into climate-friendly projects, and Policy and Regulatory Support, discussing the importance of supportive policies, incentives, and regulatory frameworks in fostering green investments.   

V) Energy and digitalisation 

This topic encompasses the intersection of energy and digitalisation. It includes approaches to harnessing digital technologies and data analytics to optimise energy systems, improve energy efficiency, and enable real-time monitoring and control of energy infrastructure. The Internet of Things (IoT) in Energy plays a significant role, exploring the application of connected devices, sensors, and data analytics to enhance energy efficiency, automate energy management processes, and enable predictive maintenance of energy infrastructure. Additionally, Blockchain Technology in Energy is a subtopic that discusses the potential applications of blockchain technology, such as peer-to-peer energy trading, transparent transaction records, and grid management. These digital innovations can revolutionise energy systems, ensuring efficient integration of renewable energy sources and enabling energy democratisation. However, it is essential to address cybersecurity and data privacy concerns while ensuring equitable access to digital technologies in the energy sector.   

VI) Environment, policy, and socioeconomics 

This topic encompasses the recognition of the multidimensional nature of the energy transition. It includes approaches that integrate knowledge and expertise from various disciplines and sectors, such as energy, environment, economics, policy, and social sciences, to address the complexities of the energy transition. Policy and Governance is a critical subtopic, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of energy policy and governance, and the importance of collaborative decision-making processes to develop effective energy policies and regulations. International Cooperation and Partnerships is another subtopic, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations at the international level, including knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and financial support for energy projects. Social and Environmental Impacts is a subtopic that explores the interdisciplinary aspects of energy systems, including issues related to energy access, affordability, equity, and environmental sustainability.  

Key Dates   

• Abstract Submission Deadline : 30 June 2024   
• Notification of Abstract Acceptance : July 2024  
• Conference Registration : August 2024  
• Conference Day : 25 September 2024  
• Full Paper Submission : December 2024  
• Peer Review Process : March 2025  
• Publication : May 2025 (subject to confirmation with the IOP)  

Participants  

The 4th ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) is open to all participants from the university, research institutes (public and private), government institutions, and private sectors who are interested in energy and environment in the ASEAN context.