Forecasting Sources of Primary Energy to the Mid-Century
WHEN: Thursday March 19, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm
WHERE: Austin State Hospital
Prof. Ehud I. Ronn
Introduced by Lion Aimee Ronn
In 2022, the U. S. Congress enacted the Inflation Reduction Act, whose objective was to “accelerate the transition to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions". At least initially, an inadvertent result of that act was to give rise to the impression traditional sources of energy would be substantially diminished if not eliminated.
While solar and wind renewables may rise to provide 20 – 25% of 2050 global energy needs, historical sources of energy, oil and natural gas based on fossil fuels, will jointly provide 50% of energy consumption to the mid-21st century. Nuclear will add an additional 8 – 10%.
The policy implications are these:
Since fossil fuels will continue to play a central role in global energy consumption for the foreseeable future, it would be prudent to ensure the stability and reliability of oil and natural gas production. The Government should let the market determine the optimal amount of investment.
Since energy security is important, policymakers might focus on ensuring reliable access to energy supplies from diverse sources in this hemisphere and beyond. This could include restoring strategic reserves and exploring international energy partnerships.
About our Speaker:
Ehud I. Ronn is a professor of Finance at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, whose faculty he joined July 1988. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1983. In addition to teaching at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Ronn has held visiting appointments at academic institutions in the U. S., Europe and the Far East. He has published articles on investments, interest rate instruments and energy derivatives in the academic and practitioner literature.
From 1991 to 1993, Dr. Ronn served as Vice President, Trading Research Group at Merrill Lynch & Co. Dr. Ronn was the founding director of the University of Texas Center for Energy Finance from 1997 to 2009. From Jan. 2010 to Feb. 2011, Prof. Ronn was Commodity Market Modeling practice area manager at Morgan Stanley & Co.
In Nov. 2004, Dr. Ronn was selected by Energy Risk to the “Energy Risk Hall of Fame.”
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Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
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Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
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Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)
All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.
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