More on the Iceland energy gathering

And here’s another note on the Driving Sustainability Conference in Iceland next week:

Renewable energy for vehicles and sustainable solutions for transport are the focus of Driving Sustainability ‘07 Conference (www.driving.is) held in Reykjavik on September 17-18.

Iceland is a global leader in renewable energy with 72% of its total energy consumption from hydro- and geothermal sources. The remainder, mostly fossil fuels, is consumed by the transport and fishing sector. Iceland is now taking the next step by increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy for vehicles. A volcanic island with abundance of renewable energy sources and a small nation with an innovative mindset provides for an exciting case study on how to move towards a 100% sustainable energy society.

The conference will provide an excellent opportunity to network with policy makers and fuel technology experts from around the world. His Excellency, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson President of Iceland, will open the conference. The first keynote will be delivered by the Minister of Finance, whose Ministry is in the process of creating proposals for a new comprehensive taxation framework for fuels and vehicles with the aim of encouraging the use of eco-friendly cars, energy efficiency, and decreasing emissions from transport.

Speakers include Icelandic, American, Swiss, French, Danish and Swedish specialists in pioneering policy and technology for eco-friendly vehicles such as ethanol, biogas, hydrogen, electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Organizations represented include Ford Europe, MIT, California Cars Initiative, French Ministry of Industry, Icelandic Energy Authority, city of Copenhagen, city of Reykjavik, city of Stockholm, and the Iceland Innovation Institute.