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Professor of Energy and Climate Change, UCL

Michael Grubb is Professor of Energy and Climate Change at University College London (Institute of Sustainable Resources & Energy Institute). From 2011-2016, alongside academic roles, I worked half-time at the UK Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (the energy regulator, Ofgem) as Senior Advisor, initially on Sustainable Energy Policy, and subsequently Improving Regulation; from Autumn 2016 I moved to Chair the UK government’s Panel of Technical Experts on Electricity Market Reform.

I have combined research and applied roles for many years, bringing research insights into policymaking, and bringing practical experience to bear upon academic studies. Before joining UCL I was part-time Senior Research Associate in Economics at Cambridge University, combined with (prior to joining Ofgem) Chief Economist at the Carbon Trust Carbon Trust, and Chair of the international research network/interface organisation Climate Strategies.

These conjoined appointments followed 10 years at Chatham House where I led the Energy and Environment programme. I founded the Climate Policy journal and remained Editor-in-Chief until 2016. From 2008-11 I served on the UK Climate Change Committee, established under the UK Climate Change Act to advise the government on future carbon budgets and to report to Parliament on their implementation.

Author of eight books, sixty journal research articles, and numerous other publications. The book Planetary Economics: energy, climate change and the Three Domains of Sustainable Development (Routledge 2014), brought together insights from 25 years of research and implementation of energy and climate policies.

Beyond energy and climate change, I am on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the German Inst for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), and the European Parliament’s Progressive Economy Initiative.

My research and experience have grouped broadly around four main themes:

· Energy systems and low carbon innovation, with emphasis upon the innovation process in the energy sector, particularly in relation to renewable sources and the design of support systems

· Carbon pricing and emissions trading systems, including design of the EU ETS and industrial competitiveness and the international coordination and development of carbon pricing systems

· International climate change responses more broadly including the UNFCCC negotiations, the Kyoto Protocol and its Mechanisms, and the wider challenges of international cooperation

· Integration of renewable electricity sources into electricity systems. Numerous publications and involvement in power systems modeling. Remained actively abreast of developments (for example through role as coordinator of the SuperGen Networks - Incentives workstream from Cambridge).

Experience

  • –present
    Professor of Energy and Climate Change, UCL