Far from being just a domestic US affair, this election promises to be one of the most consequential for the global energy and commodities sector in decades, given the stark differences between the two contending platforms. Robert gives us his insight on what those differences are and the consequences for markets and businesses operating in the US and around the world.

Roland is one of the leading thinkers in the commodities sector and Global Head of Oil & Gas, Mining & Chemicals at Oliver Wyman

Roland is one of the leading thinkers in the commodities sector and Global Head of Oil & Gas, Mining & Chemicals at Oliver Wyman

Why the Solar Decade and what will that mean in terms of scale? What are the benefits for generators and investors? Is it geographically restricted by sunbelts? How will the solar decade change the competitive landscape for current participants? Why has the solar decade not already happened, and will it need governmental support? What does it mean for power traders and risk managers? What will be the key trends in development and deployment as we progress through the next decade?

What challenges did refiners and integrated majors face at the start of 2020? What were the various strategic responses at that time? What did the arrival of COVID-19 do to that picture? How can you balance investing in transition with declining demand and prices? If value chain optimization and data unlock that what are the operational and cultural shifts required? Who will be the participants? Do the trading houses have a role to play?

How is the chemicals sector categorised and what is its economic scale and importance? How has the market, opportunities, and participants changed in response to the pressures all commodity markets face from disintermediation and digitisation? Why has it been a challenging space for traditional commodity producers and traders? The chemicals sector remains fragmented compared to other commodities – is this an opportunity for the big commodity houses? Are Amazon and Alibaba a threat? Can chemicals companies be both commodity and specialty focused? How has Covid-19 affected the sector? How do the chemicals markets compete for human capital?

What is the state of the US power grid? What is driving change and what trends can we discern? What is the power grid of the future? What could hinder or accelerate that transformation – role of investment and regulation? What opportunities does that present and who will capture it? What does that mean for the power trader of the future? The rise of the nodal trader and big data. The likelihood that big tech will take over the power markets. What time frame are we talking?

What is the background to and impact of negative oil prices? What was the impact of Dodd-Frank on financialization of commodities market? Given recent scandals in Asia is more regulation needed? How prevalent are algorithms in the commodities world? What does this mean for active vs passive trading? What have been the catalysts to changes in the market? What's the long-lasting impact from covid-19 on commodities space? What is the future of commodities as an asset class? Who are the institutional investors?

What is unique about financing in and for the commodities markets? What have been some of the major trends and changes in client expectations since the global financial crisis? Impact of COVID-19? What can banks and clients do to protect themselves? Digitalization and the bank industry's role? ESG and the commodities sector?

How have the LNG markets changed in the last decade? How will local markets respond to a more globalized gas market? What opportunities does that present and who (and how) can capture it? What do these changes mean for natural gas producers? Has COVID19 impacted these trends?