Smarter Power Grid Digital Conference

Friday 21st May 2021

Digital Event, Broadcast Live

Key Points
  • Applying lessons from leading international smart grid solutions to the UK context
  • UK Government priorities for delivering flexible energy networks and an update on the next phase of Smart Systems and Flexibility policy
  • Modernising infrastructure to meet pressures around supply and demand and the move from DNOs to DSOs
  • Improving support to energy generators, suppliers and manufacturers of energy services, infrastructure technologies and systems
  • Integrating clean generation on the path to net-zero
  • Improving cyber security collaboration to strengthen grid resilience
  • Ensuring the grid can procure capacity through improved storage and battery usage
  • Meeting customer and consumer demands to create a prosperous environment
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Overview
Expert Speakers

  • Professor Goran Strbac, Professor of Energy Systems, Imperial College London
  • Will Broad, Head of Smart Energy, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
  • Patrick Cassels, Head of Electricity System Flexibility, Ofgem
  • Carolina Tortora,Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation Strategy, National Grid Electricity System Operator
  • Randolph Brazier, Head of Innovation & Development, Energy Networks Association
  • Audrey Gallacher, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy,Energy UK
  • Caroline Bragg, Policy Director, The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)
  • Dr Howard Porter, CEO, BEAMA
  • Iliana Cardenes, International Smart Energy Innovation Lead, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
  • Prof. Paul Dorey, Facilitator, UK Energy Sector Cybersecurity Group (E3CC)
  • Alan Gooding, Executive Director, Smarter Grid Solutions
  • Emma Davidson, Head of Strategy, SSE
  • Rubina Singh, Global Channel Strategy, Centrica
  • Ed Gunn, Chief Commercial Officer, Moixa
  • John Hutchins, Head of Smarter Living, EDF Energy


Westminster Insight’s Smarter Power Grid Digital Live Broadcast brings together leading experts to discuss the next steps for developing smart electricity networks in the UK, and priorities for delivering grid flexibility, decarbonisation, reduced consumer costs and increased energy efficiency through control over energy use.

Our electricity system is undergoing fundamental change, with the system becoming increasingly distributed and environmentally friendly through the integration of greener energy generation, improvements to energy storage and demand side-response.

BEIS’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan estimated that the full potential of grid flexibility could deliver savings of £40 billion a year by 2050. However concern has been recently highlighted of the risk of the UK failing to fully reach this potential without a renewed effort and focus.

Join leading experts from the government, energy, environment and technology sectors to share solutions and hear best practice case studies of delivering a smart and flexible electricity network.
Agenda
Start

09:00 - 09:20
Chair’s Opening Remarks

 
Speakers

Professor Goran Strbac Professor of Energy Systems, Imperial College London

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09:20 - 09:35
Keynote Address 1: Policy Priorities for Developing Smart Electricity Networks in the UK

 
  • Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan update: progress made and next steps
  • What comes next: development of the next phase of smart systems and flexibility policy
Speakers

Will Broad Head of Smart Energy, BEIS

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09:35 - 09:50
Keynote Address 2: Supporting a Smart and Flexible Network through Regulation

 
  • Ensuring the regulation system reduces entry barriers, supports market growth, supplier and technology competition and the path to net-zero
  • Preparing for a more innovative and competitive market that works better for consumers by delivering smart tariffs, consumer benefits, and supporting competition
Speakers

Patrick Cassels Head of Electricity System Flexibility, Ofgem

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09:50 - 10:05
Keynote Address 3: Achieving Net Zero and the Future Role of the Electricity System Operator

 
  • Assessing the opportunities for innovation for Net Zero
  • Preparing system operation for achieving the net-zero target
  • Digitalisation role in system operation
Speakers

Carolina Tortora National Grid’s Electricity System Operator

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10:05 - 10:20
Joint Questions and Discussion

 

10:20 - 10:40
Improving Infrastructure to Support the Distribution and Supply of a Future Smart Grid Model

 
  • Progress with the Open Networks Project
  • Moving from Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and reviewing the likely timescale for transitions ·        
  • Identifying when and where networks will need to deliver flexible services and where they will be expected to change over the next decade 
  • An update on trialling new technologies and business models through the ENIS to integrate into our energy networks 
  • Case studies of best practice from across Great Britain
10:35 - 10:40   Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

Randolph Brazier Head of Innovation and Development, Energy Networks Association

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10:40 - 11:10
Panel Discussion: Supporting Energy Generators, Suppliers and Manufacturers of Energy Services Infrastructure Technologies and Systems

 
  • Collaboration between the Government and industry to measure progress, set targets and timeframes 
  • Developing the business case, improving incentives and removing barriers for industry investment through market and policy developments
  • Gaining institutional investors’ confidence in the current investment climate and understanding what holds them back from deploying capital 
  • Overcoming barriers to integrating a clean, diverse and localised energy generation mix 
  • The implications of Covid-19 and Brexit on energy businesses
11:00 - 11:10   Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

Caroline Bragg Policy Director, The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)

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Audrey Gallacher Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, Energy UK

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Dr Howard Porter CEO, BEAMA

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11:10 - 11:20
Comfort Break

 

11:20 - 11:50
Applying Lessons from Global Smart Grid Innovation Solutions to the UK

 
  • International best practice in policy standards and regulation, finance and business models, technology system development, workforce skills and knowledge and user and consumer engagement. 
  • The role of innovation for flexibility, digitalisation and a globalised energy sector
  • Engagement and involvement of the UK in the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) & Mission Innovation
11:40 - 11:50   Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

Dr Iliana Cardenes International Smart Energy Innovation Lead, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

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11:50 - 12:10
Stronger Together – Strategic Collaboration in UK Energy Cyber Security

 
  • How we created and maintain the UK energy cyber risk view
  • Collaboration in day to day threat detection and response 
  • The critical importance of the supply chain, and how we are engaging 
  • Current and future work on shared guidance and what it means to regulation and risk management
12:05 - 12:10   Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

Prof. Paul Dorey PhD. CISM FCIIS Facilitator, UK Energy Sector Cybersecurity Group (E3CC)

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12:10 - 12:30
Case Study: Exploring ‘Energy as a Service’ and Delivering Enhanced Security of Supply and Net Zero

 
  • Energy as a Service: What is it and how does it work? 
  • Reviewing examples of who and which organisations can benefit from EaaS and how 
  • Meeting energy demands through AI, high technology, and the electrification of services
12:25 - 12:30   Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

Emma Davidson Head of Strategy, SSE

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Alan Gooding Executive Director, Smarter Grid Solutions

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12:30 - 12:55
Panel Discussion: Looking at the Future of Storage and Battery Use

 
  • Developing energy storage and flexible solutions in order to reduce future costs
  • Innovative large-scale technologies: liquid air energy storage, heat pumps and large flow battery systems
  • Reviewing hybrid technologies that can provide long-term energy storage and demand flexibility, such as EVs and distributed energy 
  • Optimising energy storage capacity by applying machine learning to maximise the value of the assets and extend their lifespan
12:45 - 12:55  Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

Ed Gunn Chief Commercial Officer, Moixa

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Rubina Singh Global Channel Strategy, Centrica

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12:55 - 13:20
Meeting Customer and Consumer Demands

 
  • Transforming the way utilities communicate with their customers and enhancing efficiency and reliability 
  • Providing cost savings, environmental benefits and fostering customer engagement
  • Ensuring customer satisfaction during periods of disruption by connecting consumers to the real-time information they need 
  • Considering large scale future user needs
13:10 - 13:20   Questions and Discussion 
Speakers

John Hutchins Head of Smarter Living, EDF Energy

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13:20 - 13:30
Chair’s Closing Remarks

 
End
Speakers

Caroline Bragg Policy Director, The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)

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Randolph Brazier Head of Innovation and Development, Energy Networks Association

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Will Broad Head of Smart Energy, BEIS

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Dr Iliana Cardenes International Smart Energy Innovation Lead, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

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Patrick Cassels Head of Electricity System Flexibility, Ofgem

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Emma Davidson Head of Strategy, SSE

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Prof. Paul Dorey PhD. CISM FCIIS Facilitator, UK Energy Sector Cybersecurity Group (E3CC)

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Audrey Gallacher Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, Energy UK

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Alan Gooding Executive Director, Smarter Grid Solutions

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Ed Gunn Chief Commercial Officer, Moixa

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John Hutchins Head of Smarter Living, EDF Energy

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Dr Howard Porter CEO, BEAMA

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Rubina Singh Global Channel Strategy, Centrica

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Professor Goran Strbac Professor of Energy Systems, Imperial College London

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Carolina Tortora National Grid’s Electricity System Operator

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Venue details

Digital Event Broadcast Live

Speakers
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