December 2019
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This seminar examines the next steps for developing smart electricity networks in the UK.
Areas for discussion include:
- Decarbonising the grid;
- Integrating smart technology, such as storage technologies and electric vehicles; and
- Enabling flexibility both in energy transmission, distribution, and infrastructure.
The conference is bringing together industry stakeholders and policymakers, with the UK government commitment to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and in anticipation of an Energy White Paper.
It will also be an opportunity to discuss the final decision on the Targeted Charging Review recently published by Ofgem - confirming that fixed residual charges and contributions to network cost recovery will be set for all grid-connected users, including those with small-scale generation and other energy devices - intended to distribute costs more fairly and reduce costs for most users.
Delegates will examine priorities for transforming the energy system including:
- The integration of smart, clean, and distributed energy into the network;
- Tackling challenges for delivering network flexibility and improving local grid balancing; and
- Measures for developing smart and whole-systems grid infrastructure, such as expanding electric vehicle charging and improving AI and machine learning adoption.
We also expect discussion on steps that policymakers and network operators can take to enhance grid security, resilience and stability, following the power cuts experienced across the South East and other parts of the UK during the summer - with a formal investigation opened by Ofgem.
Keynote speakers
- Steve Holliday, President, Energy Institute;
- Colm Murphy, Head of Electricity Market Change Delivery, National Grid;
- Peter Willis, Partner, Competition & EU Law, Bird & Bird; and
- Duncan Botting, Energy Sector Executive Committee Chair, IET.
Further confirmed speakers include: Murray Birt, DWS; Randolph Brazier, Energy Networks Association; Hugh Brennan, Hive Energy; David Sykes, Octopus Energy; Dr Sara Walker, Supergen Energy Networks Hub and Newcastle University; Rebecca Yates, Smart Energy GB and speakers from Limejump and Octopus Energy.
Summary of the agenda
Keynote contributions on:
- Development of smart grids in the UK - and priorities for network digitisation and decarbonisation;
- Innovation in grid operations - research, data, and AI;
- Regulatory priorities for supporting the development of smart networks - delivering decarbonisation at lowest cost to consumers; and
- Fit-for-the-future transmission networks - flexibility mechanisms, market competition, and operating carbon free by 2025.
Panel sessions focus on:
- Whole-systems change - infrastructure, balancing mechanisms, and integrating distributed assets; and
- Developing smart energy markets - local flexibility, energy demand management, and delivering consumer benefits.
Engagement with policy officials at this conference
This Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum conference has attracted strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; Cabinet Office; Crown Commercial Service; Department for the Economy NI; Department of Transport; DfT; DIT; HSE; NAO; the Office for Products Safety and Standards and Ofgem.
