Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Ensuring a resilient electricity transmission network – current policy and future reforms
09:40 to
10:05
- Response and progress with implementing the Transmission Acceleration Action Plan recommendations
- Updates on the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan – priorities and timelines to achieve 2025 delivery
- Future plans to ensure meeting demand and support for future generation
Speaker:
Paul van Heyningen.
Deputy Director, Electricity Networks Strategy & Regulatory Policy.
Department of Energy Security & Net Zero.
Upgrading the network to accelerate the connections process and meet increasing demand
10:05 to
10:30
- The introduction of National Energy System Operator – what does the new structure mean for developers looking to secure a connection?
- 2025 Connection Reform – improving the connections experience for consumers
- How will the new changes ensure more efficient connections at a faster pace?
- Feeding diverse demand – how to accommodate different types of energy sources on the grid
Speaker:
James Norman.
Head of Connections Strategy.
ESO.
Moving connection timelines forward – overcoming congestion on the network and freeing up transmission capacity
10:30 to
10:55
- Updates on the Connection Action Plan – carrying out and monitoring objectives
- The impact of the new transmission queue management process – removing stalled projects to avoid connection delays
- How to best allocate available network capacity – prioritising viable and renewable energy projects
Speaker:
Alasdair MacMillan.
Head of Connections.
Ofgem.
Networking break
10:55 to
11:20
Panel Discussion: Next steps to implementing policy reforms to further facilitate faster transmission and distribution access – what else is needed for faster connections?
11:20 to
12:05
- Reforming the existing transmission and distribution connection model – what long-term measures are required?
- What tangible actions can be taken now to minimise uncertainty for new projects?
- Transporting a greater volume of clean energy – what is needed to secure consistent renewable energy supply?
Speakers:
James Norman.
Head of Connections Strategy.
ESO.
Paul Hawker.
Head, Electricity Network Connections.
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
Estelle Dehon KC.
Cornerstone Barristers.
Anna Ai.
Managing Associate, Infrastructure Projects and Energy.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Plans for improving access to the distribution network – simplifying the connection process and progressing projects that are ready to connect
12:05 to
12:30
- New accelerated offers – who are the recipients and how are projects being deployed faster?
- Delivering a flexible network to unlock more capacity
- Current upgrades to the network that are reducing constraints on the grid
Delivering shared grid connections – new opportunities to maximise available capacity on the network
12:30 to
12:55
- What projects are best suited for sharing a grid connection?
- Selecting ideal location and design for co-location – considering project size, capacity and land
- The benefits of having a singular connection point for multiple projects
- Working together to establish priorities and maximise opportunities associated with sharing one connection point
Speaker:
Christie Sims.
Head of Grid.
British Solar Renewables.
Networking lunch
12:55 to
13:55
Successfully gaining planning consent for electricity infrastructure – practical insight on navigating the planning process
13:55 to
14:20
- Revised National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructure – what are the implications for new projects?
- Planning for national projects versus local schemes – how do they differ and what needs to be prioritised?
- Overcoming planning obstacles for the connection of energy projects
- Aligning the planning process with connection offer agreement timelines to meet crucial milestones
Speaker:
Gary Sector.
Partner.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Effectively engaging key stakeholders to achieve successful project delivery – what works best?
14:20 to
14:45
- Correctly identifying key stakeholders to engage early and ensure proactive communication
- Building successful relationships with landowners to address landscape challenges
- Best approaches to working with local authorities and ensure a beneficial collaboration
Speaker:
Katie Jackson.
Head of Engagement.
WSP.
Creating a new smart grid – benefits and opportunities of integrating the latest digital technologies into infrastructure
14:45 to
15:10
- What does a smart grid look like? – considering the role of automation and AI
- How can smart transformer technology balance the network and protect it against potential faults?
- Leveraging innovation to release real-time data – allowing developers to make more informed decision and cut risks
- New technological solutions that lead to cheaper connections
Speaker:
Speaker from.
UK Power Networks.
Networking break
15:10 to
15:40
Deploying energy storage systems to improve grid stability – how to enable more self-sufficient transmission and distribution networks
15:40 to
16:05
- The value of energy storage and which projects can it be applied to
- Balancing the grid as the share of energy sources increases
- Identifying the best location for placing BESS to maximise efficiency at both transmission and distribution level
- Long duration energy storage – delivering a consistent and reliable power supply
Panel Discussion: Future proofing the UK energy network – ensuring existing grid infrastructure is equipped to withstand future challenges
16:05 to
16:50
- Acting now to improve energy security– overcoming current weaknesses and anticipating upcoming barriers to network resiliency
- Designing transmission and distribution infrastructure to be climate adaptive
- What role should the public and private sectors play in driving investment to reduce network vulnerability?
- The Great Grid Update – what else is needed to deliver the future power grid?
- Modernising the grid to reduce the need for costly new infrastructure
Speakers:
Dr Rob Bloom.
Manager - Energy Transition.
Carbon Trust.
Lauren Buchalter.
Director Transformation, Electricity Transformation.
National Grid.
Gareth Williams.
Grid Director.
Bute Energy.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:50 to
17:00
Close of conference and networking drinks
17:00 to
18:30