Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Kyle Smith.
Head of Connections.
Energy Networks Association.
Ensuring a resilient electricity transmission network - updates on current policy and future plans
09:40 to
10:05
- Progress with the Transmission Acceleration Action Plan recommendations
- Future plans to ensure meeting demand and support for future generation
Speaker:
Karen Rowe.
Managing Associate, Infrastructure Projects & Energy.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Panel Discussion: Next steps to implementing policy reforms to further facilitate faster transmission and distribution access – what else is needed for faster connections?
10:05 to
10:50
- 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:
Estelle Dehon KC.
Cornerstone Barristers.
Anna Ai.
Managing Associate, Infrastructure Projects and Energy.
Addleshaw Goddard.
William Duncan.
Head of Operations.
Telis Energy.
Morning networking and refreshment
10:50 to
11:20
Plans for improving access to the distribution network – simplifying the connection process and progressing projects that are ready to connect
11:20 to
11:45
- 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
Speaker:
Maurice Lynch.
Head of System Flexibility.
Northern Powergrid.
Delivering shared grid connections – new opportunities to maximise available capacity on the network
11:45 to
12:10
- What technologies are best suited for sharing a grid connection?
- Why is co-location so important now?
- What makes a good site for multiple technologies?
- The benefits of having a singular connection point for multiple technologies
Speaker:
Christie Sims.
Head of Grid.
BSR Energy.
Networking lunch
12:10 to
13:10
Successfully gaining planning consent for electricity infrastructure – practical insight on navigating the planning process
13:10 to
13:35
- 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?
13:35 to
14:00
- 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
14:00 to
14:25
- 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:
Jamie Bright.
DSO Data Science and Development Manager.
UK Power Networks.
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:25 to
14:55
Deploying energy storage systems to improve grid stability – how to enable more self-sufficient transmission and distribution networks
14:55 to
15:20
- 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
Speaker:
Ali Akbar Ajmerwala.
Technical Manager.
Luminous Energy.
Panel Discussion: Future proofing the UK energy network – ensuring existing grid infrastructure is equipped to withstand future challenges
15:20 to
16:05
- 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.
The Carbon Trust.
Ross McGhin.
Network Resilience Manager.
National Grid.
Bridgit Hartland-Johnson.
Chief Specialist - System Integration.
Ørsted.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:05 to
16:15
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:15 to
17:30