Connections reform is reshaping the energy sector at unprecedented speed, creating both winners and losers in the process. The challenge now is ensuring reform delivers not just faster processes, but fairer and smarter ones. This panel brings together practitioners and system planners at the heart of reform to discuss the realities of implementation, the progress made so far, and the next steps needed to unlock real capacity across the network. Expect an honest conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and where innovation in data, coordination, and processes can make the biggest difference. 

Discussion Points:

Where has connections reform succeeded, and where are the bottlenecks still holding back progress?

How can speed, fairness, and transparency be balanced for developers, DNOs, and system planners?

What new approaches within DNOs and ESO are driving adaptability, and which could be scaled?

What role should data and system-wide coordination play in shaping the next phase of reform?

What lessons can we learn from early implementation, and which examples provide the clearest insights? 

Unlocking the full potential of flexibility requires more than technology — it demands the right market structures and regulatory frameworks. This panel explores how policy, regulation, and commercial incentives can accelerate the integration of flexible resources, create value for new and existing technologies, and ensure a reliable, cost-effective renewable energy system. 

Discussion Points: 

How can market design evolve to properly value flexibility services and incentivise both new and existing resources? 

In what ways should policy and regulation adapt to support flexible technologies while maintaining reliability and cost-effectiveness? 

What role do demand-side response, long-duration storage, and commercial innovation play in shaping the energy transition? 

How can regulators and industry collaborate to create predictable, investment-friendly frameworks for flexibility?

As renewable generation grows, the challenge is no longer producing clean energy but making sure it is available exactly when it is needed. This session explores how Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) allow wind and solar to reach their full potential by strengthening grid reliability, smoothing variability, and how they are fundamental in supporting a clean, home-grown energy system. Aimed at both sector specialists and those new to storage, the keynote goes back to the fundamentals of how BESS works, why it is indispensable for a modern energy system, and how it enables renewables to flourish in real-world conditions.

Many industrial sites struggle to find ways to decarbonise their process heat affordably. Fortunately, newer technologies have now reached the point where they can deliver cost savings compared to fossil fuels. Depending on the site’s requirements a combination of behind-the-meter solar, heat pumps, and Caldera’s electric thermal storage can deliver an optimal solution. This presentation will cover the advantages and limitations of each technology, and how to use them to deliver both carbon and cost reductions.

As energy storage moves from mid-scale demonstrations to utility-scale deployments, understanding key lessons from smaller projects is critical. This panel explores how insights from mid-scale storage can inform the planning, execution, and integration of mega-projects, ensuring maximum value across the grid. Experts will discuss strategies for managing technological, financial, and regulatory risks while scaling, and examine how different storage technologies can be optimally deployed at varying scales. Attendees will gain practical guidance on bridging the gap between pilot projects and large-scale energy storage solutions.

Discussion Points:

What lessons from mid-scale storage projects are most critical when planning and executing mega-scale deployments?

How can energy storage technologies be optimally integrated into the grid to maximise value across different scales?

What strategies help manage technological, financial, and regulatory risks when scaling from demonstration projects to utility-scale storage?

Hydrogen is often touted as a cornerstone of the UK’s net-zero ambitions, but how realistic is its role today? This session examines where hydrogen can genuinely add value across sectors, from industry to transport, and explores the practical barriers to large-scale adoption, including cost, infrastructure, and safety. We’ll discuss whether current policy and investment targets are achievable, and whether hydrogen should complement electrification and battery storage—or is being oversold as a silver bullet. Join experts as they separate hype from reality and chart a pragmatic path for hydrogen in the UK energy mix.

Discussion Points:

Where does hydrogen realistically fit into the UK energy system, and which sectors stand to benefit most?

What are the main barriers to large-scale hydrogen adoption, including costs, infrastructure, and safety?

How should policy and investment shape hydrogen’s future – are current targets realistic?

Should hydrogen complement electrification and battery storage, or is it being treated as a silver bullet?

The increasing deployment of energy storage systems (ESS) globally requires a focus on understanding their hazards and ensuring reliable safety systems. Every ESS is unique in its dimensions, battery types, goals, location of11 deployment. Fike will present the dangers & causes of thermal runaway, an unpredictable fire hazard occurring in the lithium battery cells held in an ESS. Backed by years of internal test data, we’ll explore the various layered methods of protecting an ESS and more importantly nearby people that we recommend to mitigate the effects of thermal runaway, which may include fire, explosion and offgassing hazards. 

Discussion Points:  

Identify the causes and risks of thermal runaway  

Evaluate different various ESS scenarios and when certain protection methods are needed 

Implement best practices for safety system design

Meeting future energy demands will require a diverse portfolio of long-duration storage technologies. With global needs expected to grow 15-fold by 2030, options such as flow batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air, and thermal storage all offer unique benefits—from stabilising the grid to powering remote locations. The challenge lies in identifying the right technologies for the right contexts, while addressing barriers around cost, efficiency, and infrastructure. Choosing the right mix will be critical to building a resilient, low-carbon energy system.

Discussion Points:

Why must we look beyond lithium-ion for long-duration storage?

What alternative technologies are showing the most promise?

How can different storage solutions be best matched to specific applications?

As solar capacity grows, markets are experiencing “solar cannibalisation,” where midday solar generation depresses wholesale electricity prices, threatening the financial viability of new projects. This session explores the economic, regulatory, and technological strategies to mitigate revenue erosion and build sustainable income streams for solar developers. Participants will examine market design innovations, storage integration, and policy frameworks that support reliable returns while accelerating the energy transition.

Discussion Points:

How can market structures evolve to reduce solar cannibalisation?

What role can storage play in stabilising solar revenues?

Which policy mechanisms best ensure long-term project viability?

How can developers diversify revenue streams beyond wholesale electricity sales?

The UK government funded industrial decarbonisation demonstrations in a range of industries from aluminium recycling, ceramics, glass manufacturing, food and drink, funeral care, and whiskey distilleries in 2023-2025. This session will focus on the lessons learned from trialling and testing the state-of-the-art technologies for industrial decarbonisation. 

As cities and towns aim for cleaner, more resilient energy systems, heat networks are evolving beyond traditional heating. This session explores how integrated networks can combine heating, cooling, and electricity, leverage waste heat, and use thermal storage to improve flexibility and reliability. Panelists will discuss the role of heat networks in balancing renewable energy, managing grid fluctuations, and creating new revenue streams. Attendees will gain insight into innovative technologies, effective funding models, and scalable strategies that make heat networks affordable, efficient, and sustainable, providing practical solutions for decarbonising local energy systems.   

Discussion Points:    

How can heat networks integrate heating, cooling, and electricity efficiently?   

How can waste heat, thermal storage, and flexible technologies improve network reliability?   

How can heat networks support renewable energy integration and manage grid fluctuations? 

What business models and funding strategies can make heat networks scalable and affordable?   

As the UK energy system evolves, the decision to retain a national market under REMA brings both opportunities and challenges for storage operators. This panel will explore how policy, flexibility targets, and investment considerations intersect to shape the future of energy storage. Industry leaders will discuss practical solutions, the role of distributed assets, and strategies to ensure the UK meets its energy and flexibility ambitions.

Discussion Points:

How will the national market reform impact storage investment, connection agreements, and non-firm access arrangements?

What role can distributed assets, such as electric bus fleets and virtual power plants, play in delivering the 11 GW flexibility target?

How can policy cohesion be improved across government to ensure that national market reforms support storage deployment and grid stability?