Dr Jean-Yves Cherruault
Head of Net Zero Pathways at Centrica Business Solutions
Hannah Bond
Energy Manager at Travis Perkins
Filipe Mota da Silva
Managing Director - Consulting - Energy, Resources, Utilities, and Sustainability at Tata Consultancy Services
Ben Richardson
Head of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells System (SOFC) UK & I at Bosch
Phil McNaughton
Head of Decarbonisation at British Sugar
Caroline Bragg
Director at The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)
Neil Coleman
Operations Manager Energy & Innovation at John Lewis
Prof. Adrian Bull MBE
BNFL Chair in Nuclear Energy and Society at University of Manchester
Stuart McLeod
Energy Manager at Balfour Beatty
David Rimmer
Microgrid Business Leader at Schneider Electric UK & I
Philip Steele
Future Technologies Evangelist at Octopus Energy
Suzanna Lashford
Business Development Manager at Vattenfall Networks
Nathan Sanders
Managing Director at SSE Energy Solutions
Adam Hamilton
Associate Director, Energy & Mobility Strategy at KPMG
Stefie Cray
Project Manager, Sustainable solutions at Rolls-Royce
Key:
Tuesday, 14th, March - Track 1
Tuesday, 14th, March - Track 2
2023 is forecast to be a decisive year for the distributed energy sector. With the economic fallout of the Covid 19 pandemic putting a strain on people’s pockets and the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompting an international energy crisis, energy flexibility and security has never been more important. In response to the increasing energy demands of our time, technological innovations in this sector are allowing businesses to lower energy costs and reduce carbon in smarter and more efficient ways.
This keynote session will be the foundation of the conference, setting the scene for the state of the market, regulatory issues, policies and technologies which will affect the current and future state of the distributed energy sector.
Panel Discussion:
Caroline Bragg
Director
The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)
Caroline leads the development of the Association’s policy and regulatory work – working closely with members and policymakers to promote the sustainable development of the decentralised energy sector in the UK.
Caroline joined the ADE from RenewableUK where her work in the policy team included the Levy Control Framework and its support schemes, network charging and reform to balancing and capacity markets across low carbon technologies. She was also heavily involved in supporting technology-specific policy development with a particular focus upon emerging technologies including tidal and wave energy.
Caroline holds a MSc from Oxford University and a BA from Manchester University.
Philip Steele
Future Technologies Evangelist
Octopus Energy
Phil is the Future Technologies Evangelist at Octopus Energy, leading the research & development team, and applying cutting edge technology to develop new innovation across the whole of the energy chain.
Some of the tech-led innovation Phil is working on includes the Octopus Agile tariff, making the grid more flexible to cope with the realities of intermittent renewable generation, and Powerloop, a project that could turn millions of electric cars into mini battery packs to supply the grid when renewables energy is in short supply.
Phil joined Octopus Energy following the acquisition of his entech startup nCube, a pioneer in IOT platform development, with award-winning tech that acts as a bridge to connect IOT devices, using Z-Wave, WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth and LAN.
Prior to nCube, Phil helped launch a mobile advertising startup in Canada, and delivered numerous innovations at O2 such as messaging, pre-pay & mobile internet. He regularly subjects his wife and three children to trialling out his latest gadgets in energy tech.
Nathan Sanders
Managing Director
SSE Energy Solutions
Nathan Sanders started his career with SSE over thirty years ago as an apprentice and in this time has gone on to complete a Master’s Degree in Positive Leadership Practice. He has also made the transition to senior management, holding his current position as Managing Director for over a decade. Nathan currently leads the Distributed Energy team within SSE Energy Solutions, which invests, designs, owns, operates, maintains, and optimises local energy infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.
Sarah Butler
Energy Innovation Programme Manager
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Sarah is an Energy Innovation Programme Manager within the UK Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Her current role focuses on innovative programmes and projects seeking to support a smarter, more flexible and decarbonised energy system. This includes leading the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio’s up to £65m Flexibility Innovation Programme. Sarah has worked in climate change and energy across international, national and local settings, including roles in climate change mitigation policy and economics at the United Nations, managing EU funded smart city demonstrator programmes, and delivering innovative low carbon technologies and infrastructure.
Short Break
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Achieving a net-zero energy system by 2050 will require major changes to the UK’s approach to heat, power and transportation with flexibility and decentralisation being crucial to this success.
This session will take a look at the role of flexibility within a net-zero energy system and the practical implications of increasing flexible assets including policy implications and recommendations along with technology options.
Alex Coulton
Head of Policy & Insight
Low Carbon Contracts Company
Bio coming soon....
As the UK switches to renewable-energy generation and traditional fossil-fuel generators are retired, energy flexibility technologies will become increasingly vital in ensuring the nation’s energy needs are met.
Our transition to distributed energy assets is the future, but with dispersed generation comes the need to find smarter, cheaper and more efficient ways of managing our consumption. Flexible energy systems provide a means to mitigate the energy security concerns of renewable energy assets, utilising innovative new technologies to change our energy behaviours and make sure renewable capacity continues to grow.
This session will demonstrate the new technologies available in the energy flexibility space and how they can help your business with the energy transition.
Discussion Topics:
Nick Williams
Director of Origination
Erova Energy
Nick is the Director of Origination at Erova Energy. Previously of Centrica with over 15yrs of experience in the energy industry, Nick has been working across Origination, Asset Development, M&A & Financing. Key focus areas are optimisation and trading of renewable generation across Europe and North America.
Matt Brindle
Regional Director
GridBeyond
Matt has 18 years of experience within the energy management industry and has spent the last 6 years at GridBeyond as Regional Director. At GridBeyend he works with behind the meter end users to help businesses unlock powerful, long term, recurring revenue streams from the energy and flexibility markets whilst increasing energy security and enabling the transition of the National Grid to a more sustainable future.
Utilising GridBeyonds unique and award-winning technology platform, they connect to energy intensive assets & batteries and automatically adjust power consumption in real-time to balance the Grid, generating significant returns, all achieved with limited impact on customer operations. GridBeyond manage over 1.5GW of energy assets, from pumps and fans up to huge ARC Furnaces and embedded generation.
Richard Sarti
CEO
Nodes
Richard Sarti is CEO of NODES. He joined NODES AS from Nord Pool where over the past 10 years he successfully set up and lead the development of Nord Pool’s Exchange and commercial activities in the GB Wholesale Electricity Market. Prior to Nord Pool, Richard spent 10 years working within Market Data, Energy Trading and Risk Management Software Sales. Richard’s expertise resides in Business Development, Trading and Sales Management, he is an Alumni from London Business School, where he completed the Senior Executive Program, focusing on Leadership, Strategy and Transformation.
Adam Wright
Commercial Director
measurable.energy
Adam Wright is the Commercial Director at measurable.energy, a UK-based start-up that eliminates wasted energy from the built environment, reducing CO2 emissions and electricity bills. measurable.energy do this by controlling plug sockets and all the devices that are plugged in. Plug sockets can account for as much as 40% of a total building's energy use and half of that is completely wasted energy from devices left on when nobody is there. Adam looks after the commercial functions of the business and comes from a background in Product Line Management, Sales and Operations. An Environmental Scientist by trade he has a keen eye for developing and productizing new technology. With measurable.energy, Adam’s ambition is to make the technology and its incredible benefits as commercially accessible to as many businesses around the world as possible.
Simon Mitchell
Head of Commercial
Ylem Energy Ltd
Simon has worked in the energy industry for over 17 years, firstly for a large energy consultancy before holding several roles for one of the big six energy suppliers. During this time Simon has gained significant experience of the industry with particular focus on the shift from a centralised energy system to a decentralised energy system and held roles including the responsibly for the commercial management of several large CHP plants, managing the entry of a distribution connected portfolio of assets into the UK Capacity Market and building Demand Side Response, on-site generation and Energy Storage Solutions for B2B customers.
Looking towards the future it has become increasingly clear that new low carbon energy infrastructure will have to be developed across the country. However, questions remain as to how we encourage the public to embrace these new means of generating energy.
Public anxieties about new energy developments are nothing new, and many lessons can be taken from past nuclear power station and wind farm developments. However, key to mitigating these challenges are both education and incentivisation.
This session will explore how we win over local support for new energy infrastructure while ensuring the average consumer has the capital means to invest in low carbon energy assets.
Discussion Topics:
Sandy Abrahams
Co-Founding Partner
Lux Nova Partners Limited
Sandy is a senior lawyer and co-founder of boutique renewable energy law firm, Lux Nova Partners, with over 12+ years experience specialising in clean and low carbon energy projects and innovation in energy markets in the UK and internationally. Sandy’s experience includes acting on the development of utility scale wind and solar farms in the Middle East, advising on a large number of district heating schemes for property developers, ESCo’s, housing associations and Local Authorities across the UK, and advising community groups and clean tech innovators on decentralised, decarbonised and democratised energy models. Sandy advises on the full range of project documents required for clean and low carbon energy development and on all aspects of climate change and energy legislation in the UK.
She is also actively involved in policy development in the UK, assisting representative bodies of community energy and industry groups to push through changes to legislation including through the Association for Distributed Energy and through UKELA’s Climate Change Working party and helping industry to develop transformational models encouraging local energy generation and supply.
Dr. Graham Oakes
Owner
Graham Oakes Ltd
Graham Oakes is a systems engineer with 30 years’ experience in data and digital tech. He formed Upside Energy, a cloud platform that uses advanced algorithms and AI to manage the flexibility available from devices such as EVs, home batteries, heat pumps, etc, in 2013, and grew it to the point where it employed over 30 staff and had raised almost £10m of funding from parties such as Innovate UK, BEIS, Systemiq and Legal & General Capital. He stood down from Upside at the end of 2018 to focus on community and local energy, where he now supports a portfolio of projects including the Local Energy Oxfordshire (LEO) demonstrator and the Greater Manchester Local Energy Market (LEM2) project. He also supports several start-ups through the Energy System Catapult and BEIS incubation platforms and is a member of Northern Powergrid’s Customer Engagement Group for RIIO-ED2.
Beck Collins
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Sustainability West Midlands
Beck joined SWM in April 2022 after fifteen years working in higher education, local government, and as a director for a community energy society. She brings my skills in research, knowledge transfer and stakeholder engagement, and my knowledge in sustainable energy and sustainable built environments to SWM. Her role is to advise and support local authorities, businesses, community groups and other organisations across the West Midlands to improve their sustainability practice. She manages and delivers projects and research, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and write reports and strategies. She is also working to ensure that all of the activities contribute to SWM's Roadmap priorities, and that the West Midlands is leading in contributing to the national target of net zero gas emissions by 2050, while reducing health inequality and driving inclusive growth.
Prof. Adrian Bull MBE
BNFL Chair in Nuclear Energy and Society
University of Manchester
Adrian Bull has almost 4 decades of nuclear industry experience, with BNFL, Westinghouse and the National Nuclear Laboratory, from where he retired in June 2022, coupled with a more recent academic career at the University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute. His main area of focus is on the interaction between the nuclear industry and its stakeholders - whether politicians, policy makers, media, local communities or any other aspect of the external landscape. He has led Communications Groups for nuclear trade associations at UK, European and worldwide level, has supported an International Atomic Energy Agency mission on stakeholder engagement and recently lectured on communications to the World Nuclear University's Summer Institute. He was awarded an MBE for his work on public engagement related to nuclear topics in 2019.
Natasha Mills
Flex Assure Scheme Administrator
Flex Assure UK
I joined Flex Assure UK in 2022. Since joining, I have been assisting on the running of the Flex Assure Industrial and Commercial compliance scheme, and the development of the HOMEFlex project. In doing this we have been working closely with stakeholders across the flexibility marketplace to produce a code of conduct for domestic and micro-business flexibility service providers with the aim of encouraging best practice in this growing market and to increase domestic and micro-business participation.
Prior to this role, I worked in the solar industry, designing commercial and domestic solar systems for distribution around the UK, following graduation from the University of Sheffield.
Lunch
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Energy security for greener sources of heat and power have become a major concern for many businesses in the UK. As we continue to transition toward renewable generation assets that are powered by specific environmental conditions, energy storage will become more significant in making sure energy is available when these assets are unable to generate.
Energy storage technology has emerged as a fundamental component for renewable energy generation. However, questions remain as to whether these technologies will be able to meet the high energy demands of our time.
This session will showcase the different energy storage technologies available, their potential benefits and drawbacks, while stressing their importance in the future of renewable generation.
Discussion Topics:
Alan Beech
Sales Director - UK & Ireland
Clarke Energy
Alan is a time-served engineer with over 35 years’ experience within the energy industry, holding lead roles at a variety of multinational companies. Alan joined Clarke Energy in 2019 and is actively involved in Clarke Energy’s diversification to its CHP portfolio, into complementary renewable technologies, such energy efficiency adoption, solar, heat pumps, battery energy storage, hydrogen electrolysers / fuel cells, biomethane plants, carbon capture & utilisation and load shifting hybrid systems. He is a champion of the net-zero journey and an active member of industry trade associations and advisory bodies, advocating the UK’s whole power solution.
Dr Jean-Yves Cherruault
Head of Net Zero Pathways
Centrica Business Solutions
Dr Jean-Yves is the Head of Net Zero Pathways at Centrica Business Solutions. Jean-Yves has been leading the technical, commercial and financial services for the deployment of large carbon reduction programmes for organisations within the Manufacturing, Real Estates and Public sectors over the past 15 years.
Phil McNaughton
Head of Decarbonisation
British Sugar
A Chartered chemical engineer, Phil has covered a variety of engineering, operational and project roles in his 25 years with British Sugar, most recently as Head of Capital Projects. He is Head of Decarbonisation with responsibility for leading British Sugar’s agenda on ESG and Sustainability matters, environmental performance & strategy, environmental policy & legislation, sustainability & carbon management, along with leading the FDM BREF implementation programme for permitted processes.
Sarah Wallace
Sales Director
Waxman Energy
Sarah Wallace has a wealth of experience in the renewable energy industry. Driven by her goal for innovative products and delivering product training, she takes pride in providing the best customer service experience possible. In addition to her primary main goals, Sarah is recognised by Waxman Energy and the wider industry for her extraordinary commitment to the business as Sales Director.
Dr. Eleni Fiamegkou
Li-ion Battery Research Engineer
University of Warwick, WMG
Dr Eleni Fiamegkou is a Li-ion Battery Research Engineer who completed her MsC on Polymers as well as her PhD studies about the nano-reinforced polymers in 2008 and 2015 respectively at the University, of Patras, Greece. After gaining her PhD, she has been employed by the University of Warwick, WMG as postdoc on the discipline of nano-polymers. Her engagement with Li -ion batteries started on the January of 2019 by working for All Solid-State Batteries NATEP project where she applied polymer technologies for the development of a manufacturing protocol of Solid State Polymer Electrolytes. The last 18 months her interest is focusing on high Ni layer oxide Li ion/ (Si-) Graphite batteries cycling and calendaring aging investigation. She is currently leading the electrochemical testing protocols of various types of cells in her team and as well as their tear-down/ post-mortem analysis. Her interest is remaining open to other Li ion battery technologies also such as Li metal and anodeless.
In the face of skyrocketing energy costs, large energy intensive companies are beginning to see their decarbonisation targets come under increasing amounts of stress. This has sparked fear that the unprecedented fallout of the energy crisis may lead to many large businesses rethinking their net zero commitments.
The role of energy and sustainability managers has never been more important than now as they seek to affirm their organisations net zero commitments while meeting the numerous challenges associated with energy procurement. Many energy leaders have found new and innovative ways to decarbonize their organisations and increase their energy efficiency.
This presentation-based session will showcase the methods energy and sustainability managers are using to decarbonize their organisations while also offering insight into how large energy intensive businesses are reacting to the current crisis.
Discussion Topics:
Sam Warren
Sustainability Manager
Woodland Group
Sam has spent his career thus far implementing decarbonisation projects across the public and private sector. As Sustainability Manager for Woodland Group, Sam’s position covers the decarbonisation of internal business operations across the fleet and facilities, as well as handling consultations with clients on methods to decarbonise their logistical supply chain. Sam also works on the development of the Group’s net-zero strategy and manages the ongoing accreditations held by Woodland that verify the commitments made to tackle climate change and meet the highest environmental standards.
Neil Coleman
Operations Manager Energy & Innovation
John Lewis
Neil Coleman is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Energy Manager and professional member of the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers. His specialisms are engineering innovation, energy management, building services, low/zero carbon transport and renewable energy sources.
Neil currently works for the John Lewis Partnership as Operations Manager for Energy & Innovation across the Waitrose and John Lewis estate.
Having studied design engineering as an undergraduate and completing a Masters Degree in Sustainable Energy Systems he has a broad understanding of technical systems and their application.
With over 15 years’ experience in low carbon project delivery he has an excellent understanding of the real-life practicalities of delivering low carbon projects.
Hannah Bond
Energy Manager
Travis Perkins
With more than 13 years of experience in the Energy and Sustainability world working for large corporate businesses such as Travis Perkins and prior to that in the tourism industry and before that in the film and television industry managing multi-million pound energy contracts and sustainability / ESG requirements within the UK. Over those years tackling a number of legislative and climate challenges faced by many large businesses today. At Travis Perkins, as well as managing our group Energy contracts across circa 1,400 sites, I am also responsible for achieving our Net Zero Carbon targets across our built estate by 2035 of a 80% reduction in carbon emissions.
Stuart McLeod
Energy Manager
Balfour Beatty
Stuart McLeod began his career in the Royal Air Force, where he worked as an Aircraft Avionics Technician on Chinook and Puma helicopters, based at RAF Odiham and RAF Benson respectively. He served in Aghanistan twice and supported pre-Afghan deployment training in Kenya. On leaving the RAF, Stuart read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Lancaster University. He then joined a graduate scheme with Morrisons Supermarkets where he worked in a number of operational management roles including: instore management, central operational support at Morrisons head Office, and regional support for a Senior Retail Director. During this time he completed his MA in Management with Durham University.
Stuart then moved into a role as an Energy Manager with responsibility for mandatory and voluntary carbon reporting, the innovation pipeline and energy efficiency projects across the retail, food manufacturing and logistics estate. He then left Morrisons to work as a Project Manager for a Project Management and Engineering consultancy working on energy efficiency projects for the John Lewis and Waitrose account. Stuart now works as an Energy Manager for Balfour Beatty, where he is responsible for energy and carbon reduction across all UK construction sites, permanent properties and long-term Balfour Beatty contracts across all Balfour Beatty Strategic Business Units. Notable projects include the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell technology, optimising construction site energy demand through the EcoNet demand management system, optimising demand through battery storage units and the introduction of an ISO 50001 energy management system at a Balfour Beatty depot.
Short Break
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Digital technologies are improving the efficiency of UK enterprise, allowing for newer, smarter, and more efficient decision making. When applied to the energy sector, digitalisation can be a game changer. The UK Parliament recently released a research briefing which outlined the transformative impact that energy sector digitization could have for our methods of generation, transmission, regulation, trading, and decarbonisation.
In light of the energy crisis, digital technologies are providing realistic scope for increased energy efficiency which does not necessarily harm our net zero ambitions. Upon application to the energy sector, technology platforms and artificial intelligence can have a revolutionary effect on the future of energy flexibility in the UK.
This session will provide an examination of significant digital technologies within the energy sector, while contemplating their potential applications, benefits and drawbacks.
Discussion Topics:
Dr. Irene Di Martino
CEO Amp X, EVP AMP
Amp X
Irene has over 20 years’ experience in the energy sector, with a robust engineering background and an industry-sponsored PhD. She has been leading Amp X since its establishment in September 2019, focusing on the delivery of a digital energy platform that caters for a number of autonomous and interoperable products to future-proof the grid, unlocking flexibility from the edge of the grid at a large scale, whilst improving system resilience and stability at the lowest possible cost. Prior to this, Irene spent most of her career to date at Engie, leading strategic programmes aimed to optimise performance and profitability of the generation portfolio. More recently, Irene led a World Energy Council international programme on energy blockchain.
Filipe Mota da Silva
Managing Director - Consulting - Energy, Resources, Utilities, and Sustainability
Tata Consultancy Services
Filipe Mota da Silva works at TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) as Consulting Leader for Energy, Resources and Utilities in UK and EU. He has 17 years of experience in energy and technology sector and has helped several organizations embracing large digital transformational programmes to improve their operations and develop new ventures. He is currently helping clients accelerate their sustainability and digital roadmap through his expertise around target operating model definition, business transformation, change management and diversity and inclusion.
He holds a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Lisbon University, MBA from Hult International Business School in Boston, USA and attended the prestigious General Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Filipe lives in London and works around the world, including his native country Portugal, and has completed stints in China and the USA. In his spare time, he loves to play rugby.
Mark Meyrick
Head of Smart Grids and PPAs
Ecotricity
Mark Meyrick is Head of Smart Grids and PPAs at Ecotricity, where his main efforts are concentrated on developing Ecotricity’s grid scale battery storage deployment, aggregated with other assets in a virtual power plant so as to enable flexible energy response to the needs of the Grid, and the market.
Alongside this Ecotricity has an active Power Purchase Agreement function which Mark started and oversees.
Previously at Ecotricity in 2003 when he started up their energy trading desk, bringing across the ABB energy desk which he began in 2001, having led the team there for 7 years.
Over the 2003 -2015 period he worked on GHG emissions abatement projects for EDF Trading, Constellation Energy, German utility EnBW and Dutch utility Eneco for EU ETS compliance.
Previously he was a foreign exchange options trader for some years, having started working life as a chartered accountant.
Jonas Loholm Hamann
Head of Business Development
Danfoss Climate Solutions
Jonas joined Danfoss in April 2018. Next to his position at Danfoss, he is a passionate runner.
Currently, Jonas is responsible for developing hydronic optimization business in areas like software, district energy, large heat pumps, sector integration, and development of new business models
Previously, Jonas worked with developing lighthouses and develop Danfoss’ position in new markets such as vertical farming and data centers.
Jonas has gained experience in both fields and worked, among others, for the Danish Ministry of Environment & Food, Mazars consulting, and General Electric (GE). Jonas holds a Master's degree in European Affairs from Sciences Po.
Luca Grella
Innovation Programme Manager
UK Power Networks
Luca Grella is an experienced programme manager in the Innovation team at UK Power Networks. In recent years his work has focused primarily on delivering a more efficient and reliable service for customers by developing optimised assets and practices.
His industry experience ranges from design and construction of electrical distribution systems to network control and business/project management. He currently serves as representative member of the Power Networks Distribution Centre at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.
Luca holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering obtained from the University of Pisa (Italy) and has previously worked for Ramboll UK, designing electrical systems for high profile buildings including large residential schemes, luxury hotels and a world cup stadium.
Heat makes up two-thirds of global industrial energy demand. In 2021 heat energy accounted for half of the final energy consumption, with fossil fuels accounting for a 75% share of industrial heating.
With gas boilers being the main source of heat for UK households, this doesn’t bode well for the fight for net zero. A recent study by Nesta concluded that the average UK boiler emits the CO2- equivalent to taking seven transatlantic flights between London and New York.
If we as a nation want to achieve Net Zero, CO2 emission from heat energy has to become a priority in terms of change and innovation.
This session aims to unpack exciting new heat innovations available and explore how they can help your business.
Discussion Topics:
Bean Beanland
Director for Growth & External Affairs
Heat Pump Federation
Bean is a graduate of Imperial College, is an Associate of the Royal College of Science, and is a founding member of the Heat Pump Federation (HPF).
He has 14-years’ experience in energy and carbon mitigation and in conceptual technology selection, procurement and the installation of mechanical services and renewable technologies.
Over this time, Bean has overseen the technology positioning, specification and delivery of a great many heat pump systems, many of which supply heat and potable hot water to Listed and period buildings, and to schools, rural estates and commercial buildings.
Bean is a highly active participant in the industry, supporting the development of heat pump technology, installer training and standards, and government policy. He is responsible for the lobbying activities of the Heat Pump Federation and for growth in membership.
• Heat Pump Federation: Founding member, Director for Growth & External Affairs
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Member, Electrification of Heat Task Group Member, Industry Advisory Group on Heat in Buildings and Member, Off-Grid Industry Council
• Microgeneration Certification Scheme(MCS): Member, Working Group WG6 on Heat Pump Design Standards & Compliance and Member, Stakeholder Advisory Group
• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE): Member, Heat Pump Group Member, Steering Committee for AM17 (application manual on commercial heat pumps)
• Energy Networks Association (ENA): Member, Open Networks Advisory Group
• OFGEM : Member, Industry Forum on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• National Grid Electricity Distribution: Customer Connections Steering Group
• Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks: Member, Connections Expert Panel
(Commercial/Industrial/Consultant Stakeholder Group)
• Building Research Establishment (BRE): Past member, SAP Industry Forum
• Ground-source Heat Pump Association: Past Chair of Council & member, Policy Development Committee
Lisa Treseder
Director of Business Development
Kensa Utilities
With extensive knowledge of delivering projects for the local authority and private sector, Lisa led the grant application for the ERDF-funded Heat the Streets project. Lisa is managing the delivery of this project and continues to promote GSHPs
Gemma Reeves
Business Unit Manager; Energy- GPH & BFB
Alfa Laval
Gemma has worked for Alfa Laval, global leader in heat transfer technology, for over 20 years. Joining as a mechanical engineering and business graduate, she has progressed through the company developing her product, application and business knowledge. Gemma has worked with many different technologies over her time at Alfa Laval and has a wealth of experience in energy-based applications.
In her current role, she leads a dedicated team working on applications such as district heating, CHP, data-centre cooling, fuel cells and heat pump technology. She is passionate about the innovation journey the world is currently on with the drive to net zero and looks forward to sharing how Alfa Laval can support companies to reach their goals.
David Kennedy
Managing Director | MBA BEng
Pure Renewables
Leading a diverse team working on renewable energy projects in sectors including district heating, industrial decarbonisation, public sector, and horticulture to deliver our Net Zero future.
I’m passionate about integrating my engineering expertise with a commercial focus and have enjoyed working for a large array of clients in a diverse international supply chain network. Pure Renewables offers leading heat decarbonisation technology along with power generation capacity to help clients achieve Net Zero target. Recent projects include the U.K’s largest open loop water source heat pump alongside city centre retrofit heat pump projects.
With a background in Project Engineering & Technical Management covering varying technologies including Heat Pumps, CHP, Bio-Mass & gasification alongside fossil fuel installations our clear focus is on clean energy projects.
Personally, I’m a keen sailor and am currently renovating my Grade II listed home to be more sustainable.
Gabriel Gallagher
Managing Director
Sustainable Energy Ltd
Gabriel is a Chartered Engineer with 25 years of experience in technical and commercial delivery and innovation in the decentralised and renewable energy sector. Gabriel has a comprehensive engineering background from an apprenticeship with the MoD, a Mechanical Engineering degree from Cardiff, Researcher at an International Energy organisation in the Netherlands, and a Ph.D. in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics before founding Sustainable Energy Ltd in 1998. Gabriel has acted as a principal consultant for the design and implementation of many of the UK's leading district heating, cooling, and renewable power projects. Gabriel is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Energy Institute and a Chartered Member of CIBSE.
Key:
Wednesday, 15th, March - Track 1
Wednesday, 15th, March - Track 2
Hydrogen and fuel cell technology is becoming vitally important in allowing UK Industry to reach its net zero targets. A recent study by the Hydrogen Council estimated that hydrogen demand could increase from 90 million MT (metric tons) today to 660 million MT by 2050, therefore making up 22% of the final global energy demand. Furthermore, in 2021 the UK Government put forward its ambition for 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
Thus, the use of hydrogen in decarbonising UK industry has become a key area of development in the UK’s path to net zero. However, many energy users still have doubts regarding the economic and decarbonisation faculties of hydrogen and fuel cells technology.
The aim of this session is to unpack hydrogen and fuel cell technologies’ role in achieving net zero while also unpacking how we scale their production and understanding the technologies potential gains and pitfalls.
Discussion Topics:
Ben Richardson
Head of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells System (SOFC) UK & I
Bosch
Ben Richardson having a multi-disciplined engineering background has been responsible for the UK&I region for Stationary Fuel Cells at Bosch since 2021. Tasked with defining the organization setup and go-to-market strategy.
Before that, he worked in the central German team responsible for global fieldtest coordination, service and technical support within the fuel cell division. Before this he managed the UK&I CHP project and technical teams in Bosch Thermotechnology from 2014 to mid 2019.
Prior to Bosch, he worked at Centrica Business Solutions (at the time ENER-G Combined Power) as an applications engineer designing multi-megawatt cogeneration and trigeneration systems
Stefie Cray
Project Manager, Sustainable solutions
Rolls-Royce
Stefie is a Project Delivery Manager in the Sustainable Power Solutions division of Rolls-Royce, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany. She works on customer projects with a focus on electrolyser, fuel cell and integrated hydrogen solutions. Stefie has a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sheffield and has over 10 years of experience in the energy industry.
Minesh Patel
Sales Manager
2G Energy
Having on hands experienced in applying energy efficient solutions to a variety of building and facilities in various sectors. I am a competent mechanical engineer, with over 10 years’ experience of designing CHP & Trigeneration system worldwide to help business reduced their energy spend and reduce carbon emissions.
I am very passionate about empowering customers to choose clean energy solutions to maximize efficiency and drive sustainable growth within their business. Experienced Business Development Manager with a successful track record of generating revenue and growth in the distributed energy and low carbon technology industry. Passionate about helping businesses to be energy efficient by offering energy solutions that could improve their energy resilience, reduce operating costs and provide opportunities for growth sustainably.
Qualified and degree level trained Mechanical Engineer with a +10 years background in customer service, communication, CHP/ CCHP feasibility assessments, BREEAM assessment for CHP, in-depth & up to date knowledge on UK energy/emission regulations.
I’m a creative, dynamic and flexible individual who is comfortable working within a constantly changing and challenging environment. Highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a passion for the energy sector. Enjoys the challenge of change and ability to adapt to different situations & capable of communicating to a range of levels from engineers to board of directors at C-level. In the current climate understanding client needs and providing best possible solution and support is key with detailed modelling and savings calculations.
With over +10years experience in the market means giving client full understanding of the different technologies and making sure correct solution is put in place giving clients complete peace of mind. I am self-motivated with an enthusiastic attitude, pays great attention to detail and thrives on working under pressure to meet deadlines & client’s needs.
Charles Hesketh
Market Strategy Manager
Electricity North West (Construction & Maintenance) Ltd
Charles Hesketh has a background of developing and financing renewable energy projects, he joined the ENWCML team 2 years ago to assist in the expansion of the company into these new markets. Supporting the sales and construction teams in identifying new technologies and markets whilst reporting to the C-suite management team, he looks after Behind the Meter (BtM) projects for the I&C customer base of ENWCML and Front of Meter (FtM) projects working with investment owner/operator partners.
Whilst new technological advancements continue to enter our everyday lives, a new demand for energy comes with it. Coupled with the climate crisis, war in Ukraine, and growing requirement to be more sustainable, there has never been a better time to innovate our energy. In this current world climate research into sustainable technology and green-energy innovation is paramount in reaching our decarbonisation aims.
This session aims to unpack some of these new energy innovations and how they could help you by allowing industry pioneers to showcase new ideas to help.
Discussion Topics:
Simon Nicholls
Managing Director
Olympus Power
Simon is a time-tested power developer with a proven track record of delivering projects in the UK, Middle East and West Africa, delivering over 3,000MW of projects over the past 20
years.
As founder and Managing Director of the Olympus Power group of companies, Simon is now leading a nationwide group of power development and service businesses. The Olympus Power group, founded in 2013, includes (i) Beco Energy one of the oldest renewable energy business in the UK established in 1979 (ii) Olympus VO, a leading provider of fullyfunded energy efficiency equipment to the leisure and hospitality industry (iii) Olympus Power, a rooftop solar developer and asset management business, and (iv) Olympus FM, a turn-key EPC provider.
Olympus has over 50 rooftop solar PV projects under management and an additional 100+MW of rooftop Solar PV in development. Simon’s experience includes power development and implementation skills, renewable energy development, corporate finance, government lobbying, strategy and consulting. Before focussing on renewable energy, Simon spent over a decade as a Corporate Lawyer in London and the Middle East for Tier 1 UK and US Law Firms. Practising in Abu Dhabi and Dubai he serviced the MENA region and West Africa delivering infrastructure and energy projects for numerous corporate and parastatal clients. Deals include a $2B rolling re-financing for Xstrata and the successful buy-out of a $300m global logistics business. In addition to the Olympus Power group of companies Simon
sits on the board of numerous charities including Plymouth Energy Community which owns and operates over 5MW of solar assets and is chairman and co-founder of the Devon Environment Foundation which he runs with Ben Goldsmith.
Dan Smith
Director of Energy Services
ClearVUE.Business
Dan Smith is ClearVUE’s Director of Energy Services and responsible for a wide-ranging energy management portfolio helping ClearVUE’s customers improve their energy efficiency, develop their net zero strategy and reduce their energy bills.
He is a successful Chartered Energy Engineer with a depth of experience working for and with a variety of clients, including major blue-chip corporations such as IKEA, Rolls Royce Aerospace and Siemens. He has operated internationally (Europe, Africa and Asia) in FMCG and manufacturing sectors. He has a proven track record of delivering and managing projects, developing and delivering operational strategies, managing energy and influencing the sustainability strategies for large corporates. He is responsible for annual energy budgets up to £20 million, and single-value projects up to £3 million.
His depth of experience brings to ClearVUE an extensive specialist knowledge gained from nearly 30 years in energy engineering, energy services and energy management, in many different sectors all over the world, from China to Zambia.
Joshua Riddett
Managing Director
Easy Crypto Hunter
Joshua Riddett is an award winning entrepreneur and a leading expert in the UK Cryptocurrency space. Founder of Easy Crypto Hunter, the UK’s premium Cryptocurrency hardware provider, Josh has keynoted at major Cryptocurrency, Property, Agriculture and Energy conferences all over the UK. Alongside this, consulting and advising for some of the biggest names in the Cryptocurrency industry and mentoring new companies trying to enter the space. Josh’s achievements have culminated in advisory positions for both the EU Parliament and the UK Home Office. Alongside this Josh has been featured in leading national and global publications. Josh’s honest and transparent approach to Cryptocurrency has established him as the ‘go to guy’ for Cryptocurrency Mining equipment. More recently Josh featured in ‘Crypto Farmers’, a documentary on the global Documentary+ platform.
Paul Hamblyn
Managing Director and COO
EuroSite Power
Paul is Managing Director and COO of EuroSite Power. An engineer by training, Paul has been involved in energy transformation throughout his career, having led businesses involved in both on-site generation and energy efficiency.
Paul authored the London Energy Project's guide to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and was a Council Member of the Energy Services and Technology Association, also chairing both the Energy Controls and Energy Services Contracting groups.
Today Paul leads a business providing On-Site Utility Solutions that allow organisations to benefit from low and zero carbon technologies without having to invest their own capital or take the technical and operational risks normally associated with such an investment.
Peter Ridge
Associate Director
Cundall
Peter is Associate Director at Cundall, who are a global multi-disciplinary consulting engineers and designers. Peter leads the Power team, who undertake design projects in multiple sectors such as buildings with large energy loads like hyperscale datacentres, energy projects like solar and storage schemes at industrial/commercial and front of meter grid connected sizes.
Peter has a holistic design approach and believes collaboration between clients, end-users, design teams, specialist consultants and contractors is the key enabler in sustainable yet practical outcomes.
Peter is a Chartered Engineer with nearly twenty years’ experience within the industry and has developed considerable technical expertise through his involvement with large complex projects nationally and internationally.
Short Break
11:00 am - 11:15 am
As new renewable generation assets continue to be brought online it has become increasingly clear that the UK’s power grid will need to be modernised in order to be able to cope with the intermittent and decentralised nature of these new assets. Meeting modern demands for renewable energy will require far more grid capacity which in itself will require fundamental changes to the nation’s infrastructure.
Many renewable-energy generators are either finding it incredibly difficult to connect their assets to the grid or far too expensive to invest in the grid reinforcement costs. This often acts as a hindrance for new renewable asset development.
This session will unpack the steps required for grid modernisation while presenting solutions to help fast track your renewable assets connection to it.
Discussion Topics:
Ayah Alfawaris
Energy Policy, Marketing and Business Development Manager
Wilson Power Solutions
Ayah is an international energy award winning professional working for a power and distribution transformer manufacturer in Leeds. Ayah’s academic background is in electrical engineering, sustainability and business. Her career started as a solar energy engineer and then moved onto roles in the capacity market and now in distribution at Wilson Power Solution. At her current role, she addresses the role transformers play in the decarbonisation of the country’s electricity grid.
Ayah is interested in Electric vehicles, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and implementing Net Zero in manufacturing through setting plans to measure, reduce and offset the embedded carbon of products such as transformers.
Suzanna Lashford
Business Development Manager
Vattenfall Networks
Suzanna Lashford is the Manager of the Business Development team at Vattenfall Networks, one of the UK's leading Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs). With a 14 year track record in Sales and Business development and significant experience in the solar sector Suzanna has in depth knowledge around distribution network development and a strong technical understanding of Solar PV, Battery Storage, EV technology and HV Networks.
Ross McClory
Head of Business Development in Industrial and Commercial
SSE Energy Solutions
Ross has a varied Business Development career working with one of the largest food and drinks manufacturer in the world (Nestle) for 12 years, where he gained some real insight into the operations of the production lines, packaging and logistics. Having been a mechanical engineering apprentice, he wanted to do something more in the energy market and specifically into lower carbon solutions.
Ross worked with one of the largest Solar developers (Lightsource) prior to the removal of the subsidies which forced a change; this led him to SSE where he was fortunate enough to start within the SSE Contracting business and was there for 3yrs before an opportunity arose to get back involved with the Whole System Thinking concept within SSE Energy Solutions. They are now making significant strides in supporting businesses identify and prioritise the integration of renewable energy into their operations.
Keith Maclean-Martin
Technical Manager
Piller UK Ltd
Keith Maclean-Martin is the Technical Manager for Piller UK Ltd. He has more than 17 years of experience integrating high power rotary UPS solutions into new and existing mission critical facilities. During this time, he has developed his knowledge of not only the UPS, but also the supporting systems through industry recognised courses, enabling him to optimise solutions to best achieve client’s requirements.
Keith is responsible for developing and overseeing the solutions offered, delivered and supported by Piller UK Ltd. This has seen the integration of UPS equipment in innovative ways offering more than the usual UPS power conditioning. While ensuring we not only meet current standards, he assists with the integration and development of innovative market leading solutions.
Chantel Scheepers
CEO
Oaktree Power
An advocate for the global adoption of clean technology solutions, empowering companies to promote the changes leading to a sustainable world.
A proactive and fully engaged planet ambassador , working closely with environmentally engaged corporate citizens to assist them in fully benefiting from the wide array of net-zero opportunities resulting from the ongoing paradigm shift in the energy sector.
Currently working on next tech cycle taking over from traditional VPP's and smart grids to accelerate Net-Zero, integrate green generation at scale while crucially reducing the cost the keep the green lights on!
Energy market volatility has become one of the biggest anxieties for many in the current business climate. A recent study put together by Npower showed that 77% of organisations say energy is now their biggest business risk and 82% believe the government needs to do more to protect businesses from wholesale market volatility.
In the UK the majority of electricity is traded, and as energy prices have elevated to an all time high there is widespread uncertainty and therefore anxiety as to when they will go down. As many businesses seek to negate the capital costs associated with energy and reach their net zero targets, there are strategies which can be utilised.
PPA agreements are an efficient way to stay green and manage energy costs in the current climate and can be merged with flexibility trading technologies to optimise your energy prices. Concurrently, private wires can be a game changer in these uncertain times and help you deliver renewable energy at scale directly to your business.
This presentation-based session aims to underline the strategies available to help mitigate the increased energy market volatility of our time. The session will explore the energy flexibility systems that will help you put your fingers on the pulse of the energy market.
Discussion Topics:
David Kipling
CEO
On-Site Energy Ltd
David has been in the energy sector for 12 years. His broad energy experience spans development of renewable energy projects, investing in distributed energy technology, energy auditing and delivering energy efficiencies and onsite generation solutions world-wide for an international manufacturing business.
He founded On-Site Energy Ltd in 2018 to address the problems he observed that are facing energy intensive manufacturers relating to carbon reduction, energy cost reduction and the challenges of capex and return on investment. Since then, he has overseen the projects totalling more than £20m. He is a Chartered Accountant by original training and has held CEO, CFO and Partner level roles for over 25 years.
Andrew Peyman
Head of Energy Sales
Novus Renewable Services
Andy manages the sale of energy from Novus’s extensive pipeline of renewable projects, through utility, corporate and private wire PPAs. Prior to taking up this role for Novus, Andy managed EDF’s PPA origination team, successfully overseeing their long-term and corporate PPA deals. With an extensive energy market background drawn from a variety of roles over many years, Andy can help to steer customers through the various challenges in today’s complex energy world. Outside of work Andy likes to keep fit and active through cycling, running and keeping up with his three kids.
Kristina Rabecaite
CEO and Founder
PPAYA Ltd
In 2021, Kristina, age 27, hit the ground running with the launch of PPAYA. With almost a decade of experience in the renewable energy industry, Kristina was able to identify a gap in the market for a renewable platform that could hold automated daily auctions ensuring that no opportunity is ever missed for generators to get the best price for their power. As a result of Kristina’s successes she has also been named in Forbes 30 under 30 Europe Class of 2022.
John Kinstrie
Energy Solutions Director
DTGen
John leads the energy solutions division at DTGen and has been with the business since 2007. He holds various qualifications in electrical engineering, management and business strategy, and has in-depth industry experience - from hands-on generator engineering, to full lifecycle management of onsite power generation.
His energy solutions team at DTGen specialises in turnkey projects for customers, from initial energy modelling to project delivery and lifetime service. It aims to help customers improve energy efficiency and power resilience, reduce energy bills, and support their transition to net zero.
It delivers various technologies and fuel supplies such as gas to power generators, combined heat and power generators - both capable of running with various fuel types including liquid gas, natural “mains” gas, and transitional fuels, as well as solar and EV charging in combination with its engine technology – offering customers a complete behind-the-meter energy system.
Lunch
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
The worst of the cold winter is now over, but it was a difficult, harsh and incredibly expensive period for millions of households across the country. Winter is always an expensive time when it comes to paying energy bills, but particularly so when in the grips of a dual energy price and energy security crisis.
It’s obvious that action is needed right now to make sure that this situation is not repeated when temperatures fall at the end of this year, so what can we learn from the past few months?
More public and private funding is needed to quickly deploy energy efficiency measures to make homes warmer and more comfortable, reduce vulnerability to energy price volatility in the long-term, and save households across England and Wales more than £10 billion a year, working out at nearly £400 per household.
Similarly, a more flexible energy system that rewards consumers for their participation, such as through the Demand Flexibility Service that helped balance the grid whilst paying consumers this past winter, is a key part of avoiding future energy crises.
Discussion Topics:
Steph Hacker
Senior Researcher
The Association for Decentralised Energy
Steph joined the ADE in February 2020 as a researcher with ACE. She is undertaking research across an array of decentralised energy themes, including CHP, heat networks, demand response and energy efficiency.
Before joining the ACE research team, Steph worked as an analyst at an environmental consultancy delivering support to businesses and government to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. Through this role, she developed expertise in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies through UK and EU project delivery work, in addition to delivering assurance support to businesses certifying Carbon and Zero Waste to Landfill standards.
She holds a BSc (Hons) in International Relations from the University of Plymouth, with a research focus in environmental political economy.
David Robson
CEO
InstaGroup
Dave is the CEO of energy efficiency installer InstaGroup and recently became the Chair of the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE). He has many years of experience across the energy efficiency sector, sitting on the boards of the Insulation Assurance Authority, the National Insulation Association and the SWIGA Guarantee.
Jack Wilkinson-Dix
Policy Manager
Energy Saving Trust
Jack leads on Welsh policy across all of Energy Saving Trust’s areas of interest,
including energy efficiency, housing decarbonisation, renewable power, low
carbon transport and community energy and provides policy support across
these areas for Energy Saving Trust’s expanding work in Northern Ireland. This work
involves shaping Energy Saving Trust’s positions on these crucial decarbonisation
priorities, while engaging with government and third sector stakeholders to
promote action on energy and climate change. Jack also contributes to ongoing
national and international projects focused on addressing fuel and transport
poverty and the implementation of European directives on energy efficiency and
renewable power.
Before joining Energy Saving Trust, Jack worked for Marine Energy Wales helping to
produce their influential State of the Sector report. Jack also has a background in
community energy, working for a number of projects in England and Wales and
undertaking research on the sector.
Matthew Hodges
Energy and Sustainability Manager
NetZero Collective
Matt has been in the Energy & Sustainability industry for 12 years. Across this time he has developed his skills and knowledge to include industry accreditations for domestic and commercial energy assessment including new builds and compile dynamic simulations. At NetZero Collective, Matt oversees the development and delivery of large scale retrofit projects within the social housing sector and works closely with key stakeholders to analyse and improve assessment data for our clients.
Laura Parkes
Consumer Strategy Manager
National Grid ESO
Laura leads the team providing insights on consumers at the Electricity System Operator and works with industry, consumer groups and other organisations to understand how to enable consumers to participate in and benefit from a flexible energy system.
She has been in the energy industry for 15 years, including energy retail and third sector.
Heat networks will be vital to making net zero a reality in the UK. They are a proven, cost-effective way of providing reliable, efficient, low carbon heat at a fair price to consumers, while supporting local regeneration. In recognition of their importance to the future energy mix, the Committee on Climate Change has estimated that around 18 per-cent of UK heat will need to come from heat networks by 2050 if the UK is to meet its carbon targets cost effectively.
To put this into context, at the time of writing, around 2-3 per-cent of the UK’s heat is delivered by heat networks and BEIS’s recently published pipeline of heat network projects in development revealed a total capital expenditure exceeding £2 billion. However, it has been estimated that reaching a level of around 20% has investment potential between £60 billion to £80 million by 2050.
This session will bring together heat network experts for a comprehensive study of how heat networks are becoming a vital component of the UK’s net zero aims, the significant capital support available to finance heat networks, and how heat networks can improve energy efficiency by capturing your wasted heat energy.
Discussion Topics:
Kieran Sinclair
Policy Manager for Heat Policy
The Association for Decentralised Energy
Kieran is the policy specialist on heat networks at the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), which represents the vast majority of the UK's heat network sector. Kieran is currently focusing on the Heat Network Zoning and Heat Network Market Framework components of the Energy Bill that's currently going through Parliament. Before he joined the ADE, Kieran was the Senior Researcher for several Conservative MPs, including the former Deputy PM Sir David Lidington.
Neil Parry
Global Head of District Energy
Armstrong Fluid Technology
An engineer with over 30 years of experience in the building services arena. Starting as an applications engineer and progressing through product management, external sales and consultancy. The last 20 years have been specifically within the district energy market working with consultants, ESCo’s and building owners on best practice sizing, design, installation, operation and troubleshooting of heating and cooling networks. Specific experience in the integration of renewable energy sources such as heat pumps (air, ground, water), CHP, solar thermal, biomass, waste heat etc. through the sizing and layout of the network pipework, to the terminal units such as FCU’s, HIU’s, heat emitters etc. A collaborator who has worked with a number of organisations, such as CIBSE, BSRIA, ASHRAE, IDEA, BESA & BEIS etc. having created, gained approval and conducted a large number of engineering industry CPD seminars. Experience working with consultants and on projects across many countries including Scandinavia, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, the US and Canada.
Dennis Holte Skov-Albertsen
Energy Counsellor
Royal Danish Embassy in London
Dennis is the Energy Counsellor at the Royal Danish Embassy in London. He is leading the implementation of the Energy Governance Partnership programme in the UK, which is an authority cooperation between Danish and UK national energy authorities. The purpose of the cooperation is to share best practices including policies and legislation and advise on possible adaptation to UK conditions. The main sector focus includes heat network and energy efficiency while hydrogen and wind power might be added.
Prior taking up his current position Dennis spent 18 years respectively at the Danish Energy Agency and posted to embassies in Turkey, Germany, Poland and Slovakia. Before joining the Danish foreign service, he spent 8 years at Deloitte in Central Europe within business development.
Charlotte Owen
Head of Policy and Local Partnerships
Pinnacle Power
Charlotte Owen is the Head of Policy and Local Partnerships at Pinnacle Power. Charlotte’s role is to shape policy, regulation legislation and funding, and work with local authorities and local communities to deploy investment into city-scale heat networks.
Prior to joining Pinnacle Power, Charlotte was the Principal Energy Policy Advisor at the Danish Embassy in London, where she led on heat networks and heat decarbonisation as part of a programme of government-to-government cooperation between the UK and Denmark.
Charlotte was also the Policy Manager at Water UK covering crisis management and drinking water policy, and the Policy Manager at the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) covering heat networks.
Short Break
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Decentralised energy architecture sounds like a futuristic term describing a faraway future, but on the contrary, it refers to concepts and technologies that could play a critical role in solving the challenges our energy system faces today.
As we move away from traditional, centralised forms of energy generation and shift towards a network of intermittent renewables, heat pumps, battery storage and electric vehicle charge points, we require a smarter, more flexible electricity system underpinned by data and digitalisation to manage supply and demand in real-time.
Many of these devices are already in place across our homes and businesses; now they need to be absorbed into a cohesive and dynamic energy architecture to deliver the 30GW of low carbon flexible assets BEIS predicts the UK will need by 2030, representing a three-fold increase on today’s levels.
Discussion Topics:
Caroline Bragg
Director
The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)
Caroline leads the development of the Association’s policy and regulatory work – working closely with members and policymakers to promote the sustainable development of the decentralised energy sector in the UK.
Caroline joined the ADE from RenewableUK where her work in the policy team included the Levy Control Framework and its support schemes, network charging and reform to balancing and capacity markets across low carbon technologies. She was also heavily involved in supporting technology-specific policy development with a particular focus upon emerging technologies including tidal and wave energy.
Caroline holds a MSc from Oxford University and a BA from Manchester University.
Adam Hamilton
Associate Director, Energy & Mobility Strategy
KPMG
Adam is an Associate Director at KPMG in the Energy & Mobility Strategy practice. During his career in advisory, Adam has been working with energy suppliers, global automotive manufacturers, and financial institutions on growth strategy, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships across the decentralized energy ecosystem (both in the United Kingdom and across Europe). His work has helped energy retailers develop new home and business customer propositions for behind-the-meter products and services, supported energy suppliers enter new energy retail markets, brokered new partnerships for car manufacturers to offer a full-suite of products and services at point of sale of their electric vehicles, and provided commercial due diligence support to investors seeking to acquire assets in demand side response and flexibility markets.
Prior to KPMG, Adam worked on low carbon energy research in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past decade, Adam was involved in over £786m worth of investments related to the energy transition and decarbonization opportunities. He began his career in South Africa where he underwent an apprenticeship with McKinsey & Company and worked for Eskom, the largest power utility in Africa. Adam is an avid Springbok rugby fan and he loves learning how to play more and be more curious from his 1-year old son.
Doug Cook
Deputy Director, Digitalisation and Decentralisation
Ofgem
Doug is Ofgem’s Deputy Director for Digitalisation and Decentralisation. Doug’s team has a broad remit across two of the major trends changing our sector.
Before joining Ofgem, Doug spent 15 years in a variety of roles across the energy industry. These included 3 years as an executive of a software company, responsible for distributed energy and demand response projects in the UK, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Prior to that, Doug spent 4 years as a strategy consultant in the Middle East and Australia, focusing specifically on emerging technologies and data platforms in power and utility businesses. He worked for a period alongside the CEO of one of the UK’s biggest energy retailers. Doug spent time as an energy attaché for the UK Foreign Office and started his career as a policy advisor in the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change. He holds degrees in Economics, International Affairs and Renewable Energy Engineering.
Stefanos Anagnostopoulos
Regional Lead: UK & Ireland
Piclo
Stefanos has been a part of the Piclo team for the past three years, where he currently serves as the Regional Lead for UK & Ireland. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the efforts of his team to increase participation and engagement in flexibility markets. Prior to joining Piclo, Stefanos began his career in the solar energy industry and later transitioned to work as an aggregator. He is deeply passionate about the need for net-zero emissions and the development of smart grids, and is continually expanding his knowledge on management and leadership theories.
It has been widely accepted that this decade is the most important in history to decarbonise our industries. Yet, grid outages are causing many businesses to feel concern for their energy security, especially when using renewables.
However, Microgrids have emerged as a unique solution to this problem, allowing users to self-contain their electrical network on-site, while integrating multiple different renewables with energy storage to mitigate concerns of outages. Microgrids simply allow companies to harness pure, green, energy flexibility at a time when balancing the grid is of the utmost importance.
This session will convey the numerous benefits of microgrid technology while exploring the future of this technology and whether it is right for your business.
Discussion Topics:
Mike Simpson
Chief Commercial and Product Officer
Cheesecake Energy
Michael Simpson is Chief Commercial and Product Officer of Cheesecake Energy. Mike graduated from the University of Cambridge with a 1st class degree in aerospace engineering and carried out research in high efficiency compression/expansion at Imperial College London. He previously worked for Rolls-Royce Plc., and conducted research into energy storage at the University of Nottingham (UoN).
David Rimmer
Microgrid Business Leader
Schneider Electric UK & I
David Rimmer is the Microgrid Business Leader for Schneider Electric UK&I. As we look towards the new energy landscape with increasing renewables and distributed energy generation, the migration to EV cars, and the importance of energy resilience, David’s focus is on leveraging digital technology with infrastructure to accelerate these changes.
Prior to this, he worked as a Project Manager on large stadium and data centre projects, and more recently as an Account Manager, supporting his customers with utilising digital tools and connectivity to drive operational and energy efficiency in their buildings. This experience has given David a wealth of knowledge across power distribution, energy management, and building control systems, and more importantly how they can function as a complete solution to optimise energy usage across operations.
David has a master’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from Cranfield University and enjoys playing the piano and guitar in his free time.
Dr. Moritz Hubel
Industry Director for Energy & Process
Modelon
Dr. Moritz Hübel is Industry Director for Energy & Process at Modelon. He joined Modelon in 2019 in Hamburg, Germany and has been working with providing modelling and simulation solutions for customers from the Energy & Power industries and managing Modelon’s global team of energy experts. Prior to joining Modelon, he has been working with customer and research projects for the Center of Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics (FVTR GmbH), managing the energy system simulation team. Moritz received his PhD in Thermodynamics & Power Engineering from Rostock University in 2016. His PhD projects were focused on flexibility optimization of large-scale thermal power plants using Modelica solutions for thermodynamic system simulation. He also holds a degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on energy systems and thermodynamics. Besides his passion for pushing new technology development, in his free time he enjoys sports, specifically all types of water sports and spending time with his family.
Terje Eriksen
Regional Sales Manager
Bergen Engines
Terje is part of the sales team at Bergen Engines. He started his career with us after participating with a Norwegian shipowner at a factory acceptance test of a diesel engine. Adapting skills to suit our generating sets to meet client needs in various industries and various power applications takes time. Electrical background in a mechanical work environment is a good combination. More than 25 years later, Terje still enjoys learning something new every day, and enjoys sharing his experience to find the most suitable and profitable power solutions for our clients.
