Storage plays a crucial role in enhancing energy flexibility and creating a clean energy system. Maximising grid scale and domestic storage is essential to facilitating the integration of renewable energy and enhancing grid stability. Join this session to discover how the industry is embracing domestic and long duration storage and partnering with battery owners and operators to respond to grid needs.  

Chair welcome and introduction
Claire Miller, Mobility & energy, advisor, innovator, engineer - Tellegen

Embracing partnerships through battery contract innovation
Kieron Stopforth, Senior Manager - Flexibility - Octopus Energy

Long duration storage – enabling seasonal flexibility – LDES
David Hill, Director of Business Development - Form Energy

The benefits & barriers to V2X & the UK V2X programme
Josey Wardle, Innovation Lead – ZEV Infrastructure - Innovate UK

As the demand side response market develops, removing barriers for industrial and commercial users of energy to participate in multiple balancing markets is critical to maximising energy flexibility available. Join this session to learn how I&C consumers are engaging in energy flexibility and how interoperability between markets is enabling participation.  

Chair welcome and introduction
Natasha Mills, Flexibility Policy Officer - The Association for Decentralised Energy

Engaging with I&C customers to unlock flexibility
Alex Munnery, Commercial Manager – System Flexibility - Northern Powergrid

Harnessing relationships to encourage I&C participation
Kelly-Marie Lovesy, Sales Director - Urban Chain

The I&C perspective: participating in flex and reducing demand
Andrew Dixon, Head of Energy Efficiency - Welsh Water

Providing domestic and commercial users with tangible benefits to engaging in DSR and flexibility markets is critical to scaling energy flexibility. This session will unearth novel tariff innovations which are enabling energy flexibility markets and encouraging participation.

Chair welcome and introduction
Tom Grimwood, Insights Editor - Utility Week

Zero bills contracts & V2G
Alexandra Meagher, Group Head of Regulation - Octopus Energy

Crowdflex: insights on consumer energy flexibility
Jack Hailstone, Flexibility Market Lead - OVO

MHHS: what’s next?
Sara Vaughan, Chair - Elexon

Talk title coming soon

 Sponsored by: 

While scaling up energy flexibility it is essential to bring all customers on the journey and ensure vulnerable customers benefit from energy flexibility savings. Join this session to gain insight into the latest updates, best practice and lessons learnt from domestic flexibility and protecting vulnerable customers.

Chair welcome and introduction
Claire Miller, Mobility & energy, advisor, innovator, engineer - Tellegen

Inclusive flex: designing flex products & services to enable higher engagement from low income and vulnerable households
Michael Fell, Senior Researcher - University College London and Nesta

Inclusive smart solutions: making flexibility accessible to the widest range of consumers
Rebecca Sweeney, Business Lead - Homes - Energy Systems Catapult

Unlocking benefits for communities and vulnerable households through Virtual Power Plant and Vehicle to Grid schemes
Andrew Ross, Founder and Director - Centre for Energy Equality

Talk title coming soon
Alex Jakeman, Guidehouse
 

With the UK set to decarbonise heating, unlocking potential flexibility and minimising disruption to the grid is essential. Join this session to discover best practice in the rollout and adoption of low carbon heat.

Chair welcome and introduction
Tom Lowe, Founding Director - Thermal Storage UK

Automating heat pump use to match peak demand
Oli Berry, Senior Researcher - NESTA

Engaging consumers in low carbon, flexible heat
Jenny Russon, Senior Research, Policy and Campaigns Officer - The MCS Foundation

The role of energy in flexible decarbonised heat
Chris Watling - OVO

As the energy flexibility market becomes more established, how will the market facilitator operate alongside other planning and governing bodies? Join this session for an update from the market facilitator and insight into how regulators, industry and supply chain will come together to accelerate energy flexibility.

Chair welcome and introduction
Avi Aithal, Head of Open Networks - Energy Networks Association

Coordinating process from transmission to distribution
Lois Clark, Flexibility Market Development Manager - NESO

Market facilitator update
Steven Gough, Head of Flexibility - Elexon

Regulating emerging markets
Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director for Governance for Data and Digitalisation - Ofgem

Flex Markets Unlocked

DNOs need to lead the change and evolve their operations to enable flexible energy. As they shift to the DSO model, networks must adopt smart and digital tools to drive efficiency, accuracy and maximise the potential of smart energy networks. In this session, discover how smart networks, digital tools and innovations are supporting the roll out and scaling of energy flexibility.

Chair welcome and introduction
Dr Richard Dobson, Business Leader: Digital - Energy Systems Catapult

Building the energy system's data sharing infrastructure
Simon Evans, programme director, virtual energy system - NESO

Data-driven needs: how we focus flexibility where it’s required
Jaime Bright, Data Science Lead - UK Power Networks

Data driven and digitised networks underpin DSO and flexibility at scale
Cara Blockley, Head of DSO - Electricity North West
 

As participation in energy flexibility markets increases, automating response signals and removing barriers to consumers is critical to scaling up energy flexibility. Join this session to unearth how to best use data, manage assets and enable consumer participation in flex markets.

Chair welcome and introduction
Claire Miller, Mobility & energy, advisor, innovator, engineer - Tellegen

Embracing data driven decision-making
Rachel Stanley, Flexibility Market Lead - OVO

Bigger and faster: automating the end-to-end customer journey for local flexibility
Alex Howard, Head of Flexibility Markets - UK Power Networks

Flexible flexibility: how customers can maximise both revenue and green impact in flexibility markets while retaining control
Andy Lowe, Chief Executive Officer - Flexitricity

Flex Markets Asset Register
Nina Klein, Principal Policy Expert - Ofgem

While scaling up energy flexibility it is essential to bring all customers on the journey and ensure vulnerable customers benefit from energy flexibility savings. Join this session to gain insight into the latest updates, best practice and lessons learnt from domestic flexibility and protecting vulnerable customers.

Chair welcome and introduction
Ben Hargreaves, head of content - Utility Week

Prioritising diversity of demand on the network

Is there any value for major energy users?

Talk title coming soon

Delving into the projects putting the environment, nature and biodiversity at the heart of decision-making. Exploring the policy decisions required to make wetlands a clear choice and hearing from peers who have successfully delivered wetlands.

Chair and scene setting
Nick Mills, Director of Environment & Innovation - Southern Water

Delivery and implementation of wetlands – best practice and international overview
Robert McTaggart, Technical Director - Stantec

Role of partnerships in ramping up delivery
Dr Robin Price, Director of Quality and Environment - Anglian Water

Embedding green infrastructure: ongoing maintenance
Bryony Bowman - University of Birmingham

Outlining the importance of the gas grid to delivering energy security and resilience in a net zero world. Learn how gas networks and electricity generators are working innovatively to play their part in the clean power mission with hydrogen, hydrogen blending, biomethane, CCUS to play a critical role in a clean energy system.

Chair welcome and introduction
Oliver Lancaster, Chief Executive - IGEM

Gas network collaboration
James Earl, Chief Executive - Future Energy Networks

The gas transmission system in providing security and resilience on the pathway to 2030 and beyond
Corinna Jones, Head of Innovation - National Gas

Preparing flexible power stations and the importance of storage
Chris Wright, Hydrogen Senior Development Manager - Centrica

Taking a deep dive into the projects embracing NbS and SuDS to minimise pollution, manage water holistically and improve social value. Discover how to overcome regulatory challenges; design, build and maintain NbS; and shift from grey civil engineering options to blue/ green infrastructure which puts nature at the heart of projects

Chair scene setting: Shifting mindsets in the water industry
Nick Mills, Director of Environment & Innovation - Southern Water

Incentivising a nature first approach
Jo Jolly, Director, Environment and Innovation - Ofwat

Catchment approaches and co-delivery of NbS to reduce loads on the sewer network
David Naismith, Senior Associate – Wetlands - Mott MacDonald

Wider benefits of NbS - health & wellbeing, BNG, nutrient neutrality and more
Alexandra Combes - Scottish Water

Talk title coming soon

Providing insight into the planning and projects dedicated to improving water resources and ensuring sufficient supply for both domestic use and water’s anticipated role in green energy generation. Join this session to hear how the water sector is planning to meet demand.  

Chair welcome and introduction
Ruth Williams, chief correspondent - Utility Week

Understanding biodiversity metrics and the State of Nature Report
Nick White, Principal Advisor – Net Gain - Natural England

Water companies’ role in restoring and regenerating our natural environment
Dan Ross, Environmental Strategy Manager - Southern Water

Biodiversity: measuring a base line
Sophie Mortimer - Affinity Water

Providing insight into the planning and projects dedicated to improving water resources and ensuring sufficient supply for both domestic use and water’s anticipated role in green energy generation. Join this session to hear from transfer and storage schemes improving climate resilience and managing demand.

Chair welcome and introduction
Ruth Williams, chief correspondent - Utility Week

Station of nation – water scarcity
Margaret Read, Director of Policy - NIC

Securing supply for the future in a nature positive way
Louise Bardsley - Natural England

Delivering resilience and ensuring we have enough water for future demands
Julie Morton, Head of Water Resources - Thames Water

Talk title coming soon

Exploring the partnerships and technologies working together to unearth efficiencies in planning and delivering local clean energy systems. Join this session to learn from regional case studies and the policy enabling regional decarbonisation.    

Chair welcome and introduction
Tom Grimwood, Insights Editor - Utility Week

PRIDE
Liza Troshka, innovation engineer - National Grid

RESP: forecasting network investment for decarbonisation

The local authority’s perspective

Delving into the challenges around leakage and outlining how to minimise risk and disruption to customers. Join this session to gain insight into innovations and best practice in detecting and fixing leaks across networks, and understand the investment required - whilst managing national requirements.

Chair welcome and introduction
Ruth Williams, chief correspondent - Utility Week

Climate investment
Matthew Humphrey, Head of Asset Management - Anglian Water

Innovative approaches for the use of data in testing climate vulnerable mains
Jeremy Heath, Innovation Manager - SES Water

Talk title coming soon

Exploring innovative approaches to reduce process emissions, minimise the water sector’s carbon footprint and strive for net zero. Join this session to discover the projects optimising processes, trialling carbon reduction innovations and implementing better monitoring to drive down the release of harmful greenhouse gases. 

Chair welcome and introduction
Ruth Williams, chief correspondent - Utility Week

Ofwat funded project Actilayer - capturing emissions
Ziye Dai, Senior Innovation Technical Expert - Severn Trent

Talk title coming soon

Talk title coming soon

Unearthing the low carbon solutions being adopted by utilities and their partners to monitor and reduce carbon and enable the delivery of net zero infrastructure. Join this session to understand the latest innovations and approaches transforming the traditional way of building and maintaining critical national infrastructure while also delivering social and environmental value.    

Chair welcome and introduction
Rob Horgan, News Editor - Utility Week

Calculating carbon on streetwork operations and delivering social value on projects
Alison Williams, Road to Net Zero - HAUC UK

Improving client contractor relationships to enable early engagement to uncover low carbon innovations
Hannah Leggatt, Head of E&S Delivery - Clancy

How the enterprise partnering model supports social value on major projects
Isabelle Adams, Great Grid Partnership Director - NGET

Talk title coming soon

Exploring how utilities can support vulnerable customers to prevent debt, improve customer retention and reputation and fulfil their social and regulatory responsibilities. Taking a proactive approach to communicating reasons behind bill increases and supporting customers to win public trust. 

Chair welcome and introduction
Adam John, Deputy News Editor - Utility Week

Holistic approach to supporting customers with their energy bills
Louise Walsh, Chief Customer Contact Officer - Utilita

Vulnerable customer strategy and working with local authorities to auto enrol to social tariffs
Nicola Chitty, Affordability & Vulnerability Lead - Southern Water

Making energy better for the wallet and the planet
Nicola Wilson, Head of Customer Propositions - OVO

Talk title coming soon

This session will explore how utilities are increasing customer trust to encourage the uptake of low carbon technology and drive the net zero agenda. Join us to understand how you can help the able-to-pay market take the next steps and ensure no one is left behind in the transition. 

Chair welcome and introduction
Adam John, Deputy News Editor - Utility Week

The importance of customer protection for installation of green products
Justin Macmullan, Policy Advisor - Consumer Protection - Which?

What will it take to create a roof top solar revolution – findings from the non-domestic market
Archie Lasseter, Group Head of Sustainability - Utilita

The home energy saving technology journey - interoperability is key
Lisa Bunting - Centrica

Exploring strategies for efficiently and effectively rolling out low carbon heat while winning over customers. Join this session to gain insight into key issues impacting low carbon heat, including a community approach to decarbonising heat and the roll out of new solutions. 

Chair welcome and introduction
Jenny Russon, Senior Research, Policy and Campaigns Officer - The MCS Foundation

Clean Heat Neighbourhoods: developing an area-based approach to clean heat
Andy Marsden, Design Team - Nesta

Talk title coming soon
TJ Root, Octopus Energy - Octopus Energy

AI for tackling Systemic Challenges in Electrification
Sam Young, AI Practice Manager - Energy Systems Catapult

Encouraging domestic and commercial customers to be mindful of their water and energy consumption and actively engage to accelerate net zero. Putting consumers at the heart of the energy transition and water resource resilience planning to better prioritise their needs and tailor communication.

Chair welcome and introduction
Codrina Cretu, Mission Manager - Nesta

Understanding and ‘profiling’ customers by energy usage – what can this tell us about behaviour?
Andy Regan, Senior Mission Manager - A Sustainable Future - Nesta

The business case for water efficiency
Tom Abel, Director of Sales and Sustainable Solution - Business Stream

Working with retailers and local businesses to improve water efficiency – findings from pilot schemes and trails
Emily Thornton, Water Efficiency Programme Co-Ordinator - Northumbrian Water

Harnessing AI and digital solutions to revolutionise the way gas, water and power service their customers. Join this session to discover new technology that improves customer service and experience for a diverse range of customers, while maximising operational efficiencies.

Chair welcome and introduction
Adam John, Deputy News Editor - Utility Week

AI assisted customer service to delight and improve customer experience
Ashley Marshman, Head of Customer Service - Southern Water

Laying the foundations for AI to play its part in delivering great customer service
Sally Ainsworth, Head of Customer Services - United Utilities

Talk title coming soon
Ben Ferris - Octopus Energy

Talk title coming soon

Demystifying how to bridge the looming skills gap in the utilities industry, securing the new skill sets needed to deliver sustainable water infrastructure and the net zero transition. Join this session to explore how to get the most from your workforce; improve morale; and make the utilities sector an attractive industry for leading talent.

Chair welcome and introduction
Adam John, Deputy News Editor - Utility Week

Green jobs and skills – what skills will be needed going forward
Rachel Parr, People and Corporate Services Director - ENW

Workforce resilience and delivery - creating local jobs to deliver locally

Talk title coming soon

Delving into the tools available to better operate in the field and manage the workforce and supply chain partners more efficiently. Discover how to communicate and improve H&S and support customer facing field operatives through embracing digital tools. In this session, uncover the latest approaches and innovations enhancing efficiency, safety and sustainability.  

Chair welcome and introduction
Tom Grimwood, Insights Editor - Utility Week

Safely deploying operatives in a period of unprecedented delivery

Working smarter, not harder – the tech to drive productivity

NUAR (National Underground Asset Register): working collaboratively for smarter, efficient and safe field operations

Talk title coming soon

Sharing best practice in customer communication around outages and pipe bursts. Gain practical insights to minimise customer dissatisfaction when responding to unforeseen disruption and planned asset management.

Chair welcome and introduction
Adam John, Deputy News Editor - Utility Week

Best in class experiences from incident and crisis management communications
Alex Williams, Head of Customer Contact Centre - UKPN

SIF Blade Black Start Demonstrator - how new technology can enable wind farms to restore the grid following a blackout and minimise service disruption

Talk title coming soon

Uncovering new approaches to charging and billing customers to encourage behaviour change. Trialling and embracing tariff innovations to best support customers, improve affordability and offer consumers more choice.

Chair welcome and introduction
Adam John, Deputy News Editor - Utility Week

Affinity Water’s domestic tariff trial – changing the way we charge for water to improve affordability
Lucy Hurst, Project Manager - Affinity Water

Energy as a service subscription model - removing the capital cost of low carbon technologies
Charlotte Flowerdew, Innovation Manger - EON

Protecting residents against rising energy costs: working with social landlords to provide innovative billing and financing for low carbon technologies
Jayesh Mistry, Head of Energy Services - SERO