Chaired by

Aspirations for 2021 and beyond: working together to achieve whole system benefits

With increasing demand on the electricity network, learn how UK Power Networks is leading the journey to find new, innovative solutions to maintain affordability for its customers.

Architecting our future with algorithms: AI, AR, cognitive and big data

Who does what in a new world of machines?

Cognitive, AI capabilities and Augmented Reality for Asset and Work Management show incredible promise. Visual Analytics for Helicopter Patrols, Drone Inspections; Extending the Asset Registry using Blockchain for smart contract governance; Cognitive Analytics for Decision Support and Wearables for Safety Insights. Learn what is being done and the possibilities as Watson and a world of solutions become more imbedded in solving our business challenges:

• How to support the transition of the aging workforce to an engaging workforce?
• How to assess risks on aging infrastructure for life extension or replacement?
• How will Machines and Humans collaborate?

Upgrading the system to support energy transition challenges: driving innovation and efficiency

• Thinking smarter to deliver the energy system transition
• Giving consumers a stronger voice: enhancing stakeholder engagement in 2019 and beyond
• Achieving long-term value from investment
• Playing a full role in the delivery of carbon reduction commitments

Panel discussion

Building on lessons learned since RIIO-1 for the future of GB networks

• How can the industry work together to foster a deeper innovation culture?
• What is the role of networks in a highly decentralised generation world?
• Improving the service networks deliver to customers: what are the main areas for improvement?
• Improving network reliability: what should the industry look like in 2021?
• What can be done to improve the investment proposition for utilities?

Chaired by

Enabling sustainable growth: providing for customers, stakeholders, and society

• Working together to build awareness of water resilience: ensuring everyone plays their part
• How can the industry make best use of data to predict maintenance needs?
• Ensuring innovation has sustainability at its heart: adopting a long-term approach

Providing services that are better for customers and the environment: championing innovation in the water sector

• Delivering a stretching and innovative plan for customers and the environment
• Targeting unprecedented engagement with customers, regulators, and other stakeholders
• Harnessing technology to get customer interactions right first time
• Working with consultants and charities to deliver a truly innovative approach

Panel discussion

Delivering more of what matters: the road ahead for the water industry

• Delivering more for less: what steps should be taken to ensure that water is as affordable as possible?
• How can water companies evolve to become customer service leaders?
• Re-building trust and confidence: what strategies should water companies pursue?
• What impact will deepening the resilience commitment have on financeability?
• Culture and capabilities: how can the industry work together to be as innovative as possible?
• Reflecting on experiences of the price review so far: is fast track worth it?

Designing the electricity network of the future: adapting to changing market conditions

Electricity networks are rising to the challenge put to them by the Government’s energy decarbonisation commitments. Paul Bircham will share the innovative strategies undertaken by Electricity North West, and its vision for a future with a new energy landscape.

Grid modernization: how to build a resilient, flexible, secure, and affordable grid using GIS

Grid modernization is about resiliency, reliability and affordability. Storms, fires, earthquakes and landslides hammer your grid. Utilities are continuously adding sensors to their grid, laying the foundations for insights into building a tougher, sustainable and smarter grid. ArcGIS provides the bridge between your information (IT) and operational (OT) technologies to sharpen utilities insights into grid behavior – and grid vulnerability. Uncover hidden hazards and opportunities with spatial analytics.

Operating a safe, economic and sustainable network: realising the benefits of smarter system operation

Decarbonisation will provide new opportunities for businesses and investment, causing dramatic changes in the way that energy is both generated and consumed. Join Julian Leslie to understand how National Grid is striving to boldly take advantage of new technology to change the way it operates.

Panel Discussion

Upgrading network flexibility: designing systems fit for future needs

• To what extent do networks need to adapt to the changing generation mix?
• How can networks prepare for the increased demand from electrified heat and transport?
• How can storage be used to improve network resilience?
• Can storage be used to increase support to remote and vulnerable communities?
• Alternatives to storage: what is the potential for energy management services?
• What will the remaining centralised network look like in the future?
• How will enhancing the flexibility of networks improve the investment landscape?

In this session, hear presentations and demos from those driving innovation in the utilities sector.

Chaired by

Powering innovation: nurturing ideas to improve the future of utilities

With a goal of transforming the way we live, work and move, Centrica Innovations has been collaborating with change-makers around the globe. The mission is to invest £100m in new technologies and innovations; join Nicola Cheyne for key insights about what the journey has been like to date.

Demo | Localz

Improving customer experience and efficiency through location technology

British Gas has seen a 17% reduction ​in missed appointments since deploying Localz technology. Localz’ solution is keeping British Gas customers updated in real-time with one-click “on my way” live ETA tracking. Hear more about how Localz location triggered communication tools provide real-time customer transparency and control on the day of fulfilment; dramatically increasing customer satisfaction.

Transforming operations to deliver efficiency savings & sustainability: innovation across the value chain

Wessex Water’s sustainability strategy has garnered industry wide acclaim for its open and collaborative approach. In this case study, Dan Green will explore how the south west WASC has utilised local partnerships, community ties and technology to cut overhead costs whilst drastically improving the ecology of the catchment areas it manages.

Demo | Extreme Low Energy

All electronic devices are powered via DC using an AC/DC adapter plug. Ele’s unique Low Voltage power infrastructures eliminate waste from this conversion which unlocks significant cost reductions and carbon emission savings by running electronic devices far more efficiently. This opens the door to a new generation of low-energy modular buildings that could transform future relationships with the energy industry.

Leveraging partners for innovation: is collaboration the key to surviving change and growth?

It is widely accepted that AI and other digital innovation can increase automation and efficiency. Some good use cases have been identified – load balancing, optimising yield from assets, predictive maintenance, energy trading customer insight, for example. However, AI is not just a simple solution you can overlay onto your existing business plans or infrastructure, it needs a lot of planning. Join Colin to hear about some of the dos and don’ts so that you can optimise your strategy.

Demo | n3rgy data

Simply liberalising and commoditising access to smart meter data so that all innovators and entrepreneurs can launch our future energy systems and services. No longer is smart meter data hidden behind regulation, complex technical systems and high costs. You can get access to the smart meter data from millions of homes and businesses immediately plus the tools you need to ensure compliance with general data privacy needs.

Intelligent, connected smart homes: delivering in-house innovation to enhance customer experience

Join this session to hear how British Gas has been taking connected homes to the next level by creating immersive experiences that transform the relationships consumers have with their suppliers. Learn what it takes to create innovative products that cater to a mass consumer base, and integrate them to develop seamless consumer journeys.

Chaired by

Making the network work for customers and stakeholders: maintaining a network that is smarter and more flexible

• The role of networks in facilitating the transition to a low carbon economy
• Undertaking technological, commercial and operational innovation
• Improving network efficiency: using technology to meet existing and future needs

Creating an active asset management strategy: transforming data into insights

• Driving a data led approach to decision making
• Creating a culture for innovation
• Identifying and employing future technologies and Open Data

Harnessing analytical capacity to deliver a step-change in asset performance

Much of the hype around smart infrastructure is about new data streams and a statistics-driven AI approach, but we sometimes forget that our engineering principles are still fundamental.  The step-change will be delivered at the intersection of the two worlds.  Join Thomas Joseph to learn how to combine modern analytics and existing engineering tooling to predict issues and drive performance across existing assets.

The digital transformation of asset management: adopting a predictive approach

• Making sense of information to develop informed maintenance decisions
• How can data be transformed into a usable form?
• Communicating benefits to stakeholders: what are the most compelling advantages to analytical capability?

Panel discussion

Moving from reactive to proactive: using real-time analytics to improve asset management

• What could proactive and predictive networks look like?
• How can smart asset management transform incident response?
• Creating an agile system: should adaptability be built into networks?
• How can analytics transform peak-demand management to improve resilience?
• Planning for the future: what must networks do to prepare for a data-rich world?
• Developing skills to unlock wider capabilities for field operatives
• Overcoming non-digital data silos: how can data be transformed into a usable form?
• To what extent would making asset management more proactive change the networks’ investment proposition?

Chaired by

Navigating the largest retail water market in the world: making life simpler and more cost effective

Driving change in the market for the benefit of its customers

Open Water 2 years on: the wholesalers’ perspective

Panel discussion

Reflecting on market progress: what’s the next phase for open water?

• Bringing it back to the customer: how has opening the market affected businesses of differing sizes?
• Working together to improve data quality: strategies for success
• The retailer-wholesaler relationship: building on the experience of the past two years
• Will there be significant consolidation over the next five years?
• What lessons can we learn from the non-household market for further reform in water?