Agenda & Speakers | Get tickets for our Energy Day
Day One – Energy. Tuesday 5th November 2024 from 08:55 – 12:30 GMT. See the registration link at the bottom of this page to get tickets.
Energy Security and Green Infrastructure Week is the UK’s biggest green infrastructure conference. This exclusive online-only conference features 30 high-profile speakers sharing their insights over three mornings, focusing on energy, networks, skills and diversity. Hear the latest thinking from business leaders, academics, policymakers and shapers, and solution providers. Last year, we welcomed 640 delegates – don’t miss your chance to join us this year!
Energy Day Agenda.
08:55 GMT
Trilogy of Notable Opening Addresses.
Firstly, Professor Paul S. Monks BSc, DPhil, FRMetS, FRSC, FInstP, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Professor Paul Monks is the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). As CSA, he delivers independent and impartial scientific advice to Ministers and policy makers across the DESNZ portfolio. Paul also works closely with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, other Departmental CSAs, and the department’s Chief Economist, to strengthen the links within and across departments, encouraging effective engagement and knowledge sharing, and to support delivery of a robust evidence base to underpin DESNZ policy decisions. Prior to joining the department, Paul was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, where he remains a Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science.
Followed by Mr Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive, Ofgem.
Jonathan became Ofgem’s Chief Executive Officer in February 2020. This follows his previous appointment as Executive Director for Systems and Networks in April 2018. He has wide-ranging energy sector experience, having led Electricity Market Reform as the Director for Energy Markets and Networks at DECC. Prior to this, he was Director of the Office of Climate Change, a cross-government strategy unit focussed on climate change and energy issues, where he led the development of the Climate Change Act. Earlier in his career, Jonathan was a senior adviser in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics from Glasgow University and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.
Then, Neil McDermott, Chief Executive, Low Carbon Contracts Company.
Neil is the Chief Executive and a Board Director of Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) and Electricity Settlements Company (ESC). Neil joined LCCC and ESC in 2014 and led the set up and growth of the companies where, today, they manage large portfolios of Contracts for Difference and Capacity Market agreements, with pivotal roles in contract management, settlements and development of these key markets.
Panel Discussions
09:30 – 10:20 GMT
Powering Britain: Integrating Renewables and Nuclear for a Greener Energy Future.
Join us for an engaging session featuring three leading experts as they explore the dynamic landscape of the UK’s energy sector. Prof. Peter Childs, Co-Director of the Energy Futures Lab – Imperial College will address the importance of effective supply and demand management, highlighting the need for responsible, inclusive approaches that consider diverse stakeholder perspectives. Iolo James, Head of Communications at the Nuclear Industry Association, will underscore the essential role of nuclear energy in enhancing UK energy security and achieving net zero targets through scalable, efficient programmes. Zoisa North-Bond, Chief Executive from Octopus Energy Generation will advocate for the rapid adoption of renewables and customer engagement in creating a smarter, more affordable energy system.
10:30 – 11:20 GMT
Harnessing CCUS: Pathways to Net Zero and Clean Energy by 2030.
Join us for an enlightening session featuring experts from the forefront of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) policy and technology. Ben Smith, Deputy Director for CCUS Power at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will discuss the pivotal role of CCUS in achieving the UK’s Clean Power by 2030 mission and its importance in the journey towards net zero. He will provide insights into the government’s progress and upcoming initiatives. Angela Hepworth, Commercial and Carbon Markets Director from Elimini, part of the Drax Group, will spotlight the critical technology of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), which uniquely combines renewable energy generation with carbon removal. As the UK’s largest renewable generator, Drax’s recent planning consent to convert biomass units to BECCS illustrates the transformative potential of this technology. Ben Kek, Deputy General Manager from the Northern Endurance Partnership – East Coast Cluster will frame the discussion around the UK’s CCUS Cluster Sequencing Process and the exciting future opportunities it presents, highlighting the ongoing developments that could reshape the landscape of energy and emissions.
11:30 – 12:20 GMT
Unlocking Green Gas: Strategies for Achieving Net Zero in the UK.
Join us for an insightful session featuring leading experts discussing the critical role of green gas in achieving the UK’s net zero ambitions. Rt Hon Chris Huhne, Chair of the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, will highlight how Britain is currently lagging behind Europe and the USA in green gas adoption, despite its potential as a rapidly growing energy source. He will emphasise the unique advantages of green gas—adaptable, storable, and home-grown—especially as a reliable energy solution during the winter months. Prof. Chris Fogwill, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Plymouth, will delve into the challenges of transitioning to a net zero future while leveraging existing gas infrastructure. He will explore how green gas vectors can facilitate decarbonisation across various sectors, enhancing circularity within waste streams and commercial by-products. Brett Ryan, Head of Policy at Hydrogen UK, will discuss hydrogen’s vital role in decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors and its potential as a dispatchable power source. With a target of achieving up to 10GW by 2030, he will outline the criticality of infrastructure, and highlight some of the opportunities to reform production business models and demand-side strategies to meet these ambitious goals and capture the significant benefits to the UK.
Registration – Get Your Tickets.
Register below for the first day of the online conference. Each day is one continuous session. If you would like to see the full three-day agenda and register for multiple days you will need to register per day, see our full three-day agenda here.
