Future Networks Conference

Innovation is at the forefront of the gas and electricity agenda as companies strive to create the networks for the future today. At the centre of this drive for innovation is the shift away from passive system management, towards the operation of active and flexible networks, carefully and dynamically balanced to accommodate new patterns of supply and demand.

Recent years have seen leaps forward for this vision, and in 2018, we can expect more projects to graduate from pilot schemes and experiments into the real world. The pressure to show such progress will be high, with networks sitting front and centre of government ambitions for low-carbon growth and the regulator’s appetite for evidence of consumer-focused innovation.

Delivering this value may become more complicated as decentralised energy, community energy schemes and private wires networks force their way ahead in the application of new technologies. An explosion of growth in such enterprises could threaten the ability of monopoly networks to deliver high quality innovation while always ensuring continuity of service, at lowest possible cost.

Reconciling the conflicting demands of future network users and delivering for the expectations of government and the regulator is a big ask. Networks need to keep their eyes on the long-term prize as system disruption begins to hit their operations, and avoid the temptation to focus on developing sticking plaster solutions, which will ultimately only kick problems into the long grass, leading to higher costs, poorer performance and the risk of stranded assets in the future.

The fourth annual Future Networks Conference will take these challenges in its stride. With leading speakers from the regulated networks industry, independent networks, Ofgem and government, it will provide a forum for insight, ideas sharing and debate.

Attend this CPD-certified conference to:

• Gain insight into the government’s innovation priorities for smart
• Learn how to adjust your network to accommodate new technologies & customer behaviour
• Find new ways to unlock the potential role of gas in future energy networks
• Learn how to make innovation ‘business as usual’
• Explore creative multi-vector models to ensure more sustainable solutions

The conference will be chaired by Phil Taylor, Director, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) National Centre for Energy Systems Integration and head of engineering, Newcastle University, and expert speakers include:

Expert speakers include:

• Jonathan Brearley, Senior partner, networks, Ofgem
• Iliana Portugues, Head of innovation, National Grid Electricity Transmission Owner
• Mark Dale, Innovation engineer, Western Power Distribution
• Stewart Dawson, Managing director, Vattenfall Networks
• Stewart Reid, Head of DSO and innovation, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
• Chris Clarke, Director of asset management & HSE, Wales & West Utilities
• Tom Pakenham, Head of electric vehicles, OVO Energy
• Stuart Easterbrook, Future gas strategy manager, Cadent

 You can see the full agenda, download the brochure, view the complete list of speakers and register at: https://event.networks.online/future/

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Helen Smith on +44 (0)1342 332109 or via email on

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