The Policy Dragon’s Den: How to deliver a ‘smarter’ energy system

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  •  Tuesday, 18 September, 2018
     12:00 - 14:00


About the event

The UK energy system is undergoing a transformation towards a decarbonised, decentralised, and digitalised future. According to research by the Carbon Trust and Imperial College London, a smart flexible electricity grid could help the UK cut carbon more cheaply, saving up to £40bn between now and 2050. The National Infrastructure Commission concluded that a “smart power revolution“, making use of interconnectors to other countries, flexible demand and electricity storage, could keep cost associated with decarbonised and decentralised renewables to a minimum, potentially saving up to £8bn a year by 2030.

Energy consumers were previously thought of as relatively passive. But the advent of distributed renewables means that many consumers are starting to generate their own power. Consequently, the ‘home’ will increasingly become the arena where different strands of smart technology converge as consumers look for efficiency savings, either with domestic smart meters, smart technology, storage or with charging points for electric vehicles. Evidence suggests that the widespread rollout of battery electric vehicles (BEV) could have major implications for our electricity system, adding 7 GW to peak demand in 2040. Smart technology and controls have the potential to manage the additional load.

However, there is still much to do in the smart power space. Cross market regulatory requirements required to address these challenges – and empower consumers – must be given careful consideration. Regulators will need to balance the need for data protection with supporting innovation through data and intelligence. Clearly, policy and regulation needs to catch up with this emerging reality. This “dragons’ den” debated possible options on how to promote a smarter energy system.

‘Dragons’:

  • James Heappey, MP for Wells
  • Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy
  • Sharon Darcy, Director, Sustainability First
  • Paul Jordan, ESC’s Business Leader, Innovator Support & International

‘Pitchers’:

  • Simon Daniel, CEO Moixa Energy
  • Colin Calder, CEO, Passiv Systems
  • Hazel Surguy-Price and Dave Roberts, Commercial Director, EA Technology
  • Richard Dick, Chairman, Lucy Electric

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