Industry Panel - Learning from key closed projects

Session
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
16:24 - 16:24
Duration: 47 mins
Publication date: 07 Jan 2016
Location: Hall 1, ACC, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Part of event Low Carbon Networks & Innovation Conference 2015

About the session

What they have delivered, what has rollout shown us and how do we continue to develop this further?

Be at the heart of knowledge dissemination for key projects awarded under the LCN Fund, NIA and NIC funding mechanisms. Subjects being discussed include network resilience, customer engagement, innovation strategies, network performance, energy futures, low carbon energy and big data.

Keywords:: ARC

customer

electricity

energy

gas

renewable

Channels

IET News

Speakers

Roger Hey

Western Power Distribution, Future Networks Manager

Roger has worked in the energy industry for over 20 years. Originally joining East Midlands Electricity, industry changes have led to positions in Powergen, E.ON and now Western Power Distribution, part of the NYSE listed PPL group.He initially trained as an operational engineer delivering networks construction and maintenance activities. Roger subsequently gained experience in Control Room and Telecommunications parts of a DNO business. More recently he spent several years managing the IT functions.In 2008 Roger was asked to bring together his varied experience and establish a Future Networks strategy and small team of specialist engineers. The department are responsible for the business’s innovation strategy, delivery of demonstration projects and implementation of new solutions into core business activities.Key elements of the WPD Future Networks Programme are developing smarter local grids, leveraging value from smart meters and helping customers adopt lower carbon technologies such as electric cars, heat pumps and distributed generation.
Alec Breen

Northern Gas Networks, Innovation Manager

An innovation specialist with an operational background, Alec has over 39 years’ experience within the gas sector. His current role involves supporting the delivery of over 45 diverse network innovation projects and for three years he was the Chair of ENA's Gas Innovation and Governance Group. Alec leads on the introduction of NGN’s innovation process and embedding innovation across the business. Alec also provides a compliant governance programme to ensure NGN delivers a portfolio of projects that meets stakeholder expectations.Alec started his diverse career in 1976 and has worked within operations, technical training, HR, audit, engineering planning and business improvement across the whole of the UK. Currently Vice Chairman for North East & Yorkshire Section of IGEM, he is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Jim Cardwell

Northern Powergrid, Head of Trading and Innovation

Jim joined the industry in 1991, working for E.ON in a number of technical and managerial roles in the generation business before moving into electricity distribution. Since joining Northern Powergrid in 2004, regulatory work has encompassed leading development of the business plan at the most recent price control review. Having delivered the UK’s largest smart grid project (the Customer-Led Network Revolution) Jim is now leading on the wider portfolio of innovation activity and the delivery of both current and future smarter commercial propositions.
Steve Edwards

Wales & West Utilities, Head of Regulation and Commercial

Steve joined the gas industry in 1992 as a Finance Graduate and now has 23 years’ experience in the sector. Steve has been closely involved in the Ofgem review of the RPI-X, resulting in the “RIIO” form of regulation. Steve led the first “RIIO” business plan submission for Wales & West Utilities resulting in an agreed settlement with Ofgem for the next 8 years.As a member of the ENA Gas Futures Group, Steve has helped shape a number of contributions as the group continues to make future energy policy. Steve is also a Board Member of Energy Networks Association and in 2011 gave evidence on behalf of Energy Networks Association to the Energy Select Committee on the future role for gas in the UK. Energy is also a key issue for the devolved nations and Steve is a member of the Welsh Government Energy and Advisory Panel.
Paul Auckland

National Grid
Darren Elsom

National Grid Gas Transmission, Head of Network Engineering

Darren is Head of Network Engineering for Gas Transmission at National Grid, accountable for engineering and asset management of the UK Gas National Transmission System.Darren has over 24 years’ experience in the gas industry, having started his career as an apprentice with British Gas. He has held a number of senior operational roles within Gas Distribution working across East Anglia, East Midlands and London. Darren also led a major transformation programme in preparedness of the current RIIO price control.Darren is leading the Gas Transmission NIC (Network Innovation Competition) Project GRAID, which is developing a robotic system for the inspection of buried pipework on high pressure gas installations.Darren is an Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) and a former Chairman of the London and Southern Section of IGEM. Darren has also recently joined the board of the Pipeline Research Council International.
Roger Hey

Western Power Distribution, Future Networks Manager

Roger has worked in the energy industry for over 20 years. Originally joining East Midlands Electricity, industry changes have led to positions in Powergen, E.ON and now Western Power Distribution, part of the NYSE listed PPL group.He initially trained as an operational engineer delivering networks construction and maintenance activities. Roger subsequently gained experience in Control Room and Telecommunications parts of a DNO business. More recently he spent several years managing the IT functions.In 2008 Roger was asked to bring together his varied experience and establish a Future Networks strategy and small team of specialist engineers. The department are responsible for the business’s innovation strategy, delivery of demonstration projects and implementation of new solutions into core business activities.Key elements of the WPD Future Networks Programme are developing smarter local grids, leveraging value from smart meters and helping customers adopt lower carbon technologies such as electric cars, heat pumps and distributed generation.

About the session

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