Future of Utilities Summit Online 2020

The Future of Utilities Summit 2020 was held online. The UK’s leading energy and water summit was digitally held between 1-4 December 2020. This event was held for the 28th year and featured more than 60 international speakers which tuned in from all around the world. Topics that were discussed included engaging the customer of the future, transforming energy networks, strategies in water resource management, realizing Net Zero and the future of the utilities industry (Source: https://marketforcelive.com/future-of-utilities/).

Due to other obligations I was unfortunately not able to join the live session from the first two days.

On December 3rd I attended:

· “Mapping a path to success: key milestones on the road to Net Zero”

o Alain Bollack – Vice President at Capgemini

o Charlie Cook – Founder at Rightcharge

o Keith Owen – Head of Systems Development and Energy Strategy at Northern Gas

Networks

o Scott Koehler – Vice President, Global Strategy SGIT at Schneider Electric

· “Rising to the challenge: taking responsibility for our part in the puzzle”

o Alain Bollack – Vice President at Capgemini

o Charlie Cook – Founder at Rightcharge

o David Riley – Head of Carbon and Energy at Anglian Water

o Nick Eyre – Director, Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions at Environmental

Change Institute

o Rebecca Heaton – Head of Climate Change at Drax

On December 4th I attended:

· “Creating holistic strategies to water resource management”

o Mel Kram – Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Water

· “Facilitating system change for the benefit of current and future generations alike”

o Frank Mitchell – Former Chief Executive Officer at SP Energy Networks

· “Understanding the role of technology in the ecosystem of the future”

o Ronald Starreveld – Chief Architect at Centrica

“Mapping a path to success: key milestones on the road to Net Zero”

What does Net Zero even mean? -Net Zero emissions will be achieved when the Green House Gases (GHG) emitted by humans are balanced with the GHG taken by humans from the atmosphere. This can also be referred to as being “climate neutral”.

About 20 countries have adopted Net Zero related targets in June 2020. Some of these include Austria, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Japan, France, Finland, the European Union, and more.

During this presentation and discussion it was brought up that these countries are already on a good way towards reaching Net Zero, through the steps that are being taken as well as the different objectives that are being added to laws and regulations. In rekation to Net Zero, decarbonization was brought up as well. However, one very important aspect that needs to be taken into consideration is the customer. I agree with this point since on one hand it is important that various companies and governments have the necessary knowledge to start making changes to the ways they operate, but on the other hand the customers also need to be made aware of the different impacts they make with their actions and how they can influence these and turn them into something more positive that helps their environment and makes sure that future generations have the same opportunities to live their lives as the we do now. Not only is the awareness necessary but customers also need to experience a sense of urgency towards this topic otherwise they might not be as committed.

Additionally, the “10 point plan for a green industrial revolution” was brought up by one of the speakers. This plan was released by the UK government in November 2020 (Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-ten-point-plan-for-a-green-industrial-revolution). Its purpose is to set out an approach to build back better, support green jobs, and accelerate the UKs path to Net Zero. The 10 points include: advancing offshore wind; driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen; delivering new and advanced nuclear power; accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles; green public transport, cycling and walking; jet zero and green ships; greener buildings; investing in carbon capture, usage and storage; protecting our natural environment; and green finance and innovation. I believe that the creation of such a plan is a good step towards the right direction. Furthermore as mentioned above, it is important to create awareness and a sense of urgency among various communities, and I am certain that a plan that is addressing the whole country will create this awareness as well as people will interpret it as something important.

Moreover, in relation to the 10 point plan, it was mentioned that the current commitment might not be enough. I do not have too much knowledge about this topic but I also agree that it could be necessary to make better use of solar, wind, and hydrogen power. I understand that this can be a difficult matter to pursue, but another valid point mentioned was that at the beginning developments and innovations will not be cost efficient. Although this is the case, it is required that more research is being done and these innovations will be operated on a larger scale. This in turn will lead to a greater cost efficiency and also making these products then more available to customers at reasonable price points.

Different carbon capture schemes can be linked to the aspects mentioned above. One of the biggest barriers stated, involved whether such schemes can commercially work. The speakers added to this topic, that various companies and organizations just have to start working on making it work commercially. The more work is being put into it will help broadening the scale of awareness as well as cost efficiency, as already mentioned above.

Other aspects mentioned during this discussion were that more regulations are necessary in order to support the process of adapting the grid more effectively to the electrification of for example cars and heat pumps within homes. Furthermore, it can be beneficial to have an implemented (smart) grid. This can be continuously evolved over time, since there should not be a final version in mind. In the case of having a final version, the innovation process will come to a halt once this state has been reached and the project might slip more into the background instead of being evolved even further throughout the future.

“Creating holistic strategies to water resource management”

Mel Kram explained that he sees holistic approaches in three steps. The first step includes supply and demand. It is important that one looks at both at the same time in order to get the best overview possible of how these interact and affect each other as well as other directly interlinked aspects. The second factor involves the relationship between the water company and the customers in managing the demand of the future. The last part is related o understanding what the unknown factors of supply and demand are. These for example involve hidden water demands (embedded water use in, for example the production of fashion, food, etc.) and unknown water resources (fresh water supply that is lost to the ocean).

Additionally, a statement that I can relate to is that it is much easier to focus on something that is already known to us. Furthermore, one is required to take a look at all of the characteristics mentioned above in order to make decisions (for example as a regulator) that can stand the test of the future. This simply means that the decisions, rules, and regulations being brought up now, have to be formulated in an efficient way so that they will also be valid in the future and do not have to be changed completely or adapted in some parts.

Moreover, the speaker mentioned that the general net must be cast much wider than just the water industry. More people and companies need to be involved in the process of research, innovation, and creating better products/services that will be beneficial to the end users as well to our planet. This also involves things companies need to do for the community. They have to provide the right information and educate the community in order for them to understand why there is a need to change as well as that there is a certain sense of urgency. An additional step to be taken is metering. Lastly, the water use at home should be improved which can be reached through bringing the innovative products/services to the members of the community’s home and make changes that are necessary.

“Facilitating system change for the benefit of current and future generations alike”

This keynote presentation covered the aspects of decarbonization, Net Zero, and different approaches. In order to reach Net Zero networks will have to enable the achievement of these ambitions through the decarbonization. This should be done by electrification of transport and heating, as well as the distributed generation.

SPEN is currently innovating a DNO-led approach to facilitating electrical vehicles (EVs) in the network. This includes two projects, namely “Project PACE” and “Project CHARGE”. The former is about the exploration of a DNO-led public EV charger delivery model where the market is not delivering, while the latter is concerned with accelerating the connection of the public charging infrastructure.

While the countries are working towards a total transformation to Net Zero, governments face the task of avoiding a democratic conflict. The various governments need to address certain aspects, including the support of decarbonatization, regional ambitions, customers and stakeholders, fair returns, and flexibility and network solutions. The Scottish, UK, and Welsh governments are currently busy with making sure that all these factors are being addressed in the right manner.

“Understanding the role of technology in the ecosystem of the future”

During this presentation the “10 point plan for a green industrial revolution” was brought up again. Target four concerned with electrical vehicles was discussed in more detail. This target is related to „Phasing out sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and investing in grants to help buy cars and charge point infrastructure.” (Source https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54981425). In my opinion it is a very well thought of step to take. Furthermore, not every individual has the internal motivation to make changes in their daily life and change their habits. Therefore, having external incentives such as grants and the phasing out of new petrol and diesel cars can make this more attractive to some people.

Over all looking back at this event, I am happy that I attended the presentations, interviews, and discussions that I was able to attend. Even though a lot of technical terms were being used and it might not have been the most suitable event for a student, I was able to learn a lot of new things and the speakers were able to make me think about different things, how I can change some of my habits, and how one person can still make an impact however big it might be.