Utility Week

20 | 28TH JUNE - 4TH JULY 2019 | UTILITY WEEK Operations & Assets Roundtable 'Localised Energy', Charlotte Street, London D elegates from across the energy sector came together for a roundtable dis cussion of the ways in which localised energy generation can support the wider "whole energy system", and how utilities could help in drawing up plans for the adop tion of local energy. The event was organised by Utility Week sister magazine Network and supported by National Grid. One delegate kicked off the a•ernoon's discussion at the Charlotte Street Hotel in London by pointing out that we could learn from the experience of other areas of the UK, specifically Scotland where some cities are talking about implementing local plans as part of a wider initiative. "We are seeing different degrees and lev els of sophistication in different plans from across the different regions," they said. However, another attendee questioned "whether there is a belief that there will actually be a 'whole system'. I think there is a potential that it will always be gas, electri city, heat". One delegate said they had been in dis cussion regarding local engagement with local planning authorities for "many years". They remarked: "The additional complex ity is that these plans are now very much focused on energy transition. "The question becomes how can the DNOs [distribution network operators] and the DSOs [distribution system operators] help local authorities with their energy tran sition plans, and what is the incentive to help communities move forward?" Another expressed concerns about local authorities facing "immense pressure on a number of fronts". They intimated that authorities need to see the benefits of spend ing time and money on localised energy. "Unless you look at it as a whole system, you are not going to achieve the benefits," they said. Incentivisation Delegates were then asked to consider how wholesystem outcomes can be achieved through incentivisation. One delegate suggested: "When consid ering the local potential for decarbonising heat, provide incentives for specific technolo gies and resources for those specific areas. In this manner, we can make sure the national policy and local potential move together." Another proposed asking the government to set up a coordinated energy planning authority at national level. One delegate pointed out that "whole systems" means something different to dif ferent groups, and another agreed, say ing it was important to create a common understanding. For the second part of the a•ernoon's discussion delegates were asked to consider the effect of regulation, more specifically whether there are any regulatory considera tions to enable, optimise and remove barri ers to investments. One praised the RIIO price control frame work for encouraging innovation, and said an environment had been created where people were testing out new ideas for coping with anticipated developments such as elec tric vehicle charging networks. Another spoke about how policy initia tives from the government – and not just the regulator Ofgem – will bring about the trans formation of the networks. Another said that in their experience, when it comes to barriers to investment it is o•en not down to regulation. Instead a com bination of cost, technology and the benefits of change were more likely to be a barrier. Forward planning For the last part of the a•ernoon's discussion delegates were asked about the importance of forward planning for future local energy systems. One pointed out that with a lot of local initiatives, when taken on their own, they were not necessarily standalone solutions. "There is a lot of wind energy up in Scot land, which can be produced in a very effi cient and effective way, but you're still going to need a grid to transmit that energy [over great distances]. "I think there always will be a role for the grid and it's about understanding that right balance – and how big those pipes ought to be." Considering the impacts of localised energy At a roundtable event organised by Network in association with National Grid, delegates were invited to consider how localised energy supports the whole energy system. Adam John reports.

• Cover