Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | MAY 2022 | 27 Conference & exhibition Visit the show Gain unmissable inspiration and fresh ideas from sector leaders and transformational companies across two days of unrivalled content and solution showcases, 17-18 May 2022, NEC, Birmingham. Registration takes just 2 minutes and you'll be kept in the loop of all the latest show news and exclusive content. Visit: utilitlyweeklive.co.uk Headline sponsor ing our headline sponsor Capita and hundreds of mar- ket-leading exhibitors sharing products and solutions, from asset management through to customer care. The exhibition is packed with features, including: • The new Spring Water Innovation Hub, with water companies including Severn Trent, United Utilities, Anglian, Northumbrian and Welsh Water sharing their innovations projects, insights and experiences. • The return of the Energy Innovation Centre's Inno- vation Zone, with the distribution network operators including UK Power Networks, Northern Powergrid, SSE and Scottish Power sharing their innovations, joined by some of the industry's most exciting SME innovators. • The Isle Water Innovation Zone, bringing together world-standard innovators in the water space with a ded- icated content area. • The new Institute of Water Skills Challenge, with teams of apprentices from across the industry competing in a series of hands-on time trials and a Mastermind Quiz for the crown of "Skills Champion 2022". • A new central meeting hub, where visitors can pre- arrange meetings with fellow visitors, exhibitors and speakers via our show app; take a seat for an informal chat; or even plug in to our free "work from UWL" desks to dial into the o' ce. Workshops There will also be a rolling programme of invitation-only workshops and roundtables happening live on the show " oor. Utility Week Live portfolio director Ellen Bennett said: "We can't wait to reunite the industry at Birmingham's NEC and, with • ve theatres and more than 100 speakers, we're con• dent this is our most exciting, diverse and use- ful content programme yet. "Our programme takes speci• c industry issues such as tackling operational e' ciency; creating " exible and smart infrastructure that is • t for purpose; and deliver- ing best-in-class customer service; and showcases best practice and innovation to help solve these challenges. The sessions are designed speci• cally to arm visitors with insights and solutions they can take back to the front line. "Meanwhile, our keynote stage will feature high level thought leadership from industry change makers, look- ing at two of the biggest issues facing utilities today: the race to achieve net zero and of course our headline theme of collaborative innovation." To view the full programme of events, visit: https://www.utilityweeklive.co.uk/view-the-programme3 Highlights from the agenda 11am, 17 May, Stage 1 Decarbonising heat Decarbonisation of heating for buildings is now solidly acknowledged as a make-or-break issue in the UK's ambitious mission to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The government's Heat and Buildings Strategy and Hydrogen Strategy have put in place a founding framework for how the challenge will be tackled, with roles for both electric and hydrogen-based technologies. Now it's time for action. Panel: Dan Hopcroš , zero carbon heat director, EDF Energy Stuart Allison, strategy director, Vattenfall Gus Mcintosh, director of future energies, SGN Mark Livingstone, director, Guidehouse 3.15pm, 17 May, Keynote stage Delivering on net zero This session will bring insight and inspiration to those aiming to up the pace and ambition of their transition to a more sustainable future – looking at what immediate actions companies are taking to reduce emissions, decarbonise our electricity supply and remove or o¡ set their residual emissions – to deliver on net zero targets. Rachel Fletcher, director of economics and regulation, Octopus Energy Matt Crabtree, engineering director, South West Water Andrea McCormick, head of sustainability, OVO Matt Hindle, head of net zero and sustainability, Wales and West Utilities Hannah Winter, head of responsible business, Capita 11.45am, 18 May, Stage 1 Net Zero 2030: the water sector's challenge The water sector's landmark commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030 has released a wave of focussed and determined activity across the sector as companies seek to leverage new technologies and processes to move them closer to their goal. Ben Martin, lead research scientist, Thames Water Adam Brookes, manager of innovation discovery, Anglian Water Kate Edwards, Outram Research Richard Buckingham, climate change and carbon manager, Anglian Water 2pm, 18 May, Stage 3 Smart meters - getting them out there and making the most of them The rollout of smart meters to energy and water consumers is creating a foundation of data for service innovation and promotion of more sustainable consumption habits. The industry still needs to contend with signi• cant gaps in smart meter coverage as well as patchy consumer buy-in to data sharing, but as these issues are tackled, what are companies doing to ensure the full potential of smart meter insights are leveraged? Lindsay Congreve, head of metering operations, Anglian Water Joe Mills, head of smart metering platforms, OVO Energy John Miller, head of smart rollout, British Gas

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