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NETWORK / 25 / JULY/AUGUST 2016 T he old comfortable world where energy network operators could build assets to forecast in the sublime confidence that their new investments would not become stranded and moribund is fading fast. We are living in an age of transition, where old assets are being stretched to the nth degree by growing demand for flexibility. Meanwhile, there is little certainty as to which are the best and most appropriate products and technologies with which to replace these assets – or even whether technical solutions will be needed in the same way that they once were. Notwithstanding this uncertainty, networks are under pressure to reassure customers, Ofgem and government that they will continue to deliver improvements in reliability and resilience of supply. It's a heady mix that does not make the life of asset managers and strategists easy. But in September, at its Asset Performance Conference, Network will bring together a community of experts and practitioners to share the most effective solutions they are developing in response to the introduction of totex, network constraints, decarbonisation and in anticipation of changing consumer behaviours. Among the key themes running will be the need for greater "optionality" in asset planning, especially with regard to reinforcement-related work. For electricity networks, this might mean running non-traditional, less tangible solutions that achieve the same result as reinforcement, but are flexible. It's unnerving to think of such transient solutions providing the same performance as physical assets, but it's a direction of travel that seems all the more likely every day. The essential thing for network operators is that flexible solutions are accompanied by commercial contracts that are as robust as a physical piece of kit. Today this exists at an electricity transmission level, but not for distributors, and it is essential, as flexible constraint management solutions grow, that asset managers understand the cumulative portfolio risk they represent. Gas networks meanwhile are now largely nearing the completion of their iron mains replacement programmes and beginning to turn their eyes to other asset renewal and performance questions. For many, these are closely tied up with questions about how to decarbonise the gas grid. Decisions to press ahead with the introduction of new gas compositions or a transition to hydrogen will impact the timing and style of reinforcement spend as well as the deployment of sensor and monitoring technologies. With speakers drawn from both the gas and power sectors, the Network Asset Performance conference will provide broad lessons and detailed project insight. There will also be involvement from Ofgem. The regulator is keen to set out its thinking around the future of network performance and health measurement, as well as its expectations around network collaboration with third parties for enhanced innovation and performance. With innovation a key concern for energy networks today, the Asset Performance Conference will take a bold look to the future and consider what impact new grid functions – such as those suggested by the Future Power System Architecture Project – will have on asset performance. We'll also consider the impact of new technologies such as the Internet of Things. It's not all about technical solutions and regulations, however. National Grid's recent Future Energy Scenarios report made it clear, once again, how important different trajectories for consumer engagement in different technologies and energy trends will be on the way in which assets are expected to perform and the way in which demand pressure manifests. Focusing on this new people-driven aspect to asset management, Freddie Tilbrook will share insights from the Energy Innovation Centre's Energy Loop programme. If you're uncertain what the future holds for asset performance expectations and measures, put 21 September in your diary and join your peers at Network's first major conference. SpeakerS Confirmed speakers include: l Colin Taylor, director, engineering services – Scottish Power Energy Networks l Gareth Mills, head of asset investment and innovation – Northern Gas Networks l Stewart Reid, head of asset management and innovation – Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution l Kirsty McDermott and Jonathan Lelliott, project engineer and project lead on Project GRAID – National Grid Gas Transmission l Iain Miller, head of system design – Northern Powergrid Key themes: l Regulation, cost and customers l Mitigating risk while driving innovation l Measuring performance and optimising the network l Future gazing exhibitorS Network extends its thanks to the supporters of its first Asset Performance Conference l Kelvatek l Metasphere l Adler & Allan l Megger The event takes place in Birmingham on 21 September. Find out more at events.networks.online/asset