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NETWORK / 31 / NOVEMBER 2017 S PIA is a cross-sector alliance of UK energy trade associations, and the system operator National Grid, with the objective of delivering a smart, flexible energy system. The alliance has called on the government to acceler - ate the move to smart power systems and wants ministers to create new incentives for the heat, transport and power sec - tors to work together to deliver decarbonisation. The launch of the alliance took place at Portcullis House in Westminster last month (October). SPIA chair Charles Hendry told Network: "Industry has recognised that there's a mas- sive revolution that needs to happen with the way in which we generate, distribute and use electricity. This isn't going to happen by chance, and if it does it will be expensive, haphazard and unstructured. Therefore, what we want to do is try and ensure that we get as much cohesion between govern - ment, industry and consumer groups as possible. "By bringing them together we can ensure that we're having the right dialogue with govern - ment, we can understand where the challenges are and who is responsible for addressing them. It's the biggest alliance we've had across the energy sector and brings in the companies from generation, distribution and demand side response on stor - age. It's the most comprehensive approach we've had." Key principles To help advance progress the alliance is calling on govern- ments, present and future, to put into action five key prin- ciples at the heart of the UK's energy policy and to sustain the smart transition over the coming decade and beyond. These are: 1. Put consumers at the heart of energy policy; enable businesses and households to play an active role in the nation's energy sys - tem where they choose to, and ensure that all consumers benefit from the smart transition. 2. Facilitate the creation of new markets for smart services; new markets for smart services must ensure that all participants, in - cluding newer innovative, flex- ible technologies, can compete on fair and equal terms. 3. Take a whole-system ap - proach to smart energy; create incentives for the heat, trans- port and power sectors to work together to deliver decarbonisa- tion at best value to consumers. 4. Accelerate the smart power transition; provide consistent policy and regulatory direction, in line with the Government's carbon objectives, to promote investor confidence. 5. Make smart power central to the Industrial Strategy; incentivise key sectors to invest in smart technologies, and maximise the benefits for the economy and for UK Plc in global markets. According to the former energy minister collaboration will be key to ensuring these principles are carried forward. "Realistically we can't expect government to respond constructively if they're getting 100 different messages," added Hendry. "What they want from the industry is a cohesive set of coherent policy ideas so that they can then respond in the best way to that. That's why I think it's important that the industry has come together. "The size and breadth of SPIA reflects consensus across the power sector that the future of energy is smart. This is a long-term change programme, so we will be working together The launch of the Smart Power Industries Alliance (SPIA) saw leading energy organisations come together with energy ministers past and present. Alec Peachey reports. The future is smart COLLABORATION Charles Hendry is the chair of the Smart Power Industries Alliance (SPIA). Energy Minister Richard Harrington spoke at the event.