Critical Minerals & Geopolitics: Securing Essential Inputs
Protecting the supply of minerals and technology needed for the clean energy transition Focuses on supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical dependencies for critical minerals and components required for renewables, storage, and grid technologies. Key critical minerals and sources. Geopolitical risks affecting energy infrastructure. Strategies for diversification and secure sourcing.
Delivering a Gigawatt-Scale Battery Storage Project: From Planning to Commercial Operation
A deep-dive case study following the development journey of one of the UK’s largest battery energy storage projects exploring how developers are navigating planning, land, grid connections, financing, supply chain pressures, optimisation strategy, and construction delivery in an increasingly competitive market. Securing and progressing large-scale grid connections Financing utility-scale BESS in a changing revenue environment EPC […]
Community Energy: Empowering Local Ownership and Collaboration in Renewable Projects
Community-led renewable projects are enabling local areas to generate their own clean power, benefit directly from renewables, and play a key role in strengthening energy security. With successful examples emerging across the UK and new government support mechanisms, this session explores how developers can collaborate with communities to deliver projects that cut bills, displace expensive […]
Hydrogen & Alternative Fuels: Balancing Intermittency and Seasonal Demand
Integrating alternative fuels to complement renewable generation Examines the role of green and blue hydrogen and other alternative fuels in providing seasonal storage and complementing renewable generation. Hydrogen’s role in energy security strategies. Technological, economic, and regulatory challenges. Integration with electricity and heating networks.
Diversification Strategies: Balancing Domestic Generation, Imports, and Storage
Creating a resilient, balanced energy portfolio Examines how the UK can balance domestic generation, imports, long-duration storage, and interconnectors to maintain system stability and reduce reliance on single sources. Trade-offs between domestic and imported energy. Storage and interconnectors to balance the grid. Optimal diversification strategies for resilience.
Long-Duration Energy Storage: Preparing for a Predicted 1,000+ Hours of Negative Pricing by 2030
The UK’s negative pricing events have surged from 29 hours in 2022 to 149 hours in 2024, with forecasts predicting over 1,000 hours annually by 2030 as renewable capacity outpaces grid flexibility. This session explores why Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) must move from the periphery to center stage to unlock the battery boom opportunity […]
Opening Address
Public Perception and Community Opposition: Navigating the New Resistance to Renewable Energy
Previously pro-renewables communities are becoming increasingly hostile to large-scale solar and wind projects, particularly in regions like Lincolnshire where DCO approvals on prime farmland are fundamentally shifting public sentiment. This session examines how developers and policymakers can address rising opposition, rebuild trust, and design projects that secure community acceptance while maintaining delivery timelines. How large-scale […]
Grid Modernisation & Microgrids: Building Resilience
Enhancing grid resilience against shocks and variability Examines grid upgrades, digitalisation, and microgrid solutions that improve resilience against extreme weather, system failures, or sudden demand spikes. How modern grid technologies enhance resilience. Microgrid design and operation for localized stability. Regulatory and commercial barriers to grid innovation.
Firm Power & Flexibility in a Renewable-Dominated Grid
Ensuring reliable supply during intermittent renewable generation Examines the need for firm capacity and system flexibility to manage renewable intermittency, including long-duration storage, interconnectors, and demand-side solutions. The role of firm power and flexibility in a high-renewable grid. Storage, interconnectors, and demand-side management solutions. Strategies to prevent supply gaps.
