The Summit

Technological disruption is not a gradual development, it will be ready from one day to the other. We discuss how and which technology can make this happen and how to anticipate. 

Three disruptions are threatening to put an end to the utility model as we know it:

• Market disruptions as zero-marginal cost decentralized energy sources destabilize power markets and make centralized generation and transmission assets stranded;
• Technology and business model disruptions with the dramatic progress of storage and EVs and the emergence of energy communities;
• Political disruptions as local governments and communities seize the occasion to re-establish power on energy infrastructures and services.

We will try to analyze these disruptions and to map out a systemic vision of a "de-utilized" energy world.

Large-scale IoT deployment is already underway. The industry is continuously exploring new ways forward, and continuously improving with each new iteration. IoT deployment has reached a critical juncture and this is an excellent opportunity to create value and share with the community. Just how to maximize this opportunity is the question we are faced with today. Huawei will provide convenient, secure, efficient IoT solutions. We will work with partners and welcome the coming age of large-scale commercially deployed IoT together. At the summit, we shall discuss about NB-IoT applications used in a variety of fields, applications such as smart water, smart gas, smart parking, smart logistics, and connected cows.

Consumers are playing an increasingly active role in the energy grid, from generation to distribution. They become prosumers.  Across Europe, numerous electricity and energy cooperatives have sprung up in the last decade. They range from ideas of total grid-autarchy to securing sustainable, affordable electricity for the community while still relying on back-up power from the grid or tapping new revenue streams. They claim and develop the power to interact with traditional utilities on eye level. Cooperation at all levels will trump centralized control mechanisms and, what’s more, enabling transactions could even become more important than owning assets.

From theory to practice

Considerations on connectivity in smart energy solutions

The presentation takes its starting point from the historical digital development of an electric grid in Sweden and suggests a current, as well as a futuristic, trajectory for the continuing digital transformation from a DSO perspective. While describing this development, the presentation covers real case stories. Further, it passes current and upcoming challenges connected to the changing needs and regulatory constraints for spurring further digital transformation of the industry.

In an industry governed by technological and digital transformation, a fair and sustainable business model has brought about new businesses and new partnerships. Learn how joining forces with competitors, customers and suppliers can generate a sustainable and successful business for all involved parties and the metering industry.

We know from market research that the return of investment for analytics are high yet a recent Oracle study indicates utilities are still challenged with leveraging their data. Only 17% feel prepared to handle the influx of data and only 11% are making strategic decisions based on the information. Although there has been significant improvement from previous years, utilities still have an opportunity to leverage analytics more. The pressure on utilities to run their operations better has never been stronger. Other industries are leveraging analytics and utilities should be doing this more.

To continue to meet customers’ needs, utilities must adapt to dramatic changes in the energy sector. These changes are driven by a variety of forces: Decarbonization, Technology & Market Development and Regulatory Environment. Mostly, however, and most importantly for us, the energy sector is being changed by our customers, and their changing needs and expectations. Beyond the underlying requirement to efficiently deliver safe and reliable energy, utilities must serve as trusted partners as our customers’ (large and small, in all sectors)  seek visibility and control of their energy bills, new products and services, and an overall ‘frictionless’ interaction with their utility.

DSOs drive the energy transition

It is clear that the world, including energy distribution, is getting more connected and digital. In order to stay a relevant actor during and after this evolution everyone and almost everything has to adopt. Therefore, it is important to realize that it is not enough just to become digital or connected one has to become digitalized. Of course, this includes the use of modern technologies, but equally important and a must to get there is a change in mind-set as well as working culture. To become digitalized one has to use of new business models, machine learning and automation. Distribution has to become On Demand in all aspects. The important factor is that you act when there is a need. In addition to the above mentioned changes it is also important that the regulation follows the evolution and allows the DSOs to develop and make use of technologies needed for their core business. 

Changing technology and a tougher regulatory environment means network utilities have to overcome their innate conservatism and rapidly adopt digital innovation. 30%+ efficiency improvements in the core regulated business will become an industry norm to reconcile customer and shareholder demands. At National Grid we have recognised the critical role that digital has to play and have already made significant strides, transforming the way we manage our assets and plan our work. But more fundamental change is required, and we are starting a journey to re-define the way our business works