Annual Conference 2017 Programme

Chair
Jenny Hogan, Director of Policy, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Ivor Catto, Chief Executive Officer, Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Group
Paul Winkle, Scottish Business Development Director and Director, Torness Power Station, EDF Energy

Our two speakers will dissect the challenges and opportunities thrown up by the ongoing energy evolution for both independent generators and the integrated utilities.

They will look at the challenges around investment in new generation in the current market, and also discuss the impact of the growth of storage, increased demand for power for heat and transport, and the increasingly ‘smart’ and joined up energy system.

They will also set out how their businesses intend to ensure a vibrant future despite the massive changes taking place in the energy sector and the huge uncertainty over the future shape and make-up of the energy system and markets.

Evolving Customers

Speaker
Rob Williams, General Manager, Procurement - Utilities, Power & Cooling, BT

BT has topped Carbon Clear’s FTSE100 sustainability rankings for three years in a row, and now sources 99% of all power used in the UK from renewable sources.

Rob will share the challenges along the way, the benefits delivered and the lessons learned, before setting out his advice for generators looking to engage with the growing corporate market for clean energy.

He will also look at how BT intends to drive down emissions further from across its business – and keep its place in the very top tier of UK sustainable business.

Speaker
Nick Boyle, CEO, Lightsource Renewable Energy

Lightsource is the UK’s largest solar power developer, with over 1.3GW deployed and corporate customers including the likes of Bentley, Belfast International Airport and Thames Water.

After sustained growth the company had to move fast to adapt to the sudden changes in support for renewable energy over the last two years, with a move to large on-site projects and a more direct relationship with its customers.

Founder and Chief Executive Nick Boyle will set out the company’s journey, the many innovations that have been required to ensure its continued success, and the factors that will ensure growing renewable energy generation and use over coming years.

Chair
Gordon MacDougall, Vice Chairman, Scottish Renewables

Speaker
Arnout de Pee, Partner, McKinsey & Company

McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm that serves leading businesses, governments, and non-governmental and not-for-profit organisations.

Arnout brings in-depth expertise in the energy sector, serving global leaders and running projects across every facet of the industry and leading a diverse array of projects for McKinsey’s energy-related practices.

He will look at the potential of low-carbon and distributed generation to both drive down costs and ensure progress on climate change, but also the many questions thrown up by changes in the energy sector.

He will also look at the need for governments and regulators to be alert to both the positive and negative impacts of new technologies and behaviours, and to take an increasingly holistic view of the system and market if they are to deliver the optimal outcomes for climate and consumer.

Speaker
Phil Doran, ITM Power

ITM is a world-leading manufacturer of rapid response electrolyser systems for grid balancing and energy storage, and for the production of clean fuel (hydrogen) for transport, renewable heat and chemicals.

Phil will set out the company’s view on the opportunities and benefits of rapid response electrolyser systems given their experience in providing ‘Power-to-Gas’ energy storage, grid balancing services, converting excess energy in the power network into hydrogen for injection into the gas network, and in building the beginnings of a national hydrogen infrastructure  to support the growth of hydrogen as a transport fuel.

He will also set out the Sheffield-based company’s views on the changes required to accelerate the development and roll out of hydrogen technology as a key component of our future energy system.

Chair
Gordon MacDougall, Vice Chairman, Scottish Renewables

Speaker
Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy

The Scottish Government and Parliament have consistently backed ambitious renewable energy and climate change targets and high levels of renewable energy generation in Scotland.

The Minister will set out the Scottish Government’s new ambitions on climate change and for Scotland’s renewable energy sector, focusing on the recently-launched draft Climate Change Plan and Energy Strategy.

He will look at how we build on the successful growth of renewable power, and accelerate the move away from fossil fuels for heat and transport in order to meet our new ambitions for Scotland.

Closing Remarks
Gordon MacDougall, Vice Chairman, Scottish Renewables

Kindly sponsored by Statoil

The Annual Conference Networking Dinner will take place at The Sheraton Grand Hotel straight after the conference and will welcome over 150 renewable energy professionals for a relaxed evening of networking ahead of the conference the following day. 

Hear from Bailie Main, City of Edinburgh Council and Hedda Felin, Senior Vice President and Country Manager, Statoil UK and Ireland while enjoying a drinks reception and dinner.

This event is complimentary for all Day One conference attendees.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Drop-In Clinic
Learn how to get connected in a constrained area

The next 12 months are expected to see unprecedented change in UK and Scottish policy, from the ongoing constitutional debate around Brexit to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Alongside the emerging Scottish Energy Strategy and UK Industrial Strategy, new Bills lie ahead on Climate, Planning and Warm Homes in Scotland.

This session will hear from leaders in government and industry on what these seismic changes in the political and regulatory landscape mean for Scotland’s renewable energy sector. How does the UK Government plan to affordably and securely meet its stretching climate obligations? What role must local government play in implementing Scotland’s Energy Strategy? Can industry forge ahead in shaping a new energy paradigm in this constantly changing environment?

Chair
Gordon MacDougall, Vice Chair, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Matthew Taylor, Deputy Director, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, HM Government
Gavin Slater, Group Manager – City Energy & H2020 Ruggedised Lead, Glasgow City Council 
Mark Vyvyan Robinson – Director of Development and Investments, EDF Energy Renewables
Lindsay McQuade, Policy & Innovation Director, ScottishPower Renewables 

With the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy published in early 2017, this session will discuss the level of ambition set out and whether it can deliver the scale of renewable energy required to meet carbon targets and build a sustainable renewables industry in Scotland.

Chair
Lindsay Roberts, Senior Policy Manager – Sector Strategies & Development, Scottish Renewables 

Speaker
Chris Stark, Director of Energy and Climate Change, Scottish Government

Panellists
Crispin Matson, UK Head of Energy, Ramboll
Colin Taylor, Engineering Services Director, SP Energy Networks 
Neil Kermode, Managing Director, European Marine Energy Centre
Jonny Clark, Managing Director, ITPEnergised

SmartestEnergy Battery Revenue Model Session
Is your storage project commercially viable? SmartestEnergy’s interactive new computer model has the answers.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Drop-In Clinic
Learn how to get connected in a constrained area

Chair
Rachelle Money, Director of Communications, Scottish Renewables

Speaker
Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari has sailed around the world five times. She is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world a total of three times.

Dee has skippered the Volvo Ocean Race yacht which is powered by solar, hydrogen and storage technologies.

Side Event:
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Drop-in Clinic
Give feedback on how Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and SP Energy Networks can improve their connections service.

Will the outcomes of the second Contracts for Difference round and the reform of the Renewable Heat Incentive go far enough in attracting the scale of low-carbon investment needed to meet UK and Scottish climate obligations at least cost? Is there a sustainable future for our cheapest renewable technologies, like onshore wind and solar PV? Can cost reduction measures and corporate PPAs help the numbers stack up for schemes post RO and FiT? Will storage and other innovations make the vital difference? This session will debate the key questions on whether the current market framework and economic conditions can deliver the renewables growth to which Scotland aspires.

Chair
Michael Rieley, Senior Policy Manager – Markets & Systems, Scottish Renewables

Panellists
Iain Robertson, Generation Sales Manager, SmartestEnergy
Alex Murley, EMR Programme Manager, innogy renewables
Andrew Hedges, Senior Consultant, Norton Rose Fullbright
Richard Gueterbock, Marketing Director, Clearfleau
Cameron Smith, Director – Project Development, MeyGen 

Closing Remarks
Michael Rieley, Senior Policy Manager – Markets & Systems, Scottish Renewables