The Association for Decentralised Energy

Yesterday we hosted our annual Decentralised Energy Conference, and what a day it was! We were thrilled to welcome keynote speakers Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, Tamsin Lishman, Greg Jackson and John Gummer, Rt Hon The Lord Deben to the stage, where they each delivered captivating, insightful and thought-provoking speeches on the future of the decentralised energy sector. On top of our keynote speeches, we heard from a fantastic array of panellists that spoke to a range of topics and encouraged vital conversations on the successes we're seeing across the industry and how to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of our ambitions. A huge thanks to our sponsors, who made the day possible: 🔹 Octopus Energy 🔹 Kensa Group 🔹 UK Power Networks 🔹 Flexitricity 🔹 Clarke Energy 🔹 SAV Systems 🔹 ENGIE UK 🔹 Ener-Vate 🔹 Exergy3 Limited 🔹 KANTOR ENERGY LIMITED Thanks to all those who joined us. We're already looking forward to next year! #DECONF24

Yesterday we hosted our annual Decentralised Energy Conference, and what a day it was! We were thrilled to welcome keynote speakers Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, Tamsin Lishman, Greg Jackson and John Gummer, Rt Hon The Lord Deben to the stage, where they each delivered captivating, insightful and thought-provoking speeches on the future of the decentralised energy sector. On top of our keynote speeches, we heard from a fantastic array of panellists that spoke to a range of topics and encouraged vital conversations on the successes we're seeing across the industry and how to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of our ambitions. A huge thanks to our sponsors, who made the day possible: 🔹 Octopus Energy 🔹 Kensa Group 🔹 UK Power Networks 🔹 Flexitricity 🔹 Clarke Energy 🔹 SAV Systems 🔹 ENGIE UK 🔹 Ener-Vate 🔹 Exergy3 Limited 🔹 KANTOR ENERGY LIMITED Thanks to all those who joined us. We're already looking forward to next year! #DECONF24

We were delighted to welcome Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh as our final keynote speaker at the Decentralised Energy Conference. The Minister addressed delegates by saying that to truly succeed, we need community buy-in. People aren’t just 'customers, they are the heart of the energy market. Building trust and affordability is key, and Government is working to empower local residents with agency in their energy use. Minister Fahnbulleh said the Mersey Heat Network, delivered by ADE members Ener-Vate and Vital Energi Utilities Limited, is setting a blueprint for a low-cost, low-carbon heating future - using waste heat from data centres and factories to warm our communities. This innovative approach could create tens of thousands of green jobs while tackling the energy crisis head-on. #DECONF24

We were delighted to welcome Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh as our final keynote speaker at the Decentralised Energy Conference. The Minister addressed delegates by saying that to truly succeed, we need community buy-in. People aren’t just 'customers, they are the heart of the energy market. Building trust and affordability is key, and Government is working to empower local residents with agency in their energy use. Minister Fahnbulleh said the Mersey Heat Network, delivered by ADE members Ener-Vate and Vital Energi Utilities Limited, is setting a blueprint for a low-cost, low-carbon heating future - using waste heat from data centres and factories to warm our communities. This innovative approach could create tens of thousands of green jobs while tackling the energy crisis head-on. #DECONF24

Mika Minio-Paluello and Andy Prendergast joined us to discuss 'What is the role of trade unionism in the context of decarbonising industry?' The key takeaway from both panellists was that climate action does not work with business as usual from industry; without support for workers, it risks both failure and massive backlash. #DECONF24

This afternoon panellists took to the stage to discuss barriers and opportunities for heat decarbonisation in Scotland.   We heard from Markus Rondé, Ian Meyer, Beata Blachut and Mark Tarry. The Panel discussed that Scotland’s path to decarbonised heat needs bold regulation, streamlined funding, and robust infrastructure. Embracing zonal pricing, integrated heat networks, and local government support are vital steps forward. #DECONF24  

One panel at the Decentralised Energy Conference this afternoon asked the question: 'Is there a role for demand-side flexibility within a new social tariff for energy customers?'. Chaired by ADE Flexibility Policy Officer, Natasha Mills, the panel was made up of: 🔵 Madeleine Gabriel, Nesta 🔵 K Chaitanya Kumar, New Economics Foundation 🔵 Alex Belsham-Harris, Citizens Advice 🔵 Emma Burns, Octopus Energy The panel laid out what a social tariff for flexibility would look like; one which is easy for consumers to navigate and one which prioritises the vulnerable. #DECONF24

This afternoon we heard from George Robinson (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) and Charlotte Owen (Hemiko), on Project SWAN (South Westminster Area Network) and what it will teach about the future of zoning. SWAN is a zonal scale heat network in Westminster, which is the first heat network opportunity to be developed by Central Government. Both George and Charlotte highlighted the importance of central Government buildings connecting to a heat network and the confidence it will provide to the sector. Charlotte highlighted how essential it is to work collaboratively with Government to ensure the cost of heat is tackled through mechanisms such as rebalancing. #DECONF24

Over lunch at today's Decentralised Energy Conference, in partnership with UK Power Networks, we hosted the Energy Exchange as part of our Innovation Hub. #DECONF24 We heard from 5 organisations who showcased the most exciting and contemporary projects that demonstrate the cutting-edge technology that is enabling a decarbonised energy system, and all the interactions between heat, electricity infrastructure and flexibility. Innovators included: 🟢 equiwatt 🟢 Q-zeta 🟢 AMP Clean Energy 🟢 Exergy3 Limited 🟢 tepeo Innovators pitched their ideas to delegates in a bid to win the votes of the audience for the most cutting-edge initiative. We're delighted to announce Exergy3 Limited won the Energy Exchange with their thermal energy storage that can be used to decarbonise industrial level processes - congratulations!

In session two of our Decarbonising British Heat track at the #DECONF24, Sam Richards, CEO of Britain Remade, sat down with our CEO, Caroline Bragg, to discuss whether a new approach is needed to regulation to support economic growth from heat decarbonisation. Sam stated that there are not enough political incentives to encourage building of new homes and energy infrastructure. He followed this by reiterating that it is essential that the Government prioritise building decarbonised heating infrastructure if we want to see economic growth. That's it for this morning's sessions. Follow along to hear more...