The electric utility industry is undergoing a major transformation driven by new sources of energy generation (solar and wind power), consumer demand for faster and more affordable services and cyber security. The emerging modern grid demands accurate data and electric network information. As a result, managing data to harvest insights and forecast more accurately has huge potential to optimise operations. Utilities must therefore overcome current constraints and limitations to ensure high quality operational data is available.
By Dan Beasley, Director, Utilities, Cyient
Last year’s disruption in the utility sector, from regulation to renewable sources of energy, will accelerate in 2018 as leading utilities aggressively pursue digital transformation.
By Saul Zambrano, Global Industry Director for Energy and Utilities at Software AG.
The past few months should leave little doubt the UK government is firmly in support of demand response for the grid.
By Ian Larive, Investment Director, Low Carbon
By Scott Taylor, VP at Corero Network Security
The Internet of Things represents a new reality for the energy sector, improving how we manage our power distribution and consumption, and enabling a more flexible and efficient energy grid. This has introduced a range of benefits, including a greater flexibility to accommodate new energy sources, better management of assets as well as greater reliability of services. But as operating systems have become increasingly connected to the Internet, it has also increased the potential for damaging cyber attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS).
By Scott Taylor, VP at Corero Network Security
Matthew Hallé, Managing Director, Singular
The workforce is changing. New generations value flexibility in how they are engaged, hired and managed – so companies are having to adapt to stay relevant. The gig economy has emerged as a focal point in this transition, with workers taking on a variety of assignments – or gigs – for multiple parties rather than long-term employments.
Doug Stewart, Chief Executive of Green Energy UK
When five former energy regulators, including Professor Stephen Littlechild, and the electricity regulator for the 10 years post-privatisation, are questioning the regulation of the energy market (as they did in 2015 as part of the CMA Inquiry), I tend to listen and take stock. Littlechild & Co said it was time to dial-down the level of regulation in the UK energy sector. Whereas there’s a body of opinion, among consumer groups, some politicans and sections of the press who would suggest that even more regulation is required. In my world, I’d call it intervention.
By Darren Farrar, energy segment manager at Schneider Electric
Partly thanks to the declining price of Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), battery storage technology stands on the precipice of strong growth.
By Jeremy Horng, Managing Director of Taiwan Trade Centre, London, United Kingdom.
Although Brexit makes the future of energy cooperation between the UK and the EU unclear, Taiwan will keep abreast of the UK energy industry trends, and provide timely green energy solutions and services to UK businesses. Accordingly, in May Taiwan will be sending their first delegation to the UK to promote its green energy expertise and to foster cooperation both in the business and academic fields.
By DLA Piper's Maher Ghanma and Micael Johnstone
2016 saw the international community finally reach agreement for collective action on climate change with the rapid ratification and entry into force of the Paris Agreement. DLA Piper's Maher Ghanma and Micael Johnstone assess the impacts and opportunities that the transition to a low carbon future presents to businesses and policy-makers in the Middle East.
Andy Dewis, VP energy and sustainability services, Schneider Electric
With the ongoing dip in crude oil prices, it is natural to assume that utility prices would follow a similar, downward trajectory. Yet electricity prices remain stagnant.