Energy Connections - Smart Grids

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) invites energy technology companies to join the Energy Connections network.

Benefits

Collaboration – Work with other members to compete in new markets, develop new products and services and bid for contracts on a group basis.

Networking – Attend regular networking and workshop events and listen to industry leaders speaking on a diverse range of topics relating to the programme priority areas.

Meet the buyer – Attend regular "meet the buyer" events and have the opportunity to showcase your products and services and grow your business.

Access market intelligence – Receive regular updates on tendering opportunities as well as up-to-the minute news on the low carbon and energy sectors.

Knowledge transfer – Access an extensive range of case studies and best practice material from the priority areas and have the opportunity to add your own experience for others to benefit from.

International opportunities – Meet international suppliers and potentially become part of a global supply chain.

Agenda - Wednesday 23rd June

9.00 am	Registration and coffee
9.30 am	Welcome and introductions
9.45 am	A cross-sectoral view of the need for smart grids Bryte Energy
10.15 am	Future infrastructure, what smart grids mean and innovation requirements E.ON
11.00 am	Refreshment break
11.15 am	Research activity in smart grids Loughborough University
11.45 am	Funding opportunities TBAT Innovation
12.00 pm	Facilitated networking
12.45 pm	Lunch
1.30 pm	Close

Location

This event is being held on Wednesday 23rd June at:

IGEM House, 28 High Street
Kegworth, Derbyshire
DE74 2DA

Energy Connections is a business network designed to promote innovation and partnership within the energy industry. It also provides a knowledge exchange hub for organisations involved with low carbon and renewable energy technologies within the region and internationally.

Energy Connections provides real market opportunities for organisations which will help to ensure that the East Midlands will be the UK's leading region in both innovation and meeting our ambitious climate change commitments of an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050.

The network has four core focus areas which have all been identified as priorities within the region:

Civil nuclear supply chain
Clean fossil fuels
Energy efficient technologies in buildings
Renewable energy

Developing smart grids event

As part of the Energy Connections programme we are running an event for member regarding smart grids. This will take place at IGEM House in Kegworth on Wednesday 23rd June. An agenda for the event can be seen on the right of this page.

There is a need to transform the entire electricity system, with major changes to the way power is generated, distributed and consumed. There is also a need to produce more electricity than we do today but this must be done largely without emitting greenhouse gases. This will need electricity generation from low carbon sources such as renewables, nuclear and fossil fuel plants fitted with carbon capture and storage.

These changes need to be supported by a modernised electricity grid, with larger capacity, and the ability to better manage greater fluctuations in supply, whilst also maintaining security of supply.

The smart grid lies at the centre of this vision for a transformed low carbon electricity system. It forms the backbone of the new system, and it will need to be intelligent, flexible and responsive.

A smart grid is an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it (such as generators, consumers and those that do both) in order to efficiently deliver a sustainable, efficient and secure supply of energy.

This event will provide an overview of:

How smart grids fit into the future electricity generation system
The impact and challenges for implementation
The requirements for innovation
Areas of research
Potential sources of funding for businesses

To apply and attend

Energy Connections is open to companies of all sizes based in the East Midlands who are involved in the energy sector. If you are interested in joining the Energy Connections network or require further information, please contact Pro Enviro on 01788 538 150 and ask to speak with one of our business support specialists.

If you would like to attend the smart grids please email energyconnections@proenviro.co.uk.

For all other enquiries about Energy Connections, or if your company is based outside of the East Midlands, please call 01788 538 150 and speak to one of our energy specialists about how you can be involved in future programmes.

About Solutions for Business

Solutions for Business (SfB) is a package of publicly funded business support products and services designed to help businesses start, grow and succeed.

Business Collaboration Networks provide businesses with the opportunity to work collaboratively with other businesses to develop and pursue opportunities that they are unable to exploit alone.

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