For more information on the Hub Sessions takeaways, check out the 2017 Post-Event Report
 |
The European Commission is supporting, via Horizon 2020 – the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever – projects on Smart Grids and Energy Storage. Through innovation these projects have the potential to contribute to a successful, digitally-supported energy transition. To complement the work of each individual project, the European Commission has launched the BRIDGE initiative, to allow the ongoing Horizon 2020 Smart Grid and Energy Storage projects to contribute to creating a common view on cross-cutting issues they encounter that may be obstacles to innovation. 22 of these projects – and the BRIDGE initiative itself – were showcased during European Utility Week 2017. |
Hub Sessions Programme - The BRIDGE Initiative
 |
The 2017 Energy Storage track focused on Policy and Regulations both on a Pan European (EU Commission) and Local (national) level, new technologies and applications, business cases and the Future of Energy Storage. From Lithium-ion to ammonia and from EVs to Decentralized Thermal, this track provided a spherical view of the Energy Storage sector, its potentials and its shortages. |
Hub Sessions Programme - Storage
 |
Focusing on a utility’s immune system, this track explored what policies, new tech and initiatives are underway, and how to implement them more efficiently and effectively. What collaboration and innovation efforts can we leverage to strengthen our distributed, shared risk management approach to enable and ensure the Utilities safety from a potential cyber-attack? |
|
“The EUW brings together thought leaders from within the cyber security and data protection community. A great event to get the latest insights and increase your organizational resilience.” Sander Kruese, Privacy & Security Advisor, Alliander, Netherlands |
|
Hub Sessions Programme - Grid Intelligence
 |
Digitalisation is speeding up the pace of innovation. Next to new technologies that get developed, projects get implemented faster than ever. In this session we looked at the most forward-thinking big data & analytics projects. What are the opportunities and the consequences of the new data economy? |
Hub Sessions Programme - Big Data & Analytics
 |
In the coming decades all Europeans will be have a smart meter installed in their home. Smart meter rollouts are complex and cumbersome projects. But what is the current and the potential impact of smart meters? How will we reach the energy efficiency targets and how can smart meters add new revenue streams? |
Hub Sessions Programme - Smart Metering
 |
This track was composed of 2 special sessions; one was the Global Smart Grid Forum, which is back by popular demand: A high-level panel discussion with expert from around the globe, looking at problematics from beyond Europe. In 2017, the focus was on the Adaptability to Change. The second Special Focus session was dedicated to the Partner Country of EUW17: the USA. Every year, EUW chooses a country to put under the spotlight, and in 2017 we shed light on the US Energy market and looked at the differences in comparison to Europe. |
The 2 special focus were:
| Global Smart Grid Forum Session 33 |
Partner Country in Focus: USA Session 34 |
|
|
Experts Panel Discussion on:
|
The Energy Market in the USA This special session was devoted to the latest Utility developments in the USA. We also looked at the key trends in the 2nd largest energy consumer in the world. |
 |
To comply with the Paris Agreement, Europe will aim to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions from energy supply within decades. In this Gas programme, we highlighted the options to “green our gas”: reducing consumption using data from both the smart meter and heating boiler, introducing biomethane from new sustainable ways of cropping, and hydrogen from excess wind and solar electricity. Completing this angle, we addressed the system aspects: how will power, heat, and gas work together to deliver zero-emission energy in a reliable and affordable way? What are the pitfalls, and how can multiple benefits be achieved? |
|
“The Paris Agreement to keep global warming well below 2°C, and to even pursue 1.5°C, has major consequences for climate policy at all levels. It means the world will have to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero around 2050, and we will even have to deploy ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For the energy system, the role of renewable electricity draws a lot of attention, and we will see high shares of wind and solar electricity. However, that brings new challenges too. In our view, gas may have an important role to play, but then we need a clear vision on a zero-emission future for gas. In the two hub sessions of EUW, we will explore those ingredients.” Kees van der Leun, Director, Ecofys – a Navigant company |
 |
Hub Sessions Programme - The Future Role of Gas
 |
It’s an exciting time for every one of us working in the energy field. The silent revolution from dirty fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy is currently taking place across Europe, bringing with it huge opportunities and innovative solutions. European countries are working together to create a power grid that allows for more reliable power to be produced from renewables such as wind and solar energy. Energy Revolution Europe, co-located with European Utility Week, works with the entire landscape of energy experts to make sure we achieve the goals set by the European Commission: Creating a green, safe and flexible future. |
|
“We must change the way we have always operated. And we must acknowledge that this change cannot just be accommodated in the traditional system, nor can it do without.” Jeroen Bode, Director USEF |
|
Hub Sessions Programme - Energy Revolution Europe
 |
Smart heat and Smart Living as key business opportunities for Utilities as well as Data Management 3.0 in buildings. The utilities still have the advantage of credibility with their customers over the new players, and they already use it to position themselves smartly on the market of energy services. For utilities to learn the latest on the hurdles the market still needs to overcome for the build sector to reach its full potential: the accessibility of financing and the maturity of the market. Parallel to the challenges, beyond energy efficiency, the new currency is comfort and quality of life for the occupants. Experts shared their views on this growing trend. |
Panellist: Empowering buildings to fulfil their role in the European Market
|
“The threat of climate change and the fast development of renewable energy alternatives accelerate the necessary transition towards a fossil free society.” Jacqueline Cramer |
|
Hub Sessions Programme - Intelligent Buildings Europe
 |
Initiate! at European Utility Week 2017 is a programme designed to help empower the energy industry. Forward thinking and partnerships are at the core of Initiate!. We are passionate about connecting the next generation of tech and talent to the professionals in the industry in order to bring about change, accelerate innovation and create meaningful impact. No more business as usual. In the 2017 programme, attendees were challenged on both the social and technical developments ready to leave their mark on the energy transition with topics such as “Free Energy”, “Circular and Value Based Economics” and “Decentralised Power”. Sessions covered the impact of AI, AA and Robotics on the Utility Workforce of the future and how to keep, attract and stimulate the next generation smart energy leaders. Exciting formats to stimulate new connections and partnerships included The Roast, speed dating sessions for startups and recruitment sessions for students. |
Speaker: A Free Energy System session
|
“To be ready for the future we explore different new infrastructures. From our perspective these new infrastructures have to be caring, include everybody and should adhere to our core values: affordable, sustainable, reliable and secure.” Jan-Peter Doomernik |
 |