Towards Net Zero – the energy sector’s transition to Net Zero

Recorded: 19 January 2021 (10:00 - 12:00 UK time)

What’s this webinar about?

As part of BSI’s Net Zero Week, this session takes a whole-system view of the UK energy sector’s transition to low carbon and a net zero future.

It features presentations from BEIS and Ofgem among others, and examines what it takes to transition to a low carbon future, including:

• How we can establish a smart, flexible and low carbon energy system
• How we can decarbonize heat
• The role of hydrogen in energy transition
• The digitization of energy
• How to regulate for net zero

Who is this webinar for?

This webinar is relevant to all sectors, but particularly to decision-makers in the energy sector.

What will participants gain?

• The latest information on the role of hydrogen
• The latest developments on the decarbonization and digitization of heat networks
• The opportunity to ask our experts questions
• A post-event copy of all presentations and a recording of the webinar

Agenda

BSI Introduction to the day - Sebastiaan Van Dort, Associate Director - Energy, British Standards Institution (BSI)

BSI Net-Zero Overview - Sebastiaan Van Dort, Associate Director - Energy, British Standards Institution (BSI)

The role of the regulator in transitioning the energy system to Net Zero - Peter Bingham, Chief Engineer, Ofgem

Establishing a smart and flexible, low carbon energy system - Nina Klein, Senior Energy Engineer, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

The Decarbonisation of Heat – heat networks  - Caroline Bragg, Head of Policy, The Association for Decentralised Energy

The role of hydrogen in the transition to Net Zero - Thomas Koller, Programme Lead - Gas Goes Green, Energy Networks Association

Round Table – Discussion

End of the webinar - Sebastiaan Van Dort, Associate Director - Energy, British Standards Institution (BSI)

Sebastiaan has over 15 years of experience within the low carbon industry, working on key policies and initiatives such as the Energy Company Obligation, The Green Deal, Warm Home Discount and the Smart Meter roll-out, collaborating with government and regulators to deliver these policies. 

His career includes senior positions at British Gas, OVO Energy, EDF Energy and VINCI Construction as well as working with rapidly growing start-ups in the low carbon industry. 

He is currently the Associate Director of Energy with the British Standards Institution and engages with key stakeholders from government, industry and NGOs to define BSI's strategy for market-driven best-practice solutions on a range of topics and initiatives including; enabling the transition to Net-Zero, supporting and accelerating the decarbonisation of transport, and supporting and enabling innovation in energy. 

Caroline leads the development of the Association’s policy and regulatory work – working closely with members and policymakers to promote the sustainable development of the decentralised energy sector in the UK.

Peter Bingham joined Ofgem in 2017 as Chief Engineer. Ofgem is the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (the Energy Regulator for Great Britain) which protects the interests of electricity and gas consumers. Many of the companies regulated by Ofgem have engineering at their core, with innovation and technology driving the decarbonisation of electricity, heat and transport. Peter is responsible for leading Ofgem’s Engineering Hub, which helps ensure regulatory policy development is technically robust, supports innovation, and challenges companies on network investment and operations on behalf of customers.

Prior to joining Ofgem, Peter worked as a consultant with both Baringa and PA Consulting, advising investors and utilities on matters associated with the growing need for flexibility in the electricity system as traditional coal and gas fired power stations are replaced with wind and solar power. This followed a 25-year career working at National Grid, where he held a variety of senior leadership positions across Gas and Electricity, Transmission and Distribution, in the UK and in the US. He began his career as a Power System Design Engineer, before embarking on a diverse range of roles across electricity system operations, regulatory policy, network sales, gas operations and energy policy. Peter is a Chartered Engineer, with an engineering degree from Imperial College and a MBA from Warwick University.

As a member of the Technical Energy Specialist team I provide independent technical advice to Ministers and policy makers on technologies to decarbonise the energy system. This involves technical support for the £1 billion BEIS Net Zero Innovation Programme, which funds low carbon technology development and cost reduction, as well as work supporting on policy development and wider industry projects. I’m currently leading for BEIS on work with the British Standards Institution where industry are developing standards for Energy Smart Appliances and Demand Side Response, which will be published as PAS 1878 and PAS 1879.

Thom leads Energy Network Association’s Gas Goes Green programme, the gas network blueprint to meet the challenges and opportunities of climate change, delivering net zero in the most cost effective and least disruptive way possible. He represents ENA’s ‘wires and pipes’ transmission and distribution network operators for gas and electricity in the UK and Ireland. Thom previously worked on green gas and energy policy in the biomethane sector. His PhD from the University of Birmingham focuses on international law.