Reflecting on the IMechE Decarbonise, Power, Store Event

This week’s post is a day delayed because I was participating in the IMechE event, Decarbonise, Power, Store. The event brought together three key themes—decarbonization, power generation, and energy storage—under one roof, fostering a rich exchange of ideas. It was a highly informative day, and I was honoured to be a panellist in the session on the challenges of operations versus maintenance in diversifying power.

Keynote and Sessions

The event kicked off with a keynote from Peter Bingham, Director of Engineering and Technology at Ofgem. He discussed the critical role of regulation and policy in shaping the future energy system. The power plant operations and flexibility track featured several insightful presentations:

• Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at NESO, spoke about NESO’s role in advancing thermal power and grid flexibility.
• Philip Gardiner from Axiom discussed the repurposing of pressure equipment for hydrogen service.
• Simon Forshaw, VP Engineering and Construction at Enfinium, shared insights on energy from waste.
• James Harman-Thomas, Gas Turbine Combustion Engineer at Uniper, talked about the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a low-carbon fuel for gas turbines.

Panel Discussion

My panel, chaired by Graham Sorbie, included fellow panellists Griff Tilley and Matthew Vas. We delved into the challenges and opportunities in diversifying power operations and maintenance.

Here are some key takeaways from the event:

1. Innovation and Deployment:
   • There’s a wealth of innovation being funded by Ofgem and various network operators. However, it’s frustrating that many of these innovations do not make it to deployment. Ofgem’s new SIF (Strategic Innovation Fund) scheme aims to address this by encouraging the adoption of innovations into regular business practices. Hopefully, this will make a significant difference.
2. Maximising Existing Networks:
   • There are numerous opportunities to optimise the existing energy infrastructure while waiting for major upgrades. Smart control systems, dynamic line ratings, and power flow optimisation can all play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and reliability.
3. Skilled Labour and Knowledge Transfer:
   • There is a pressing need for better planning to ensure a steady supply of skilled labour in the future. Robust succession planning and effective knowledge transfer between experienced and new professionals are essential. AI and large language models (LLMs) could be valuable tools, provided that comprehensive documentation exists.

Questions for Further Thought

1. Energy from Waste: Can we consider energy from waste as a form of negative emissions? What are the environmental and economic implications?
2. Physics-Based AI Models: Could physics-based AI models increase engineers’ confidence in using advanced technologies for day-to-day operations? How can we ensure these models are reliable and user-friendly?
3. Domestic Flexibility and Consumer Savings: While 3 million people have subscribed to a new trial by Octopus Energy, this represents only about 10% of total consumers. How can we ensure that the benefits of domestic flexibility are accessible to all, including those who may not be as tech-savvy?

Personal Reflection

Being part of this event reinforced my belief in the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. The challenges we face in decarbonising the energy sector are complex, and solutions will require input from various stakeholders. It was inspiring to see so much innovation and forward-thinking, and I am optimistic about the future.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics. Have you encountered similar challenges or innovations in your work? What do you think about the role of AI and consumer engagement in achieving a sustainable energy future?