NEW! The Hub

Introducing The Hub! new central space for collaboration that will sit at the heart of this year’s show


The Hub is designed to bring people together and encourage them to share problems and discover solutions.

Covering themes including innovation in gas networks, data transparency in system operation, open data in energy and water and the control room of the future, The Hub offers a range of interactive workshops facilitated by experts. It will also host two meet the innovator’ sessions where visitors can discover start-ups offering new solutions in energy and water.


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19 May 2026
  1. The Hub

    Join the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) for an energising Meet the Innovator session helping energy networks uncover the latest groundbreaking companies solving the energy sector’s biggest problems. Hear quick fire pitches from trailblazers driving a new level of efficiency, resilience and performance across the sector. Following the pitches, dive into open networking where you can meet innovators directly, explore their solutions in depth and ask the questions that matter to your organisation. In just 90 minutes, discover fresh thinking, potential partners, and the next supplier who could help solve the problems keeping you up at night. 


    Facilitator
    Angus Dent, Innovation Engineer - EIC

  2. The Hub

    Facilitator

  3. The Hub

    Britain’s gas networks are entering the next delivery phase on emissions and leakage reduction and we need the supply chain and innovators to help us. In this session, the GB gas networks will present their Innovation Strategy and ambitions for lowering emissions across their networks, and improvements in leakage detection, prevention and repair. Join this session to put forward your solutions, innovations and ideas to help lower emissions across the gas network. Uncover the two-year delivery horizon and the funding routes available to support innovation, trial and deployment across the networks — providing clarity on how projects are brought forward, assessed and scaled. This interactive session will test assumptions, challenge prioritisation and refine the delivery pathway.   

    Discussion points:  

    • Where can technology deliver the most immediate and material methane and leakage reduction?  
    • Which solutions are deployment-ready, and what validation is required for scale?  
    • How should innovation funding be used to de-risk and accelerate adoption?  
    • What technical or operational barriers must be prioritised first?  
    • What collaboration models best enable rapid trial and rollout? 

    Facilitator
    Nolan Robertson - FEN (Future Energy Networks)

  4. The Hub

    This session explores growing industry calls for greater transparency and accessibility of grid data to enable better capacity assessments.
    Join this interactive session to examine why current heat maps and capacity datasets are considered incomplete and inconsistent, and how this impacts developers. Participants will discuss how to better collaborate and enable digital innovation throughout the electricity system and identify opportunities to improve data publication across networks. The session aims to define practical, collaborative steps toward a more open and efficient data ecosystem.

    Discussion points:

    • What are the biggest barriers innovators and developers face with current grid capacity data?
    • How can we maintain system security whilst supporting third party digital innovators to build solutions?
    • What specific data gaps (e.g., distribution vs. transmission, low‑voltage, demand‑side visibility) cause the greatest issues for developers today?
    • When does it make sense for NESO and the networks to focus on enabling third parties to develop digital solutions, and when does it make sense for them to build their own?
    • What short‑term actions should Ofgem, NESO, and networks take to improve capacity data accuracy and accessibility?

    Facilitator
    Peter Clutton-Brock, Chief Executive - Yottar

20 May 2026
  1. The Hub

    Utility Week Live is evolving and 2027 marks a bold new chapter. Join the event team for an exclusive preview of what big changes are coming next year, including our refreshed content programme, our new floorplan and ambitious plans to bring.

    We’ll share insights into audience growth, buyer engagement and market focus areas shaping the future of utilities and how you can be part of it. Whether you’re already booked, considering your options or exploring involvement for the first time, this session offers an inside look at Utility Week Live 2027.


    Facilitator
    Charlie Scott, Sales Director - Utility Week Live

  2. The Hub

    Join this interactive workshop to explore how Stream and CReDO are collaborating to enable secure, scalable data sharing to build climate‑resilient infrastructure across the UK. Take part in this facilitated discussion to unearth further high‑value, cross‑sector use cases that support coordinated planning and measurable resilience improvements. Open to all utility providers - bring your real‑world problems and ambitions!


    Facilitator
    Melissa Tallack - Northumbrian Water Group
    Alanna Gluck, CReDO Engagement Lead - Connected Places Catapult

  3. The Hub

    Join Spring for an energising Meet the Innovator session spotlighting the disruptors reimaging the future of water. Discover pioneering companies that arre unclocking efficiencies, revealing hidden opportunities and tacking critical challenges. Hear quick fire pitches from trailblazers driving a new level of efficiency, resilience and performance across the sector. Following the pitches, dive into open networking where you can meet innovators directly, explore their solutions in depth and ask the questions that matter to your organisation. In just 90 minutes, discover fresh thinking, potential partners, and the next supplier who could help solve the problems keeping you up at night. 


    Facilitator
    To be announced

  4. The Hub

    As the nature of GB’s power grid fundamentally changes with more renewables and growing flex markets, the control room also needs to adapt to best combine human expertise with advanced automation technology to manage a complex grid. This session explores the concept of the Control Room of the Future and how control room roles, systems and capabilities must evolve to improve grid resilience in the face of climate, cyber and operational challenges.

    Joins this interactive session to collaborate with your peers and discuss:

    • How to leverage AI, automation and enhanced system visibility. How to balance technology and auto mated control with human expertise.
    • How the control room will support whole systems thinking and data sharing across the whole network.
    • How to ensure resilience in the grid so customers have security of supply.

    Facilitator
    Paul Jewell, Associate - EIC

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"There were many interesting things to discover at the event. The talks gave a fascinating insight into issues facing the industry, how they are dealt with and what the future looks like. For someone looking to expand their horizons, it's definitely worth a visit. Utility Week Live is also a very good place to network and meet new people from an array of different companies"

- UWL visitor

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