As the energy system undergoes rapid transformation, closer collaboration between academia and the utility industry has never been more critical. This panel brings together researchers, utility leaders and non-departmental public body to explore how academic innovation can more effectively translate into real-world utility applications and how industry challenges can better inform research priorities. Through practical examples and candid discussion, the session will highlight pathways to accelerate knowledge transfer, reduce implementation barriers and build long-term partnerships that support a reliable, affordable, and decarbonised energy future.

• How do we shorten the cycle from academic insight to utility deployment and close the time to impact gap?
• Why do many clean energy pilots stall and how academia and utilities co-design programs that are scalable, repeatable and investment-ready?
• How can industry and academia better align incentives and success metrics to reward impact, deployment, and system benefit?
• Using CP230 frameworks and standards to align research, planning, and investment decisions around outcomes rather than isolated projects
• How can both academia and industry ensure graduates, researchers and practitioners are equipped for modern grid challenges?

Facilitator
Avi Aithal, Strategic Programme Director - ENA

Panel
Muditha Abeysekera - Energy Systems Catapult
Laura Brown, Lead Flexibility Forecasting Engineer, System Forecasting, Energy Systems - Northern Powergrid
Anca-Elena Mihalache, Head of strategy, policy and regulation - Axle Energy
Agusti Egea - University of Strathclyde/SP Energy Networks

The newly formed Institute of Innovation Management and some of its founding partners; EON and BSI, explore how ISO 56001 may offer a foundation to Innovation Management System Frameworks that provide momentum for best practice delivery, impact and resiliency. This session will explore: 

• The challenges faced by those seeking to innovate  
• How frameworks can help embed innovation as a system  
• How systemic innovation management delivers greater value – for organisations and ecosystems 
• Hear from those professionalising innovation management with firsthand experiences bringing the process to life   

Facilitator
Matthew Hempstead, Commissioning Editor - Springwise

Panel
Zac Curtis, Project Lead - EON Next Gen Home - EON Next
Victoria Milne, Executive Director - Institute of Innovation Management (The IIM)
Duncan Steel, Group Director – Technology, Digital and Innovation - Amentum
Abbey Dorian, Head of Sector – Energy - British Standards Institution

Utilities face a critical crossroads continuing with business as usual is no longer an option. Meeting ambitious deliverability and sustainability targets to provide resilient critical national infrastructure requires bold change and fresh thinking. This session brings representatives from Ofwat and Ofgem's innovations funds together to discuss:

• Why networks need to embrace new approaches and innovate better
• What it takes to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape
• How to maximise innovation funding

Facilitator
Eric Brown, Director - Grid Scientific Limited

Panel
Jodie Giles, Programme Director Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund - Innovation As A Service - Energy & Environment - Innovate UK
Marc Hannis, Principal - Innovation Fund - Ofwat

Join the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) and guests to learn about the Industry Innovator Action Plan and how it aims to help innovators like you. 

Learn about the history of the Action Plan, its core aims and the progress being made by the EIC and its energy network partners to streamline access, improve collaboration, enhance support and help accelerate innovation from idea to business-as-usual deployment.

 

Facilitator
Angus Dent, Senior Innovation Engineer - EIC

Panel
Sam Morre, Innovation Engagement & Deployment Lead - National Grid
Amjad Karim, Founder & CEO - Keen AI
Hannah Docherty, Senior Policy Manager (Innovation) - Ofgem

Water is an undervalued resource in the UK and ensuring a sustainable water future can’t rely on building infrastructure alone. Customers need to change their habits. 
Join this creative session to breakdown the challenges and explore innovative ways to engage consumers meaningfully to bridge the ”say-do” gap to truly help change behaviours for the long term. Our expert panellists will exchange insights of behaviour change research, the role of AI and practical applications on what’s working and what’s not and how we can shift perceptions of water and its value. 
This session will cover: 

• The key barriers and gaps to innovation in behaviour change 
• The role of AI and data science – how personal can we go? 
• How do we ensure inclusive and ethical design of interventions 

Facilitator
Mumin Islam, Trustee - Waterwise

Panel
Kirsty Laing, Associate Director - Explain Research
Armenak Antinyan, Head of Behavioural Economics - Thames Water
Professor Benjamin Gardner, School of Psychology - University of Surrey