The energy world is in a state of flux as it transitions to a low carbon, distributed and digital model. The disruption in the political world continues into 2018, with disruption to the energy sector. The geopolitics of energy is changing with a move away from internationally traded fossil fuels to local energy systems based on wind, sunlight and biomass.
Closer to home, Brexit is now looming large. Renewable energy is at an inflection point with new RESS (Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) and RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) schemes. Cost reduction in many technologies such as offshore wind and solar are making them increasingly competitive. Bioenergy offers a path to more sustainable forms of heating and has the potential to refuel Ireland's natural gas network.
Energy networks are undergoing rapid change and will facilitate the move towards a new system of energy delivery. They are becoming increasingly disrupted and smarter, through necessity. We are also seeing much digital disruption across the sector from smart networks to connected homes.
Major energy conference
The 22nd Annual Energy Ireland conference will look at the drivers of change in the energy sector and focus on the areas of disruption, which takes place in Croke Park, Dublin on 19 and 20 June. Energy Ireland is Ireland’s largest and most long-established energy conference, attended every year by all the key players in the Irish energy sector, as well as many from further afield who maintain an interest in how the energy sector in Ireland is developing.
The two-day conference will examine important themes by way of an expert panel of speakers, including local industry leaders, policy-makers and regulators. In addition, the conference regularly attracts high-level international speakers who look at major energy issues in the wider European or global context. It’s a one stop shop for information gathering, networking and business development.
2018 discussion topics
- Future outlook for Irish energy sector;
- Impact of Brexit on Irish energy;
- Energy transitions across the world: Germany, USA;
- What's next for European energy policy?;
- How Ireland's energy infrastructure is changing;
- Introduction of the new electricity market;
- Decarbonising the Irish energy sector;
- Role of renewable heat;
- Deploying offshore wind, solar PV and other low carbon technologies;
- A future role for CCS in Ireland;
- Prospects for Ireland's oil and gas sector;
- Decarbonising the transport sector;
- Digital disruption in the energy sector.
Conference overview & themes
Day 1 of the conference will open with a plenary session looking at the future of Irish energy. Delegates will hear from an expert panel of speakers from Irish energy industry leaders including ESB, SSE Ireland, Ervia, SEAI and Bord Gáis Energy. Other sessions in Day 1 will look to explore Ireland’s energy future and driving the energy transition in Ireland.
Delegates attending Day 2 of Energy Ireland will hear from Denis Naughten, TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment during his opening ministerial address. This will be followed by two parallel sessions, either looking at Ireland’s future energy system or sustainable heat and energy security. The afternoon plenary session will focus on energy infrastructure.
Speakers include:
- Denis Naughten, TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Professor Graham Weale, Honorary Professor of Energy Economics, Ruhr University Bochum
- Jim Gannon, Chief Executive, SEAI
- Kirsty Hamilton, Associate Fellow, Chatham House
- Mike Quinn, Chief Executive, Ervia
- Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director, SSE Ireland
- Professor John FitzGerald, Chairman, National Expert Advisory Council on Climate Change
- Hans Korteweg, Managing Director, COGEN Europe
- Mark Prentice, Managing Director (Interim), Bord Gáis Energy
- Robin McCormick, Director of Operations, EirGrid plc
- Aoife MacEvilly, Commissioner, Commission for Regulation of Utilities
- Gino Vansteenhuyse, CEO, Calor Gas
- Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive, Utility Regulator
Networking opportunity
While there will be much knowledge disseminated in the formal conference sessions, Energy Ireland is about more than just policy discussion. The conference brings together the key movers and shakers in Irish energy affording them the opportunity to network and socialise as well as engage in the informal discussions that can ultimately lead to real business development.
Lively exhibition
As a two-day, multi-stream conference, Energy Ireland is an excellent platform for companies wishing to profile their goods and services to a key audience of energy sector decision-makers. A physical presence by way of exhibition at the conference provides a valuable opportunity for making contacts, networking and lobbying. There are a limited number of high quality exhibition spaces still available at this year’s conference
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10 reasons you should book your place now!
- Ireland’s major annual energy conference – all key players attend
- Excellent networking and business development opportunities
- Hear from Ireland’s energy leaders: DCCAE, CRU, ESB, Ervia, Bord Gáis Energy, SSE, SEAI, EirGrid
- High profile visiting experts presenting external perspectives
- In-depth workshops and briefings
- Opportunity to hear all the latest developments in Irish energy in one place
- Lively exhibition area
- Over 300 delegates attend across two days
- Opportunities for Q&A and direct engagement with speakers
Delegates will receive a complimentary copy of the 2018 Energy Ireland Yearbook – an essential desktop sourcebook
Further information
For more information on Energy Ireland or to view the full conference programme go to the website
www.energyireland.ie or to book a place at the conference, email
info@energyireland.ie or call us on +353 (0)1 661 3755.