Manufacturing managers must grapple with a growing number of energy-related issues including security, Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme compliance, planned deregulation in the water industry, the drive to reduce energy costs and demands to improve their sustainability performance.
The Energy Event, taking place at Birmingham's NEC on 15-16 September 2015, is the first post-Election industry event is designed to offer answers to these and other questions.
Organised by i2i Events, the Energy Event, is co-located with the Renewables Event and the Water Event to provide a comprehensive exhibition focusing on energy, renewables and water procurement and management for large scale industrial and commercial end-users.
"The landscape for energy, renewables and water management and procurement is shifting and set to see further changes ahead," says i2i Events group director Russell Bacon. "With this is mind, it's important for end users from industry and commerce to attend and hear what Government Ministers have to say. These events will also provide a source of practical information on the key industry issues likely to impact on their business in the months and years ahead and offer a great opportunity to discover new ways for buying and managing utilities more efficiently in the future".
More than 60 free-to-attend CPD sessions are scheduled to feature at the event across three show theatres in what will prove to be one of the major attractions for visitors. The key themes that will be discussed during the sessions this year include Electricity Market Reform, ESOS, top business saving tips in energy & environmental strategy, Commodity Pricing updates and innovations in energy management.
The Energy Event will also provide access to the services, products and advice of more than 160 exhibitors. Significant organisations and new companies signed up for 2015 include Corona Energy, Philips Lighting, BIU British Independent Utilities, InTouch - IS Ltd, Lucy Electric, Clarke Energy, Airedale International Air Conditioning Ltd, ASL Holdings Ltd, Lark Energy, Lightsource RE, Siemens Financial Services, Waterscan, Wingas, SSE, National Grid, Carlo Gavazzi, and many more.
For 2015, the Energy Event is introducing a feature called Energy Connect, a facilitated networking service providing meetings between the show's visitors and exhibitors. Visitors can log in to an online portal and arrange one-to-one meetings with exhibitors allowing them to plan their day in advance and ensure they have a productive day at the show.
Formulated in partnership with key industry and event stakeholders to address the important issues, the conference programmes at each show are a strong focus for 2015. More than 60 free-to-attend CPD sessions are scheduled to feature at the event across four show theatres in what will prove to be one of the major attractions for visitors.
The Energy Event and its two co-located shows will feature headline presentations from Government together with sessions from a range of blue-chip companies, including Bentley Motors, Land Securities and Nestle. The Renewables Theatre will host a special keynote address from Jem Stansfield, engineer and presenter of the BBC's science show, Bang Goes The Theory.
Stansfield's talk, taking place on Wednesday 16 September, will outline his thoughts on the future for renewable energy and assess the likely impact of these changes for the business world.
Among other headline sessions delivered by thought leaders in commerce and industry will be:
- Indeer Poonaji, head of sustainability at Nestle, talking about the company's renewable strategy, including its onsite anaerobic digestion plant, the largest in the UK.
- Gerd Kortuem, Professor of Computing, Open University, running a seminar on demystifying big data and the internet of things - realising energy savings in the future of smart infrastructure.
- Andrew Robertson, head of site planning at Bentley Motors, Neil Pennell, head of sustainability and engineering at Land Securities, and Paul Rhodes, group safety, health and environment manager at Greggs debating how to implement large scale solar projects.
The full seminar programme will also feature Government presentations on future policy for the UK renewables sector and championing the UK's low carbon economy. And there will be a number of panel discussions including one with Gareth Williams, energy and environment manager of Northern Rail explaining how to make the business case for energy efficiency. Finally, the Energy Leaders Theatre will also host a supplier panel looking at energy procurement and sustainability of supply.