Innovation and collaboration headlined the UK’s most comprehensive utilities event

This year’s Energy, Renewables and Water Events showcased an array of resource procurement and innovation, to improve the way we manage the world’s assets and inspire a new generation of environmental consultants, resource and sustainability managers.

Organised in partnership with the Major Energy Users Council  (MEUC), Energy Institute and Energy Services & Technology Association (ESTA), the show – which took place from 13^th to 14^th September at Birmingham’s NEC – featured over 100 leading exhibitors and hosted 102 expert speakers across the two days.

Significant speakers

This year’s events featured an exceptionally strong conference programme which ran across four dedicated seminar theatres, providing unparalleled access to leading case studies and expert insight which kept delegates abreast of the latest developments, trends and innovation.

Highlights included Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive at the Renewable Energy Association, who led an insightful session mapping the future of renewables amidst the Brexit uncertainties. E-ON’s sessions in the Energy Information Theatre drew delegates as energy managers sought to hear from one of the big six about the utilities perspective to demand-side response and energy storage.

Things really heated up as one of the programme’s most anticipated debates, Third Party Intermediaries (TPI) vs. in-house, engaged the audience.  An energy purchasing manager and a TPI went head-to-head on the possibilities, benefits and reality of achieving a foolproof energy buying strategy in-house with limited spend. They also discussed how financially valuable guidance from brokers is to breach the in-house knowledge gap. Ray Hammond, Author, Futurist and UN gold medallist in futurology, tackled climate change, globalisation, asymmetric population growth and the ongoing energy crisis.

There were many other key speakers across the Energy Information, Energy Leaders, Renewables and Water Theatres. These included industry heavyweights such as, E-ON, Carbon Trust, GE, Anglian Water Business, WaterPlus and the Renewable Energy Association.

Delegates heard from Philippa Roberts, Head of Circular Economy at WRc; Christopher Hodgson, formerly Environment and Sustainability Manager at Guardian News & Media, now Environmental Performance Manager for Capgemini; Ronan Palmer, Director of Strategy and Planning at Ofwat; and various experts from WaterPlus.

From engaging panel discussions to exploring case studies, speakers shared their experiences from Cornwall Energy, E-Power, Eunomia, Green Hedge, Public Power Solutions, RenEnergy, Solar-Trade Association, UWE Bristol and Dafling Farm Partnership & Tree Logic.

A business match-making platform, Energy Connects helped delegates to link with companies and arrange on-site meetings to make the most of the extensive networking opportunities at the show.

The place to do business

The show floor at the event is full of opportunities to secure a number of big business deals, providing an ideal platform for raising awareness and visibility.

One of the event’s returning exhibitors, Mattei Compressors Ltd explained why this is a key date in their calendar.  Andy Jones, Managing Director at the company said: “It’s been a really great show for us this year. We’ve been exhibiting at the Energy Event since 2008 and it’s always worked for us – in fact, we’ve already signed up for next year!”

E-ON Energy Solutions had a very clear remit for their visit. Mark Wray, B2BL Energy Solutions Sales Manager at E-ON commented: “We’re trying to get the message across to the business world that we’re not just an energy supplier anymore even though that remains our core business. We’re here to talk about solutions and how we can help customers use less energy. We expect to build awareness of E-ON being inter-solutions and more practically, to get more leads that we can follow up after the show.”

The events provide incomparable networking opportunities for exhibitors and delegates, and Roy Dalrymple Moreno, Head of Sustainability & ESOS Lead Assessor at Green Energy Consulting said, “The event is a great opportunity for the company to meet new clients, generate new partnerships and exchange knowledge and ideas about the energy and water industry. Speaking to over 50 different companies in the space of two days, it is possible to generate significant opportunities and strong partnerships.”

Finding the solutions for your business challenges

The show floor was buzzing with commercial conversation as big brands in attendance sought solutions to their resource efficiency challenges. These included: ABB Group, Siemens, China-Britain Business Council, Marks and Spencer, Tata Steel, British Gypsum, Saint Gobain UK, Manchester Metropolitan University and numerous local authorities.

Nicola Meadows, Event Director said: “Our sectors continue to operate in a relentlessly changing landscape and there is a constant need for developing ideas and solutions to make the world greener, leaner and more resource efficient. This year’s events have helped propel remarkable innovation and best practice into mainstream consciousness.

“As the agenda widens across industry sectors, we hope to bring you the latest thinking and innovation available, with seminar programmes that continue to engage, debate and discuss the issues that matter most.”

The Energy, Renewables and Water Events will return to the NEC next year from 12^th to 13^th September. It will again be co-located with the RWM exhibition, the UK’s largest exhibition for resource efficiency and waste management. To find out more information and discuss bookings for 2017 visit www.rwmexhibition.com, call +44 (0)203 033 2350 or email info@rwmexhibition.com.