All about energy

The Energy Event has grown to be one of the largest energy exhibitions and conferences in Europe. Supported by leading industry associations and organisations, the freeof- charge, customer-led seminar programme will address the key issues of energy availability, affordability and sustainability. Here, Industrial Plant & Equipment outlines what visitors can expect

The Energy Event is aimed at all businesses who want to get a grip on their energy use, comply with legislation and procure energy more intelligently. It brings together major energy suppliers and brokers from the UK under one roof, as well as presenting the largest seminar programme of its kind in the UK.

Visitors have the opportunity to meet exhibitors, learn from industry experts and be inspired by end-user led case studies from companies such as Marks & Spencer, Travis Perkins, Polyflor, BT, Arup, BASF and the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Providing a forum for debate and discussion of the biggest issues affecting energy pricing, risk, and the reduction of carbon is the Energy Insight Conference which brings together leading experts and commentators in the fields of economics, climate change, energy policy and security, the nuclear industry, demand management and carbon reduction.

Expert speakers at the Energy Insight Conference include: Professor David Mackay, chief scientific advisor of the Department of Energy & Climate Change, who will give a presentation called 'What part do major energy users have to play in creating a low carbon, sustainable future?', Hugh Jones, MD of the Carbon Trust who will talk about 'Target setting and an introduction to the Carbon Trust Standard';Volker Beckers, CEO, RWE npower, who will give a presentation entitled: 'Addressing the energy gap - which fuels will become prevalent and how will carbon taxes affect this mix?'; and Sara Vaughan, director of regulation and energy policy, E.ON will talk about 'Cleaner and better energy'.

Taking place at The Energy Information Theatre will be a variety of presentations that offer an opportunity for energy professionals to hear case studies and reports from peers about issues concerning the industry today. Dr.

Martin Blake founder of Carbon Zero Solutions will give a presentation entitled 'Strategies for designing an effective carbon reduction strategy for your organisation'.

As the Head of Sustainability for Royal Mail from 2007 until 2010, Dr. Blake led the organisation to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% over three years. In his current role he provides strategic leadership for companies looking to develop the commercial benefits of adopting a sustainable approach to business. During his presentation Dr. Blake will demonstrate the benefits of employing energy saving processes and the compelling case for building your carbon reduction strategy beyond simple compliance.

Visitors will also see the presentation on 'How the Green Deal can save the world' delivered by the director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, Andrew Warren. The Green Deal, introduced by the coalition government with the belief that it will 'revolutionise' the energy efficiency of British properties, will deliver a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their businesses at no upfront cost, and retrieve payments through a charge in installments on their energy bills. In short, it will help businesses to consume less energy and waste less money by becoming more efficient.

An example of involvement from a major trade body is a presentation entitled 'Selecting, monitoring and managing building controls to save energy and money' that will be delivered by Ian Ellis, president of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA). The BCIA, which is taking part in The Energy Event for the first time, is the Unified Voice of the UK Building Controls Industry; the presentation will promote its main message: 'Building controls are key to saving energy in buildings'.

Afternoon sessions both days will be hosted by the Major Energy Users' Council and will cover topics including understanding efficiency in relation to water, energy and gas, low carbon incentives and legislation, energy security, energy monitoring and management, managing energy risk, employing an energy broker. Case studies such as 'Reducing gas and electricity consumption - how technology has assisted' led by Brian Cairns, energy manager, M&S will be part of the programme.

The Energy Event is sponsored by British Independent Utilities (BIU), a consultancy that specialises in large multi-location portfolios,which will be available to advise visitors on how to position their organisation's energy strategy to keep costs low and reduce energy risk.