A veritable hub of learning

Shortlisted for the UK's Best Trade Show Award, this year's Energy Event at the NEC on 11th and 12th September will help organisations to optimise their energy use, comply with legislation and put in place sustainable energy efficiency and procurement solutions

More is better is the message from The Energy Event 2012, which has just announced that, in addition to 150 exhibitors comprising major energy suppliers, consultants and technology providers, this year's conference programme comprises more sessions than last year, with more industry thought leaders, more interaction, more case studies and more vital debate. Sessions are free to attend and CPD certified,making it a cost effective way to continue professional development.

The conference programme takes place across four theatres: The Energy Insight Conference is the central feature of the show and it will be chaired on the first day by Daisy McAndrew, journalist for ITN. The conference promises debate around the issues that are crucial to professionals who are responsible for energy purchasing, carbon reduction policies and practices within their organisations.

Highlights include Philip Lowe, director general - energy at the European Commission, talking about the investment needed to meet European electricity demand, Volker Beckers, CEO of RWE npower covering the future of energy use in the UK and Chris Train of the National Grid discussing low carbon energy sources.

Visitors have the chance to hear from Professor Brian Cox and Alastair Campbell - both there to answer the fundamental or most challenging questions about the universe and politics, spin, and communications strategy! The afternoon sessions are curated by the Major Energy Users' Council and will include discussions around Britain's decarbonisation and the role and effect of bureaucracy on energy efficiency.

The Energy Information Theatre is a useful resource for energy managers, environment managers, facilities experts and property management specialists. It will feature case studies from energy users and practical advice for reducing energy consumption, tackling buildings efficiency, controls and benchmarking, organisational change and incentives. The theatre's keynote speakers will offer a perfect opportunity to better understand the government's approach to energy efficiency and likely direction of future legislation and include: Trevor Hutchings, head of Strategy and Delivery, Energy Efficiency Deployment Office at DECC; Chris Pook - deputy director Green Economy, Department of Business Innovation and Skills; and Phil Wynn Owen, director general, International Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, DECC.

A highlight of the theatre is the opportunity to hear from James Woudhuysen, professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort University, who will express his frank view of the future of energy, including the fact that power cuts are coming, the fallacy of smart meters and green jobs - and why subsidies don't work.

The Hosted Content Theatre will feature presentations hosted by Waterwise and npower among others. Seminars will include topics covering water efficiency, procurement strategies as well as a live energy debate.

The ESTA Theatre is hosted by the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA). The seminars are designed with Energy Managers in mind to offer a basic understanding of principles, awareness of policy issues and effective implementation to produce savings.

ESTA, MEUC, Energy Institute, Waterwise, BCIA And Water Technology List are now joined by Gambica and BCAS as partners of The Energy Event 2012 Steve Brambley, CE of Gambica, says: "The Energy Event continues to raise the importance of efficiency, something that Gambica believes is key to business growth and economic recovery. It is important because in the UK we have a culture of sweating our assets. However, the money saved by not investing in new equipment can soon be lost by rising energy costs. As time passes, inefficient industrial machines consume more energy and begin eating away at profits. Energy saving equipment such as VSDs and other forms of motor control can reduce the running costs of many applications by more than their own capital cost in a relatively short period, often less than a year.

"Investing in automation consumes less energy, controls pollution and cuts carbon emissions. The Energy Event will address these issues and more."