BOOK YOUR DELEGATE PASSThere is an urgent need to address the competing demands of generating more electricity with tackling climate change. Electricity is the fastest growing final demand source of energy, growing 3-4% annually, as more and more of our lives are powered by electricity as part of the electrification revolution. It is essential that power generation is decarbonized if we are to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Nuclear energy is the world's second-largest source of low-carbon power after hydro, and is key to achieving global net zero objectives. In commercial use since the 1960s, nuclear energy currently provides about 11% of the world’s electricity requirements from 440 nuclear reactors in 32 countries. Studies show that, over the past 50 years, the use of nuclear energy has reduced CO2 emissions by over 60 gigatonnes – nearly two years' worth of global energy-related emissions – and will be crucial for the decarbonization of energy systems worldwide.
The dedicated Nuclear Energy Forum will run alongside the exhibition focusing on the role of nuclear energy in achieving net-zero, new and emerging technologies in the nuclear industry, challenges and opportunities and the future of the nuclear energy industry, and more.
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DIGITAL INNOVATIONMany industries are ramping up efforts to decarbonise their operations and the utilities sector is no exception. The energy transition has become a driver for new business models and capabilities. Falling prices of renewables and technology advancements have made them an attractive alternative to hydrocarbons. In addition, many countries, including China, India, Russia, UAE and Turkey, are turning to nuclear as a reliable clean energy source. Gas/LNG is also continuing to play an important role in the energy transition.
A path toward a carbon-free future requires the industry to address the intermittent nature of solar and wind power by exploring available storage solutions, as well as taking advantage of technologies that help improve energy efficiency and achieve operational excellence. In addition, companies must futureproof their grids in response to increased mass electrification.
To keep pace with increasingly ambitious net-zero targets and commitments, power and water utilities should position themselves as proactive leaders within the energy transition, making themselves an attractive target for new capital investments.
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DECARBONISATION, ENERGY TRANSITION AND COP28Digital technologies are transforming how utilities serve customers, identify market opportunities and plan for long-term growth. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, robotics, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, blockchain, edge computing and other technical innovations enables companies to improve their energy efficiency, reduce equipment failure and optimise demand side management.
Advanced sensors and metering technologies are transforming not only electric and water grids but entire cities. Smart grids handle bidirectional power flows, capture and report large quantities of data, enabling advanced predictive maintenance models, decreased electricity and water losses and lower carbon emissions. The success of smart grids and smart cities depends on the seamless integration of wired and wireless communications amongst all devices, as well as the ability to develop robust cyber security strategies.
Technological advances also call for new capital. Grid investment plans should incorporate a wide variety of new technologies including advanced inverters, grid management and dispatch tools, and grid-level energy storage equipment.
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SUPPLY AND DEMAND DYNAMICSWith multi-billion dollar projects, partnerships lie at the heart of the utilities sector. Many collaboration opportunities are available within the industry, on both regional and global levels. Governments and countries can work together to ensure economic prosperity and security of power and water supplies. Utilities, EPCs, technology providers and consultancies can work together to uncover synergies that will drive efficiency, digital transformation and decarbonisation efforts. Electricity suppliers can partner with customers via distributed generation models to achieve mutual benefits.
Being a global meeting place for the utilities leaders, the World Utilities Congress helps cement the existing partnerships and discover new collaboration and growth opportunities.
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TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURECustomer-centricity together with technological advances are paving the way for new business models and market structures that support existing and new, non-traditional providers. Modern customers have high expectations from their utilities providers, and utilities of the future should move from selling water and power as a commodity to having a segmented value proposition focused on customer needs. Smart end-to-end networks offer businesses the opportunity to improve productivity and efficiency while enhancing customer service.
Power and water consumers also have an important role to play in the energy transition. By optimising their usage, customers can reduce their bills, take the pressure off grids and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Utilities providers need to develop comprehensive demand side management models that will empower customers to be active participants in the energy transition.
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RAISING CAPITAL AND PROJECT FINANCEGlobal population growth, economic development and rapid urbanisation are increasingly impacting the power and water sectors, as demand for electricity and water grows and the pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rises. The increased demand makes water scarcity an important issue that go vernments and industry leaders need to address, finding alternative sources to depleted groundwater, which can be enabled by advances in water desalination, water treatment solutions and demand side management.
Many countries are also moving from a linear centralised distribution system to a more flexible, complex and decentralised system, generating major investment opportunities, for existing and new players. To effectively incorporate distributed energy resources (DER) into the grid utilities should adapt their tariff schemes to acknowledge different types of customers, define a solution for DER technical integration and put in place process and organisational changes to make all the pieces work together.
Circular Economy frameworks offer utilities the opportunity to transform their value chains, reducing or eliminating waste, reusing and recycling resources, which in turn can improve efficiencies, reduce costs and decrease carbon emissions. Existing business models need to evolve to enable equipment re-purposing or recycling, better heat waste recovery, carbon capture and use, and improved water cycle management systems.
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DIGITAL INNOVATION
Many industries are ramping up efforts to decarbonise their operations and the utilities sector is no exception. The energy transition has become a driver for new business models and capabilities. Falling prices of renewables and technology advancements have made them an attractive alternative to hydrocarbons. In addition, many countries, including China, India, Russia, UAE and Turkey, are turning to nuclear as a reliable clean energy source. Gas/LNG is also continuing to play an important role in the energy transition.
A path toward a carbon-free future requires the industry to address the intermittent nature of solar and wind power by exploring available storage solutions, as well as taking advantage of technologies that help improve energy efficiency and achieve operational excellence. In addition, companies must futureproof their grids in response to increased mass electrification.
To keep pace with increasingly ambitious net-zero targets and commitments, power and water utilities should position themselves as proactive leaders within the energy transition, making themselves an attractive target for new capital investments.
-
DECARBONISATION, ENERGY TRANSITION AND COP28
Digital technologies are transforming how utilities serve customers, identify market opportunities and plan for long-term growth. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, robotics, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, blockchain, edge computing and other technical innovations enables companies to improve their energy efficiency, reduce equipment failure and optimise demand side management.
Advanced sensors and metering technologies are transforming not only electric and water grids but entire cities. Smart grids handle bidirectional power flows, capture and report large quantities of data, enabling advanced predictive maintenance models, decreased electricity and water losses and lower carbon emissions. The success of smart grids and smart cities depends on the seamless integration of wired and wireless communications amongst all devices, as well as the ability to develop robust cyber security strategies.
Technological advances also call for new capital. Grid investment plans should incorporate a wide variety of new technologies including advanced inverters, grid management and dispatch tools, and grid-level energy storage equipment.
-
SUPPLY AND DEMAND DYNAMICS
With multi-billion dollar projects, partnerships lie at the heart of the utilities sector. Many collaboration opportunities are available within the industry, on both regional and global levels. Governments and countries can work together to ensure economic prosperity and security of power and water supplies. Utilities, EPCs, technology providers and consultancies can work together to uncover synergies that will drive efficiency, digital transformation and decarbonisation efforts. Electricity suppliers can partner with customers via distributed generation models to achieve mutual benefits.
Being a global meeting place for the utilities leaders, the World Utilities Congress helps cement the existing partnerships and discover new collaboration and growth opportunities.
-
TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
Customer-centricity together with technological advances are paving the way for new business models and market structures that support existing and new, non-traditional providers. Modern customers have high expectations from their utilities providers, and utilities of the future should move from selling water and power as a commodity to having a segmented value proposition focused on customer needs. Smart end-to-end networks offer businesses the opportunity to improve productivity and efficiency while enhancing customer service.
Power and water consumers also have an important role to play in the energy transition. By optimising their usage, customers can reduce their bills, take the pressure off grids and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Utilities providers need to develop comprehensive demand side management models that will empower customers to be active participants in the energy transition.
-
RAISING CAPITAL AND PROJECT FINANCE
Global population growth, economic development and rapid urbanisation are increasingly impacting the power and water sectors, as demand for electricity and water grows and the pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rises. The increased demand makes water scarcity an important issue that go vernments and industry leaders need to address, finding alternative sources to depleted groundwater, which can be enabled by advances in water desalination, water treatment solutions and demand side management.
Many countries are also moving from a linear centralised distribution system to a more flexible, complex and decentralised system, generating major investment opportunities, for existing and new players. To effectively incorporate distributed energy resources (DER) into the grid utilities should adapt their tariff schemes to acknowledge different types of customers, define a solution for DER technical integration and put in place process and organisational changes to make all the pieces work together.
Circular Economy frameworks offer utilities the opportunity to transform their value chains, reducing or eliminating waste, reusing and recycling resources, which in turn can improve efficiencies, reduce costs and decrease carbon emissions. Existing business models need to evolve to enable equipment re-purposing or recycling, better heat waste recovery, carbon capture and use, and improved water cycle management systems.
