A specialist advisory group has been formed to strengthen oversight and support for SP Energy Networks’ Distribution System Operations (DSO) activity.
Five independent experts from across the UK have come together to form a new Distribution Systems Operator Advisory Group.
The new group, chaired by Community Energy England CEO, Dr. Matthew Vickers, will hold the electricity network operator to account and support the increasingly technical, operational and market‑based responsibilities of the DSO model.
“The role of DSO is becoming ever more complex and critical to a low-carbon energy system,” said chair Matt Vickers.
“The advisory group has been established to work with SP Energy Networks and provide strong, independent challenge while working constructively as a team.
“By combining industry expertise with close collaboration, we will help ensure SPEN’s DSO activities are robust, transparent and focused on delivering real value for customers and the wider system.”
SP Energy Networks has long recognised the value of enhanced and expert scrutiny to ensure it delivers efficiently, transparently and in the best interests of customers and the wider energy system.
Nia Lowe, Head of DSO at SP Energy Networks, added: “We’re looking forward to working with the independent experts who form our DSO Advisory Group.
“DSO will play a major role in the future of our energy system and the establishment of the advisory group is an important step in strengthening our approach as our responsibilities continue to grow.
“Independent challenge and expert insight will be vital as we enable greater flexibility, support net zero and deliver a smarter energy system for our customers. We look forward to working closely with the group as we shape the next phase of our DSO journey.”
Having taken up his role at Community Energy England in February, Dr. Matthew Vickers previously led the UK grid connections reform programme as Director of Connections Reform at the National Energy System Operator, helping unlock up to £40bn/year of private investment in infrastructure. He has held senior roles including CEO/Chief Ombudsman of Ombudsman Services and Group CEO of Trust Alliance Group.
He will be joined by:
- Professor David Flynn: A professor of Cyber Physical Systems at the University of Glasgow and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He is a leading expert in digitalisation, cyber‑physical systems, and digital twins for future energy networks. He co-directs major UK national hubs including the £46M National Digital Twinning Hub for Decarbonisation and contributes to several EPSRC Critical National Infrastructure programmes. David also sits on an independent advisory board for SP Energy Networks.
- Janet Wood: A veteran energy journalist with over 20–30 years’ experience covering UK and global power systems, policy, regulation and industry transition. She is editor of New Power, and has led and written for major sector publications. Janet also serves on a customer engagement group for SPEN and as a Trustee/Director for National Energy Action and SE24 Sustainable Energy.
- Professor Jianzhong Wu: A professor of Multi‑Vector Energy Systems and Head of the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. A globally recognised expert in smart grids, integrated multi‑energy networks, and peer‑to‑peer energy trading, he co-directs the UK Energy Research Centre, the EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub, and major hydrogen and whole‑system research programmes.
- Professor Jovica Milanović: A professor of Electrical Power Engineering at the University of Manchester and an internationally recognised authority on power system stability, probabilistic modelling, and distributed voltage control.