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Episode 4: Our Changing Distribution Network

Join Caroline Blair in Episode 4 of Powering Conversations as she explores the future of our distribution network with three industry experts: Iain Divers, SP Energy Networks' Head of Distribution Networks, Graham Ault, Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Smarter Grid Solutions, and Angela Love, Chair of the SP Energy Networks Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC).​

Explore the latest advancements in low-carbon technologies (LCTs), customer needs, and resilience strategies as we transition toward Net Zero. This episode unravels the complexities of our evolving electricity system, highlighting how smarter, more flexible networks are being developed to meet the demands of a net-zero future.​

Learn what this means for you as a customer. From peak-time demand to overnight efficiency, discover how smarter energy use and customer incentives are reshaping the future of electricity distribution. Get ready for an insightful discussion on our distribution network and its evolving shift for the future of energy.

Listen to the Podcast Episode below!

Read the transcript

Episode Speakers

Angela Love

Angela Love

Chair of the SP Energy Networks Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC)

With over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, Angela has a deep understanding of how energy markets work, and is passionate about placing the customer at the heart of what companies do. She’s worked with both energy companies and regulators at the centre of the gas and electricity markets.

Throughout her career, Angela has been involved in a number of initiatives aimed at delivering benefits and a better environment for consumers. This includes setting up the Energy Retail Association's Home Heat Helpline, creating the ScottishPower Energy People Trust, which was the first fuel poverty trust established by an energy supplier, serving as a trustee on the Gas Safe Charity for nine years, and being a member of the Ofgem Stakeholder Engagement and Vulnerable Customer Incentive Panel for six years, bringing this experience to the table with INZAC. Currently, she is also Chair of the Smart Energy Code Panel and Board, Non-Executive Director of SONI (the Northern Ireland System Operator), and of Cadent Gas Customer Challenge Group.

Angela previously chaired the SP Energy Networks RIIO2 Transmission User Group, which was expanded to cover distribution in 2021. In this role, she worked closely with the experts on the group and with SPEN to constructively challenge the company's plans and delivery approach to ensure better outcomes for customers and ultimately ensure that SPEN plays its part in delivering Net Zero.

Graham Ault

Graham Ault

Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Smarter Grid Solutions

Graham is Executive Vice President and co-founder of Smarter Grid Solutions, now part of global technology company Mitsubishi Electric.

He has held strategic and operational leadership responsibilities spanning products, innovation, business development, consulting services, marketing, executive and director roles in Smarter Grid Solutions.

He is an electrical power systems engineer by education (BEng and PhD) and spent his early career in academia with a broad portfolio of activities in research, teaching and industrial knowledge exchange, including spinning Smarter Grid Solutions out of Strathclyde University and its research.

He is currently on special assignment in Digital Energy Solutions for Mitsubishi Electric globally.

Iain Divers

Iain Divers

SP Energy Networks' Head of Distribution Networks  

Iain is Head of Distribution Networks, and in this role leads SPEN’s asset management & network planning function for both of its distribution licence areas – covering Southern & Central Scotland, and Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales & North Shropshire.

Iain is driving SPEN’s engineering strategy to ensure a safe, secure, high performing network, while tackling the dynamic change and rapid growth necessary to enable Net Zero. 

Iain is a chartered engineer with over 17 years’ experience in SPEN, with a range of experience across front line operations, asset management, IT, business planning & regulation.  Before his current role, Iain led the development of SPEN’s business plan for the current 5-year period, 2023 to 2028 (known as ‘RIIO-ED2’), where SPEN will deliver over £3bn of investment across its business. 

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