Over the last decade renewable energy has changed the power game. With more consumers driving electric cars, putting solar panels on their roofs or businesses prioritising decarbonsation, we have seen a historically centralised power system, become decentralised. As the amount of wind and solar energy increases, the greater the fluctuation in power generation. The key is to ensure there is a balance between generation and consumption on the power grid at all times. With all of these new technologies connecting at the end of the grid, the question is raised of how you can make the process smarter, while minimising the challenges of cybersecurity and data protection issues? From microgrids, to eMobility to battery storage and the seamless connection to smart buildings, districts and cities, this panel will discuss the various types of technologies on offer to make the grid smarter, while at the same time protecting consumer data.

The revolution has begun, new entrants are coming in to the market. Oil and gas companies, the automobile industry have all started to get involved and have pursued a series of mergers and acquisitions in order to claim a stake on the power grid. But how will the grid edge cope with these new entrants, which also include a vast array of start-ups and what opportunities or threats exist on the horizon? In addition, over the next decade the grid edge market will be defined by regulation, how this will impact new entrants within this space will be key as well as examining what the future holds for traditional power plants.