Leaders from the international technology industry, from Government and academia came together last week at Keele University in Staffordshire to prepare the UK for a green industrial revolution.

Keele was chosen for the meeting of the UK arm of the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) because it is leading the way in Europe with its Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) project.

It provided technologists, industrialists and policy makers the chance to see first-hand the future of energy in action. The meeting included representatives from leading UK universities and industry giants such as Nokia, ENGIE and Siemens.

The SEND is the UK’s first small-town sized test-bed for a host of renewable energies, with super-intelligent computerised nerve-centre at its heart. This will gather data from across the campus, balancing and matching energy production and use, maximising efficiency and slashing carbon emissions.

As the UK prepares to host the UN Climate Change Conference next year, the energy industry is clearly focused on leading the way in the next industrial revolution - creating a world leading low-carbon economy. That’s why the ISGAN’s meeting at Keele is so significant.

Organised by the massively influential national new technology growth initiative Energy Systems Catapult, and the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, tro explore the UK’s role in the international promote smart grid development which is crucial in meeting the UK’s contribution to cutting the man-made carbon emissions which cause climate change.

The delegates saw how Keele, working in collaboration with international technology giant Siemens, is generating a blue-print for the future. The SEND project is a European first - funded to the tune of £15million through the EU European Regional Development Fund and the UK Government.

Keele’s Professor of Practise on Smart Energy David Healey said the meeting was a significant step forward.
“Here at Keele we are plugged directly into setting the co-ordinates for a more sustainable world. We have been asked by Government to lead two of the eight work streams which will be driving the transformation - Smart Grid Policy and Transformation. It’s a major challenge, but one we welcome,” he said.

Colin Henry, Siemens Head of Business, Digital Grid, said:
“We are very proud to be creating Europe’s largest single Smart Energy Network Demonstrator with Keele University. With complete visualisation over the energy network, the demonstrator at Keele will be vital to developing future low carbon technologies, supporting the UK in its aims to be a leader in decarbonising its energy infrastructure.”