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Welcome

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

In the spirit of the Saltire Prize aims of confirming Scotland's ambition to become the leading force in clean, green, energy, this is a rare chance to hear one of the country’s leading and most provocative commentators on sustainable energy set out his vision for the future of renewable energy in Scotland, the UK and overseas.

Duncan Burt, Customer Services Manager, Transmission Commercial, National Grid

Duncan will set out the key steps on the pathway to a low carbon energy future, and some of the interesting bends in the route!  His presentation will look at the increasing role for renewable electricity in our energy mix, and critical issues such as storage, local generation, electrification of transport and heat, and changing needs and drivers of all consumers over coming decades.

Networking Break & Exhibition

Plenary 2: Securing economic benefit for Scotland

With such a long industrial heritage and rich expertise in technological research and development and offshore engineering and services, Scotland is ideally placed to build a world-leading industry. Not only could this bring tens of thousands of new jobs to Scotland over the next decade and beyond, but it allows the public estate, rural businesses and communities to generate their own energy, diversify their income streams, and share in the financial and environmental benefits of renewables. It offers the opportunity to reinvigorate our manufacturing sector, breathe new life into our ports and harbours, and export our technology, expertise and energy supply across Europe and beyond. No other industry offers such a compelling opportunity to pave the way to economic recovery and build a sustainable, thriving economy for Scotland in decades to come.

This session will set out comprehensive analysis of the current economic benefits to Scotland of renewable energy and explore what Scotland needs to do to stay one step ahead of competing markets and energy hubs to ensure that we meet our future potential.

Speaker:

Dr Richard Bellingham, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde

Richard will set out the results of the first ever comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of Scotland’s renewable energy industry, with a breakdown of jobs and investment across the key parts of the sector based on a major survey by Scottish Renewables.

This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring some of the key players in ensuring that Scotland maximises the value of this fast-growing and dynamic new industry.

Panellists:
PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Robin Presswood, Fife Council, and Spokesperson on Renewables, Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development Group
Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer, Aquamarine Power

Networking Lunch & Exhibition

Drinks Reception and Exhibition

17.15 - Scottish Renewables Annual General Meeting in the Harris Suite. Please note that this session is for Scottish Renewables members only. If you wish to attend, please contact Carol O'Donnell.

Business Breakfast Debate

Ministerial Keynote Address

Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury

With ever sharper focus on the costs and benefits of all forms of energy use, the Treasury has taken on an ever more important role in renewable energy policy and decision making.  Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from one of the key members of the UK Cabinet.

Plenary 4 - Costing the Earth?

Dramatic increases in consumers’ bills and pressure on public sector budgets have prompted a rigorous debate on the economic implications of the transition to a low carbon economy and the growth in the proportion of energy coming from renewables.  Likewise, reductions in the Renewables Obligation and the likely direction of travel in Electricity Market Reform mean that renewables have to look to compete with other forms of generation not just on environmental credentials but also on price. 

Many forms of renewables are already competitive with other low carbon alternatives and are closing the gap to fossil fuels, but how do we go about closing that gap, and how long will it take?

This session will explore the low hanging fruit to cost reduction and how to speed up this process to stay ahead of our competitors.

Speakers:

Guy Doyle, Chief Economist, Energy, Mott MacDonald

Guy was lead author of the Costs of low-carbon generation technologies, the comprehensive report underpinning much of the work of the Committee on Climate Change.  Here he will set out the latest estimates on the costs of renewables and other low carbon energy options

Steve Burgin, UK Country President, Alstom

Alstom is one of the few manufacturers to have an interest in onshore wind, offshore wind, wave, tidal, hydro and biomass technology.  Steve is also a member of the Offshore Wind Reduction Task Force and will share the company’s unique perspective on the costs of heat and power.

Panellists:

Our two speakers will be joined by other industry experts for the panel discussion, including:

Dr Andrew Tyler, Chief Executive, Marine Current Turbines
Paul Gardner, GL Garrad Hassan 

Networking Break & Exhibition

Parallel Seminars B

S1: Maximising environmental benefit 

With climate change the biggest environmental impact to our species and those on which we depend, it is imperative that we reduce the energy we use and make more efficient use of the energy we need. Renewables provide the remaining part of the jigsaw as the only form of zero-carbon, sustainable generation. At a local level, all forms of development change our surrounding environment. Throughout the lifecycle of a renewables project, potential and actual effects on the environment are assessed and monitored. To maximise the environmental benefits brought by renewables, any local effects that will not enhance the surrounding environment must be mitigated.

Is the current legislation and regulation governing environmental protection, conservation and management fit for purpose in this climate of atmospheric urgency? How can we progress swiftly to meet our climate obligations and energy aspirations whilst excelling in the responsible stewardship of our natural environment?

Speakers:

Andrew Thin, Chairman, Scottish Natural Heritage

S2: Keeping the lights on: A Secure and stable supply of renewable energy

A great benefit of renewables is their distributed nature – generating from all across the country wherever the resource is high. Due to the dispersed generation profile, the consequence of a large outage on the electricity grid – as can occur when a large thermal power plant stops generating suddenly – is avoided. One of the common criticisms of the sector, however, is the variability in output of most of the technologies.

What measures need to be taken to accommodate an increasing contribution from renewables in the generation mix? What are the opportunities and challenges for improving demand management and developing innovative and cost-effective storage solutions? What technological improvements are needed to improve the reliability and predictability of newer technologies?

Speakers:

Grant Wilson, University of Sheffield - Balancing the grid in light of increasing renewable generation
Emma Hutchinson, Director, Green Energy Partners - optimising the in-use energy performance of the building

S3: Skilling the workforce

For Scotland to fully benefit from the massive economic, social and environmental opportunities presented by renewables, it is vital that Scotland’s people are skilled and ready to work in this fast-growing global industry. If we don’t provide the skilled expertise, other countries will. Scotland’s Skills Investment Plan highlights that renewable energy is one of the country’s key economic drivers, with up to 40,000 potential new job opportunities identified up to 2020. This session looks more closely at the initiatives underway to skill Scotland’s workforce to take advantage of the investment in the sector, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

Plenary 5 - For the people, with the people, by the people

Supporting a significant growth in renewables, the Scottish Parliament has shown its strong, cross-party backing for this industry and its role in moving to a low carbon economy, yet there is fevered media debate on the costs and benefits of renewables and a vociferous minority opposing development at both a local level.

With increasing evidence of the economic, environmental and social benefits of renewables, how can we strengthen and increase awareness of the link between those benefits and Scotland’s people?

This session will explore how we can maximise public participation in our energy future, forging a sense of ownership and responsibility for the tough choices to be made if we are to meet our ambitions and obligations on climate change, energy security, affordability, and a sustainable economy.

Speaker:

Victor D. Norman PhD, Professor of Economics, NHH Norwegian School of Economics

Professor Norman will talk through somne of the lessons to be learned from the Norwegian dovereign wealth fund - how it works, and what it means for the economy, welfare and politics in Norway. How this compares and contrasts with the opportunities for sharing the benefits of renewables in Scotland will emerge.

Panellists:
Lomond Energy

Joining the Dots

Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, RSA

Closing remarks from today's chair, drawing together his observations from the day's discussions and his perspective on the activities of Scotland's renewable energy industry, its place in the context of the UK's energy mix and ambitions and the challenge of winning hearts and minds to enhance public participation, support and ownership of the renewable energy agenda.

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