Agenda

Agenda

 

Session 1: Powering Data Centres for the Next Decade

Panel discussion on:

  • Projected growth in demand from UK data centres driven by AI, cloud services, and digital expansion
  • Insights from National Grid ESO’s Future Energy Scenarios and demand modelling
  • Regional grid stress, emerging capacity hotspots, and local infrastructure bottlenecks
  • Key drivers shaping demand forecasts, including public sector digitalisation and hyperscaler investments
  • Strategies for balancing speed, scale, and sustainability in site development and power procurement

 

Session 2: Power Ready: Infrastructure Design

Presentations and panel discussion on:

  • Designing and engineering power systems for hyperscale and edge facilities
  • Planning grid interfaces, substations, and on-site electrical architecture
  • Meeting BREEAM, net-zero, and decarbonisation targets in design and operations
  • Ensuring cybersecurity and operational resilience for critical infrastructure
  • Planning for scalable, modular infrastructure to accommodate future growth

 

Session 3: Interconnection & Grid Readiness

Panel discussion on:

  • Transmission and distribution interconnection challenges for new and expanding data centres
  • Reforming the grid connection queue to improve lead times and manage bottlenecks
  • Infrastructure upgrade planned by National Grid ESO and utilities
  • Flexible connection models and navigating constraint zones

 

Session 4: Capital, Planning & Regulatory Signals

Presentations and panel discussion on:

  • Delays in permitting and grid interconnection as major risks for new developments
  • Investor expectations around visibility, timelines, and ESG performance
  • Role of policymakers and regulators in enabling project certainty
  • Siting strategies and effective coordination with planning stakeholders
  • De-risking investment through regulatory clarity and streamlined market signals

 

Session 5: Sustainable Powering: Cooling, Energy Efficiency & Onsite Supply

Presentations and panel discussion on:

  • Innovations in cooling systems, including liquid, immersion, and free-air cooling
  • Benchmarking and improving facility metrics
  • Onsite generation and hybrid systems including solar, CHP, and battery storage
  • Microgrids and integrated systems for backup and peak shaving
  • Decarbonising operations and reducing the embodied carbon of infrastructure

 

Session 6: What’s Next for Powering Digital UK?

  • Aligning national digital growth with electricity system transformation
  • Key regulatory, planning, and investment levers needed to support future capacity
  • Government, utility, and hyperscaler collaboration for long-term energy security
  • Future scenarios for digital and energy infrastructure integration
  • Building a resilient and low-carbon backbone for the UK’s digital economy

 

Note: This conference program provides a preliminary outline with draft agenda topics. Please note that session timings and topics are subject to change as we approach the conference date. Your input and thoughts on the agenda are warmly welcomed.