Oliver Kinross, an international business research organisation, organised its 7th annual Smart Energy Summit UK & Europe yesterday at the Lancaster Hotel. The event was attended by major UK & European utilities, TSOs, government and Industry bodies including RWE npower, Engie, Ebico, United Utilities, First Utility, Thames Water, British Gas, SSE, MVM, Hedno, Scotish Power, Tempus Energy, National Grid, Alliander, EUROPEAN Commission, UKTI, ESMIG, Albion Water, BEAMA, E-on UK, EDF Energy, EDP, DECC, DCC, Enel, ENERGA, Iberdrola, E-control, Vattenfall, Anglian Water, Veolia Water, Bristol Energy, Co-operative Energy, and many more
After a successful day of multi stream conference sessions, filled with expertise in the field of smart energy, the awards ceremony took place with an aim to honour those who have brought cutting edge innovation to the European smart metering and grids industry. It is important to note that the judges received a high number of submissions from both UK and Europe for all listed categories. The categories for wards were as below:
- Solution Provider Awards
Energy Storage Innovation of the Year - The winning innovation was found to be most impressive due to its clean simplicity and the Winner was Encosys s.r.l.
Water Innovation of the Year – for this category, Diehl Metering was announced the winner because of their revolutionary radio solution, and its compatibility with the majority of water meters.
Meter Data Management Solution of the Year – For this category, the winner was nominated because of its focus on smart Algorithms and current thinking in smart technologies. I was stated during the awards that in the fast changing world we will require our systems to learn and make experience based decisions if we are to truly capture the value from our data an Onzo the winner organisation has done this for the industry quite comprehensively.
Energy Monitoring Award - This winning solution was commended for having such a clear and user friendly interface. In addition, judges felt the device would appeal to a wide cross section of the population, not only the elderly but other groups who are potentially not quite as tech-savvy. A great product with broad appeal and the winner was Chameleon Technology.
Smart Grid, Metering & Infrastructure Security Award - the winner Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) was not only deemed an innovative security solution tailored for grid communication, but also was praised for it's ability to provide comprehensive protection for both IP and non-IP traffic, with minimal management overhead and complexity. Indeed, operators can turn on NGE without disrupting live traffic and, since NGE encrypts at MPLS layer, it brings along full suite of MPLS benefits, both possibilities are clear advantages for the operators.
Smart Grid Network & Communication Award - This award was won by USEF the organisation that has only being launched in November 2015 however its solution has already gained two real-life demonstrators on track, in both Amsterdam and Hoog Dalem. The winning organisation has create d a market model, which enables the active market participation of all players, new and traditional, recognizes the different stakeholders and their role, and so clearly accelerates the flexibility markets and value.
- Service Provider Award
The service provider category was this year awarded to an organisation that is one of the fastest growing service providers in its sector. Judges were impressed by the level of in-house expertise in I.T and Software development, and furthermore, by demonstrating efficiency of service through a clear, case study example and as a result Trojan Utilities were announce the winners.
Smart Metering Technology of the Year - There were many highly commended nominees for this award, making this a difficult call for the judges to make. The winning technology was said to have a very strong focus on improving the customer experience, and is one of the few innovations to consider the benefits to pay as you go consumers. Judges were excited to see such an innovative technology focused around communal heating. Judges were impressed by the winner's consideration given to fuel poverty, and its work alongside social housing providers and the winner was Switch2 Energy Limited.
Smart Home Technology of the Year - The winner of the sought-after Smart Home Technology of the Year award, addresses the combination of Internet of Energy and Internet of Everything in the home. The created data model by IJENKO with API offers the possibility for third parties like developers to create the cutting-edge applications the utilities desire and therefore IJENKO was announced the winner.
Connected Home Innovation of the Year - The security system created by Netatmo with face recognition and the Thermostat for smartphones, demonstrate far-reaching ambition was what captured the judges attention when it came down to category and as so Netatmo was announced the winner.
New Innovation of the Year – As mentioned previously, judges were overwhelmed by the strong competition in the entries for the New Innovation of the Year award. Our winner has a core focus on the consumer and unlocking smart energy value across the supply chain. Judges were impressed with the position of Tempus Energy this in this evolving marketplace and therefore Tempus Energy as announced the winner
- Utility Awards
Roll-Out Innovation of the Year - For this category, the winner was celebrated as a very strong submission. The winning utility was said to have demonstrated well the partnership work, piloting, and continuous learning and development. In addition, judges were impressed at how inexpensive the solution is, due to the fact that it 're-purposes' existing infrastructure, and costs would likely be recovered long before it should need to be upgraded, to meet any further requirements that might arise at a later time. Judges also found that this utility has provided a simple solution to overcome complex problems and clear demonstration of benefits, both for the business in terms of rapid payback and for customers in terms of usage information and potential actions. The winner was United Utilities Water.
Customer Engagement Award - The winning utility for the customer engagement award had a dedicated pathway for vulnerable customers. They were the first to have an Independent Consumer Council - able to demonstrate third party engagement in developing solutions and are also working in partnership with third parties such as Opower to create innovative solutions, including the Energy Saving Toolkit. E-on UK was announced as the winner.
Utility of the Year – This category was the sought-after Utility of the Year award. Judges underscored the winning company's defined strategy, its impact on customers across the business and the range of solutions and tools deployed to deliver the strategy. A recurring comment of note, was that this utility has continuously been a great example of how to engage with customers and to maintain such a leading position. Their commitment to leverage technology, to create further smart propositions and service enhancements, is an impressive one. It has been recognised that this utility identified early on, that smart was the way ahead, then wasted no time in embarking on their journey. British Gas was announced the winner for this category.
For media enquires or more information on 8th edition of the Smart Energy Summit UK & Europe please contact Tannaz Rastegar on +44 207 065 5529 – tannaz@oliverkinross.com
