When in Rome…

The Advisory Board for the POWER-GEN Europe, Nuclear Power Europe, and Renewable Energy World conference series convened in Rome, Italy last month to evaluate potential presentations and identify the burning issues to be addressed during next year’s multi-track programmes taking place in Milan, Italy from 7-9 June 2011.

Here at PennWell, we pride ourselves on the quality of our conference programmes, and believe that our stringent evaluation process and rigorous approach to speaker selection goes a long way in setting us apart from other conference organisers. The Advisory Boards are made up of leading professionals and key decision makers from across the industry – including consultants, suppliers, manufacturers, service providers, power producers, industry body representatives, and analysts – whose innovation and expertise is helping to shape the future of power production.

We had a fantastic response to our call for papers this year, so arriving at a shortlist of the very best from the hundreds of abstracts received was no easy task. Each abstract submitted was diligently reviewed and, following an extensive process of elimination, the strongest presentations eventually agreed upon. As always, it was wonderful to witness the enthusiasm of the leading players drawn from the various power industry verticals, debating the issues key to them and their businesses.

The result of the Advisory Board’s hard work is a full conference programme that will be available online shortly from the following sites. The overall thrust of the selection process was to ensure that the 2011 conference series was: ‘Addressing the Hot Button Issues’, with the conference streams focusing on:

• Current policy debates and business solutions
• New technologies and systems
• Networking among peers and vendors
• Learning from the experiences of experts in the field

If the two days of debate in Rome are anything to go by, POWER-GEN EUROPE, and its co-located events, Nuclear Power Europe and Renewable Energy World, are not to be missed. If you are involved in the power and energy industry, be sure to mark it in your diary!

POWER-GEN Europe 2010 goes global as internet audience joins the debate

Day Two of POWER-GEN Europe 2010 featured the widely anticipated panel discussion on the future of climate policy, chaired by international journalist Steven Sackur. In front of a packed auditorium and a global internet audience, seven leading members of the power and energy industry deliberated over some of the industry’s hottest topics. Targets for global carbon emissions, the future of CCS and what part new technologies will play in the future of the power industry were all on the agenda.

Sackur opened the joint plenary panel discussion by underlining the uncertainly that still exists in the industry after what he described as ‘the failure of the Copenhagen summit.’ This was contextualised by the economic downturn and helped position the debate around how the industry could try and meet carbon reduction targets and create a balanced system.

During a lively and interactive debate it was unanimously decided that the EU must lead the way in setting realistic targets for carbon emissions, with the cloud of the biggest financial crisis in generations only now beginning to lift however, there are sure to be a number of difficulties on the road ahead. The panel was also in agreement that the forthcoming Mexico summit would not produce a different result from Copenhagen.

One thing that is for sure following the discussion, is that the days of cheap energy are long gone. Inexpensive and reliable energy, it would seem, do not always come hand in hand.

In other news from the second day of the show; ExxonMobil launched Mobil SHG Pegasus gas engine oil. According to Mobil, this new product optimises equipment productivity and protection and is the first gas engine oil formulation on the market to deliver real energy saving potential. Also, Wartsila, a provider of lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets, two well attended seminars on the scenarios for electricity production and demand in 2025, and the impact of grid dynamics on low-voltage ride-through capabilities of generators.

Record numbers flock to Amsterdam for POWER-GEN Europe 2010

The eighteenth POWERGEN Europe Conference and Exhibition began in spectacular fashion with memorable keynote speeches from three conference dignitaries. Watched by a record number of attendees including the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, all three speakers were united in their belief that the future of Europe’s energy supply will be driven by the consumer, with a balance of energy solutions.

Conference Director, Nigel Blackaby, welcomed delegates and opened the conference with a speech on the current position of Europe’s energy supply and the need for Europe to embrace a wide range of solutions to secure affordable, effective supply for the future. Setting the tone, Blackaby looked to the future of renewable and low-carbon technologies and to the huge responsibility that accompanies these developments.

Former Dutch Prime Minister, Ruud Lubbers, urged governments across the globe to work harder in their efforts to become ‘CO2 poor’. Meanwhile, Joost Van Dijk, Chief Executive Officer of E.ON Benelux, focused on how de-centralised energy generation, through households taking control of their energy consumption, is the key to future growth.

Frank Wouters, Chief Executive of Masdar Power echoed the wave of optimism in the room that viable solutions can be found, despite the current economic climate. Renewable energy can be the engine for future growth if priorities are made and effective decisions are fully supported across the globe.

With the show off to a fantastic start in front of record numbers, this year is shaping up to be the best POWER-GEN Europe yet.

POWERGRID Europe 2010 looks to the future of the industry

This article is an excerpt from Smartmeters.com, see the full article.

The 2010 POWERGRID Europe conference in Amsterdam June 8-10 brings together key European political and industrial figures to discuss the best way to move forward with smart meters, smart grids and a sustainable future.

It is a show which has continued to expand in a unique direction that covers both the immediate issues and those of the future.
The conference track covers all the traditional engineering solutions, technologies and applications for T&D in Europe, but separating it from other conferences of its kind it additionally features a mega-session bringing in the leaders of the smart grid vendor community.

Tuesday 8 June

The mega-session kicks off the conference where smart grid vendors will discuss what is practical and impractical with current developments. This session will be followed by an interactive panel discussion. Concurrently, a session on modelling for future networks examines the use of models to test items ranging from wind turbine integration to the measurements required for distribution networks. Directly after this a look at network stability will take place.

Wednesday 9 June

The day begins with two simultaneous sessions focusing on adapting the technology in growing projects so it can interconnect effectively. One is centred on interoperability and the other looks at grid evolution.
After the joint plenary session with all delegates from the four co-located shows POWERGRID Europe will continue with two discussions. The first is on information technology in modern power grids and the second looks at the integration of renewables in the grid.

Thursday 10 June

Smart cities and transmission challenges are the focus of sessions today, with interactive discussions taking place on these key topics to bring the show to an end.

As well as this fantastic conference track POWERGRID Europe also offers fabulous networking opportunities, great papers with engineering detail and an extensive exhibit floor. Featuring industry known speakers from vendors to utilities, regulators to innovators, POWERGRID Europe covers every angle of the T&D industry in Europe is a show you can’t afford to miss.

Nuclear Power Europe – the new kid on the block at POWER-GEN Europe

There has been a lot of interest in the new show that we have introduced to POWER-GEN Europe 2010. Nuclear Power Europe will be an important and necessary addition to our annual event. Attitudes towards nuclear energy are constantly changing but governments are having to become much more open to it.

So, what can visitors expect from the show? Well, naturally there will be a response to the Copenhagen Summit. The demands on governments to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security have been high on the agenda and this is a chance for the industry to converge and discuss.

The conference will also explore the new reactors on offer from the main players in Europe’s nuclear industry: Westinghouse’s AP-1000, Areva’s European Pressurized Reactor (EEPR) and GE Hitachi’s Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR). There will also be a close examination of new build nuclear projects currently under construction: the pioneering Olkiluoto 3 plant in Finland, featuring Areva’s EPR, as well as Westinghouse’s AP 1000 reactors under development in China.

The panel discussion promises to be a highlight of the three-day event. With representatives from, among others, Greenpeace, the European Commission, RWE and Eurelectric, ‘The Viability of Nuclear Power: Politics, Economics and the Environment’ is set to be a stirring, informative and fascinating conference session. The session prior to the discussion, ‘Managing the Nuclear Supply Chain’, features expert advice from market leaders on how would-be participants in the nuclear industry can capitalize on the new opportunities.

Amid the hype of a nuclear renaissance, it can be forgotten that there is an extensive fleet of existing nuclear power plants in Europe. This brand new event aims to bring together the past, present and future of Europe’s nuclear power industry.

Dedicated sessions will look at the current work being conducted to extend the life of nuclear power stations and upgrading control equipment. A waste and decommissioning session will inform and update delegates on cutting-edge technology and methods to manage the legacy of Europe’s nuclear power stations.

While the final session, ‘The Nuclear Steam Cycle ’, will examine new developments in retrofitting the latest steam turbine technology and other efficiency improvements. Beyond the conference sessions, Nuclear Power Europe also offers a dedicated trade show floor, with numerous exhibiting companies displaying state-of-the art services, software, hardware and technologies. With over 14 00 visitors expected to attend over the three days of the event, the networking opportunities are unrivalled.

As you can see, there is a huge amount planned for Nuclear Power Europe, I’ve just touched on a selection of interesting areas, but there’s a lot more besides.
Keep an eye on this blog, and the main website for news and event information.
Tim Probert, Conference Director, Nuclear Power Europe

POWER-GEN Europe 2010 – Full steam ahead

Where did January go? It seems to have gone by in a flash, and preparations for the 2010 POWER-GEN conference and exhibition are now in full swing.

This year’s event will feature a new show dedicated to Europe’s nuclear sector – Nuclear Power Europe – which will join the other shows at the same location: Renewable Energy World Europe, POWER-GEN Europe and POWERGRID Europe.

Adding a new show in to the event is a terrific development for POWER-GEN Europe and a real challenge, so there is naturally a huge amount of excitement among the team, especially as the announcement of the keynote speakers starts to generate a buzz.

This year we are very pleased to announce former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers. Ruud Lubbers brings to the lectern an extremely valued viewpoint, having been closely involved in the issues of climate change, sustainable energy and CCS throughout his career.

Delegates will be keen to learn about his experiences as Chairman of the Council of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, as well as leading an industry and local government initiative for combating climate change and CO2 reduction. He was also a member of the Advisory Council of ETP – ZEP, whose advice to the European Commission on technology matters relating to CO2 reduction and demonstration programmes, could have a genuine impact on the power industry.

Other notable speakers will be Joost van Dijk, CEO of E.ON Benelux, Dr. Pierre Dechamps, Adviser for Energy and Climate Change to President, EU Commission, Belgium speaking on EU Energy and Climate Change Policies: Towards 2020 and beyond. And Jan Haverkamp, EU Policy Campaigner Dirty Energy, Greenpeace, Belgium.

So, there’s lots happening, and much to be excited about. Keep an eye on our website, and this blog for all the news leading up to POWER-GEN Europe 2010. Meanwhile, it’s back to work!

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PLUG INTO POWER IN AMSTERDAM 2010

The eighteenth POWER-GEN Europe conference and exhibition stages in Amsterdam in June 2010, alongside its co-located events Renewable Energy World Europe, POWERGRID Europe and new for 2010, Nuclear Power Europe.

A three-day event, POWER-GEN Europe comprises a busy exhibition floor populated by the major players in the power industry. The exhibition is backed up by a high-level multiple track conference featuring strategic and technical presentations by the leading experts in the power industry.

POWER-GEN Europe puts you in the company of over 12,000 colleagues, offering a wealth of business opportunities with the industry’s leading professionals and key decision makers.

Get ready to PLUG INTO:

• Europe’s premier power event
• The largest gathering of European power professionals
• The most comprehensive conference programme for power
• The latest technological advances
• A dedicated audience
• Unrivalled networking opportunities
• Cleaner and greener solutions to develop your business
• Business leaders and industry opinion formers
• Innovation and inspiration
• The Future of electricity

EXHIBITION AND SPONSORSHIP SALES:

Gilbert Weir Jnr.
Tel: 44 1992 656 617
E-mail: gilbertw@pennwell.com
FAX: +44 1992 656 700