The pressures facing energy grid operators are well known: ageing infrastructure built for a different era, networks straining under the weight of electrification, capital decisions with decades-long consequences, and a regulatory environment that demands reliability at the same time as embracing transformation. The scale and pace of what is now required is testing whether the strategies are equal to the moment.
The grid of the future will be more distributed, more responsive, and more intelligent — and getting there means transforming systems that cannot simply be switched off and rebuilt. The path forward requires smart decisions that maximise every available tool, balancing the need to modernise with the operational resilience obligations that come with running critical national infrastructure.
This roundtable brings together senior leaders from energy and utilities organisations to explore that challenge together, setting aside existing roadmaps in favour of honest conversation about what it will really take to build the grid the future demands.
The conversation will explore:
- How leading grid operators are approaching capital investment decisions in conditions of regulatory and demand uncertainty
- How flexibility and bidirectional energy flows are reshaping the relationship between the grid and the consumer
- Where the integration of physical and digital systems is unlocking new approaches to network performance and resilience
Discussion points:
- The state of the grid — and capital delivery: where do the biggest gaps between ambition and delivery sit, and where is project execution falling short?
- From risk avoidance to risk management: how can transformation be embraced in an environment that requires operational resilience?
- Where is the integration of physical and digital systems opening up approaches that weren’t previously viable?
- It’s all down to data: what does it take to build the foundations needed for AI to deliver real intelligence?
- Embedding a culture of innovation: how are TSOs and DSOs developing the skills to sustain transformation?
- As electrification accelerates, where will the most significant shifts in how grids are planned and operated come from
Speakers:
David Adkins
Head of Network Architecture and Innovation
National Grid
Niraj Seth
VP & Head of Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy & Utilities (UK&I)
Cognizant
Sandeep Khanna
Managing Director, Manufacturing & Industry in UK& Ireland
Google Cloud
Request an invitation
This roundtable is designed for senior figures working across utilities.
Fill in this form if you meet the above criteria and would like to participate in the discussion on 10 June. All invitation requests will be vetted and approved (or declined) by the organiser.
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we’re improving everyday life
About Google Cloud
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology – all on the cleanest cloud in the industry. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.
