The Supergen Energy Networks Hub Annual Conference brought together leading voices from Universities around the UK, industry, and government to address some of the most pressing energy challenges being faced in the UK and internationally.

Hosted at the University of Bath's Chancellor's Building on 8 & 9 September, the two-day event saw experts and partners of the £9 million EPSRC-funded hub, which is led by the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Phil Taylor, spotlight the pivotal role of networks in achieving Net Zero, enabling green growth, and powering the infrastructure needed for the UK’s AI ambitions.

Speakers and delegates from the UK, USA, and Africa highlighted the challenges and changes taking place in the energy sector and called for rapid reforms to grid connection processes to unlock the full potential of wind, solar, and other low-carbon technologies.

Topics also on the agenda included inclusion and gender in energy policy, the importance of distribution networks in the low-carbon transition, and challenges of maintaining back-up power generation resources in deregulated markets including the US and UK.

The conference also showcased the work of the Hub, and its efforts to help early-career researchers seeking to make an impact in the sector.

Professor Phil Taylor, Director of the Supergen Energy Networks Hub, explained the Hub's mission. He said: “We not only carry out the research to make breakthroughs in the energy network space, we also collaborate with industry to drive impact, and support early career researchers. We're trying to develop, train and nurture the next generation of researchers and industrialists working in the energy network space.

“It's a fantastic match with the University of Bath, because we have this really strong reputation for great student experience and graduate outcomes."

He added: “There are some really big challenges that the UK faces regarding energy systems. One of them is: 'how do we get to net zero?' We're helping tackle that challenge. The other big question is how do we also remain resilient to the effects of climate change - we put energy networks front and centre in that conversation.”

Professor Anjan Bose of Washington State University delivered a talk titled Resource Adequacy with High Penetration of Renewables, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of rapid adoption of renewables in deregulated markets such as the UK and US.

He said: “Universities like Bath and Washington State are very much focused on the same questions – what these new resources are, and how are we going to operate with them while we don’t yet have a lot of experience. So the students in our institutions are being prepared and readied to meet these challenges. It’s an exciting time to get into the field of energy right now.”

Phil Jones, Chief Executive of Northern Powergrid, delivered the day’s keynote speech, bringing industry perspective to the event. He said: “It’s a time of huge change in our sector. There’s a big push toward electrification in all sorts of ways – heating and transport, for example – and these need to be clean and secure.

“A lot of what we do is technical, but in a societal context – for example, how does the energy provision into people’s homes align with their behaviours? We need insights into those issues, so collaboration with the Supergen Energy Networks Hub helps us understand how technical and societal issues mesh together, and can be used to improve what we do.

“I’m keen to discuss how we can reach a consensus on the benefits of these changes for customers. If the public do not see benefits, great technical solutions won’t wash – they need to see what’s in it for them.”

Dr Adama Gassama-Jallow, from the University of The Gambia, shared a global perspective, highlighting how The Gambia has worked to embed gender inclusion in its energy transition efforts. She explained that while Gambian women and girls have historically been made responsible for the burden of managing a household’s energy through the collection of water and firewood, they have not had a voice in high-level energy policy.

She explained: “Women’s participation is crucial for the success of energy projects. A gender-responsive approach to energy planning, policies inclusion, and efforts to change cultural norms and challenge social barriers are crucial to overcome historical issues including low electricity access, dependence on imported fossil fuels and weak infrastructure.”

Cathy McClay, Managing Director of the National Grid Distribution System Operator, closed the day with a talk titled The Importance of Distribution Networks in the Low Carbon Transition. She said: “System operation used to be pretty boring – but it’s getting really exciting. We want to keep costs down for consumers, keep power flows within the limits and create as much access as possible to low-carbon energy. We want anyone to be able to connect their electric vehicle or heat pump and to decarbonise. We want to make the process of connecting renewables to the network quicker, too.

“We work with the Supergen Energy Networks Hub to harness our collected brain power to understand how we can help make this transition happen as quickly and effectively as possible.”

Other sessions were delivered by partners from organisations including SP Energy Networks, the Met Office, the West of England Combined Authority, Somewhere Co-Operative Housing, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and UK Research and Innovation.

Academic Hub members and speakers at the event represented Bath, Imperial College London, the Universities of Strathclyde, Leeds, Bristol, Swansea, Manchester and Birmingham, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the Cyber Innovation Hub at Cardiff University, and the University of Roma Tor Vergata.

Supergen Energy Networks Hub co-investigators based at the University of Bath include Professor Furong Li, a world-leading expert in electricity power networks who is helping the UK to reach its clean power targets after being appointed a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair earlier in 2025; fellow Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering members Professor Chenghong Gu and Dr Laiz Souto, and Dr Andy Shea, from the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering.