Institution news
These comments come ahead of Julian's presentation to engineers at the Institution's Power Plant Operations and Flexibility 2025 technical event later this month in Manchester. For further details and to join, please visit the event website.
Could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?
Julian Leslie (JL): Julian has spent over 30 years in planning and designing electricity systems. As NESO there is a requirement for a much more strategic approach to the design and planning of the GB energy system. I led the team of analysts and power system engineers that created the advice to Government as to how to deliver Clean Power by 2030.
What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
JL: The biggest road block to date has been planning and consenting. There are lots of great ideas and plans as to how the energy system can evolve, but the planning and consenting process is slow.
What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's conference?
JL: The role of strategic spatial planning for the energy sector, for the big national infrastructure, but also the regional planning and engaging in the regions and nations for the regions and nations.
What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?
JL: There are innovation opportunities everywhere - from the creation of new large scale innovative energy sources through to the role of the consumer and the hardware and solutions that are adopted by consumers.
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
JL: Interested in hearing from others about the innovation that is underway so that NESO can ensure that as part the strategic thinking these innovations are captured.
Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?
JL: As an industry we are making the transition of a generation, and engineers will be at the heart of making this happen. In this conference engineers will get to hear the latest thinking and importantly make connections with other engineers who are also trying to solve the energy transition.
Power Plant Operations and Flexibility 2025 will be taking place as part of Decarbonise, Power, Store on 29 April 2025 in Manchester.
The latest iteration of this popular seminar will bring together engineers working across power generation to share best practice and strategies around plant efficiency, inspections, maintenance, retrofitting, and other key topics. Organisations speaking include NESO, efinium, Veolia, EDF, RWE and many more.
Attendees will also be able to access presentations at the Decarbonising the Industrial Clusters 2025 and Energy Storage 2025 events, taking place at the same day and location as part of Decarbonise, Power, Store.
To view the full event details and to book your place, visit the event website.