According to the IEA, 685 million people live with no access to energy, particularly those in remote and underserved communities. Research shows access to reliable energy positively impacts socio-economic opportunity and development, including increased availability of education and health resources, job creation and economic diversification. Advances in solar solutions open paths to clean, reliable, and affordable energy access through solar home systems and at the community level through mini-grids. Some of the challenges in scaling the capacity of solar home systems and mini-grids include the optimisation of design, improving affordability, grid integration, and enabling regulatory environments. To unlock the full potential of solar solutions, policymakers, grid operators, investors, and rural electrification agencies must work together to create the right supporting frameworks.

Attendee insights:

Understand the potential of solar solutions like home systems and mini-grids as means to deliver clean, affordable and accessible energy for all.

The variable nature of renewable energy sources creates challenges for ensuring a reliable, consistent power supply. Combined with the rising number of prosumers and continuing rising power demand this complexity is expected to increase. To effectively navigate this challenge, grid operators must invest in supporting infrastructure to modernise grids and maximise the impact and financial potential of renewable energy. To achieve this, providers will need to utilise novel technologies, including distributed energy resource management systems, advanced voltage, reactive power controls and network digital twins to provide robust, future-proofed power grids.

Attendee insights:

This session will explore how utilities are integrating next-generation technologies to develop a more resilient grid and maximise the financial value of renewable energy.