Energy, AI and smart buildings: register now for EMEX 2026

From energy volatility to AI and smarter buildings: EMEX 2026 brings industry leaders together to tackle the UK's biggest energy challenges 25–26 November 2026 | Excel London | Free to attend | Register here With energy price uncertainty, growing pressure to decarbonise and the challenge of improving ageing buildings, organisations across the UK are facing increasingly complex decisions about how they manage energy, costs and sustainability. On 25–26 November, EMEX 2026 returns to Excel London, bringing together energy managers, sustainability professionals, facilities and estates leaders, and industry innovators to explore the technologies, strategies and practical solutions helping businesses respond to these challenges. Featuring more than 100 expert speakers, 100 exhibitors and a comprehensive programme of free CPD-accredited learning, EMEX offers two days of industry insight, practical case studies and opportunities to connect with the organisations shaping the future of energy management and net zero. Energy volatility, flexibility and the future of energy management As businesses navigate fluctuating energy markets and increasing pressure to control operational costs, energy flexibility and smarter procurement strategies are becoming increasingly important. EMEX 2026 will examine these challenges through sessions including 'Volatility: The New Normal?' and 'From Volatility to Value', exploring how organisations can better understand energy market uncertainty and turn emerging challenges into opportunities. The Power Responsive Theatre will focus on the growing role of demand-side flexibility, with sessions exploring how commercial and industrial organisations can participate in flexibility markets, generate value from existing assets and make energy flexibility work throughout the year. Industry contributors include Anna Simms and Rosie Sullivan from Energy UK, alongside Charlotte Roniger from Flex Assure, bringing perspectives on the changing energy landscape and opportunities for businesses to engage with flexibility markets. Smarter buildings, AI and practical decarbonisation Improving the performance of existing buildings remains one of the most significant challenges for organisations working towards net zero. EMEX will bring this issue into focus through its Smart Buildings & Built Environment and Energy & Carbon Strategy programmes, exploring how data, automation, energy-efficient technologies and better building management can reduce costs and improve operational performance. Sessions such as 'AI in Sustainability – What Actually Works?' will move beyond the hype to examine where artificial intelligence can deliver meaningful benefits for energy and sustainability teams. The programme also features insights from professionals including James Rooke of Equans Carbonshift, Ibrahim Yate of JLL, Eve Farrugia of Savills Earth and Richard Hillyard of The Langham Estate, bringing experience from energy services, property and the built environment. Electrification, heat decarbonisation and the practical challenges of upgrading existing infrastructure will also feature, including discussions on turning heat pump potential into reality. Climate resilience and sustainability standards under the spotlight With businesses facing greater scrutiny of their environmental performance, EMEX will also address the need to build resilience into long-term sustainability strategies. Sessions including 'Managing Climate Risk – A Practical Framework' will explore how organisations can identify, assess and respond to climate-related risks, while 'ISO 14001:2026 Unpacked' will examine developments in environmental management standards. The BSI Training Theatre and Sustainability Talks programme will provide further opportunities to explore environmental management, sustainability reporting and practical approaches to organisational change. Leading technologies and innovations on the exhibition floor Alongside the conference, EMEX will bring together a diverse range of technology providers, energy specialists and sustainability innovators. Exhibitors include Honeywell, Dyson, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Stark, Johnson Controls, Jellyfish Energy, Wates and Good Energy, among many others. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore solutions spanning energy monitoring and management, building efficiency, smart controls, electrification, renewable energy and carbon reduction. A key feature of the 2026 event is the Wates Innovation Theatre, which brings together the Wates Group and innovative technology providers to showcase solutions designed to reduce energy consumption, improve building performance and accelerate decarbonisation. The theatre will provide practical examples of how organisations can apply emerging technologies to real-world energy and sustainability challenges. Why industry professionals return to EMEX Beyond the conference programme and exhibition floor, EMEX provides an opportunity to discover new technologies, exchange practical knowledge and build valuable connections with professionals facing similar energy and sustainability challenges. As Sonia Dhariwal, Head of Business Sustainability Solutions at Lemuria Consultancy, explains: "Going to emex means staying ahead of the curve in energy management and sustainability. You’ll walk away with new contacts, practical strategies, and exposure to innovations that can help your organisation cut costs and meet net zero goals." With 93% of visitors saying they would return in 2026, EMEX continues to demonstrate its value to professionals seeking practical solutions, industry expertise and meaningful connections. Join the conversation at EMEX 2026 Taking place at Excel London on 25–26 November 2026, EMEX is free to attend and offers two days of expert-led conference sessions, technology demonstrations, professional development and industry networking. For energy managers, sustainability leaders, facilities professionals and anyone responsible for improving the efficiency and environmental performance of buildings and organisations, the event provides an opportunity to explore new approaches, challenge existing thinking and identify practical next steps. For more from EMEX, click here.

Solar and batteries could cut electricity costs by 40%, data finds

The overall cost of running the electricity system in Europe could be cut by 40% by the 2030s as solar panels and batteries scale up, according to new data from energy technology company Schneider Electric The findings come after the Schneider Electric Research Institute (SERI) published a report examining how rising solar panel and battery adoption shapes total electricity costs. The report, System Costs of Electricity: A new Baseline for the 21st Century Economy, modelled 40,500 scenarios across different combinations of solar, battery and grid costs to identify whether the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs) will ultimately raise or lower electricity costs overall. It found that, when DER deployment is coordinated with electrification, the overall cost of running the electricity system could be cut by as much as 40% by the 2030s as solar panels and batteries scale up. Schneider says these savings could translate into an additional 0.8% of GDP to the global economy by 2030. Battery deployment was one of the most significant variables affecting total system costs. Under world-average cost conditions, a mismatch of battery durations across asset types can push total system costs to as much as 35% above the current benchmark. The research also found that the order in which solar, batteries and electrification are rolled out is just as important as how fast they scale. When deployment and demand growth move out of step, in either direction, total system costs can rise temporarily before falling. 'Europe can reach energy sovereignty', says Schneider Europe Operations lead Laurent Bataille, Schneider Electric's EVP of Europe Operations, adds: "For the past decade, solar has been experienced as an 'intermittent' energy source. But we've been looking at this generation asset in the wrong manner – solar is the fuel, the battery is the power plant. “Ultimately, batteries are making solar much more interesting. But the whole system only becomes cheaper if these work in harmony with one another. That also means building the electricity demand to use them, not just focusing on adding supply. By scaling solar and batteries far quicker, Europe can get on a path towards energy sovereignty and competitiveness. The pieces are falling into place - what we need now is acceleration and coordination." The report also outlines that individual households, businesses and industries making decisions in their own interest tend to land close to the lowest-cost outcome for the system as a whole, which benefits other consumers on the grid. Esther Finidori, Schneider Electric’s Chief Sustainability Officer, says, “This research shows that sustainability and affordability can reinforce each other, but coordination is critical. Now the priority must be to turn ambition into action by accelerating electrified demand, enabling more flexible energy use to flatten the load curve and free up capacity, and removing barriers to solar and battery deployment." For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

EIC confirmed as ECN Awards 2026 charity partner

Electrical Contracting News (ECN) is delighted to announce that the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) has been confirmed as the charity partner for the ECN Awards 2026 As part of the collaboration, the organisation has also been named as sponsor of the Manufacturer of the Year Award.  On the night, which takes place on 3 December at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry, EIC representatives will be on hand to share more information about the charity's vital role in the welfare and betterment of individuals associated with the electrical and energy industry. There will also be opportunities to fundraise for the association throughout the evening, with more details to be announced soon. ECN Managing Director Ian Kitchener says, "It gives me great pleasure to announce the EIC as our charity partner for this year's ECN Awards. We look forward to raising vital funds and awareness for the organisation on the night, which is instrumental in supporting those in need across the electrical and energy industry." ECN and EIC partner on 'event of the year' The ECN Awards 2026 will bring together some of the biggest names in the electrical contracting industry to celebrate the companies, products, projects and individuals making a difference across the sector. Tickets for the evening are still available, but be quick, as they’re selling fast. The awards span four key areas: Products, Projects, Training and Companies. Product categories include Cable/Cable Management, Circuit Protection, EV Charging, Fire Safety, HVAC, Lighting, Power (including Solar PV), Security, Software/App, Sustainability, Test Equipment, Trade Tools and Wiring Accessories Product of the Year. For more from the EIC, click here. For further information, contact the EIC Fundraising Team on 020 3696 1710 or email fundraising@electricalcharity.org.

Acrospire to support Green Frog's European expansion

LED lighting manufacturer Acrospire has secured a five-year agreement with Green Frog Systems to support the solar lighting firm's European expansion The renewed agreement comes following the installation of more than 6,000 Defender solar lanterns across the UK, supporting public realm schemes including pathways, cycle routes and residential developments. Under the renewed agreement, Acrospire will retain exclusive UK distribution rights while leading a phased rollout into targeted European territories over the next three years. The expansion reflects growing demand for off-grid infrastructure across public realm and transport projects, where grid constraints, cost pressures and sustainability targets are reshaping specification decisions. Since first bringing the brand to the UK, Acrospire has combined Green Frog’s technology with its own application knowledge, project support and technical guidance. Rather than positioning solar as a universal solution, the company has championed an evidence-based approach through its Solar Honesty campaign. Green Frog Systems, founded in Australia in 2011, delivers solar lighting solutions used by governments and infrastructure operators in more than 15 countries. Acrospire and Green Frog expansion 'natural next step' Tim Barker, Managing Director at Acrospire, says, “Over the past six years we’ve worked hard to build confidence in solar lighting by being transparent about where it works, and where it doesn’t. That pragmatic approach has allowed us to deploy thousands of Defender solar systems across the UK with proven performance. "Renewing our agreement with Green Frog Systems and expanding into Europe is a natural next step. We’re not introducing a concept; we’re scaling a model that has already delivered measurable results.” With the renewed agreement now in place, Acrospire will work with new distribution partners and infrastructure organisations across Europe to introduce the technology in markets where off-grid lighting is becoming an increasingly attractive solution for public realm and infrastructure projects. For more from Acrospire, click here.

Openreach partners with Allstar to boost EV charging options

Network provider Openreach has partnered with payment solutions platform Allstar to help build a broader mix of electric vehicle (EV) charing options for its engineers Openreach operates more than 7,000 EVs across a fleet of more than 22,000 vehicles, but one in three of the company's engineers are unable to have an EV charger installed at home. As part of the new partnership, Allstar Homecharge will pay work-related home charging costs directly to drivers' energy suppliers, so engineers don't pay upfront or claim expenses. Elsewhere, Allstar and Openreach have focused public charging through fewer strategic charge point operators, while Allstar Co-Pilot helps engineers find approved charging locations. The partnership is also developing access to commercial and shared depot charging for engineers who need additional options during the working day. Through partners including First Charge and Voltempo, the aim is to give engineers access to infrastructure better suited to commercial vehicles, including larger bays, high-speed charging and bookable shared depot charging that they can pay for using existing EV charge cards, including Allstar Chargepass. Openreach engineers rely on vans to keep UK connected Tom Rowlands, Managing Director, Global EV Solutions at Corpay, including Allstar in the UK, says, "Electrifying a fleet of this scale isn't simply about putting more electric vehicles on the road. Drivers need charging that works around their jobs and for a nationwide engineering workforce there can't be an assumption that everyone can simply plug in at home. "That's why our work with Openreach looks across the charging mix. Home charging remains important where it's possible, but engineers also need reliable public charging and increasingly other options designed around working commercial vehicles. The strength of the partnership is that we can keep developing that mix as the fleet grows and the needs of its engineers evolve." Judy O’Keefe, Director of Fleet at Openreach, adds, “Our engineers rely on their vans every day to keep people and businesses connected. With more than 7,000 electric vans already on the road, and plans to move most of our fleet to zero emissions by 2031, we need charging to be simple and safe for our engineers. “There’s no single charging solution that works for everyone. That’s why we’ve invested in a flexible mix of home, public and depot charging, working with different partners to give our engineers the options they need. Allstar is helping us simplify how we manage and pay for it all." For more from Openreach, click here.

VCHRGD appoints Craig Summers as Head of Partnerships

British EV chargepoint manufacturer VCHRGD has appointed Craig Summers as its first Head of Partnerships as it looks to bolster its ties with its key sector partners Summers brings more than 20 years’ experience across the UK energy sector, including commercial and partnership roles at So Energy, OVO, SSE and British Gas. His background spans EV charging, energy tariffs and low-carbon technologies, with a focus on developing partnerships that deliver commercial and customer growth. At OVO, he helped scale its Charge Anytime proposition and charger portfolio, alongside driving across charger manufacturers and installation partnerships. His experience also includes growing So Energy’s EV charging proposition and working with Hive to develop its heat pump, solar and battery propositions within the wider British Gas group. At VCHRGD, Summers will strengthen existing partnerships with brands such as So Energy, Carwow Leasey, Omoda, Jaecoo and Frasers Plus, while building new relationships across the energy, automotive, fleet and leasing sectors, as well as electrical wholesalers and installers. The appointment follows a period in which VCHRGD reported 200% year-on-year growth, reached profitability and launched its direct-to-customer channel. The business is continuing to invest in people, connected charging technology, software and services. VCHRGD moves closer to key partners Phil McDermott, Executive Chair at VCHRGD, says, "Partnerships have been central to how we’ve built VCHRGD and will remain central to how we grow. Creating this role gives us dedicated leadership to support those relationships and develop new opportunities. "Craig understands both the energy and EV charging markets, and how to turn a partnership into something that works commercially and delivers for customers. That experience will be valuable as we help our partners make more of our charging technology and services." Summers adds, "What attracted me to VCHRGD was the combination of dependable charging technology, strong partner relationships and a clear ambition to keep improving the customer offer. "My priority is to understand what our partners want to achieve and where we can help. Whether that means making home charging easier to arrange, supporting installers or introducing Cashback, there are practical opportunities to build propositions that customers value and partners can grow with." For more from VCHRGD, click here.

UK Power Networks helps nine veterans secure energy sector jobs

Nine British Armed Services veterans have secured full-time roles in the energy sector after completing a work experience programme with UK Power Networks The distribution network provider took the leavers through a two-week work experience programme to give them an insight into the industry. In partnership with the British Forces resettlement Service (BFRS), the group was given insight into operational and office-based work as part of the firm’s tailored programme designed to help service leavers transition into civilian roles. The programme, which first ran in 2025, was rated an average of 9.73 out of 10 by participants and three of the nine candidates were offered full-time roles at the company, which also runs an armed forces community with over 100 members. Eight more service leavers have now followed in the footsteps of the initial cohort and gained experience in the electricity industry. Former Royal Air Force Regiment sergeant and now a linesperson at UK Power Networks, Stewart Mewse, says, “After 23 years in the military, the transition to civilian life felt daunting, but the support from UK Power Networks' team and military work experience programme gave me the confidence to take that next step. "They took the time to understand my background, explain how my skills could transfer into the energy sector and provide honest advice and encouragement throughout. The willingness of colleagues to share their knowledge and answer questions made the experience engaging and inspiring." UK Power Networks scheme praised as 'invaluable' Peterborough resident and former staff sergeant with the 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment, Gareth Instone, adds, “The whole experience has been invaluable for me as I move through my resettlement and look toward a future career. The exposure to operational sites, substations, safety practices and the people behind them has been eye opening and motivating. “Spending time with the substation fitters and linespeople on site, seeing their skills and professionalism first-hand, was a real highlight of the programme. They were open, patient and generous with their knowledge.” BFRS spokesperson Neil Dean praised the programme for providing "genuine value" to both the Armed Forces Community and employers. “They give individuals the confidence and understanding to make informed career decisions while giving organisations access to highly skilled, motivated people whose experience may not always be immediately apparent through a traditional recruitment process," he adds. For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

Exclusive: why getting project planning right from the outset matters

In an exclusive interview with ECN, Daniel McIntyre, Head of Projects at infrastructure and technology firm Remark Group, discusses how electrical project requirements are evolving and the importance of getting specification and planning correct from the outset Can you tell us a little about your career so far and what your role as Head of Projects at Remark Group involves? I began my career 20 years ago as an electrician’s mate with my father’s company. After completing my apprenticeship and working as a qualified electrician, I moved into office-based roles as Senior Estimator and then Procurement Manager. I joined Remark Group as Technical Account Manager before progressing to Head of Projects around 18 months later. My role involves overseeing projects from initial site surveys and electrical system design through to planning, procurement and delivery, ensuring they are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the highest standards. I also act as a qualified supervisor, signing off electrical certification. My practical and commercial experience gives me a broad perspective on successful project delivery. What does a typical project look like at Remark Group, and what do you enjoy most? With the diversity of our clients and services, no two projects are the same. Our work often includes core infrastructure, highways, mounting points, cabling and associated equipment, consisting of large-scale distribution equipment, steel wire armoured (SWA) cabling, steel containment and industrial switching equipment. The most rewarding part is seeing an electrical design become reality as our engineering teams bring plans to life on site. Delivering reliable, high-quality installations that meet client requirements and achieve customer satisfaction is what makes the job worthwhile. What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in electrical project requirements? The biggest change has probably been the amount of new technology we now have to accommodate. Electrical projects used to be relatively self-contained, whereas today we’re routinely considering EV charging, solar, battery storage, smart controls, intelligent lighting, networks and other connected systems. That puts much greater emphasis on getting the infrastructure right from the start. It’s not just about what a customer needs today, but what they might want to connect to that infrastructure in the future. I think that is changing the role of the electrical contractor as well. We need to understand the wider technology within a building, rather than looking at the electrical installation in isolation. Remark Group sets sights on closer industry collaboration What are the biggest challenges when delivering complex electrical installations, and how can teams overcome them? Clearly defined installation routes are often unavailable, requiring innovative approaches to containment, cable installation and area management. Integrating new designs with existing systems also requires careful assessment of protection settings and their wider impact to avoid disruption to customer facilities. Comprehensive, ongoing training ensures our teams have the technical knowledge, practical skills and management capabilities to overcome these challenges safely and efficiently. What does Remark Group’s Schneider Electric EcoXpert Power Distribution Partner status mean for customers? Becoming a Schneider Electric EcoXpert Power Distribution Partner means we can offer electrical contractors a specialist panel-building service, using Schneider’s PrismaSeT platform to deliver low-voltage switchboards up to 6300A. For contractors, that provides confidence in the quality and engineering behind the switchboard, but it also gives them another option when long panel lead times are putting pressure on project programmes. By developing our own panel-building capability, we can help contractors secure the switchgear they need within the timescales of their projects. We want to make that specialist capability readily accessible to the contracting market. Whether the driver is technical complexity, capacity or lead time, contractors can bring the switchboard element of a project to Remark Group and draw on our engineering and manufacturing expertise to support their delivery. Ultimately, we want Remark Group to be a reliable panel-building partner for the electrical contracting industry, combining the strength of Schneider Electric with responsive, specialist support from our own team. Fore more from Remark Group, click here.

Airzone joins £5.5m Ofgem cooling energy research project

HVAC design and installation firm Airzone has joined equiwatt to deliver CoolDown, a £5.5 million Ofgem-funded UK research project designed to manage cooling demand and enable smarter flexible energy system Working in partnership with climate technology company equiwatt, the initiative aims to better understand how increasing air conditioning usage could impact the UK electrical grid as temperatures continue to rise and electrification accelerates across heating and transport. The project, led by SP Electricity North West and National Grid, in collaboration with University College London and Guidehouse Europe, centres around demand-response events, where users voluntarily reduce or temporarily pause air conditioning usage during periods of high electricity demand, typically weekday evenings for one or two hours. CoolDown events are triggered when periods of peak electricity usage are forecast using factors such as weather conditions, renewable energy generation and expected electricity consumption to anticipate when the network could come under pressure. Customers signed up to the trial will then be notified via the equiwatt app and can choose to reduce their cooling usage by manually switching off their equipment. Airzone sees gradual increase in demand for air conditioning Through the new partnership, Airzone will introduce automated control through Airzone Cloud, which can intelligently respond to peak demand periods by adjusting cooling and automating energy-saving actions. CoolDown is conducting two UK-based summer trials: trial one was completed in September, having initially prioritised the Northwest region, before expanding in size and scope for trial two in 2027 with the integration of National Grid’s licence areas. Fernando de la Cruz Quintanilla, New Markets EMEA Director at Airzone, adds, “Demand for air conditioning in the UK has gradually increased in recent years until the hottest summer on record this year, when it dramatically skyrocketed to the point where demand overtook supply. "We therefore anticipate Brits to plan ahead for next year by installing AC in their home or business facilities. As temperatures continue to rise due to the ongoing climate crisis, growing demand for cooling will put increasing pressure on the electricity system during summer peaks. By using intelligent controls to manage when and how cooling systems operate, we can help reduce pressure on the network while keeping customers comfortable." Joanne Edwards, Chief Operating Officer at equiwatt, says, “Airzone has been a valuable partner in helping us reach households for the first government-funded CoolDown trial. There has been consistently high engagement from participants, with people receptive to the concept of flexible cooling and many keen to take part in return for rewards." For more from Airzone, click here.

Why winter call-outs can throw entire schedules off track

Richard Skelson, Managing Director at field service management software Field Ascend, on how emergency call-outs in the winter can disrupt planned maintenance, increase engineer travel times and lead to higher overtime costs if businesses fail to manage their schedules effectively When colder weather brings a rise in emergency call-outs, maintenance businesses can quickly find themselves juggling urgent repairs alongside appointments that have already been booked. Moving one engineer to deal with an emergency might seem straightforward, but it can leave other jobs uncovered, delay existing appointments and create additional overtime if the rest of the schedule isn't adjusted carefully. The mistake that could be driving up fuel costs One of the most common scheduling mistakes is assigning engineers based purely on who's available, without considering where they're working or whether they have the right skills for the job. Sending an engineer across a large service area when someone qualified is already nearby wastes time and fuel. During busy winter periods, these unnecessary journeys can quickly add to operating costs and reduce the number of jobs a business can complete Why treating every call-out as urgent can backfire When a business is dealing with a high volume of requests, there's a temptation to treat every new job as an emergency. However, this can make it harder to respond quickly to customers who genuinely need immediate assistance. Having a clear system for assessing urgency helps businesses decide which jobs need attention straight away and which can be scheduled around existing commitments. This prevents teams from constantly rearranging appointments unnecessarily. How maintenance firms can keep costs under control this winter Businesses should plan for unexpected call-outs by leaving some flexibility in engineer schedules, particularly during periods when demand is likely to increase. Allocating jobs based on location, qualifications and urgency can help reduce unnecessary travel, while keeping customers informed about appointment changes can prevent further disruption. The aim should be to handle emergencies without allowing them to derail the rest of the working day. For more on Field Ascend, click here.