Speakers

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	Edmund Bailey MRICS Director Bailey and Partners Edmund is a Chartered Surveyor and is Managing Director of Baileys and Partners, which includes amongst others specialist grid connection land officers and engineering consultants. Baileys and Partners are company members of the BHA and specialise in hydroelectric projects (HEP). Baileys and Partners can take the project through the whole cycle, including the initial feasibility report all the way through the licensing and planning process to project management, successful commissioning and thereafter operations and maintenance. As part of this process, Edmund has significant experience in dealing with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in Wales and the Environment Agency in England on licensing and flood defence consents, and the relevant local Planning Authority where planning consent is required. Edmund also has experience of acting in an Expert capacity on valuations of such schemes. Edmund also works alongside the BHA on the Wales Hydropower Stakeholder Group assembled by Natural Resources Wales and a Task and Finish Group for Hydropower assembled by Welsh Government, influencing future abstraction and impoundment licensing guidance for Welsh applicants.

	Sonya Bedford Partner Stephens Scown LLP Sonya is a Partner with Stephens Scown solicitors; a Non-Executive Director at Regen SW; a Director at Exeter Community Energy, Bath and West Community Energy and South Dartmoor Community Energy and is on the committee for her local branch of the Energy Institute. She is currently undertaking her MSc in Renewable Energy at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Sonya has been involved in a large number of hydro projects including a mill site to power a well-known tourist destination; a run of river community hydro scheme; a city centre hydro scheme and has advised on technology purchasing contracts and feasibility studies, and led a group of small scale hydro owners through funding and set up. She currently acts for over 20 community energy groups – from set up/funding/site acquisition to development and subsequent generation. With Sonya’s leadership, Stephens Scown’s Renewable Energy team has gone from strength to strength over the last six years, now being responsible for over 800MW of renewable energy projects.

	Russ Blaber Director Cobalt Project Management Ltd Russ Blaber is a Civil Engineer and is Director of Cobalt Project Management Ltd, a bespoke project management and cost consultancy that has a considerable track record in the hydropower and energy sector. Starting his career working for international providers such as F&G and Atkins, since founding Cobalt Russ has personally delivered upwards of £40m of renewable energy projects across hydropower, solar, wind and most recently, energy storage projects. More recently, he has been involved in strategic placement of battery facilities, often alongside existing generators, and is front running an enterprise to deliver these projects across the UK. Russ is a staunch advocate of hydropower and is constantly seeking new commercial and technical innovations to further deploy generation across the UK, from offices in the South of England and Scotland.

	Thomas Boettcher Sales Engineer Hydropower Rehart GmbH Thomas studied the Technology of Renewable Energy at the university of applied sciences Weihenstephan - Triesdorf. His thesis covered the design and calculation of a hydropower screw. He worked for 12 years in the maintenance of electrical systems in aircraft before joining Rehart in 2013, initially supporting the hydropower department and more recently in sales, accompanying projects from first contact to commissioning. Rehart's experience in hydropower and lifting technology merge in the application of the fish migration system.

	Jodie Cartwright Charging Futures Engagement Lead National Grid Jodie is part of National Grid’s Electricity System Operator and leads industry engagement for Charging Futures – a programme for users of the electricity network to learn, ask and contribute to the reform of GB’s electricity network charging and access arrangements. Her focus is to make sure all network users have the opportunity to understand how their network charges may change, and have the opportunity to get involved in shaping future regulations around those charges. Jodie has worked in a multiple roles across National Grid providing specialist engagement, communications and change management support on a number energy projects - from major critical infrastructure projects through to electricity market and regulatory change programmes.

	Jonathan Cox Representative Erre Due UK Jonathan is the UK Agent for CINK Hydro Energy & GESS-CZ. Additionally, Jonathan represents an Italian manufacturer of Hydrogen & Nitrogen Generators for the Energy Storage, Fuel Cell and process gas markets. Jonathan has an Honours Degree in Civil & Structural Engineering and is a Chartered Engineer (Energy), also working as a Consulting Engineer in Building Services and the Renewables Arena for more than 30 years. Jonathan has diverse design experience ranging from Jaguar Engine Test Cells, to IBM Clean Rooms and NHS Hospitals with spells in manufacturing en route. More recently, he has concentrated on turbines for run of river schemes in the UK & Ireland.

	Joss Crewdson Hydro Sales Engineer Gilkes Joss is a Sales Engineer for Gilkes focusing mainly on the UK market. The role includes supporting both private and commercial developments and also the supply of hydropower equipment and services to the UK Utilities. Joss studied Mechanical Engineering in Edinburgh, followed by 5 years with Savills, also in Edinburgh, and 10 years in industrial and municipal water and waste water treatment in the UK and also abroad. He joined the Gilkes UK hydro team in late 2015 and has so far been involved in over 60 projects.

	Stephen Crosher CEO Fleet Renewables Stephen founded Fleet Renewables, a consultancy that engages with early stage innovators and helps to commercialise those innovations that have the greatest potential, in 2011. Current projects include lowering emissions on construction sites and innovation in energy storage. Stephen is also engaged with the development of policy within political parties and think tanks, relating to the transition to the zero carbon economy of the future. Stephen has recently held the position of Commercial Director of two wind turbine manufacturing businesses.

	Ben Godfey Network Strategy Team Manager Wester Power Distribution Ben Godfrey is the Network Strategy Team Manager for Western Power Distribution and is responsible for developing strategic network investment options for all four of WPD's licenced areas. He is an experienced electrical engineer within the UK electrical utilities industry, spanning a number of functions including operations, planning, innovation and strategy. Latterly, Ben has been developing WPD's capability as it transitions from Distribution Network Operator to Distribution System Operator.

	Simon Hamlyn Chief Executive Officer British Hydropower Association Simon, who is a 3-Dimensional Designer by qualification, comes from a family of architects - both parents and his Grandfather. His career has embraced international branded drinks, hotels & leisure, electronic entertainment, magazine publishing, internet businesses and most recently holding senior posts in a variety of membership organisations. He has been at the BHA since January 2014. , Simon is based in Whitchurch, Shropshire, and enjoys, when time permits, a love of music, cricket, football, skiing, walking, running and game shooting.

	Chris Henshaw Director Bluenergy Chris is the joint founder of Bluenergy, a one stop hydropower consultancy and installer. Bluenergy takes on all aspects of hydropower in-house, from feasibility, design, planning and permitting to procurement, complete installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.Chris firmly believes in a fully integrated approach to hydropower, which avoids costly duplication and expensive layers of project management. This approach leads to tailored site solutions to maximize returns for their clients. From the start of FIT’s Bluenergy has always played a role in shaping policies with targeted pragmatic inputs into DNO’s, SEPA, EA, NRW, Ofgem and BIS. Chris can normally be found out on site, surveying, installing or maintaining hydro schemes, but is just as happy undertaking the equally important design, planning and permitting aspects of works. He also takes a keen interest in personally developing novel low cost solutions to overcome critical barriers to a site's development.

	Phil Horton Managing Director Dulas Phil Horton is the Managing Director of the renewable energy firm, Dulas Ltd. After starting his career in broadcasting at the BBC, Phil became involved in environmentalism through volunteering with Friends of the Earth. This path led to 12 years of project management at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Amongst his many achievements at CAT, Phil managed the build of the award winning Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE).Phil’s career in environmental and sustainable practices now spans more than two decades. His impressive portfolio of roles throughout that period includes engineering, project management and consultancy.

	Keith Jones National Trust Environmental Advisor National Trust Keith is an Environmental Advisor for the National Trust, leading and advising on hydro development. He gained a 1st class Hon's at University of Wales, Bangor, in Environmental Planning. His 15 years with the National Trust have included managing landscape scale projects, direct management of the Snowdon 4000ac farm and Countryside Manager for Snowdonia and Llyn. Keith's current role, which covers other renewables such as large PV and biomassas well as R&D partnerships, includes developing 15 hydro schemes in Wales, and he is also the technology specialist and mentor in the development of hydro schemes across the whole National Trust. The latest hydro on Hafod y Llan Snowdon won the 2014 UK Green Business Leaders Outstanding Project award. Keith is on several sustainability and energy government advisory and stakeholder panels. In his spare time he actively supports and mentors community hydro projects across the UK and he is also one of the founding directors of his local community energy company. This community hydro work also includes inputting as a steering group member to the Community Energy Wales Development Fund. He is one of the founders of the UK wide 'fit for the future' sharing network for large asset owners. In 2014 Keith was also awarded the Institute of Welsh Affairs INSPIRE Wales for his leadership in the environmental sphere.

	Joe McDonald Vice President of Sales Limejump Ltd Joe is Vice President of Sales at Limejump. With a background in Law, he has spent the last six years within the technology sector covering Sales, Strategy and Contract Negotiation. Most recently Joe has been responsible for structuring over 110MW of battery storage deals with Customers in the UK and has grown Limejump’s Virtual Power Plant to one of the largest in Europe. Most recently he has been originating some of the first Solar PV - Battery combined Power Purchase Agreements in the UK.

	Simon Morris Senior Renewable Energy Consultant Ricardo Energy & Environment Simon Morris is a senior renewable energy consultant at Ricardo Energy & Environment, with 15 years’ experience in the energy sector. Simon leads teams of technical specialists to identify and implement low carbon energy projects including hydro, wind, solar and other non-conventional renewable technologies for public sector, private sector and third sector clients. Ricardo delivers innovative solutions to technical and commercial barriers, helping de-risk our clients’ projects, at all stages in the project lifecycle, from feasibility, through financing, to construction. In the last 5 years Ricardo have supported over 40 community scale projects through project development, securing finance and construction. Simon’s focus is on innovation in business models such as local supply and innovative technology, such as smart grid.

	Mike Pedley Head of Energy Welsh water / Dwr Cymru Mike’s role with the not-for-profit utility Welsh Water covers all aspects of their energy strategy: energy purchasing, optimisation and generation as well as their energy and carbon reporting. Welsh Water are one of Wales’ largest energy users with their 4200 sites using over 450 GWh per year. They are also a growing energy generator and Mike has overseen the expansion of Welsh Water’s renewable generation from 2% of consumption in 2010 to around 25% in 2018 sourced from a mix of hydro, anaerobic digestion and solar PV. Mike’s background includes commercial, technical and environmental work, much of it in the Water Industry. He has long held an interest in hydro and sees it as an important part of Welsh Water’s generation mix. He lives in the Yorkshire Pennines in a valley of long-gone water powered woollen mills, works in Wales and when not driving between the two is a keen fell runner and orienteer.

	Michael Phillips Principal Consultant Dulas As Dulas’ Principal Consultant, Michael Phillips is the senior authority within Dulas for the UK planning and EIA regime on renewable energy. After completing his MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment at Aberystwyth University, Michael became the Environmental Planning and EIA Advisor to the Government of Kiribati before returning to the UK in 2001 to focus on environmental planning, policy and consultancy. In his current role, Michael is the company lead advisor on renewables land-use planning and development control requirements. Working across the renewable technology spectrum, he has overseen developments for a range of clients including Innogy, Welsh Government and various community groups including Awel Aman Tawe, and has been instrumental in securing consents for over 500MW across the UK and Ireland. Michael is deeply involved in community renewables, working on the Board of Bro Dyfi Community Renewables which operates two turbines above the Dulas valley near to CAT.

	Jennifer Pride Onshore Renewable Energy Welsh Government Jennifer Pride leads the Onshore Renewable Energy team in the Welsh Government. She is responsible for policy on onshore renewable energy and delivery in support of the policy aims. She has led in a number of roles related to leadership development, climate change, sustainable development, energy and resource efficiency. Before joining Welsh Government in 2005, Jennifer had a varied work background, including retail management for M&S, running her own manufacturing and retail business, consultancy on risk management and service in both Reserve and Regular forces as an Army engineer officer. During her 25 years’ military service she was the first woman to command an engineer squadron and to reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Engineers.

	Robert Proctor Business Development Manager Community Energy Wales Robert Proctor is the Business Development Manager for Community Energy Wales and has helped to set up the organisation which now has over 70 members throughout Wales. He is also the Director of a Community Wind project in Carmarthenshire and until recently was the Programme Director for the award winning Renew Wales programme which has supported over 400 communities in Wales take action on climate change. He has over 12 years’ experience working in the community and environmental sector and has specialised in Community Energy over the last 3 years.

	Richard Rees Managing Director North Wales Hydro Power Since Richard founded North Wales Hydro Power in 2011, the Company has gone on to establish 25 hydro schemes of up to 100kW in output and has ownership of 11 of those projects. The Company is currently working on consenting and constructing projects for clients, and maximising output and performance from the existing operational schemes. Richard is also heavily involved with Volta Energy Storage, which is developing multi-MW standalone battery storage schemes.

	Mark Stanway Director Aquaspira Mark has worked in the pipeline and drainage industry for 27 years, with experience ranging from small diameter pressure pipe through to very large diameter sewer, stormwater and hydro pipeline systems.

	Jonathan Wales Head of Videography & Aerial Solutions Costain Jonathan started working for Costain in 2014 after working on the Olympic Park in Stratford. He has spent his time working on the Crossrail East infrastructure (Stratford to Shenfield) and then developing technology solutions nationwide, such as the GPS mapped 360 camera and building an in-house UAV service. Jonathan lives in London and is a loyal Irish rugby fan.