Meeting the Challenge -
Joint ESB Networks/ESBI Technical Conference

ESB NETWORKS / ESBI Executive

Director, Johnny Shine, ESB Networks opened the joint ESB Networks/ESBI Technical Conference that was held in the Mullingar Park Hotel, November 7th and 8th.

The objectives of this conference were:

• Inform a broad range of ESB Networks / ESBI staff of key technical developments on-going in the business.
  
• Highlight some of the key technical challenges facing ESB over the coming years
• Outline the plans for the Networks business over the next few years and help attendees develop an understanding of the issues.
  
• Emphasise the importance of a high quality data management philosophy throughout all areas of both businesses, and to promote the PAS 55 standard.
  
• Provide a forum for technical discussion among Networks and ESBI staff, and also to help develop stronger relationships.

In his opening address Johnny Shine outlined the theme of the conference which was ‘Meeting the Challenge’. Johnny charted the many challenges facing ESB Networks and ESBI – the cost and performance targets which must deliver €400m cash benefit over five years and the €3.2 billion transmission and development infrastructure programme. Moving into years two and three of the customer service improvement plan will pose further challenges, as will leveraging the benefit from the ESB Networks IT application programme.

Renewable generation will be a major factor for the networks over the next few years with Ireland heading for the highest wind energy penetration in the world, in percentage terms. Ireland heading for the highest penetration of wind in its system in percentage terms. Johnny also discussed the very topical issue of Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Smart Networks.

The Keynote speech was made by Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, who stated that, “In delivering the major program under PR1, ESB Networks/ESBI have shown the engineering skills, innovative thinking and commitment to succeed in the most challenging environment. This positive approach will be called upon increasingly in meeting the future challenges, but ESB can succeed,” he said.

Over 200 delegates from ESB Networks and ESBI attended the conference which comprised a number of presentations on each day by members of staff across ESB Networks and ESBI. The six sessions dealt with a wide range of technical and other issues and discussion from the floor was lively.

ESBI/ESB Networks were delighted to host at the conference, Adnan Mohammed Fakhro, Assistant Undersecretary, Distribution and Consumer Services and three of his colleagues Saquer Al Jowder, Fareed Hakim and Ali Suwaid from the Ministry of Electricity and Water, Bahrain.

A number of display stands were visited over the two days by participants on issues relating to ESBI/ESB Networks major infrastructure projects, ESBI AMS Relay Test Equipment, Mobile Data Services (MDS) Project, ESBI Abroad, Safe Driving, SCADA/OMS, Central Site and Operations Training.

The conference which was facilitated by Gay Kirwan, Manager Regulation and Commercial, ESB Networks, was considered a great success by those attending with the topics covered during the two days stimulating energetic debate. EM