G-PST/ESIG Webinar: Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Operational Policy Roadmap 2025 to 2035

Featured Speakers: Dave McGowan, Head of Future Power Systems, SONI and Simon Tweed, Manager, Future Operations Policy, EirGrid

Webinar Abstract: EirGrid (the TSO of Ireland) and SONI (the TSO of Northern Ireland) are currently operating the power system on the Island of Ireland with up to 75% of demand being met by wind and other non-synchronous, renewable, generation sources.  The TSOs have ambitious plans to increase this limit further, and evolve other operational policies, to facilitate increased penetration of non-synchronous, renewable, generation and achieve decarbonisation targets in the electricity sector.  These plans are set out in the TSOs’ updated ‘Operational Policy Roadmap 2025 to 2035’.  This document reflects on the current state of implementation, new initiatives, challenges, updated policies and targets out to 2035, which will be covered in the webinar.

About the Speakers:
Dave McGowan is the Head of Future Power Systems in SONI, having previously held the role of Head of Power System Insights and Research for EirGrid Group. He has over 20 years of experience in the electricity industry and academia. Dave’s function is responsible for energy economics and future operational policy, leading on the long-term power system adequacy planning studies for the TSO at a local and at a European level, as well as the coordination of SONI’s innovation and research strategy, including engagement with academia and industry. Dave is a member of the System Development Committee within the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSOE).

Simon Tweed has over 25 years’ experience working in the electricity industry in both transmission and distribution system planning, power system operations and market design. Simon has been responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of EirGrid’s National Control Centre (NCC) which is responsible for the real-time operation of the transmission system in Ireland and facilitating world-leading levels of non-synchronous renewable generation on the power system.  Simon is now manager of EirGrid’s Future Operations Policy team that is leading the development of operational solutions that will allow Ireland to achieve its ambitious renewable energy integration targets.

Registration Cost: FREE

Q&A Session: We will be using the Slido platform for Q&A. Please submit your questions and follow-along during the event at this link.