Deep Dive Workshop

A Flexible and Distributed Power System: Storage, Grids, and Interconnectors

Friday, 6 June 2025

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (GMT +8)


This deep dive session will provide a practical and interactive discussion building on lessons from the UK's clean energy transition and development work that can support ADB's developing member countries in scaling up renewable energy infrastructure, grid modernisation, and financing solutions.

The session will feature UK and regional experts discussing key policy frameworks, technological innovations, and investment strategies that have driven the UK's success in decarbonising its power sector while ensuring energy security and economic growth. It will also draw on our development work and use of development finance, including through platforms like Gridworks.

The workshop will be structured into two focused segments, each addressing a critical aspect of clean energy infrastructure development:

  • Scaling Clean Energy Infrastructure – Lessons from the UK's Clean Energy Transition and our development work (e.g. through platforms like Gridworks and Ayrton Fund), including a look at Policy and Market Innovations and key lessons learnt that can be applied in Asia
  • Clean Power 2030 Mission – a forward look at emerging policy and market innovations and potential funding strategies that could introduce greater flexibility in energy systems

AGENDA


11:00 - 11:05 a.m.

Opening Remarks: Mission Clean Power 2030: Tripling Offshore Wind and Solar, Doubling Onshore

Rhiannon Harries, Deputy Trade Commissioner


11:05 - 11:15 a.m.

Unlocking Flexibility: Can We Build a Truly Flexible Power System? The Evolution of the UK Power System: Integrating Greater Share of Renewables and Clean Power by 2030

Andrew Lever, Carbon Trust


11:15 - 11:25 a.m.

The Evolution of Southeast Asia's Power Systems: An Overview of What a Flexible Power System in Southeast Asia Could Look Like, Including Navigating Seasonal and Intraday Variability in RE Generation

Simon Rolland, Program Manager, IEA


11:25 - 11:35 a.m.

A Whole-Systems Transition in the Philippines: Creating the Conditions for Flexibility. The Role of Policy and Market Rules in Scaling Up Battery Storage, Pumped Hydro, and Smart Grid Technologies

Louise Dan Figuracion, Senior Research Specialist, Power Planning and Development Division, Philippines Department of Energy


11:35 - 11:50 a.m.

Panel Session: How Ready is the Technology? Scaling the New Wave of Clean Technologies. Case Studies and Best Practices on Offshore Wind, BESS Technology and Distributed Energy Sources

Moderator: Richard Burch, Head of Clean Energy for UK Department for Business and Trade

Panelists:

Jovy Gill, Chief Executive Officer, Altilium Green Energy

Alma Roxas-Aguila, Country Director and Head of Philippines, Corio Generation

Michael Connolly, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero


11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Fireside Chat: Financing and De-risking the Next Wave of Energy Assets

British International Investment (BII) and National Grid Ventures

Myo Zin, British International Investment


12:00 - 12:15 p.m.

Bringing it All Together: Operating a Resilient and Flexible Power System. The Role of Interconnectors in a Resilient and Secure Energy System

Perspectives from the UK National Grid

Rob Rome, National Grid Ventures


12:15 - 12:25 p.m.

Interactive Q&A

Audience Engagement and identification of key takeaways

Robert Marc Schoellhammer, Advisor, Sectors Group, ADB


12:25 - 12:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Summary and potential areas for public-private collaboration

John Robert Cotton, Senior Program Manager, Energy Transition Partnership, UNOPS

SPEAKERS

Rhiannon Harries

Rhiannon Harries

Deputy Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia), British High Commission, Singapore

Andrew Lever

Andrew Lever

Director - Energy Transition, The Carbon Trust

Simon Rolland

Simon Rolland

Programme manager Southeast Asia, International Energy Agency

Richard Burch

Richard Burch

Clean Energy Lead APAC, UK Government

Jovy Gill

Jovy Gill

Founder | CEO, Altilium Green Energy, Inc.

Alma Roxas-Aguila

Alma Roxas-Aguila

Head of Philippines, Corio Generation

Myo Zin

Myo Zin

Coverage Manager, British International Investment

Rob Rome

Rob Rome

Director of Commercial, Customer & Regulation, National Grid

John Robert Cotton

John Robert Cotton

Senior Program Manager, Energy Transition Partnership (ETP)