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Episode 23 - Weathering the Storm: The Future of Energy Resilience

In this episode of the Energy Futures Podcast, Dr. Aidan Rhodes discusses the critical importance of resilience in the energy sector with Bronwyn Bullen, Organisational Resilience Manager at UK Power Networks. Together, they explore the evolving definition of resilience, strategies to adapt energy infrastructure, and how organisational resilience contributes to maintaining a reliable energy grid.

Episode Overview

with timestamps

[00:00:00] - Introduction to Energy Futures Podcast
[00:00:31] - Episode overview: Resilience in energy
[00:01:39] - Welcome and introduction of Bronwyn Bullen
[00:02:13] - Bronwyn's role and the importance of organisational resilience
[00:03:33] - Lessons from the 2013 storms and the concept of resilience
[00:06:00] - Resilience as a strategic priority at UK Power Networks
[00:08:52] - Bronwyn’s background and path to organisational resilience
[00:10:35] - Difference between reliability and resilience
[00:12:13] - Phases of resilience: preparation, impact, and learning
[00:13:36] - Preparing for extreme weather events
[00:16:00] - How UK Power Networks handles storm response and customer communication
[00:19:50] - Cross-functional roles during storms and fostering unity
[00:23:15] - Cultural evolution of resilience since 2013
[00:27:17] - Horizon scanning and responding to emerging threats
[00:30:00] - Lessons learned from COVID-19 and agility in the organisation
[00:32:24] - Societal resilience and the role of individuals, businesses, and government
[00:36:00] - Black start scenarios and electricity system restoration
[00:41:00] - Challenges of restoring the grid after major disruptions
[00:42:40] - The importance of cross-sector collaboration for resilience
[00:44:56] - Case studies and learning from crises in other industries
[00:46:00] - Final thoughts and resources for listeners

Meet Our Guests

Dr. Aidan Rhodes

A Research Fellow at Imperial College London and Energy Policy Briefing Papers Fellow at Energy Futures Lab, Dr. Rhodes specialises in energy policy, including smart energy systems, digitalisation, and national energy innovation. His work aims to provide accessible, expert briefings for policymakers and energy stakeholders.

Bronwyn Bullen

Bronwyn Bullen is Organisational Resilience Manager at UK Power Networks and has over 15 years experience working in the energy sector

Connect with Bronwyn on LinkedIn

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