Smart Opportunities: How smart technologies can help businesses cut emissions and energy costs

James Murray is Editor-in-Chief of BusinessGreen, having launched the site in October 2007. He is responsible for BusinessGreen's leading news, opinion and analysis, and also contributes to the brand's expanding events' programme. James is one of the UK's leading commentators on the low carbon economy. He writes occasionally for The Guardian newspaper and has also reported for BBC Radio on a number of green technology stories. James reports daily on a wide range of green business issues, with a particular focus on low carbon policy, economics and technology. In March 2011, James was voted number eight in the Press Gazette's list of the top 50 environmental journalists in the UK. Prior to launching BusinessGreen, James spent five years as a technology journalist working on a variety of IT titles.

Rob has led Smart Energy GB’s Communications team since January 2018. During this time, he has overseen the organisations proactive and reactive media relations and the team’s work engaging parliamentarians, stakeholders and publishing research on the impact smart meters are having for consumers today and Britain’s energy future.

Prior to starting his current role in January 2018, Rob was the Head of Smart Metering Implementation Programme Liaison at Smart Energy GB, leading on the organisation’s interaction with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Ofgem, and the energy industry.

Before joining Smart Energy GB, Rob spent four years working in BEIS Smart Metering Implementation Programme, leading on communications and parliamentary engagement. He also held roles in the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Cabinet Office, working on domestic energy policy and public-sector reform, pay and pensions

Gemma Rippengale is a Senior Executive at AND Technology Research. With over 10 years of experience, she is well-versed in the product development cycle, and focuses primarily on devising test strategies, user testing, and quality assurance for new products being launched onto the market. Gemma speared headed the foundations of AEMS, a project backed by the UK Government, The Carbon Trust, and Ipsos MORI. She led the user research and engagement activity for the pilot, which saw the energy management tool rolled out to small and medium sized businesses across the UK. Gemma and the team are trusted by hundreds of companies and engineers all over the world, delivering ‘tech-for-good’ innovative software and electronics products with IoT, Energy, Medical and more.

Rebecca explores new business models in energy, supporting innovators to take advantage of the clean growth opportunity. She helps organisations to mitigate risk by adapting business models as well as those launching new products and services. In a former role, Rebecca grew a small business by identifying new revenue streams and opportunities to improve net profits. She also has experience on whole energy system modelling projects. Rebecca has a keen interest in sustainable energy systems, she studied Geography at the University of Oxford and is currently studying towards an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems.

James is a senior engineer on the Carbon Trust's corporate advisory team. He has delivered energy consultancy services for a wide range of industries and public sector bodies and is a Registered Professional Energy Consultant with the Energy Institute. In addition, James provides technical and financial due diligence to support the Carbon Trust’s Green Business Fund and Interest Free Loan schemes.

He has provided energy reviews, ESOS audits, energy awareness training and procurement advice to support organisations through each step of their energy management journey. Recent notable projects have included work with Health Trusts in Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as private sector work with large corporates across the UK and internationally. James has a detailed technical knowledge of low energy lighting systems, space heating solutions, motors & drives, compressed air, and thermal and process systems.

James is a Chartered Engineer, holding a BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and is a ESOS Lead Assessor. He is a member of the Energy Institute and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Key area of focus: Future energy systems

Daisy has been heading up the smart team at Energy UK, the industry’s main trade body, since 2016. The team represents member energy companies on technical and consumer issues relating to smart, as well as the wider policy framework. The team has been identifying and resolving collective issues in collaboration with government and industry partners since the start of the Energy UK smart programme in 2014.