Helensburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Since joining Engage, my focus has been working with energy suppliers, trade associations and government departments focused on the development Smart Meter business processes, Utility Industry commercial / operating models and the future of flexibility market arrangements. This has involved supporting smart meter service procurement projects, developing industry wide solutions for energy flexibility processes and delivering industry expertise to all parties operating within the UK energy market. The key initiative that I am currently focused on is summarised below: Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) - May 2023 to Present Leading the ISEE (Intelligent Smart Energy Engine) Project within the AEM (Alternative Energy Market) Programme, successfully delivery Phase 1 requirements in November 2023 and taking the project forward into Phase 2 in January 2024. Established the Project Governance framework bringing together multiple teams and organisations to operate within a consistent and efficient delivery structure. Developed and managed the project delivery plan, detailed requirements and deliverable output in line with DESNZ milestones. Designed and led all reporting deliverables coordinating subject matter input from project workstreams and working with DESNZ to revie and incorporate feedback. Managed the budget and financial requirements aligned to DESNZ payment procedures.
In my role as Smart Metering Project Manager I used my extensive Industry and Energy Retail Supply knowledge to support the development of Scottish Power’s Smart Meter installation strategy. My responsibilities included managing the end-to-end tender process for the new Smart Meter installation contracts, developing the business requirements for Smart Metering ensuring a smooth transition from the Traditional Metering framework and establishing the business Smart Meter rollout strategy. I also represented Scottish Power on several Industry groups including the Smart Meter Installation Code of Practice Governance Board and several DCC (Data Communications Company) and DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) working groups. This position enabled me to expand my knowledge of Traditional Metering arrangements as well as play a key role in the development of the UK Smart Metering Programme. I worked closely with a number of Smart Meter Service Providers as part of the business Smart Meter Installation tender and to ensure I had strong relationships with all the key parties in the UK market. This role allowed me to work on key Smart Metering initiatives including the development of the DCC’s Comms Hub Support strategy, DECCs operational rollout and forecasting model and Scottish Power’s test and learn Programme for Multiple Dwelling Units. My current short term goals within this role were the delivery of a full Smart Meter Deployment Optimisation solution, establishment of new Smart Meter Service Providers and pilot testing for the SMICoP compliance framework. With these and my overall long term goal of establishing an efficient and cost effective Smart Meter rollout strategy for Scottish Power I hoped to establish a framework that will allow the business to operate successfully and profitably within the Energy Retail market.
In my previous role as Energy Settlements, UK Audit and Compliance Manager I used my internal system and business knowledge to support Scottish Power’s Industry reputation and operational flexibility. My responsibilities included reviewing all Industry Changes that had an impact on our Energy Retail Supply business, feeding into Industry working groups affecting Supplier processes and maintaining Energy Settlements adherence to Industry standards including NHH (Non Half Hourly) Settlement Performance, Revenue Protection adjustments and D0095 data quality exceptions. I also maintained a framework of SQL Oracle scripts and system expertise that is still utilised by many Settlements and Customer Services colleagues. This role enabled me to strengthen a number of my relationships with the internal Commercial, Billing Services, Customer Establishment and IT departments. My work in this area also allowed me to gain valuable relationships across the Industry with Elexon, OFGEM, DECC, IBM and other Suppliers and Agents. I played a key role in the development of Scottish Power’s Fully Integrated SAP solution, ensuring all Electricity Settlements and Industry requirements were met. The provision of Energy Settlements Industry reputation and performance were also a key element of this role and I maintained this through annual BSC (Balance and Settlement Code) audits, facilitation of Technical Assurance visits with Elexon and the implementation of process and system improvements to reduce Electricity exceptions.
Responsibilities included support, maintenance and reporting of the Energy Settlements Process Control System, ongoing support of the departments Process Control Framework and carrying out root cause investigations through SQL database programming to establish process improvements and supply chain opportunities. Build working relationships with a number of departments across Energy Retail including Customer Establishment, Industrial & Commercial Billing and IT Business Services. Responsibilities for Business Continuity planning and Project Management within this role and provided ongoing support and advice for all Energy Settlements IT developments. Developed my people leadership and project management skills greatly within this role and expanded my knowledge of Energy Retail's key business functions through my Supply Chain management activities. Advisor on a number of 6Sigma projects including our Automatic Meter Reading project providing business expertise on our AMS (Agent Management System) and our underlying SQL database structures.