National Grid Industrial Lecture - Network Design: Future Challenges
Speaker:
Owen Wilkes, Director of Network Design at National Grid
Tatiana Assis, Network Performance Manager at National Grid
Le Fu, Power Quality and Dynamic Performance Manager
Time/Date: 9am – 3pm, Thursday 26th Feb 2026
Venue: Y3 (Mechanical Engineering) - G33
Organiser: IEEE University of Birmingham Student Branch
Host: School of Engineering, Birmingham Energy Institute
Event Summary:
An immersive network development exercise for Power System Engineers: This challenge places participants in the role of Power System Engineers responsible for designing a safe, reliable, and affordable transmission network capable of meeting system needs in 2030 and 2035—key milestones on the UK’s journey to Net Zero by 2050. The exercise involves assessing future system requirements, identifying emerging network constraints and operability risks, and proposing economical, deliverable network reinforcement options, while balancing investment decisions against system security, performance, and cost.
Bio:
Owen Wilkes, Director of Network Design at National Grid
Owen Wilkes is a senior engineering leader and the Director of Network Design at National Grid, where he oversees the strategic development of the future electricity transmission network for England and Wales. His work focuses on delivering a scalable, resilient, and future ready grid capable of supporting societal, industrial, and Net Zero ambitions.
With over 16 years at National Grid, Wilkes has progressed through roles spanning network development, long term strategy, innovation, asset management, and power systems engineering. This breadth of experience positions him as a key figure guiding the UK’s energy transition and shaping modern transmission architecture.
Tatiana Assis, Network Performance Manager at National Grid
Tatiana Assis is a power system leader with a PhD in Electrical Engineering and extensive experience across industry, research, and academia. She is currently Network Performance Manager at National Grid, where she leads a multidisciplinary team delivering resilient operability solutions for NGET’s network design. Her background includes technical roles at NESO and the Brazilian System Operator, as well as many years as a power systems professor in Brazil, driving innovation and developing future talent.
Le Fu, Power Quality and Dynamic Performance Manager
Le Fu is the Power Quality and Dynamic Performance Manager in Network Design. He joined National Grid in 2008 after completing his PhD at Imperial College London. Since then, he has held multiple leadership and expert roles, including System Design Strategy Team Manager, South East Team Manager, Power System Expert, Regional Connection Manager, and Regional Power System Manager. He has played a key role in developing important industry frameworks, multiple Grid Code modifications, and SQSS changes. His work focuses on advancing regulatory and technical frameworks to support the energy transition.
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- Birmingham, England
- United Kingdom
- Building: Y3 (Mechanical Engineering)
- Room Number: G33