The Centre for Energy Sustainability is pleased to host the UK-EU Innovation and Collaboration Symposium on V2X and Smart Charging on 14–15 April 2026 at the University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
This two-day symposium will bring together UK and EU projects, researchers, innovators, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and delivery partners to support the next stage of smart charging and V2X deployment.
About the symposium
Hosted by the Centre for Energy Sustainability at the University of Salford, this two-day symposium will bring together UK and EU projects, researchers, innovators, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and delivery partners to support the next phase of smart charging and V2X deployment.
The event is designed as an interactive symposium, focused on practical deployment rather than abstract discussion. Across plenary and parallel sessions, participants will examine what is working, what is still blocking progress, and where coordinated UK-EU action is needed across standards, markets, networks, regulation, consumer trust, and local delivery.
Why this symposium matters
Smart charging and V2X are moving from trial environments into real-world systems, but large-scale deployment still depends on stronger alignment across technology, regulation, infrastructure, markets, and public confidence. This symposium has been designed to create a shared space for evidence-led discussion, practical exchange, and collaboration between UK and EU actors working across the full V2X landscape.
Over two days, the programme will explore the most important deployment questions, including revenue stacking and market access, interoperability and standards, grid codes and connection approval, place-based delivery, battery health and warranty, fairness and trust, fleet and depot applications, local energy system integration, V2H and V2B, and hardware and charger architecture. The symposium will close with a UK-EU roadmap and joint action plans.
What to expect
Participants can expect:
- Opening and closing plenaries focused on UK-EU perspectives, deployment readiness, and joint action priorities
- Interactive parallel sessions covering ten major V2X themes across markets, standards, regulation, communities, consumers, fleets, buildings, and hardware
- Networking opportunities, project stands, poster discussions, and an end-of-day reception
- A limited-capacity tour of the Energy House Labs, including the HAVEN project, the Salford Smart Home, and Energy House 2.0, with chamber access to be confirmed
Suggested audience section
This event will be of interest to:
- Policymakers, regulators, and public bodies
- DNOs, DSOs, system operators, and local authorities
- OEMs, CPOs, aggregators, fleets, and site operators
- Technology developers, innovators, and project partners
- Researchers, universities, and organisations working on smart charging, V2X, flexibility, and local energy systems
Venue and travel
The symposium will take place at the SEE Building on the Peel Park Campus, University of Salford. Registration, networking, and exhibition activity will be based in the SEE Atrium, with plenary and parallel sessions held across the building. The campus is close to Manchester city centre, with strong public transport access via Salford Crescent railway station and regular bus services. Travel guidance is available for visitors arriving by train, bus, bike, car, or plane.
For attendees travelling to Manchester, the brochure also includes hotel guidance and preferential accommodation information.
Register to attend
Registration is free and now CLOSED.
We welcome participants from across the UK and Europe who are working to accelerate smart charging and V2X deployment, strengthen collaboration, and help shape the next phase of evidence-based implementation.
