Mark Robins is a highly experienced engineering and smart metering consultant with over 15 years’ prior experience in product management, programme delivery and technical leadership within the energy and utilities sector. Combining a strong engineering background with extensive expertise in smart metering systems, Mark has led the development and deployment of advanced metering products, communications technologies and large-scale AMI solutions across the UK, Europe and South Africa.
Since then, Mark has provided consultancy to major utility organisations and government programmes, including ESB Networks in Ireland and the UK Smart Metering Implementation Programme (SMIP). Mark is currently providing consultancy to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland (since 2017), developing tender documentation, business processes and technical specifications for a complete AMI solution aligned to ESB’s requirements and to the regulatory environment, including metering, home area networking, mobile data communications, head-end systems, end-to-end security, meter data management and integration with enterprise systems. Working on the UK SMIP from 2012 – 2017, Mark has played a key role in developing technical specifications, evaluating communications solutions and working with industry stakeholders to deliver interoperable end-to-end smart metering solutions.
Mark’s experience spans metering, communications infrastructure, head-end systems, data management, cybersecurity, enterprise integration and business process development.
Throughout his career at Itron, Mark successfully managed complex international programmes, including smart meter rollouts, communications system development and prepayment solutions, before leading product management teams responsible for next-generation smart metering products and systems. He combines strong technical knowledge with proven programme leadership, stakeholder management and strategic product management capabilities.
Specialisms:
- Smart metering systems subject matter expert.
- Communications technologies.
- International energy prepayment systems.
- Product management.
Mark’s recent work has included:
Mark has been working with ESB since 2017 on the Irish Smart Metering Implementation Programme, supporting EY as a subject matter expert. Recent work includes:
- High level design of business processes relating to the integration of new meter types and communication technologies.
- Leading out on architectural changes and design decisions.
- Prior to that, Mark worked with BEIS on the UK smart metering design, contributing to the GBCS and also evaluating and trialling alternate Home Area Network (HAN) technologies.
Before entering into consultancy with Engage Consulting, Mark spent over 15 years at Itron. This included project management of the development of new prepayment systems to enable the UK energy retailers to adapt to the new deregulated market; Programme Managing the development of power-line carrier meter communication systems, coordinating a system development team in Felixstowe and in the US (Atlanta), and a communication infrastructure development team in Milan; technical management of the roll-out of 100k smart meters together with a mesh radio communications infrastructure in Sweden (based in Stockholm); and as Segment Product Manager at Itron leading the product management of Itron’s International prepayment portfolio developed in UK and South Africa as well as leading the Smart Metering product management team to create the next generation of advanced smart meters and system for Itron.
