The Hypercube Energy Podcast

Hypercube

The Hypercube Energy Podcast explores the application of technology, data and AI across the energy sector. In the fast-moving energy landscape, organisations of all sizes need to understand and adopt emerging tech to tackle complex problems, identify new areas of innovation and capitalise on opportunity. What should an energy technology strategy look like? How do we identify what problems to solve first? What innovations are being made in the industry? These are the questions that host Adam Sroka seeks to answer on this show. In each episode, he sits down with tech experts and business leaders from the energy sector to understand exactly how they are solving energy-specific data challenges today. You can learn more about Hypercube - Energy Technology Partner at wearehypercube.com Join the Beyond Energy Community: wearehypercube.com/join-the-community/

  1. Planning, policy, and public trust in energy development

    2 DAYS AGO

    Planning, policy, and public trust in energy development

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with James Jamieson, Vice President of Business Development at Starlight Energy, about how planning decisions shape renewable energy projects and why policy, public trust and collaboration are central to delivering new infrastructure. James shares his experience across local authority, consultancy and developer-side planning, explaining how energy projects move through the planning system and how decisions are made. The conversation explores the balance between commercial development, community concerns and environmental impact, as well as how biodiversity and social value are increasingly built into renewable projects from the outset. Adam and James also discuss how planning is evolving as renewable infrastructure scales, where AI could help reduce administrative burden, and why trust, transparency and better public understanding of planning will be essential to delivering the next generation of energy projects. Adam and James cover: James’s role at Starlight Energy and how renewable energy projects move through planningWhy planning decisions are policy-led rather than popularity contestsBalancing development, biodiversity and community concernsHow planning professionals work with authorities, stakeholders and local communitiesWhere AI could support planning systems and reduce administrative complexityTrust, transparency and the future of public engagement in infrastructure decisions

    43 min
  2. People, purpose and performance in the energy transition

    4 MAR

    People, purpose and performance in the energy transition

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Lucy Webb, Head of People Partnering at So Energy, about the human side of the energy transition and how people strategy underpins performance in a rapidly evolving energy market. Lucy shares her journey across STEM industries into energy and explains how So Energy is preparing for sector shifts such as smart meter rollout, half-hourly settlement and increasing digitalisation. The conversation explores capability mapping, job design and future skills planning, as well as how AI can be used to enhance customer service and employee experience rather than replace human expertise. Adam and Lucy cover: Lucy’s role at So Energy and what people partnering means in practice How capability mapping helps prepare for industry reform and digital change Job design, performance and adapting roles in a fast-moving sector AI as an enabler for customer service and operational efficiency Attracting diverse talent into energy and the skills that will matter most

    43 min
  3. Energy asset optimisation: availability, dispatch and market revenue

    24 FEB

    Energy asset optimisation: availability, dispatch and market revenue

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Ralph Johnson, Head of UK Business Development at Habitat Energy, about what truly drives performance in battery energy storage and why availability, not marginal optimisation uplift, often determines real-world returns. Ralph shares his journey from EDF Energy and Reactive Technologies into battery optimisation, explaining how specialist optimisers manage complex assets across evolving power markets. The conversation explores how dispatch models, settlement reform and revenue certainty products are reshaping battery economics, and why operational discipline, strong onboarding and close collaboration between trading, operations and data teams are critical to protecting long-term value. Adam and Ralph cover: Ralph’s role at Habitat Energy and how large-scale battery assets are optimised Why availability often matters more than incremental performance gains Where projects commonly fall short, from onboarding and metering to warranty constraints How market design and ancillary services influence battery returns The rise of co-location and what it means for asset performance and financing

    51 min
  4. Bankable batteries: markets, execution, and trust

    11 FEB

    Bankable batteries: markets, execution, and trust

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Antonio Montoto, Head of Storage at Greenvolt Power, about how battery storage has evolved from niche, bespoke projects into core infrastructure for modern power systems and what it really takes to deliver storage at scale across global markets. Antonio shares his journey from working on early, technically driven storage projects to leading utility-scale battery portfolios across Europe, the US, and Japan. He explains how the challenges facing storage have shifted over the past decade, from understanding degradation and cycling limits to executing complex projects, securing bankability, and integrating batteries into increasingly competitive energy markets. The conversation explores how market maturity, regulation, and geography shape storage outcomes, and why realistic returns, strong execution, and the right mix of software and in-house expertise are critical to long-term value. Adam and Antonio cover: Antonio’s role at Greenvolt Power and how large-scale storage portfolios are builtWhy battery storage has moved from bespoke use cases to mainstream grid infrastructureWhere storage projects most commonly fail and how experienced teams avoid itThe gap between engineering reality and financial bankabilityHow regulation and market maturity differ across regionsWhat’s really changed in battery hardware over the past decade

    37 min
  5. AI in the Energy System: data, risk, and real-world deployment

    4 FEB

    AI in the Energy System: data, risk, and real-world deployment

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Stephen Haben, Senior AI Consultant at Energy Systems Catapult, about where AI and data are genuinely useful in the energy sector — and what still needs to change for them to scale safely in a system that is becoming more complex and decentralised. Stephen shares his journey from academic research in forecasting and low-voltage networks into applied AI and digital advisory work across the energy system. He explains why many of the biggest barriers to AI adoption are not technical, but relate to data quality, integration, skills, and the realities of operating safety-critical infrastructure. The conversation explores the Catapult’s role in supporting innovators, networks, and policymakers, and why strong digital foundations are essential before advanced AI can deliver value. Adam and Stephen cover: Stephen’s path from academic forecasting research into sector-wide AI advisoryWhy AI in energy often fails without strong data and digital foundationsCommon pitfalls in forecasting and why simple models still matterHow EVs, heat pumps, and flexibility are reshaping distribution networksThe role of Smart Energy Data Services in enabling innovationSynthetic data, privacy, and responsible data sharingWhat it takes to move AI from pilots into real-world energy operations

    48 min
  6. Energy storage at scale: C&I batteries and digital control

    28 JAN

    Energy storage at scale: C&I batteries and digital control

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Stephan Schnez, CTO and Co-founder of RCT Pro, about the role of power electronics, digital control, and battery storage in a grid with falling inertia and rising complexity. Stephan shares his journey from theoretical physics and graphene research at ETH Zurich into renewable energy and battery storage, including senior roles at ABB and helping to build Huawei’s Zurich research centre, before joining RCT Power and spinning out RCT Pro to focus on commercial and industrial storage. The conversation explores why digital technologies are no longer optional but fundamental enablers of the energy transition, and how control systems, software, and hardware must evolve together. Adam and Stephan cover: Stephan’s path from physics research to energy storage and power electronicsWhy declining grid inertia makes digital control essentialRCT Power’s origins and the impact of hybrid inverters in residential storageWhy C&I battery storage is a fundamentally different marketThe decision to spin out RCT Pro to move faster and closer to customersCompeting with global manufacturers through localisation, usability, and trustWhat building a truly digital-first hardware company looks like in practice

    49 min
  7. Energy markets in transition: BESS, innovation, and carbon impact

    14 JAN

    Energy markets in transition: BESS, innovation, and carbon impact

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Aazzum Yassir, Director of Technology and Operations at Pulse Clean Energy. Aazzum works at the forefront of the UK’s battery storage market, helping to design, build, and operate energy storage assets that support a more affordable and resilient power system. The conversation explores why battery energy storage is becoming essential to the modern energy system, how batteries help stabilise prices and unlock more value from renewables, and why energy management has been historically underinvested compared to generation. Aazzum also discusses Pulse’s work on battery carbon payback, supply chain transparency, and how advances in storage and power electronics are reshaping grid services. Adam and Aazzum cover: Aazzum’s role leading technology and operations at Pulse Clean EnergyWhy battery storage is critical for a reliable, low-cost energy systemEnergy management as a missing link in the energy transitionBattery carbon payback and open-source emissions modellingEthical sourcing and transparency in battery supply chainsHow storage technology is evolving to support grid resilience

    37 min
  8. Inside NESO’s mission to build a digital-first energy system for GB

    17/12/2025

    Inside NESO’s mission to build a digital-first energy system for GB

    On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Carolina Tortora, Head of AI, Innovation and Digitalisation at NESO. Carolina works at the centre of Great Britain’s energy system, leading efforts to modernise how the sector uses data, digital tools, and AI as complexity and decentralisation increase. The conversation explores why digital transformation is now essential for system resilience and net zero, the cultural challenge of aligning engineering and digital teams, and the role of data quality and secure data sharing in enabling innovation. Carolina also discusses the ambition behind the Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI), the realities of deploying innovation in critical infrastructure, and what NESO is looking for through its Call for Ideas. Adam and Carolina cover: Carolina’s role leading AI, innovation, and digitalisation at NESOWhy digital transformation is critical for a resilient, net zero energy systemCultural challenges between engineering expertise and digital capabilityData quality, governance, and the foundations for effective AIThe Data Sharing Infrastructure and sector-wide collaborationBalancing innovation with operational risk in critical infrastructureWhat NESO is looking for through its innovation-focused Call for Ideas

    45 min
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About

The Hypercube Energy Podcast explores the application of technology, data and AI across the energy sector. In the fast-moving energy landscape, organisations of all sizes need to understand and adopt emerging tech to tackle complex problems, identify new areas of innovation and capitalise on opportunity. What should an energy technology strategy look like? How do we identify what problems to solve first? What innovations are being made in the industry? These are the questions that host Adam Sroka seeks to answer on this show. In each episode, he sits down with tech experts and business leaders from the energy sector to understand exactly how they are solving energy-specific data challenges today. You can learn more about Hypercube - Energy Technology Partner at wearehypercube.com Join the Beyond Energy Community: wearehypercube.com/join-the-community/

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