Energy Futures Podcast

Energy Futures Lab

Welcome to the Energy Futures Podcast, your gateway to the future of global energy. Brought to you by Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, this podcast explores the cutting-edge advancements, challenges and opportunities in the worldwide clean energy transition. Why should you listen? In a world racing toward net-zero emissions, energy is at the heart of solving some of our biggest global challenges. We’re here to demystify the complexities of the energy sector, bringing you conversations with top researchers, industry experts and influential voices from the front lines of innovation and policy. Each episode explores key topics shaping the energy landscape—from grid infrastructure and renewable energy technologies to the future of global energy markets, finance and carbon capture solutions. What makes this podcast unique? The Energy Futures Podcast isn’t just about talking—it’s about action. Hosted by a dynamic team of researchers, engineers and policy experts, the show is built on a foundation of multidisciplinary collaboration that seeks to drive real-world change. We’re not here to oversimplify the energy transition but to break it down into digestible, meaningful conversations that inform, educate and inspire. Whether you're an industry professional, a policy enthusiast, a student or simply someone curious about how energy impacts your everyday life, this podcast offers insights for everyone. By making energy topics accessible and engaging, we’re inviting you to become an informed participant in the global energy conversation. Our mission is to empower you to take part in accelerating the clean energy transition and building a sustainable future for all. Each episode is designed to leave you with actionable insights and a clearer understanding of how the energy sector impacts the world around you. By breaking down complex ideas into approachable conversations, we ensure that you walk away feeling empowered and inspired to be part of the energy transition.

  1. 09/23/2025

    AI for critical infrastructure Ep40: Dr Francesco Leofante & Mary Cleary

    Can AI help us build resilience into the energy grid, even in the face of unforeseen challenges? Host Dr Francesco Leofante - Assistant Professor in the Department of Computing, Imperial (Centre for eXperimental AI) Guest Mary Cleary - Vice President (Marketing, Communications & Policy) at Neara Today's topics Challenges in modelling AI for a critical infrastructure Major applications for grid resilience Repairing models for policy and regulators and New opportunities in AI Timecodes & Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast 01:13 - Grid Resilience Applications 01:38 - Meet the Host and Topic: Francesco Leofante on AI for Critical Infrastructure 02:27 - Meet the Guest: Mary Cleary from Neara 03:41 - What is a Physics-Enabled Digital Twin? 04:05 - Role of AI in Classifying Infrastructure Data 08:11 - Counterfactual Reasoning and Scenario Simulation 09:25 - Challenges of Data Collection in the Energy Sector 12:17 - Cost of Training AI Models and Opportunity Costs 14:44 - AI Safety and Explainability in Critical Systems 16:22 - Regulatory Challenges and Transparency 22:56 - Privacy and Cybersecurity Considerations 24:58 - Policy Recommendations and the Need for Guidance 29:04 - AI for Extreme Weather Prediction and Infrastructure Stress Testing 43:00 - Closing Remarks and Reflections on AI’s Role in Energy Francesco's links Imperial Profile link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/f.leofante Linked In link - https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescoleofante/ Mary's link LinkedIn link - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-cleary-71212423/ Produced by Annemarie van Basten  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/ Additional Links Neara webpage link - https://neara.com Centre for eXplainable AI link - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/explainable-artificial-intelligence/

    43 min

  2. 09/17/2025

    Zero Carbon Homes Ep39: Dr Anastasiya Ostrovnaya & Matt Lipson

    From noisy myths to quiet revolutions: Heat pumps are transforming home heating in the UK. Curious how? Tune into this deep-dive with experts from Imperial College. Host Dr Anastasiya Ostrovnaya - Senior Research & Teaching Fellow at the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment Guest  Matt Lipson – Deputy Director at Undaunted, Imperial Today's Topics Challenges the ‘heat pump’ industry face in line with Net Zero targets. Government policies on Heat pumps Initiatives, new technologies and installations in UK homes And the driving force behind the market Timecode Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast 01:10 - Meet the Host and Guest: Anastasia Ostrovnaya & Matt Lipson 02:30 - Why Heat Pumps Matter for Net Zero 04:15 - Comparing UK and Norway: Adoption Challenges 06:00 - Government Subsidies and Public Awareness 08:00 - Electricity vs Gas Prices in the UK 10:00 - Heat Pump Efficiency Explained (COP & SCOP) 13:00 - System Design and Installation Quality 15:30 - Electricity Pricing and Smart Usage 17:45 - Scaling Up: Installer Shortages and Training 20:00 - Comfort Concerns in Older Homes 22:30 - Upfront Costs vs Running Costs 25:00 - Innovations in Heat Pump Technology 27:30 - Planning Rules and Noise Concerns 29:30 - Market Drivers: Startups vs Big Utilities 32:00 - Role of Finance and Mortgages 34:30 - EPC Ratings and Policy Misalignment 37:00 - Landlords and the Rental Market Challenge 39:30 - Ground Source Heat Pumps and New Builds 42:00 - Government Regulation and Developer Incentives 44:00 - Fuel Poverty and Warm Home Prescriptions 46:30 - Supporting Innovation and Startups 48:00 - Will the UK Meet Its Heat Pump Targets? 49:30 - Closing Thoughts Anastasiya’s links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aostrovnaya/ Imperial profile link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/a.ostrovnaya Matt’s links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-lipson-20baab/ Produced by Annemarie van Basten https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/ Additional Links Get in touch if you have an innovative idea for solving the challenges with getting heat pumps installed by everyone; Undaunted Link - https://undaunted-hq.org/contact/. Find out more about the cool new heat pump tech developed by Anzen here: Anzen Link - https://www.anzenwalls.co.uk/ Find answers to any of your heat pump questions on Heat Geek's YouTube channel. - https://www.youtube.com/HeatGeek Open Energy Monitor link - https://openenergymonitor.org/ There's no need to fully insulate your home for heat pumps to operate at very high efficiency according to; University of Oxford, link - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/janrosenow_new-paper-why-the-fabric-first-dogma-is-activity-7141426267156840448-9Cok?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android University College London, link - https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.388 Nesta, link - https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/insulation-impact-how-much-do-uk-houses-really-need/ Energy Systems Catapult, link - https://es.catapult.org.uk/news/electrification-of-heat-trial-finds-heat-pumps-suitable-for-all-housing-types/ Green Alliance, link - https://green-alliance.org.uk/briefing/decarbonising-heat-while-addressing-fuel-poverty/ Government consultation on new standards for private landlords in this link -...

    49 min

  3. 09/08/2025

    Driving Change towards fully Electric Systems Ep 38: Edoardo Taricco & Mats Larson

    In order to transform the UK’s transport system into a fully electric one, government have to identify key areas of infrastructure that need support and investment. Do they run the risk of failure when large scale decisions are not backed by analysis? Host  Edoardo Taricco, a mechanical engineer and graduate of the MSc in sustainable energy futures from Imperial Guests  Mats Larson, a business Management Consultant with 30-years experience in developing company strategy. He has worked with large-scale transformation to electromobility and sustainability. His work has resulted in five internationally published books. Topics Discussed  What is needed to develop the UK and the EU electromobility systems. Society and government’s thought process leading to unachievable targets. - The need for identifying key risks and investing in infrastructure. Electromobility in developing countries. Timecode & Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast 00:42 - Meet the Host and Guest: Eduardo Taricco & Mats Larsson 02:15 - Mats Larsson’s Background and Work on Electromobility 04:30 - What is Hyper Think? Understanding the Concept 07:45 - Risks of Hyper Think in Policy and Decision-Making 11:10 - Historical Examples of Successful System Change 14:20 - The Role of Competition in Driving Innovation 17:00 - Infrastructure Challenges in Electromobility 20:35 - Lessons from China’s Strategic Electrification 24:10 - Underestimating Electricity Demand in Europe 27:30 - The Problem with Unrealistic Policy Targets 30:50 - Root Causes of Hyper Think in Politics and Society 34:00 - Institutions and the Need for New Collaborative Models 37:20 - The Skills Gap: From Mechanical to Electrical Competence 40:00 - Government Mechanisms to Coordinate System Change 43:15 - External Factors That Could Shift the Dynamics 46:30 - Electromobility in Developing Countries 50:00 - The Need to Focus on Scalable, Proven Solutions 53:10 - Strategic Planning: Electrification Architects & Strategists 56:00 - What Gives Hope for the Future of Electromobility 58:00 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find the Book 59:00 - Outro and Energy Futures Lab Info Edoardo's Link https://www.linkedin.com/in/edoardo-taricco-9a77a2205/ Mats' link https://www.getinstitute.com/about Produced by Annemarie van Basten https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/ Additional Links GET Institute Link - https://www.getinstitute.com/Mat's new book ' How building the future really works' - https://www.getinstitute.com/electromobilitytransformationhandbook

    1h 3m

  4. 08/28/2025

    Energy Storage Technologies Beyond Batteries Ep37: Dr Nadine Moustafa, Dr Matthias Mersch & Dr Alexandra Welp

    What alternative energy storage technologies are there to replace batteries, and can these technologies hold up to the growing demand for green energy?    Host  Dr. Nadine Moustafa, Research Associate at Imperial, specialising in carbon management and decarbonisation technologies.  Guests  Dr. Matthias Mersch - Research associate in the Clean Energy Processes Lab at Imperial College. Dr Alexandra Welp – Mechanical Engineer, research assistant and PhD student at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She is currently a visiting researcher at Imperial college focusing on thermodynamic storage solution technologies.  Topics Discussed   New Technologies that exist outside of batteries, and the efforts research and industry are making towards decarbonization. Differences between Industrial and Domestic energy storage and the challenges each type of technology brings. Developing trends in the energy storage field.  Timestamps & Chapters [00:51] Host and guest introductions: Dr Nadine Mustafa, Alexandra Welp, and Matthias Mirch [01:45] Domestic vs. industrial energy storage overview [02:33] Pumped thermal energy storage and systems thinking [04:33] Thermal and mechanical energy storage explained [04:45] Pumped hydro and gravitational energy storage [05:21] Chemical energy storage and district heating [07:27] Systems thinking and thermal integration basics [15:09] Residential and industrial applications of thermal storage [16:51] High-temperature industrial heat challenges [18:03] Sector-specific challenges and mechanical/chemical storage [18:45] Deep dive into chemical energy storage [21:51] Mechanical and gravitational innovations [23:21] Thermo-mechanical and compressed air energy storage [25:39] Liquid air and hybrid storage technologies [32:21] Policy, public acceptance, and future trends Nadine's links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-moustafa-ph-d-5831a1a7/  Imperial profile - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/n.mou...    Matthias' links: LinkedIn link - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-mersch-ph-d-698634146/   Imperial Profile link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/m.mersch  Alexandra's link LinkedIn link - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-welp-0b7ab524a/  Produced by Annemarie van Basten  Annemarie Van Basten | LinkedIn  Additional Links   Clean Energy Processes Lab Imperial link: a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/clean-energy-processes/"...

    40 min

  5. 08/22/2025

    Space-based Solar Power Ep36: Edoardo Taricco & Martin Soltau

    Could Satellites Power Our Cities? Discover the Future of Energy. Today’s episode of Energy Futures Podcast, we explore the exciting world of space-based energy.   Topics Discussed;  Space-based solar power as an era defining new source of clean energy The manufacturing, testing and longevity of satellite technologies, and Financing space-based solar power  Host   Edoardo Taricco - mechanical engineer graduate of the MSc in sustainable energy futures from Imperial.  Guest   Martin Soltau - Co founder and Co-CEO of Space Solar, a leading start-up in the revolutionary sector of Space-Based Solar Power.  Timecode & Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Space-Based Solar Power 01:30 Guest Introduction: Martin Soltau 03:00 Background and Formation of Space Solar 05:00 Technology Overview: Cassiopeia Design 07:30 Continuous Power and Beam Steering 10:00 Comparison with Other Satellite Designs 12:30 Energy Conversion and Grid Integration 15:00 Modularity and Assembly in Space 17:30 Value Chain and Partnerships 20:00 Elon Musk's Critique and Industry Response 22:30 Energy System Modeling and Economics 25:00 Funding and Investment Landscape 27:30 Solar Cell Technologies and Sustainability 30:00 Receiver Design and Land Use 32:30 Global Distribution and Governance 35:00 International Efforts and Government Programs 37:30 Technical Differences in Global Designs 40:00 Space Solar's Office and Demonstrators 42:30 Company Strategy and Public Engagement 45:00 Roadmap to Deployment 47:30 UK Government Support and Policy Challenges 50:00 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook Edoardo's links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edoardo-taricco-9a77a2205/ Martin’s Links  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-soltau-44596619/ Produced by Annemarie van Basten https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/ Additional Links  Space Solar link - https://www.spacesolar.co.uk/ Frazer-Nash Consultancy Link - https://www.fnc.co.uk/ Blue Origin Link - https://www.blueorigin.com/ SpaceX link - https://www.spacex.com/ MDA Space link - https://mda.space/ Professor Paul Mitcheson, Imperial Link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/paul.mitcheson/about Professor Goran Strbac, Imperial link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/g.strbac Aethurflux link - https://www.aetherflux.com/ The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) link - https://www.darpa.mil/ Oxford Space Systems link - https://oxford.space/ Sustainable Markets Initiative link - https://www.sustainable-markets.org/ Tech Nation Future Fifty link - https://technation.io/programmes/future-fifty/ Satellite Applications Catapult link - https://sa.catapult.org.uk/ Reykjavik Energy link - https://orkuveitan.is/en/ British Antarctic Survey link - https://www.bas.ac.uk/ UK Space Agency link - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency OFCOM link - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/ OFGEM link - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ Civil Aviation Authority link - https://www.caa.co.uk/

    1h 1m

  6. 07/28/2025

    Environmental Impact of AI (Special) Ep 35: Dr Nadine Moustafa & Dr Hanya Ahmed

    Can AI be both powerful and sustainable? Or are we trading the planet for progress?  Topics discussed What is AI and how to build an AI model. Differences in AI technologies. The cost of running large data centres. Carbon accounting of AI.  Host  Dr. Nadine Moustafa, Research Associate at Imperial, specialising in carbon management and decarbonisation technologies.   Guest   Dr. Hanya Ahmed  -  postdoctoral research assistant at the Royal Veterinary College and Queen Mary University, with the school of electronic engineering and computing science. She specializes in building and training AI models for industry and medical technology.  Timecode & Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - What is AI?    03:00 - Building AI Models    06:30 - Environmental Costs of AI Training    09:00 - Efficiency vs. Environmental Impact    12:00 - Genetic Frameworks in AI    14:30 - Cloud vs. Edge AI    17:00 - Carbon Accounting in AI    19:30 - Industry Awareness and Responsibility    22:00 - Future Tools and Benchmarks    24:00 - Final Thoughts      Nadine's links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-moustafa-ph-d-5831a1a7/  Imperial profile - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/n.mou...    Hanya’s links: https://www.seresearch.qmul.ac.uk/electronics/people/hahmed/     Produced by Annemarie van Basten  Annemarie Van Basten | LinkedIn

    33 min

  7. 07/21/2025

    Seventh Carbon Budget Ep 34: Dr. Nadine Moustafa & Dr. Aidan Rhodes

    In February of 2025, the Climate Change Committee released the 7th Carbon Budget, advising Government on new pathways to decarbonizing the UK by 2050.   Topics Discussed;  In this episode we dive into the budget as outlined and discuss topics;   The key strategies in the budget and how likely we are to achieve them.  Carbon removal and carbon capture technologies  The jobs and skills needed to achieve a large-scale transition, and  Challenges for government, industry and public   Host  Dr. Nadine Moustafa - Research Associate at Imperial, specialising in carbon management and decarbonisation technologies.  Guest   Dr Aidan Rhodes – Research Fellow at Imperial and Energy Policy Briefing Paper Fellow at Energy Futures Lab.   Timecode & Chapters;   00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast   00:41 - What is the Carbon Budget?   03:20 - The Seventh Carbon Budget: Scope and Significance   04:11 - Decarbonizing the Power Sector and Beyond   05:51 - Heating and Households: The Heat Pump Challenge   10:52 - From Technology to Implementation: Public Engagement and Policy   14:28 - Industry and Investment: Long-Term Business Models   18:00 - Carbon Markets and Carbon Removal Technologies   21:20 - No Silver Bullet: A Multi-Technology Approach   23:47 - Adaptation and Climate Resilience   28:22 - Challenges to Reaching Net Zero   32:03 - Supply Chains, Skills, and Workforce Transition   36:00 - Granular Planning and Regional Considerations   39:03 - Financing the Transition: Public and Private Roles   43:01 - Conclusion: A Call to Action and Optimism  Nadine's links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-moustafa-ph-d-5831a1a7/  Imperial profile - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/n.mou...  Aidan’s Links  - Aidan Rhodes Profile | Imperial College London  Aidan Rhodes | LinkedIn    Produced by Annemarie van Basten  Annemarie Van Basten | LinkedIn  Additional Links   Seventh Carbon Budget link - https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/the-seventh-carbon-budget/#:~:text=Our%20recommended%20level%20for%20the,the%20importance%20of%20the%20task Climate Change Committee link - https://www.theccc.org.uk The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) link - https://www.ipcc.ch Energy...

    46 min

  8. 07/07/2025

    Beyond Silicon: The Future of Solar Energy Ep 33: Professor Christos Markides & Dr Flurin Eisner

    In 2025, the UK generated over 14 billion kilowatt-hours of solar electricity, enough to power more than 5 million homes. With solar technology evolving faster than ever, could the next leap in solar power come from labs pushing the boundaries of energy science?  Host - Prof. Christos Markides - Clean energy technologies in the department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial  Guest  - Dr Flurin Eisner - Lecturer and researcher in Green Energy and Sustainable Engineering at Queen Mary University    Topics Discussed   Technology improvements in solar cells Generation capacity for manufacturing solar technologies Growth rate of PV industry Technical dive into converting solar power to energy Solar heat converted to cooling technologies UK’s Solar PV generation vs that of Europe.  Timecode & Chapters;   00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast  00:45 - Meet the Hosts: Christos Markides and Flurin Eisner  02:00 - Overview of Solar Energy Potential and Global Usage  04:30 - Growth of Photovoltaics (PV) and Silicon Dominance  07:00 - Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Silicon  08:30 - Emerging Solar Technologies: Perovskites and Organics  11:00 - Advantages and Challenges of Perovskite Solar Cells  13:30 - Tandem Solar Cells and Efficiency Gains  15:00 - Organic PV: Flexibility, Colour Tuning, and Indoor Use  17:30 - Energy Payback Time and Sustainability of New Technologies  19:30 - Hybrid PV-Thermal Systems and Heat Recovery  22:00 - Thermal Storage and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)  24:30 - Grid Integration and the Role of Storage  26:30 - Desert Tech and International Solar Projects  28:00 - Challenges in Grid Infrastructure and Distribution  30:00 - Capacity Factors and Renewable Energy Intermittency  32:00 - Solar for Cooling and Building Integration  34:00 - Light Management and Spectral Tuning in PV  36:00 - Material Design and AI in Solar Research  38:00 - Policy, Funding, and the UK’s Role in PV Innovation  40:00 - Solar Panel Adoption in UK Homes and Feed-in Tariffs  42:00 - Final Thoughts: The Solar Revolution is Here  43:00 - Outro and Energy Futures Lab Mission  Christo's links: LinkedIn - Christos Markides | LinkedIn  Imperial profile - Christos Markides Profile | Imperial College London  Flurin’s links: LinkedIn - Flurin Eisner | LinkedIn  Produced by Annemarie van Basten  Annemarie Van Basten | LinkedIn  Additional Links   Joint Article Publication by Prof. Christos Markides and Dr. Maria Herrando  Hybrid PV and solar-thermal systems for domestic heat and power provision in the UK: Techno-economic considerations  Dr. Maria Herrando Imperial Profile link -a...

    55 min
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About

Welcome to the Energy Futures Podcast, your gateway to the future of global energy. Brought to you by Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, this podcast explores the cutting-edge advancements, challenges and opportunities in the worldwide clean energy transition. Why should you listen? In a world racing toward net-zero emissions, energy is at the heart of solving some of our biggest global challenges. We’re here to demystify the complexities of the energy sector, bringing you conversations with top researchers, industry experts and influential voices from the front lines of innovation and policy. Each episode explores key topics shaping the energy landscape—from grid infrastructure and renewable energy technologies to the future of global energy markets, finance and carbon capture solutions. What makes this podcast unique? The Energy Futures Podcast isn’t just about talking—it’s about action. Hosted by a dynamic team of researchers, engineers and policy experts, the show is built on a foundation of multidisciplinary collaboration that seeks to drive real-world change. We’re not here to oversimplify the energy transition but to break it down into digestible, meaningful conversations that inform, educate and inspire. Whether you're an industry professional, a policy enthusiast, a student or simply someone curious about how energy impacts your everyday life, this podcast offers insights for everyone. By making energy topics accessible and engaging, we’re inviting you to become an informed participant in the global energy conversation. Our mission is to empower you to take part in accelerating the clean energy transition and building a sustainable future for all. Each episode is designed to leave you with actionable insights and a clearer understanding of how the energy sector impacts the world around you. By breaking down complex ideas into approachable conversations, we ensure that you walk away feeling empowered and inspired to be part of the energy transition.

Information

  • Creator
    Energy Futures Lab
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Energy Futures Lab
  • Show Website
    Energy Futures Podcast