Podcast
The Hypercube Energy Podcast
Hosted by Hypercube · EN
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/
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Battery storage, asset management and scaling portfolios
Apr 2200:41:27Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Richard Whitmore, Director of Asset Management at Adaptogen Capital, about how battery storage is evolving and what it takes to build and scale successful BESS portfolios. Richard shares his experience across offshore wind and battery storage, explaining why BESS should be treated as a trading asset rather than a passive generator. He outlines the importance of asset management, data strategy and operational planning early in the lifecycle, and how these decisions shape long-term performance. The conversation also explores scaling from a single project to a portfolio, supply chain constraints, and the realities of operating battery assets in increasingly complex energy markets. Adam and Richard cover: Why BESS is a trading asset, not a passive generatorAsset management and operational strategy from day oneData, tooling gaps and fragmented systemsSupply chain challenges and delivery riskHow to scale from one asset to a portfolio
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Grid reform, queue management and the future of connections
Apr 1500:50:18Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Catherine Cleary, Grid Connection Specialist at Roadnight Taylor, about the challenges shaping grid connections and why reforming the process is critical to delivering the energy transition. Catherine shares her experience working across renewable, storage and large demand connections, explaining how the grid connection process works in practice and why it has become increasingly complex. She outlines the drivers behind connections reform, the shift from “first come, first served” to “first ready, first connected,” and what this means for developers, investors and the wider energy system. Adam and Catherine also explore the realities of building and upgrading grid infrastructure, the limitations of automation and AI in this space, and where digitalisation could still play a role. Adam and Catherine cover: Catherine’s role at Roadnight Taylor and the fundamentals of grid connections Why the grid queue has become a major bottleneck for energy projects Connections reform and the shift to a “ready and needed” system The impact of reform on developers, investors and project timelines Why grid infrastructure delivery, not just process, is the critical challenge Where automation, data and digital tools could support the grid Clean Power 2030 and what it will take to deliver at scale
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Energy efficiency, electrification and the next phase of net zero
Mar 1800:39:08Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Steven Fawkes, Managing Partner at ep Group, about how energy efficiency, electrification and finance shape the pace of the energy transition. Steven shares his experience across decades in the energy sector, reflecting on how the system has evolved from centralised, fossil-based generation to one increasingly driven by renewables, storage and distributed energy. He explains why energy efficiency has historically struggled to scale, despite its importance, and how challenges around measurement, standardisation and investment continue to hold it back. Adam and Steven also discuss how electrification and efficiency interact at different system levels, the growing role of distributed batteries and flexibility, and how data, standardisation and de-risking tools could unlock more private capital. Along the way, they explore the human and organisational barriers that slow change, and why incentives, business models and trust are just as important as technology. Adam and Steven cover: Steven’s role at EP Group and how he approaches building energy projects What has changed most across the energy system over the past 40 years Why energy efficiency remains underfunded and overlooked Electrification, distributed energy and the rise of flexibility markets How finance, standardisation and de-risking shape investment decisions The organisational and human barriers that can slow the energy transition
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Planning, policy, and public trust in energy development
Mar 1100:42:34Tap to summarizeOn 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
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People, purpose and performance in the energy transition
Mar 400:43:24Tap to summarizeOn 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
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Energy asset optimisation: availability, dispatch and market revenue
Feb 2400:50:34Tap to summarizeOn 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
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Bankable batteries: markets, execution, and trust
Feb 1100:37:06Tap to summarizeOn 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
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AI in the Energy System: data, risk, and real-world deployment
Feb 400:48:04Tap to summarizeOn 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
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Energy storage at scale: C&I batteries and digital control
Jan 2800:48:33Tap to summarizeOn 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
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Energy markets in transition: BESS, innovation, and carbon impact
Jan 1400:37:29Tap to summarizeOn 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
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