Host: Cait Hewitt, Policy and Engagement Officer, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London

Guests:

• Dr. Jan Rosenow: Director of European Programmes, Regulatory Assistance Project
• Max Waddingham: Senior Heating Design Engineer, Good Energy

In This Episode:

• What are heat pumps, and how do they work?
• The challenges and opportunities in rolling out heat pump technology.
• Policies needed to make heat pumps a mainstream choice.
• The role of public attitudes, skilled installers, and trusted brands in driving adoption.

Guest Bios:

• Dr. Jan Rosenow: With decades of experience in energy policy, Dr. Rosenow shares insights into the global transition to clean energy and the potential of heat pumps to transform home heating.
• Max Waddingham: A hands-on expert in heat pump installations, Max discusses real-world challenges and solutions for making heat pumps accessible to everyone.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast
• 00:01:01 - Meet the Guests: Dr. Jan Rosenow & Max Waddingham
• 00:03:16 - Why Heat Pumps Matter for Decarbonisation
• 00:06:18 - How Heat Pumps Work: Science and Efficiency
• 00:13:31 - Overcoming Barriers: Cost, Skills, and Public Perception
• 00:20:22 - Policies to Drive Heat Pump Adoption
• 00:30:13 - Public Attitudes and Misconceptions about Heat Pumps
• 00:39:20 - Trusted Messengers: Installers and Brand Confidence
• 00:44:02 - Future Research: Heat Pumps and Grid Flexibility
• 00:45:31 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Cait’s links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cait-hewitt-2482a3195/

Grantham Institute: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/

Jan’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janrosenow/

Website: https://www.janrosenow.com/index.html

RAP: https://www.raponline.org/

Recent paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225000434

Blue Sky:

In this episode of the Energy Futures Podcast, Imperial PhD student Fater Akuhwa sits down with Professor Tim Green to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of energy systems, with a focus on grid co-design and the integration of renewable energy.

Professor Green, an expert in electrical and electronic engineering, shares his insights on the concept of grid forming and grid following, two key approaches in the regulation of frequency, voltage, and system stability without the traditional synchronous generators that have long been essential for grid stability.

Professor Green also discusses his pivotal role in leading Imperial College’s sustainability strategy and the challenges associated with shifting to a low-carbon university campus and supply chain.Key Topics Discussed:

• The challenges of grid stability and system services in the absence of synchronous generators
• The roles of grid forming and grid following in modern grids
• The sustainability strategy at Imperial College London
• Insights on data-led stability analysis for inverter-dominated grids
• The future of energy systems and the integration of variable renewable energy sources

Additional Links

Professor Green Imperial profile

https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/t.green

For more information on Professor Tim Green's work, visit: Sustainable Imperial

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/sustainability/

Paper Revisiting grid-forming and grid-following inverters: A duality theory

https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=PWvm-uEAAAAJ&citation_for_view=PWvm-uEAAAAJ:q1zXlPLtbUIC

Fater Akuhwa Imperial Profile

https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/f.akuhwa22

In this episode of the Energy Futures Podcast, we sit down with Richard Black, Director of Policy and Strategy at Ember, to explore the future of energy, the zero-carbon transition, and his career in climate journalism and policy. Richard shares insights from his newly released book, The Future of Energy, offering an optimistic view of the clean energy revolution and the challenges ahead.

Highlights include:

• The role of think tanks like Ember in shaping global energy policy
• The importance of clear communication in the energy transition
• Reflections on the evolution of climate policy and the rise of global clean energy movements
• Richard’s journey from BBC science correspondent to energy policy expert
• Key takeaways from his book The Future of Energy and its vision for a sustainable energy future

Links:

• Ember: Global Clean Energy Think-Tank
• Richard Black on Linkedin
• Richard Black’s Book: The Future of Energy
• Richard Black’s Previous Book: Denied: The Rise and Fall of Climate Contrarianism

• Energy Futures Lab Website
• Energy Futures Podcast YouTube Channel
• Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode, we’re taking you to the London Climate Technology Show 2024—an inspiring hub of innovation and collaboration for a sustainable future.

We’ll be sharing highlights from two expert panel discussions, followed by insights from the exhibition floor, where industry leaders showcased groundbreaking solutions.

Panel 1: Innovation for Sustainability: Technology's Role in Achieving Net Zero

Our first panel, 'Innovation for Sustainability: Technology's Role in Achieving Net Zero,' brought together leading voices in the field of clean energy and innovation:

• Naomi Weir, Director of Innovation at the Confederation of British Industry,
• Chris Coonick, Innovation Management Office Director at National Grid,
• Luke Ames Blackaby, Head of Innovation Hub at Ofgem,
• Michael Green, Founder and Strategy Director of Luna 9,
• Philip Jarvis, CEO of Coomtech Ltd, and
• Ioannis Kasinopoulos, Co-founder and CEO of Electryone.

This panel unpacked how cutting-edge technologies are accelerating the journey to net zero, with a focus on scalability, collaboration, and innovation across industries."

Panel 2: Balancing Financial and Environmental Performance in Global EcoFunds

The second panel, 'Balancing Financial and Environmental Performance & Navigating Compliance in EcoFunds Globally,' explored the intersection of sustainability goals and financial strategies.

On the panel were:

• Martyn Link, Managing Director of Link Advisory Services Ltd,
• Eman Adel, Sustainable Energy Expert at RCREEE,
• Mark Campanale, Founder and Executive Director of Carbon Tracker,
• Jim Totty, Managing Director of Viridis Capital,
• Satyajit Mohanan, Projects Coordinator at Cambridge Cleantech, and
• Catherine Barber, Assistant Director of Environment & Energy at the Greater London Authority.

Although we captured only the first half of this discussion, the insights offered a compelling look at navigating compliance challenges and unlocking the potential of sustainable investments."

Exhibition Highlights

Finally, we explored the exhibition floor, where cutting-edge solutions were on display. From National Grid’s latest innovations to transformative projects by the Department for Science, Innovation &

Today’s episode takes us to the Resilient Renewable Society Summit 2024—a remarkable gathering of experts from government, infrastructure, and academia.

In this episode, we bring you insights from two exceptional panel discussions. From exploring the energy sector's preparedness for catastrophic events to envisioning the investments needed for a green and resilient future, we’ll hear from thought leaders on the frontlines of resilience and sustainability. And to cap it off, I had the privilege of catching up with Professor Yoav Yair, Dean of the School of Sustainability at Reichman University in Israel, for a fascinating one-on-one conversation.

Panel 1 Introduction

"Our first discussion, 'What is the Energy Sector's Capability to Cope with a Black Sky Event?', delves into the energy sector's readiness for catastrophic disruptions, such as those caused by Black Sky events, and explores the lessons that can be applied to other sectors.

Moderated by Dr. Paul Stockton, former Assistant Secretary of Defence for Homeland Defence in the USA, this panel features a powerhouse of experts:

• Ben Kuchta, Group Resilience Improvement Manager at National Grid, UK,
• James B. Robb, President and CEO of NERC, USA,
• Bronwyn Bullen, Head of Organisational Resilience at UK Power Networks, and
• Lili Colon, Principal Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response.

Together, they’ll discuss interconnected threats, the critical role of energy infrastructure, and the governance and policies needed to enhance resilience in a transitioning world."

Panel 2 Introduction

"Our second panel, 'Climate Change: Turning the Grid Green and Investing for the Future,' explores the dual imperatives of mitigating climate change and transforming our energy systems.

This conversation, moderated by Dr. Chris Beck, Chief Scientist and Vice President of Policy at the EIS Council, brings together distinguished panelists:

• Amos Lasker, Managing Partner at Amrav Investment and former President and CEO of the Israel Electric Corporation,
• Ivan Savov, Chairman of the European Risk Policy Institute and the Future Risk Institute, Bulgaria, and
• Professor Yoav Yair, Dean of the School of Sustainability at Reichman University, Israel.

The panel will unpack challenges and

In this special episode, recorded live at the Sustainable Energy Futures Annual Conference 2024, we feature Sir David King, Head of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group. Sir David shares his expert insights during his closing remarks and a follow-up interview, discussing critical climate challenges, innovative interventions, and the urgent need for a global shift toward an "ecological civilisation."

Highlights include:

• The history of climate science and its modern implications
• The urgent need for climate interventions, including re-freezing the poles
• The role of young professionals in the energy transition
• Insights on global climate policy and the COP process

• Sustainable Energy Futures Annual Conference: Imperial College London - Energy Futures Lab
• Sir David King's Climate Crisis Advisory Group: CCAG Website

• Energy Futures Lab Website
• Energy Futures Podcast YouTube Channel
• Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode, we’re joined by Rayan Kassis Co-Founder and CEO of Aed Energy and decades of experience in CleanTech development and over 9GW of operational projects spanning 24 countries. Rayan shares insights into the UK’s key energy challenges, the critical role of long-duration storage in grid stability and the future of renewable energy integration. He also introduces Aed Energy’s innovative thermal battery technology, which delivers both electricity and heat, with the potential to transform global energy systems.

Links:

• Connect with Rayan on Linkedin
• Learn more about Aed Energy

Chapters and Timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

Overview of the Energy Futures Podcast and the vision for a sustainable energy future.

00:00:30 - Meet Rayan Kassis

Introduction to Rayan’s background, including his extensive experience in cleantech and energy infrastructure.

00:01:08 - UK’s Energy Challenges

Key challenges facing the UK in energy storage and grid stability, and how these are shaping the nation’s energy landscape.

00:05:00 - Importance of Energy Storage

Why energy storage, particularly long-duration solutions, is crucial for achieving a stable and reliable energy grid.

00:09:45 - Aed Energy’s Purpose

The inspiration behind Aed Energy and how their thermal battery technology is addressing critical gaps in the energy transition.

00:15:30 - How Aed’s Technology Works

An in-depth look at Aed Energy’s thermal battery technology, including its dual capability to deliver electricity and heat.

00:20:00 - Rayan’s Journey in Energy

Reflections on Rayan’s career across GE, Vestas, and eSolar, and lessons learned that guided him to co-found Aed Energy.

00:25:15 - Innovation and Sustainability

How Aed Energy fosters innovation and integrates sustainability into their operations and technology development.

00:30:00 - Advice for Entrepreneurs

Rayan shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the cleantech and energy sectors.

00:34:50 - Looking Ahead

The future vision for Aed Energy and its contribution to the global energy transition over the next decade.

00:38:30 - Closing Remarks

Wrapping up the conversation and a call to action for a sustainable energy future.

• Energy Futures Podcast YouTube Channel
• Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode of The Energy Futures Podcast, titled Positive Energy, we shine a spotlight on three incredible social and tech entrepreneurs making waves in the climate and energy space. Through their community-driven projects, innovative apps, and empowering educational programs, they’re proving that purpose, creativity, and collaboration can drive real progress toward a net zero future.

1. Yujia Du – Founder of The Climate Circle

Yujia shares how her passion for decarbonisation and empowering women in climate led to the creation of The Climate Circle, a community fostering meaningful connections among women in the field. With experience at Ofgem and National Grid ESO, Yujia offers a unique perspective on decentralisation, electrification, and building a culture of accountability, empathy, and courage.

https://www.yujiadu.com/

https://www.the-climate-circle.com/

Connect with Yujia on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yujia-i-du/

2. Leo Barnett – App Designer and Innovator

Leo talks about his journey as an award-winning app designer who creates impactful tech solutions for climate action. From working with startups to receiving global recognition from Apple, Leo explains how his latest app combines real data with local action to inspire optimism and collective change.

Download UK Zero & Get the widget in seconds:

IOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/uk-zero-climate-app/id6448979425

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.worldnetzero&pli=1

Website: https://www.ukzeroapp.com

Connect with Leo on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leobarnett/

3. Dr. Elif Selin Calik – Founder of Women in Smart Energy UK

Dr. Calik, a global leader in sustainable energy, discusses her work empowering women in smart energy and influencing climate policies. From COP26 and COP27 to authoring The Renaissance of Smart Energy, Dr. Calik shares how she bridges energy, health crises, and sustainability to inspire innovative solutions worldwide.

https://selincalik.com/

Connect with Selin on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-selin-calik-9b6b1750/

• Energy Futures Lab Website

• Energy Futures Podcast YouTube Channel
• Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts