In this episode we meet Professor Dame Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge; member of the House of Lords and an engineer by training.

We talked about the UK Government's ambition to become a science and technology superpower by 2030; what it's like to straddle the worlds of academia, industry, and government; the role that data and digital has to play in making our national infrastructure more resilient; and how alloys in aeroplane engines react under extreme pressure!

Julia began her academic career by studying metals, and the composite structures used in wind turbines. Her specialty was designing metal alloys that are resistant to cracks under pressure.

Over the years she went on to teaching positions at the Universities of Nottingham and Cambridge, as well as senior positions at Rolls Royce, the Institute of Physics, Imperial College, and she also served as Vice-Chancellor of Aston University.

In 2007 Julia was appointed by Gordon Brown to lead the King Review, which looked at a route to decarbonising a major segment of the transport sector within 25 years, making an important contribution to the UK's plans to try and achieve Net Zero.

Julia then became a crossbench member of the House of Lords in 2015 and is now the chair of its Science and Technology Committee, which is holding the government to account on its promise to make the UK a science superpower by 2030.

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

To register for our inaugural Connected Places Summit, being held in London on 20-21 March 2024, click here.

To learn more about the Climate Resilience Demonstrator (CReDO), the digital twin for climate change adaptation that is mentioned in the episode, click here. Also, learn more about the Digital Twin Hub which is hosted at the Catapult by clicking here.

To find out more about what we do at the Connected Places Catapult and to hear about the latest news, events and announcements, visit cp.catapult.org.uk and do sign up to our newsletter!

It's been another eventful year on the Connected Places Podcast and we've got a lot to look back on as 2023 draws to a close!

In this episode we revisit some of the stories we've featured on the show this year, and the fascinating guests we've been able to have on.

We hear from three companies making extraordinary strides on the use of connected digital twins to tackle real world problems; RoyalHaskoningDHV, National Grid ESO and IOTICS.

We return to Bristol Temple Meads station where the UK's first Station Innovation Zone was launched earlier this year – how are tech entrepreneurs helping to make a Grade 1 listed station fit for purpose for 21st Century passengers?

We also meet Sir John Armitt, Chair of the UK's National Infrastructure Commission, whose assessment of the UK's national infrastructure hit the headlines in the autumn – how can innovation help to maximise infrastructure assets, and where are the opportunities for UK Plc?

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

SHOW NOTES:

You can listen to the following episodes by clicking on the below links:

Digital Twin series

The power of digital twins with RoyalHaskoningDHV

The power of digital twins with National Grid ESO

The power of digital twins with IOTICS

Station Innovation Zone

Bristol Temple Meads – UK's first Station Innovation Zone

Bristol's Station Innovation Zone Part II – Meet the companies

National Infrastructure

Reimagining national infrastructure – with Sir John Armitt

To register for our inaugural Connected Places Summit, being held in London on 20-21 March 2024, click here.

To learn more about the Digital Twin Hub, click here and to register for the Connected Digital Twins Summit being held on 20 June 2024 click here.

Innovating isn't easy. It's risky, it's fraught with failure, and there's no guarantees of success. In this episode we meet two companies that have had to navigate the innovation rollercoaster to get to where they are.

Both companies have been supported by the Connected Places Catapult at various points in their journey. They have each developed two ground-breaking products and collected some great stories to tell along the way.

Our in-house journalist, Mike Walter, spoke to Eugene Bari, the CEO and Managing Director of Ecomar Propulsion and Dr Victoria Kroll, CEO & co-founder of Esitu Solutions.

Ecomar Propulsion builds zero emission propulsion systems for the maritime industry, whilst Esitu Solutions is on a mission to improve road safety and reduce the number of driving accidents using virtual reality technology.

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

Show notes:

To read the full article on Ecomar Propulsion or Esitu Solutions, click on the link. To read more articles in our 'Meet the Innovator' series, click here.

To register for our inaugural Connected Places Summit, being held in London on 20-21 March 2024, click here.

To find out more about what we do at the Connected Places Catapult and to hear about the latest news, events and announcements, visit cp.catapult.org.uk and do sign up to our newsletter!

Follow the show!

Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.

The future of Britain's national infrastructure is getting a lot of attention.

In large part because it's facing some big challenges. Not least our changing climate and the commitment to decarbonise our economy. But also the question of who pays for it, who benefits from it, and who gets to contribute to the decision-making process about its future.

There are also the opportunities that new technologies bring to improve the way we design, build and operate our infrastructure – from transport and energy, flooding and waste management, digital and data, to protecting our biodiversity and the wider natural environment.

In this episode we're delighted to have on the show someone who spends a lot of time thinking about all of this; Sir John Armitt, the Chair of the UK's National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).

The Commission's job is to provide the UK Government with impartial, expert advice on major long term infrastructure challenges. Later this month the NIC will publish its second National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA). The last one was published 5 years ago in 2018.

This year's NIA will focus on three strategic priorities for the UK's national infrastructure:

1. Reaching net zero by 2050

1. Reducing environmental impacts and adapting to a changing climate

1. Supporting levelling up and creating sustainable economic growth across all regions of the UK.

Sir John and his team recently visited the Catapult and he kindly agreed to an interview with our Chair, Prof. Greg Clark CBE.

They explored a number of key questions:

• How can innovation and technology and optimise existing infrastructure?

• Where are the business opportunities in responding to climate resilience, net zero and decarbonisation?

• Why is procurement, or 'smarter spending', so important for making investment go further?

• What is the role of enlightened leadership at the local level – how important are sub-national bodies at the city and regional level in driving the change we need?

• What does the future hold for the UK's national infrastructure?

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

Show notes:

To learn more about the NIC and the upcoming Nation Infrastructure Assessment to be published on 18th October 2023, click here.

To register for our inaugural Connected Places Summit, being held in London on 20-21 March 2024, click here.

To find out more about what we do at the Connected Places Catapult and to hear about the latest news, events and announcements, visit cp.catapult.org.uk and do sign up to our newsletter!

Follow the show!

Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.

There are 14 million people in the UK with some form of disability.

For too many, using public transport can be a nightmare - whether it's getting on and off a bus, or navigating the complex, stressful and often-confusing environment of a large transport interchange.

Sadly, when it comes to accessibility, there's some way to go before we can genuinely say that our public transport system really is open and accessible for all.

In this episode we take a look at what airports and airline operators are doing to make flying more accessible. How are new technologies making a difference? What do innovators need to be thinking about when developing solutions for people with disabilities? And what is the Catapult doing to support better collaboration and support for companies working in this space?

We meet Ann Frye, the UK Government's Disability and Access Ambassador for Aviation, Fredi Nonyelu, CEO and Founder of Briteyellow, Gavin Neate, CEO and Founder of WelcoMe, Yael Shomron, Marketing Manager at Step Hear, and Andrew Chadwick, the Catapult's Interim Ecosystem Director for Airports & Aviation.

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

Show notes:

To learn more about this issue and what the Catapult is doing, check out this article by Vasant Chari, the Catapult's Director of Human Connected Design.

To register for our inaugural Connected Places Summit, being held in London on 20-21 March 2024, click here.

To find out more about what we do at the Connected Places Catapult and to hear about the latest news, events and announcements, visit cp.catapult.org.uk and do sign up to our newsletter!

Follow the show!

Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.

We conclude our three-part podcast series on digital twins with a conversation with Ali Nicholl, Head of Engagement at IOTICS, a data company helping innovators to better collaborate on digital transformation.

Ali and his colleagues are passionate about this. They're impatient too!

IOTICS are on a mission to empower those dedicated to making a meaningful impact on our world. They're providing the tools to navigate the intricate landscape of data and information, enabling companies to unlock valuable insights and share data and information better.

So in this episode we invited Ali into our studio to tell us about some of the organisations that IOTICS are working to create a greener and more sustainable future. Ali explains some of the complexities of data sharing between companies, and the importance of making sure digital twin technologies have the real-world impact when it comes to some of society's greatest challenges. The voices in this episode are also featuring on The IOTICS Podcast, where Ali has interviewed a number of fascinating guests to showcase the growing significance of digital twins in shaping our connected future.

Featured in this episode are Elly Howe, Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator at Portsmouth International Port; Louise Donaghey, Services Programmes Director at Rolls Royce; Simon Evans, Global Digital Twin Leader at Arup; Ian Gordon, Head of Data at Houses of Parliament Restoration & Renewal; and Rich Walker, a Data and Analytics Leader in the Government and Public sector.

Connected Digital Twins Summit – 22 June, 2023

The huge opportunity that digital twins offer place-based infrastructure is what guides the work of the Digital Twin Hub (which came out of the UK's National Digital Twin Programme) housed at the Connected Places Catapult. It is a network that is helping to bring people together to learn from each other and collaborate on this hugely ambitious social, environment, and technical journey.

Their work is also guided by the Gemini Principles which are shaping the development of an ecosystem of connected digital twins. And they also host the weekly Gemini Call which has become a staple date in the diary for practitioners across the UK.

On 22 June 2023 the Digital Twin Hub and the Connected Places Catapult hosted the inaugural Connected Digital Twins Summit. IOTICS is an active supporter of the Hub and was a sponsor of the Summit.

In this episode we meet National Grid ESO, the electricity system operator for Great Britain, and one of the sponsors of the Digital Twin Hub's inaugural Connected Digital Twins Summit held this summer.

The UK Government has a target for National Grid ESO to be running a zero-carbon electricity system by 2035. This ambition is crucial in helping the UK meet its wider zero carbon targets.

For National Grid ESO, a major milestone in that journey is the development of a Virtual Energy System. This is a real-time, digital replica of Great Britain's entire energy landscape which mirrors the physical system - a network of interconnected digital twins that can be shared by industry to improve ESO's ability to simulate and forecast electricity supply and demand.

So how is digital twin technology helping to bring this bold vision to life? How is it being used to better understand and influence consumer behaviour, especially during a cost-of-living crisis? And is the tech always the biggest hurdle when it comes to digital transformation?

Featured in this episode are Carolina Tortora, National Grid ESO's Head of Innovation Strategy & Digitalisation in conversation with Dr. Alison Vincent, Chair of the Digital Twin Hub, as well as Lucy Yu, CEO of Centre for Net Zero, and Symon Brown, Smart Grid Director at CGI.

Connected Digital Twins Summit – 22 June, 2023

The huge opportunity that digital twins offer place-based infrastructure is what guides the work of the Digital Twin Hub (which came out of the UK's National Digital Twin Programme) housed at the Connected Places Catapult. It is a network that is helping to bring people together to learn from each other and collaborate on this hugely ambitious social, environment, and technical journey.

Their work is also guided by the Gemini Principles which are shaping the development of an ecosystem of connected digital twins. And they also host the weekly Gemini Call which has become a staple date in the diary for practitioners across the UK.

On 22 June 2023 the Digital Twin Hub and the Connected Places Catapult hosted the inaugural Connected Digital Twins Summit. National Grid ESO is an active supporter of the Hub and was a sponsor of the Summit.

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

Show notes:

Centre for Net Zero is an impact-driven research unit founded by the global tech disruptor, Octopus Energy. They deliver pioneering research to make the future energy system a reality.

Their access to tens of billions of customer data points gives them an unparalleled insight into the behaviours of people and businesses around the world. They combine analysis of this dataset with field trials and experimentation, to build models and centre intelligent demand into the design of the changing energy system.

Centre for New Zero works directly with governments, policy-makers, grid operators and academics, translating their research and analysis into real-world action.

Find out more at centrefornetzero.org

To find out more about what we do at the Connected Places Catapult and to hear about the latest news, events and announcements, visit cp.catapult.org.uk and do sign up to our newsletter!

Follow the show!

Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.

In this episode we meet Lord Adonis who we were delighted to welcome to our offices last week alongside senior representatives from across the rail sector.

Andrew Adonis is a member of the House of Lords and founding Chair of the UK's National Infrastructure Commission. He was a Government Minister in Tony Blair's government, and went on to become Secretary of State for Transport under Gordon Brown.

So his reflections on where we've come in Britain when it comes to rail travel, and what we need to be thinking about in the future draw on a wide range of personal experience. Lord Adonis was closely involved with setting up HS2 when it was just a small start-up. He also played a leading role in bringing Crossrail to London – one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects the capital has ever delivered.

Music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

Show notes:

If you would like to hear more about the themes that Lord Adonis discusses listen to our feature episode "Reimagining our railways and stations" where we explore how innovation and new technologies are shaping the future of the rail industry as it rises to the huge challenges the 21st Century is throwing at it.

You can also listen to our interview with the broadcaster and former MP, Michael Portillo about Britain's railway history and what the future might look like – click here.

To learn more about the UK's first 'Station Innovation Zone' and how the Catapult is supporting Bristol Temple Meads station to trial new technologies, click here.

If you'd like to get in touch with your feedback, comments and suggestions on what you'd like to hear more of on Connected Places, please email: [email protected]. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Follow the show!

Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.

A profound shift is happening in the world of infrastructure. Advances in software, sensing and computational technology are seeing connected digital twins being adopted across whole infrastructure systems and even entire cities.

In this episode we meet the global engineering consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV), event podcast partner for the Digital Twin Hub's inaugural Connected Digital Twins Summit, 22 June 2023 (see below for event details). RHDHV are helping their clients rise to the challenges of resiliency, sustainability, and digital transformation. One of the key technologies that is enabling this change is the place-based digital twin.

We explore how RHDHV's digital twin services are helping Bacton Beach in Norfolk tackle coastal erosion through a hugely ambitious sandscaping project. We meet the rail startup, East West Rail that is applying digital twin technology to a new railway connecting Oxford and Cambridge. And we visit the Dutch province of Limburg where RHDHV's AquaSuite software is using digital twin technology to improve the processing of 150m3 wastewater across a vast infrastructure network.

Featured in this episode are Lisette Heuer, Director of Business Transformation at RHDHV; Ben Lomax Thorpe, Leading Professional – Digital Twin at RHDHV; Rob Goodliffe, Coastal Transition Manager, North Norfolk District Council; Dino Nola, Head of Digital Engineering at East West Rail; and Melchior Schenk, Sales Leader – AquaSuite, RHDHV.

Connected Digital Twins Summit – 22 June, 2023

The huge opportunity that digital twins offer place-based infrastructure is what guides the work of the Digital Twin Hub (which came out of the UK's National Digital Twin Programme) housed at the Connected Places Catapult. It is a network that is helping to bring people together to learn from each other and collaborate on this hugely ambitious social, environment, and technical journey.

On 22 June 2023 the Digital Twin Hub and the Connected Places Catapult hosted the inaugural Connected Digital Twins Summit. Royal HaskoningDHV is an active supporter of the Hub and was event podcast partner for the Summit.

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

SHOW NOTES

For a list of resources about the work of Royal HaskoningDHV and their digital twin services, see below links.

RHDHV websites

Royal HaskoningDHV (corporate overview), click here.

Twinn, by Royal HaskoningDHV, click here.

RHDHV videos

The Story of a Digital Twin, click here.

Starting your Digital Twin Journey, click here.

Twinn Witness Predictive Simulation Software for Better Decision Making, click here.

Connect your data models to live data | Machine Learning, click here.

RHDHV case studies featured in podcast

Sandscaping on Bacton Beach with North Norfolk Council, click here.

Improving wastewater treatment with WBL, click here.

Latest RHDHV White Paper

Simplifying Complexity: 3 ways industrial companies can drive value from digital twins, click here.

*****

To learn more about the Digital Twin Hub and how you can become a member, click here.

Money is tight right now and tough times call for a renewed focus on how public money is spent. Every year the UK spends £300bn on third party suppliers so it is vital to ensure we are getting the best value from the goods and services we buy. A big part of any public budget is not just the question of what things to buy, but the process of agreeing the terms and procedures for acquiring them.

The technical term is public procurement.

So, in this episode we're going to have a brief look at what's happening in the world of public procurement, or smarter spending, and what's being done to not only improve the UK's procurement regime, but also make it more innovation-friendly.

We hear from Lucy Sydney, Head of Head of Strategic Relations, Procurement Reform at the Cabinet Office who's working on the UK's Government's new Transforming Public Procurement Bill. We meet Hao Zheng, Co-Founder and CEO of RoboK, a 3C sensing software company at the coalface of innovating in the transport sector. And we also hear from the Catapult's Ecosystem Director for Place Leadership, Sam Markey.

Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)

Show notes:

Our Smarter Spending Hub has a range of case studies, playbooks for professionals, and an e-learning module that we've produced in collaboration with Open and Agile Smart Cities.

You can also learn about the work of the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), a new partnership created to inspire, upskill and empower public authorities in innovation-friendly procurement procedures.

You can also learn more about what the UK Government is doing to improve our publice procurement regime by visiting the Transforming Public Procurement landing page where you can find webinars, factsheets, summary guides and even a checklist to help prepare for when the new rules come into force.

If you'd like to get in touch with your feedback, comments and suggestions on what you'd like to hear more of on Connected Places, please email: [email protected]. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

To find out more about what we do at the Connected Places Catapult and to hear about the latest news, events and announcements, visit cp.catapult.org.uk and do sign up to our newsletter!

Follow the show!

Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.