Energy Conversations

The aging UK grid is in urgent need of upgrading. We discuss how new subsea cables will help transform our grid capacity, plus the challenges of completing major infrastructure projects like this.

These massive projects will help to:

⚡ replace old electricity networks and scale up the UK’s grid capacity

⚡ help accelerate #CleanPower and net zero targets

⚡ ease congestion and bottlenecks which could lead to less curtailment of windfarms.

Eastern Green Link 1 (https://www.easterngreenlink1.co.uk/) is a subsea cable being developed jointly by SP Energy Networks (https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/) (SPEN) and National Grid Electricity Transmission (https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission), which will be able to deliver enough electricity for two million homes.

Our guests for this episode: Katie Protheroe - EGL1 Senior Project Manager, Scottish Power Dr Callum MacIver - Research Fellow, University of Strathclyde and UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) Matthew Dougan - Senior Cable Design Engineer, SP Energy Networks

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The ⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠ at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: Richard Hill and Paulina Gonzalez-Martinez

The electricity market is undergoing an irrevocable evolution. Elexon's new Smart Data Repository (SDR) and the analysis of smart meter data could unlock huge benefits for energy consumers and the wider energy system.

We speak to Chris Wood (Elexon) and Dr Jessica Britton (Co-Director of UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) and Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh).We dive into: 🔸 what exactly is the SDR and what it means for the market and consumers🔸 the security of people's smart meter data🔸 how more data can help social planning and local government

→Read more about Dr Britton’s work

→Read more about Elexon’s work

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The ⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠ at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: Richard Hill and Paulina Gonzalez-Martinez

In the concluding episode of this 3-part hydrogen-themed series, we sit down with Greig Boulstridge, Research Analyst in Hydrogen & Derivatives, at Wood Mackenzie.

Greig’s role involves tracking markets, monitoring global hydrogen policies and investments, as well as ensuring data quality in Wood Mackenzie’s Lens Hydrogen platform.

Wood Mackenzie, or WoodMac, is a global research and consultancy firm that provides data, analytics, and insights for the energy, renewables, chemicals, metals, and mining industries. It helps energy producers, governments, and financial institutions track supply chains, forecast commodity prices, and navigate the transition to a low-carbon future.

In this episode, we discuss:

* How the UK can play to its strengths within the global hydrogen market

* How decisive and clear policies can help the hydrogen industry

* Why hydrogen production will be key to reaching net zero targets

→Read more about Greig’s work here

→Read more about Wood Mackenzie here

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This limited series is jointly brought to you by Dr Aliya Tskhay (CEP Research Associate) and the Scottish Council on Global Affairs (SCGA). The CEP project, State of the Global Hydrogen Sector and Scotland’s Growing Role in Production and Export of It, is part of the wider SCGA project on the State of the World.

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The ⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠ (CEP) at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: Richard Hill and Paulina Gonzalez-Martinez

In Episode 2 of this hydrogen-themed series, we’re delighted to host Craig Stewart, Business Development Director at Logan Energy.

Logan Energy is a hydrogen technology firm based across Scotland and Europe, made up of a multi-disciplinary team who engineer, design, build and maintain hydrogen projects in the UK and all over the world.

We talk about:

* The challenges that come along with managing projects of all size

* How academia, industry and policy can work together to improve the chances of hydrogen adoption and development

* What should be done in order to grow and support hydrogen supply chains?

→Read more about Craig Stewart here

→Read more about Logan Energy here

This limited series is jointly brought to you by Dr Aliya Tskhay (CEP Research Associate) and the Scottish Council on Global Affairs (SCGA). The CEP project, State of the Global Hydrogen Sector and Scotland’s Growing Role in Production and Export of It, is part of the wider SCGA project on the State of the World.

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The ⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠ at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: Richard Hill and Paulina Gonzalez-Martinez

In Episode 1 of this hydrogen-themed series, we’re delighted to host Nigel Holmes, CEO of Hydrogen Scotland.

Nigel took the helm of Hydrogen Scotland (formerly the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association - SHFCA) in April 2011 and grew the association significantly, expanding its membership base to connect industry, academia, and local authorities. Hydrogen Scotland recently returned from their trade mission in Spain, which has been noted as a ‘priority market’ by the Scottish Government in their Hydrogen Sector Export Plan.

We talk about:

* how hydrogen can fill the gaps when renewables are unreliable

* How global conflicts affect the hydrogen market

* How to find a balance between decarbonising and remaining competitive

→Read more about Nigel Holmes here

→Read more about Hydrogen Scotland here

This limited series is jointly brought to you by Dr Aliya Tskhay (CEP Research Associate) and the Scottish Council on Global Affairs (SCGA). The CEP project, State of the Global Hydrogen Sector and Scotland's Growing Role in Production and Export of It, is part of the wider SCGA project on the State of the World.

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The ⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠ at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Follow us on ⁠Bluesky ⁠and ⁠X⁠

Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: Richard Hill and Paulina Gonzalez-Martinez

In this episode, we’re focusing on fairness and households in the energy transition. As the UK accelerates towards net zero, what does that actually mean for everyday heating and cooling of our homes, particularly for those already struggling with energy costs?

We’re joined by Centre for Energy Policy PhD students, Megan Scherrer and Marta Santini, whose PhD projects are looking at how households interact with heating and energy efficiency measures.

→Read more of Marta’s work ⁠here ⁠and ⁠here⁠

→Read more of Megan’s work ⁠here ⁠and ⁠here⁠

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The ⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠ at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: Richard Hill and Paulina Gonzalez-Martinez

* Watch the video of this episode on our Spotify ⁠

Uswitch⁠ Director of Regulation, Richard Neudegg, joins us to talk about the revolution energy markets are undergoing.

Richard sits down with CEP Senior Research Fellow, Dr Christian Calvillo, to discuss how different tariffs and products can be adopted by mass market energy consumers, while also considering those least able to pay. How do we help everyone navigate this rapidly changing energy market, especially when one size doesn’t fit all?

→Read more on ⁠Uswitch’s ⁠website⁠

→Read more of ⁠Dr Calvillo’s research⁠

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The ⁠⁠Centre for Energy Policy⁠⁠ at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Video & audio editor: ⁠Eve Lucas⁠

In this episode, Dr Aliya Tskhay and Dr Stephen Agyeman Duah discuss the complex role of critical minerals in the shift to low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. While these resources offer major opportunities for economic growth in mineral-rich countries, their extraction often raises pressing environmental and ethical concerns. The conversation delves into how nations can navigate these challenges, drawing lessons from history to promote fairer, more sustainable outcomes in the race to decarbonise.

→Read Dr Agyeman’s paper on Morocco-China-EU Relations on Green Transition Minerals - APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute: https://afripoli.org/morocco-china-eu-relations-on-green-transition-minerals

→Read Dr Tskhay’s article on Just transition – as the basis for the EU-Central Asia cooperation on critical raw materials | The Hague Research Institute: https://hagueresearch.org/just-transition-as-the-basis-for-the-eu-central-asia-cooperation-on-critical-raw-materials/

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The Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

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Subscribe to our ⁠⁠LinkedIn newsletter⁠⁠

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Audio engineer: Richard Hill

In this episode, George Potter, Finance and Modelling Manager at SP Energy Networks, and Antonios Katris, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Energy Policy, discuss Ofgem’s call for business plans from the UK’s major gas and electricity network operators.

They explore how these plans aim to secure sufficient revenue for running and investing in networks that deliver efficiently on customer priorities, whilst withstanding the ever increasing demand on electricity. The conversation highlights SP Energy Networks’ commissioning of CEP to provide independent research assessing their proposed £12bn investment and the wider economic impacts.

This episode offers insights into the intersection of energy regulation, investment planning, and economic analysis.

Links to further reading:

* Read Ofgem’s RIIO-3 Draft Determinations (published 1 July 2025)

* Read CEP’s briefing on SP Energy Networks’ business plan

* Read CEP’s full report on SP Energy Networks’ business plan

* Read SP Energy Networks’ RIIO-T3 business plan

* George Potter

* Dr Antonios Katris

The Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

Subscribe to our ⁠⁠monthly LinkedIn Newsletter⁠⁠!

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Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Audio engineer: Richard Hill

As the UK accelerates towards net zero, how can we make sure no one gets left behind? This episode explores the critical concept of "just transitions" – ensuring that the shift to a low-carbon economy is fair and equitable for all communities. ⁠Dr Kirsten Jenkins⁠, Senior Lecturer in Energy, Environment and Society at the University of Edinburgh, and ⁠Hannah Corbett⁠, Senior Knowledge Exchange Fellow, examine how climate policies can protect workers, support vulnerable populations, and address social inequalities.

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The Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde works to ensure that transitions to mid-century net zero targets deliver sustainable and more equitable prosperity.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to our ⁠⁠LinkedIn newsletter⁠⁠

Follow us on ⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠

Follow us on ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠

Music credit: Arturo Gonzalez (@arturibus)

Audio engineer: Richard Hill