Guest: Ryan Law, CEO at Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL)

In this episode host Nate Maynard sits down with Ryan Law, CEO of Gel, to discuss their groundbreaking journey of bringing geothermal energy to the UK.

From the challenges of securing investment to the exciting prospects of zero carbon mineral extraction, Ryan shares the ups and downs of developing the UK's first commercial geothermal project. The conversation also covers the policy gaps that need to be addressed to unlock the full potential of this renewable energy source.

Tune in to learn about the future of geothermal energy and its role in the green energy revolution.

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Welcome to Netting Zeros, a podcast and Substack community that spotlights sustainability professionals, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they present. We are a small team with limited resources, so if you are enjoying what we are doing and want to see us grow, please subscribe and share, or – better still – pledge your support on Substack! 

Meet the player: 

Roman Nitsovych is Research Director at DiXi Group, a Ukrainian think-tank focused on promotion of European integration, market reforms and higher transparency of the Ukrainian energy sector. A former activist and journalist, as well as editor of Ukraine Energy, Roman is a powerhouse advocate for Ukraine’s green energy transition and energy independence.

Net zero positioning:
DiXi Group was instrumental in putting forward Ukraine’s National Climate Energy Plan (NCEP), which cabinet ministers approved June 25, the same day as Ukraine formally began EU accession talks. 

Report on the environmental impact of the Russia's invasion can be found here

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Guest: Hazel Starmer-Jones, Former Development Manager at Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL)

This episode explores the past, present and future of geothermal energy through an on-site visit to the UK’s first commercial geothermal energy project.

Nate interviews Hazel Starmer-Jones former development manager at GEL about their geothermal project at the United Downs site in Cornwall. They discuss the science behind geothermal, the geological conditions that make Cornwall ripe for subsurface power, and the multi-decade journey GEL has been on to establish the UK's first geothermal power plant.

Hazel explains the advantages of geothermal as a baseload power source, the site's discovery of lithium-rich fluids, and the potential for geothermal heating and lithium extraction. They also cover the technical challenges of deep drilling, policy barriers that have hindered development, strategies for community engagement, and workforce development needs. Finally, Hazel provides insights into the future expansion of geothermal across the UK.

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In this episode hear from Mark Smith, founder of ZLC Energy on what its really like to install solar panels, heat pumps, and everything else renewable.

Mark shares insights on the challenges and successes of installing various renewable technologies, from solar PV to heat pumps, and discusses the impact of government policies on the industry.

Discover the importance of sustainability in both commercial and domestic settings, and learn why passion and ethics are crucial in the renewable energy sector. This episode is packed with valuable information for anyone interested in entering the renewables sector, or just wants home retrofit tips.

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On this episode of Netting Zeros we take you behind the scenes at Innovation Zero - one of the largest events in the UK focused on sustainability and achieving net zero. Walk the floor with us as we explore the latest clean technologies, hear from policymakers, and find out what Labour might have in store for net-zero. 

We discuss potential policy changes around net zero goals with labor politicians in the UK including: Alan Whitehead MP and Kerry Gillian McCarthy MP on their visions for SME support around clean-tech and the opportunities of Net-Zero. 

Listen to hear about how Enfiniuim, a waste to energy company, is developing new decarbonization business lines. https://enfinium.co.uk/ 

This inside look provides a glimpse into the innovations, policies, and actions driving progress toward environmental sustainability in the UK. Get an on-the-ground perspective from this major net zero expo.

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In this episode we sit down with Amanda Foreman and Dr Dave Parish, co-founders of Planet A Solutions in their offices in Truro, Cornwall. 

Planet A is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that blends architectural and engineering expertise to help industrial clients integrate renewable energy solutions to the benefit of their bottom line. 

We learn why Cornwall is home to so many renewable power innovators, as well as the potential for offshore wind, tidal and wave energy. Dave also delves into why floating offshore wind is likely to be a mainstream energy source for the UK in future.  

We talk bats and wind turbines, why the grid is so jammed, and what climate emergencies actually mean.

Planet A are gearing up to help deliver ‘Integrated Energy Systems in the Built Environment’ Part of ‘The Future is Green’ - Green Skills project at the University of Exeter, a skills development project part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Like what you heard? Learn from them!

Expressions of interest is open in early May and for more information contact [email protected] or see the project webpages https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/greenskills”

Please let us know what you think of the conversation – we are enormously grateful to Dave and Amanda for backing our trip to Cornwall!

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We caught up with Chris Coonick as she left a position as Programme Manager of the Ofgem-funded Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) at Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, to a new role at the National Grid

Chris reflects on her work with the SIF, a five-year £450m programme to accelerate the innovation needed to transform energy networks for the future — at lowest cost to consumers.

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In this first episode of 'Netting Zeros', we dig deep into Cornwall's climate emergency declaration. Is it hot air? Or a catalyst for change?

We hear from Councillor Martyn Alvey who shares how their declaration is a call to action. From leveraging biomethane technology on dairy farms to planting new forests for carbon sequestration, Cornwall is redefining what it means to be a sustainable community.

Join us on the start of a new season as we explore the successes, the challenges, and the innovative spirit driving Cornwall's journey to net zero.

✍️ Episode Links

Cornwall Council

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/

Planet A Solutions

https://planetaenergy.org/

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Welcome to Netting Zeros, a new podcast for people working in or entering the business of climate.

This is a sneak peek of our upcoming season on Cornwall, its climate crisis declaration, and the businesses trying to make net-zero happen.

We are host Nate Maynard and story editor David Green, thanks for listening! More coming soon!