The Energy Revolution

In this special episode of the podcast, host Sulaiman is joined by Lucy Yu, CEO at the Centre for Net Zero and the UK Government’s AI Champion for Clean Energy, to explore how AI could reshape the UK electricity network.

Lucy recently led the independent review for government on the use of AI across the electricity system, giving her a detailed view of both the opportunities and the barriers to putting these technologies into practice. Recorded live in front of an audience, this conversation explores what a more AI-enabled energy system could actually look like.

Together, Sulaiman and Lucy discuss how AI could reduce system costs and help households make better use of technologies such as batteries and EVs; the difference between automation and autonomy; and what needs to change in regulation, data, markets and infrastructure if a more AI-enabled energy system is to work.

Keywords:

AI | Artificial Intelligence | Electricity Grids | Energy Systems | Grid Flexibility | Energy Markets | Batteries | EVs | Energy Policy | Clean Energy | Energy Transition

Battery storage has gone from a relatively niche technology to one of the fastest-growing parts of the energy system. But as more batteries connect to the grid, the markets they rely on are changing just as quickly.

In this episode, our host Sulaiman is joined by Rimshah Javed, Principal Originator at Danske Commodities, to explore how battery markets are evolving across the UK and Europe, and what comes next as the sector matures. Rimshah works closely with battery asset owners and investors on trading and route-to-market strategies across, giving her a front-row view of how battery markets operate in practice.

Together, they discuss how batteries went from a start-up dominated sector to a major infrastructure asset class, what Britain can teach emerging European markets; how automation and trading strategies are evolving; and how rising electricity demand from data centres and electrification could reshape the role of storage.

Keywords:

Battery Storage | BESS | Energy Markets | Trading | Finance | Grid Flexibility | Data Centres | Energy Transition

The energy transition is redefining what it means to be an energy retailer. For decades, these companies played a relatively straightforward role: buying electricity from the wholesale market and selling it to consumers. But that model is being turned on its head.

As households increasingly adopt electric vehicles, heat pumps, rooftop solar and home batteries, consumers are becoming active participants in the energy system. In a cleaner, more decentralised world, retailers may need to do far more than bill customers. They could become trusted energy managers, helping households decide when to use electricity, when to store it and when to sell it back to the grid.

So are energy retailers ready for that transformation?

Could AI finally transform the customer experience?

If traditional suppliers do not step into this new role, will someone else?

This week, Capgemini's Carl Haigney joins host Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett to discuss the future of energy retail. Together, they explore whether energy retailers are equipped for this new role, how AI could transform the customer experience, and what happens if traditional suppliers fail to adapt. Will retailers lead the next phase of the energy transition, or will new entrants seize the opportunity?

Keywords:

Energy Retail | Smart Homes | AI | Smart Meters | EVs | Heat Pumps | Vehicle-to-Grid | Energy Bills | Energy Markets | Customer Trust | Capgemini

Europe has experienced more heatwaves this summer than in any previous year, and the energy system is struggling to cope.

As the effects of climate change become more dramatic and damaging each year, our energy infrastructure will come under increasing strain as well.

Increasing AC demand, Nuclear shutoffs, and plants down for summer maintenance, hot summers create new challenges that the UK and Europe are not used to managing.

This week we are joined by Ben Watts, data analyst and founder of Killowatts.io, to discuss what this will look like, and how we cope.

Alongside our host, Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett, Ben gives his views on how the heatwaves expose deeper problems with the UK grid, and what we should be doing to address them.

Keywords:

Climate | Heat | Wildfires | Renewables | Gas | Energy

As the energy system becomes more weather-dependent, matching supply with demand becomes a more of a geographic challenge. Wind, solar and hydro are spread across different geographies, weather systems and time zones. A cleaner, cheaper and more resilient power system will therefore need to be more connected.

In this episode, Simon Ludlam, founder of Etchea Energy, joins host Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett to discuss the role of interconnectors in the energy transition. Simon is a veteran of the interconnector industry, with experience developing major projects linking Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

They cover how interconnectors work, what it takes to build them, and why international trust matters when countries share critical energy infrastructure.

They also discuss UK-EU energy cooperation after Brexit, interconnection in Europe and Asia, and whether a transatlantic electricity cable could one day connect Europe and North America.

Keywords:

Interconnectors | Electricity Grids | Energy Security | Renewables | North Sea | Grid Infrastructure | Clean Energy | Energy Markets | UK Energy | Europe

China is already central to the global clean energy story. It dominates renewable technology manufacturing, leads the world on EVs and batteries, and is often described as the emerging “electrostate”. But we tend to hear much less about China’s own electricity system.

So how does it work?

Why has electricity been so important to China’s economic growth?

And what can the UK and Europe learn from the way China is reforming its power markets?

This week, Professor Michael Pollitt from Cambridge University joins host Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett to unpack the past, present and future of China’s electricity system.

They discuss the scale of Chinese power demand, the role of provincial electricity markets, how China combines state ownership with competition, the politics of coal and renewables, and why China may become one of the most important testing grounds for the future of electricity market design.

Keywords:

China | Electricity Markets | Electrification | Renewables | Energy Security | Power Systems | Clean Energy | Energy Transition | Market Reform | 

This week we’re talking about energy bills.

The UK has some of the highest electricity prices in theworld, and global events are once again pushing oil and gas markets into the headlines. But what actually drives the cost of energy in Britain? How will the latest crisis in the Middle East feed through to household bills? And does the price cap really protect consumers in the way people think?

This week, Kate Mulvany joins host Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett tounpack how the UK energy market really works. Kate has worked for industry leaders such as Centrica and Cornwall Insights, and is now Director at Mulvany Consulting.

They discuss why gas still has such a big impact on electricity prices, how policy and infrastructure costs end up on bills, and why there is no single switch government can pull to make energy cheap overnight.

Keywords:

Energy Bills | Price Cap | Energy Prices | Gas | Electricity| Renewables | Fuel Poverty | Energy Security | UK Energy | Net Zero

A few weeks ago, Tony Blair published an essay arguing that the UK should focus less on clean power, and more on cheap power. But is that really the choice Britain faces?

And in a world of rising electricity demand, data centres, expensive gas, and growing pressure on the grid, what would genuinely cheap power actually look like?

This week, Andrew Sissons returns to the podcast to join host Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett for a conversation about the politics and economics behind Blair’s argument.

They discuss the growing influence of AI on energy policy, why US-style energy abundance does not easily translate to the UK, whether gas can really provide cheap power, and why clean electricity is still Britain’s best route to lower bills and higher growth.

Keywords: Tony Blair | AI | Cheap Power | Clean Power | Growth | Electricity Prices | Data Centres | Renewables | Gas | Net Zero | UK Energy

This week we have a special episode of The Energy Revolution Podcast, as we’re joined by Chris Stark, Head of the UK’s Clean Power Mission, to discuss the UK’s plan to build a clean power system by 2030.

What has the Clean Power Mission achieved so far? And how can the UK make sure clean power translates into lower bills, greater energy security and a more electrified economy?

Chris and our host, Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett, discuss what it is like working at the centre of government on one of the UK’s biggest infrastructure challenges, why the next phase of the mission is about demand as well as supply, and what it would take for Britain to become an “electrostate”.

They also cover electricity prices, the industrial opportunities from clean power, and how the UK’s energy transition fits into the wider global picture.

Keywords:

Clean Power 2030 | Chris Stark | Energy Security | Electricity Prices | Grid | Renewables | Electrification | Net Zero | Industrial Strategy | UK Energy

For decades, the North Sea has played a major role in Britain’s energy system, economy and industrial base.

But production has been declining for years, and the debate over what should happen next remains highly contested.

Why are projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank still being reconsidered?

What does the government’s position on new licences mean in practice?

And what would further domestic production mean for bills, energy security, jobs and the UK’s climate targets?

This week, Tessa Khan joins host Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett to discuss the future of the North Sea oil and gas sector.

They cover the history of the basin, the arguments for and against further extraction, and what a successful transition for North Sea workers and communities could look like.

Keywords:

North Sea | Oil and Gas | Energy Security | Rosebank | Jackdaw | Jobs | Just Transition | Climate | Net Zero | UK Energy