The Hypercube Energy Podcast

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Stephen Haben, Senior AI Consultant at Energy Systems Catapult, about where AI and data are genuinely useful in the energy sector — and what still needs to change for them to scale safely in a system that is becoming more complex and decentralised.

Stephen shares his journey from academic research in forecasting and low-voltage networks into applied AI and digital advisory work across the energy system. He explains why many of the biggest barriers to AI adoption are not technical, but relate to data quality, integration, skills, and the realities of operating safety-critical infrastructure. The conversation explores the Catapult’s role in supporting innovators, networks, and policymakers, and why strong digital foundations are essential before advanced AI can deliver value.

Adam and Stephen cover:

• Stephen’s path from academic forecasting research into sector-wide AI advisory
• Why AI in energy often fails without strong data and digital foundations
• Common pitfalls in forecasting and why simple models still matter
• How EVs, heat pumps, and flexibility are reshaping distribution networks
• The role of Smart Energy Data Services in enabling innovation
• Synthetic data, privacy, and responsible data sharing
• What it takes to move AI from pilots into real-world energy operations

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Stephan Schnez, CTO and Co-founder of RCT Pro, about the role of power electronics, digital control, and battery storage in a grid with falling inertia and rising complexity.

Stephan shares his journey from theoretical physics and graphene research at ETH Zurich into renewable energy and battery storage, including senior roles at ABB and helping to build Huawei’s Zurich research centre, before joining RCT Power and spinning out RCT Pro to focus on commercial and industrial storage. The conversation explores why digital technologies are no longer optional but fundamental enablers of the energy transition, and how control systems, software, and hardware must evolve together.

Adam and Stephan cover:

• Stephan’s path from physics research to energy storage and power electronics
• Why declining grid inertia makes digital control essential
• RCT Power’s origins and the impact of hybrid inverters in residential storage
• Why C&I battery storage is a fundamentally different market
• The decision to spin out RCT Pro to move faster and closer to customers
• Competing with global manufacturers through localisation, usability, and trust
• What building a truly digital-first hardware company looks like in practice

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Aazzum Yassir, Director of Technology and Operations at Pulse Clean Energy. Aazzum works at the forefront of the UK’s battery storage market, helping to design, build, and operate energy storage assets that support a more affordable and resilient power system.

The conversation explores why battery energy storage is becoming essential to the modern energy system, how batteries help stabilise prices and unlock more value from renewables, and why energy management has been historically underinvested compared to generation. Aazzum also discusses Pulse’s work on battery carbon payback, supply chain transparency, and how advances in storage and power electronics are reshaping grid services.

Adam and Aazzum cover:

• Aazzum’s role leading technology and operations at Pulse Clean Energy
• Why battery storage is critical for a reliable, low-cost energy system
• Energy management as a missing link in the energy transition
• Battery carbon payback and open-source emissions modelling
• Ethical sourcing and transparency in battery supply chains
• How storage technology is evolving to support grid resilience

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Carolina Tortora, Head of AI, Innovation and Digitalisation at NESO. Carolina works at the centre of Great Britain’s energy system, leading efforts to modernise how the sector uses data, digital tools, and AI as complexity and decentralisation increase.

The conversation explores why digital transformation is now essential for system resilience and net zero, the cultural challenge of aligning engineering and digital teams, and the role of data quality and secure data sharing in enabling innovation. Carolina also discusses the ambition behind the Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI), the realities of deploying innovation in critical infrastructure, and what NESO is looking for through its Call for Ideas.

Adam and Carolina cover:

• Carolina’s role leading AI, innovation, and digitalisation at NESO
• Why digital transformation is critical for a resilient, net zero energy system
• Cultural challenges between engineering expertise and digital capability
• Data quality, governance, and the foundations for effective AI
• The Data Sharing Infrastructure and sector-wide collaboration
• Balancing innovation with operational risk in critical infrastructure
• What NESO is looking for through its innovation-focused Call for Ideas

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Tunde Olaoye, Director of Product and Innovation at Gren, a fast-growing UK energy company building next-generation heat and power networks. Tunde brings over a decade of experience across mechanical engineering, consultancy, and large-scale energy infrastructure, with a career spanning Babcock, WSP, SSE, and now Gren.

Tunde shares how Gren is rethinking urban heat through digital twins, optimisation, and large-scale network design, and how their “Energy on Clyde” project is laying the foundations for a new model of low-carbon heat infrastructure. They explore why heat networks are essential for decarbonising complex buildings, the challenges of legacy systems, and how data-driven control can unlock major efficiency gains.

The conversation ranges from hands-on engineering lessons to the cultural and financial innovations needed to scale clean heat. Tunde also reflects on the role of AI, the future of O&M optimisation, and what it takes to build a truly digital-first energy organisation.

Adam and Tunde cover:

• Tunde’s journey through engineering, consultancy, and the evolution of heat networks
• How heat networks work — and why they’re vital for decarbonising cities
• Digital twins for real-time optimisation, control, and asset insight
• Using data to reduce O&M costs and improve financial performance
• Parallels between heat, power, and other infrastructure systems
• The future of AI in operational decision-making and reliability
• Building inclusive, collaborative teams in a fast-scaling energy startup

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Dr Stephanie Loeb, Professor of Civil Engineering at McGill University and Associate Director of the Brace Water Centre. Stephanie’s research explores how solar energy, nanomaterials, and AI can power the next generation of sustainable water systems.

They discuss how solar-driven photocatalysis and decentralised treatment technologies are reshaping the future of clean water, and how AI-enabled monitoring can transform environmental data into faster, clearer insights for policy and public health. Stephanie also reflects on the water–energy nexus, the close relationship between how we power and purify our world, and how innovation, mentorship, and inclusion are driving change in STEM.

Adam and Stephanie cover:

• Stephanie’s journey from physics and photonics to environmental engineering
• The science behind solar-powered water treatment
• Using AI and optical data to improve water safety and monitoring
• Parallels between decentralised energy and water systems
• Mentorship, inclusion, and the next generation of scientists

On this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Philip Bradstock, Co-founder and Head of Analytics at Bitbloom, a company helping renewable energy owners unlock hidden efficiencies in wind and solar assets. Philip shares his journey from turbine modelling to founding Bitbloom, where he uses data to optimise performance across more than five gigawatts of renewable assets worldwide.

They discuss how analytics, machine learning, and automation turn complex renewable data into actionable insights. Philip explains how combining human expertise with AI helps boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and extend asset life — driving smarter, more sustainable energy operations.

Adam and Philip cover:

• Philip’s journey from physics research to co-founding Bitbloom
• Using data and AI to uncover efficiency gains in renewables
• Turning complex data into clear operational insights
• Balancing automation with human expertise
• Maximising assets to power the energy transition

In this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, we welcome a new voice behind the mic - Ivona Voroneckaja, Engineering Manager and former Senior Data Scientist at Hypercube - as she speaks with Duncan Bain, Senior Systems Engineer at SAS UK, about how innovation and intelligence are redefining energy forecasting.

They explore how AI-driven modelling and decentralised energy systems are transforming the way organisations forecast demand, generation, and pricing - using approaches that range from traditional methods like ARIMA to advanced LSTM and hybrid CNN-LSTM models that combine human expertise with machine learning.

Duncan shares how SAS empowers forecasting teams through cloud-based, data-driven tools, while Ivona offers a practitioner’s view on turning insights into real-world action.

Upcoming Webinar:

This episode also highlights The Future of Energy Forecasting webinar, hosted in partnership with SAS. The session offers a deeper dive into how organisations can navigate market volatility and accelerate innovation in energy forecasting.

A grounded, forward-looking discussion on what’s next in energy forecasting, and how AI, data, and human insight are helping the sector stay ahead of change.

Ivona and Duncan discuss:

• The cost of poor forecasting and market penalties
• Modelling renewables, electrification, and volatility
• Using AI, synthetic data, and cloud platforms for smarter forecasts
• Building trust and transparency into predictive models
• The next frontier - from hybrid AI to quantum optimisation

On this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Jade Edwards, Head of Insights at Zapmap, a leading EV charging platform in the UK. Jade shares her journey from data analysis in the insurance sector to leading insights at the forefront of EV infrastructure, where she leverages charging behaviour and network data to optimise public charging solutions.

The conversation explores the complexities of building and managing EV charging networks, from on-street lamppost chargers to high-powered hubs, and how data-driven insights inform planning, utilisation, and investment decisions. Jade explains how advanced analytics, GIS mapping, and forecasting models help stakeholders - including charge point operators, local authorities, and energy distributors - make smarter, more efficient decisions to support the growing EV ecosystem.

Adam and Jade also discuss the future of EV infrastructure, including AI-driven forecasting, integration with the energy grid, and the importance of providing equitable access to charging for all drivers. From practical operational insights to strategic planning for the energy transition, this episode offers a deep dive into the data shaping the future of EV charging in the UK.

Adam and Jade cover:

• Unexpected patterns in local EV charging behaviour
• Maintaining accurate and GDPR-compliant data
• Innovative collaborations with universities and industry partners
• Infrastructure planning, utilisation forecasting, and future pricing models
• Solutions for drivers without home charging options

Final episode before a short summer break!

On this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Rob Taylor, Group CIO at GivEnergy, the UK’s leading manufacturer of domestic battery storage systems. Rob shares his journey from receiving a shockingly high energy bill to leading the company’s software division, where he now drives cloud-based platforms, open APIs, and smart integrations that connect batteries, EV chargers, and home energy systems. 

The conversation explores the core challenge of interoperability in a fragmented energy landscape. Rob explains how GivEnergy has championed openness from the beginning and why emerging standards like the Mercury initiative are critical to enabling a connected, scalable energy ecosystem. He also unpacks the strategic importance of early involvement in EV charger protocols, beyond GivEnergy’s core battery products. 

Adam and Rob dive into the bigger picture: how domestic and grid-scale storage must work together to meet the UK’s Clean Power 2030 goals, and why cost barriers, installation complexity, and lack of targeted financial incentives are slowing broader adoption. Rob also raises concerns about security in both hardware and software supply chains, calling for greater scrutiny of development practices and long-term infrastructure risks. 

Finally, they discuss the cautious but promising role of AI in home energy management, the importance of responsible data use, and how the sector can balance innovation with consumer trust. From standards and software to security and equity, this episode offers a wide-ranging look at the forces shaping the future of home energy. 

Adam and Rob cover:

• How a sky-high energy bill led Rob from science into smart energy innovation 
• Why GivEnergy bet early on open APIs and what it means for interoperability today 
• The challenge of fragmented standards and how the Mercury initiative aims to fix it 
• Security risks in global software supply chains and the hidden vulnerabilities in home energy devices 
• Why home batteries alone aren’t enough: building toward whole-home optimisation 
• The equity gap in energy adoption and the case for targeted financial incentives 

Useful Links

Visit GivEnergy: https://givenergy.co.uk/

Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-taylor-uk/

Join Hypercube's Beyond Energy Community: https://wearehypercube.com/join-the-community/

Chapter markers

[00:00] Batteries, fairness, and the risk of a two-tier energy system

[01:00] Meet Rob Taylor – GivEnergy’s CIO on scaling domestic storage

[05:19] Why interoperability is broken – and how Mercury might fix it

[10:13] Why Clean Power 2030 needs both grid-scale and home batteries

[17:51] Supply chain threats, software trust, and grid vulnerability

[24:43] AI hype vs real value – GivEnergy’s take on smart optimisation