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

Adam speaks with Mark Lufkin, Chief Product Officer at Wondrwall, the Manchester-based company using AI to reinvent how homes manage and generate energy.

Mark walks us through Wondrwall’s evolution, from its origins in motion-sensing wallpaper to a full-stack smart home system powered by AI, solar, and predictive analytics. Think of it as a self-driving car, but for your house: the platform controls heating, lighting, storage, and energy flows in real time, drawing on over 20,000 data points per home, per day.

The conversation dives into the psychology behind smart tech adoption – why most people don’t have time to be energy experts, and how Wondrwall designs for trust, not just efficiency. Mark also unpacks Wondrwall’s PowerPlan model which removes upfront costs by giving away solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers, instead selling clean power back to homeowners at lower rates.

The episode explores how smart systems can feel more like companions than control panels, offering just the right balance of automation, insight, and emotional connection. If the future of housing is intelligent, Wondrwall wants to make sure it is also human.

Adam and Mark discuss:

• Most people aren’t prosumers; Wondrwall’s AI runs the home so they don’t have to
• Human-first design: tech that acts smart, but asks before it acts
• Future Homes Standard doesn’t go far enough and risks driving up bills
• Power Plan flips the model: zero upfront cost, cheaper energy, smarter homes
• Making net-zero realistic by designing for how people actually live

Useful Links

Visit Wondrwall: https://wondrwall.com/

Connect with Mark Lufkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklufkin/

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

Adam sits down with Dr. Edward Rackley, Head of Energy Storage at CRU, to explore the metrics, materials, and market forces shaping the future of grid-scale batteries.

Edward shares his path from chemical engineering and fuel cell research to leading CRU’s techno-economic analysis on global storage markets. He explains why battery innovation is entering a new era; one where performance, supply chain resilience, and lifecycle cost matter more than just dollars per kilowatt hour.

The conversation spans stacked containers, sodium-ion deployments, and the geopolitical tug-of-war over gigafactory dominance. Edward breaks down the industry’s shift from cost-reduction to performance optimisation, why Europe’s localisation push faces stiff competition, and how CRU models the tipping points that trigger real technology transitions.

From the chemistry of LFP and NMC to the practical limits of shipping 12MWh containers, this episode unpacks the realities behind energy storage scale-up – and what needs to happen next to move beyond lithium.

Adam and Edward cover:

• Techno-economic analysis and the shift from cost to performance optimisation
• Why LFP replaced NMC – and whether sodium, zinc, or flow batteries are next
• How CRU models battery lifetimes, cycling patterns, and levelised cost of storage
• Supply chain pressure points, from mineral refining to skilled labour shortages
• How global markets like Saudi Arabia and Morocco are reshaping storage dynamics

Useful Links

🔗 CRU Group: https://www.crugroup.com/

🔗 Connect with Edward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-rackley/

🔗 Join Hypercube’s Beyond Energy Community for case studies, articles, podcasts, and events: https://wearehypercube.com/join-the-community/