On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Steven Fawkes, Managing Partner at ep Group, about how energy efficiency, electrification and finance shape the pace of the energy transition.

Steven shares his experience across decades in the energy sector, reflecting on how the system has evolved from centralised, fossil-based generation to one increasingly driven by renewables, storage and distributed energy. He explains why energy efficiency has historically struggled to scale, despite its importance, and how challenges around measurement, standardisation and investment continue to hold it back.

Adam and Steven also discuss how electrification and efficiency interact at different system levels, the growing role of distributed batteries and flexibility, and how data, standardisation and de-risking tools could unlock more private capital. Along the way, they explore the human and organisational barriers that slow change, and why incentives, business models and trust are just as important as technology.

Adam and Steven cover:

• Steven’s role at EP Group and how he approaches building energy projects
• What has changed most across the energy system over the past 40 years
• Why energy efficiency remains underfunded and overlooked
• Electrification, distributed energy and the rise of flexibility markets
• How finance, standardisation and de-risking shape investment decisions
• The organisational and human barriers that can slow the energy transition

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with James Jamieson, Vice President of Business Development at Starlight Energy, about how planning decisions shape renewable energy projects and why policy, public trust and collaboration are central to delivering new infrastructure.

James shares his experience across local authority, consultancy and developer-side planning, explaining how energy projects move through the planning system and how decisions are made. The conversation explores the balance between commercial development, community concerns and environmental impact, as well as how biodiversity and social value are increasingly built into renewable projects from the outset.

Adam and James also discuss how planning is evolving as renewable infrastructure scales, where AI could help reduce administrative burden, and why trust, transparency and better public understanding of planning will be essential to delivering the next generation of energy projects.

Adam and James cover:

• James’s role at Starlight Energy and how renewable energy projects move through planning
• Why planning decisions are policy-led rather than popularity contests
• Balancing development, biodiversity and community concerns
• How planning professionals work with authorities, stakeholders and local communities
• Where AI could support planning systems and reduce administrative complexity
• Trust, transparency and the future of public engagement in infrastructure decisions

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Lucy Webb, Head of People Partnering at So Energy, about the human side of the energy transition and how people strategy underpins performance in a rapidly evolving energy market.

Lucy shares her journey across STEM industries into energy and explains how So Energy is preparing for sector shifts such as smart meter rollout, half-hourly settlement and increasing digitalisation. The conversation explores capability mapping, job design and future skills planning, as well as how AI can be used to enhance customer service and employee experience rather than replace human expertise.

Adam and Lucy cover:

• Lucy’s role at So Energy and what people partnering means in practice
• How capability mapping helps prepare for industry reform and digital change
• Job design, performance and adapting roles in a fast-moving sector
• AI as an enabler for customer service and operational efficiency
• Attracting diverse talent into energy and the skills that will matter most