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/

In this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam sits down with Jonathan Hick, Head of Energy Transition & Fund Manager at Triple Point, to unpack the realities of energy transition investment – beyond the ESG hype.

Jonathan shares his journey from the post-2008 financial crisis to leading one of the UK’s most innovative impact-led investment teams. At Triple Point, he’s helping drive capital into the climate transition across debt and equity, tackling everything from battery storage to transport and building decarbonisation.

The conversation dives into the challenges of pricing risk in an environment where gilts yield more than solar farms, why long-duration storage and co-location aren’t being properly valued, and how Triple Point assesses returns in markets shaped by REMA, grid reform, and regional regulation. Jonathan also unpacks the investor mindset — it’s not about sacrificing returns to do good, but about designing projects that generate strong returns because they accelerate the energy transition.

Adam and Jonathan discuss:

• Why pricing risk properly matters more than ever in a post-subsidy, high-rate world
• The real reason long-duration storage and co-location are still underdeveloped
• How Triple Point balances debt and equity to unlock complex energy projects
• What grid reform and REMA mean for investor confidence and project pipelines
• Where Europe’s energy capital is heading - and why smart regulation makes all the difference

Useful Links

Connect with Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hick-a302101b/

Visit Triple Point's website: https://www.triplepoint.co.uk/

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

In this episode, Adam sits down with Ville Kaituri, founder of Olana Energy, an independent power producer based in Finland that’s doubling down on battery energy storage (BESS) across Eastern Europe.

Ville shares the story behind Olana Energy’s rapid pivot from solar to storage, explaining how a crash in the Finnish real estate market and a curiosity about market volatility led him to rethink how energy infrastructure should be built – and who should build it. He dives into Olana Energy’s unique people-first approach to growth, prioritising entrepreneurial local talent over project pipelines, and why that mindset is key to scaling at speed across fragmented, high-opportunity energy markets like Poland and the Baltics.

The conversation touches on everything from navigating grid chaos and regulatory red tape, to the role of storytelling, decision-making agility, and why traditional infrastructure investment models aren’t built for today’s energy volatility. Ville also opens up about rebranding the company, how to optimise BESS performance with real-time analytics, and what he looks for in capital partners with the guts to move fast.

Adam and Ville cover:

• Why the team pivoted from solar to BESS - and how they’re scaling fast across Poland and the Baltics
• The risks of project-first thinking and why finding the right people comes first
• How fast decisions, flat structures, and founder storytelling fuel infrastructure growth
• Why owning BESS knowledge in-house beats outsourcing in a still-nascent market
• What emerging markets reveal about grid visibility, investment barriers, and regulatory reform

Useful Links

Visit Olana Energy's website: https://www.olana.fi/en

Connect with Ville on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/villekaituri/

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

In this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam sits down with Giovanni Terranova, Founding Partner, and Jon Henderson, Director of Onshore Wind, Solar PV & Battery Storage at Bluefield, to explore how one of the UK’s most established renewable investment firms evolved into a fully integrated platform spanning development, construction, operations, and data analytics.

Giovanni shares the story of Bluefield’s journey from launching the UK’s first listed solar fund in 2013 to organically building out a group of five companies covering the entire renewables value chain. He explains why Bluefield opted for internal growth over acquisition, the benefits and cultural challenges of true integration, and how their multidisciplinary team is uniquely positioned to drive value from solar, wind, and – next up – battery storage projects across Europe.

Jon discusses the operational complexities of managing 140+ assets in multiple markets, from unifying diverse SCADA and monitoring systems to leveraging in-house data analytics for smarter asset management and performance benchmarking. The conversation dives into the strategic rationale behind Bluefield’s focus on acquiring and repowering underperforming or aging assets, as well as the growing role of batteries as a central pillar of the energy transition.

Other topics include the realities of talent competition in renewables, the critical importance of culture and retention, and why building and owning your data platform is now a must-have for forward-looking operators and investors. The episode closes with a look at Bluefield’s pan-European fund ambitions, market expansion plans, and how they’re preparing for the next wave of energy storage opportunities.

Adam, Giovanni and Jon discuss:

• The shift from a UK solar investment fund to a fully integrated renewables business covering development, construction, and operations
• How full value chain integration brings a strategic edge, but also creates unique cultural and operational challenges
• Investing in proprietary data platforms to optimise asset performance and support smarter decision-making
• Unlocking value by repowering and upgrading aging solar and wind assets
• Addressing the renewables talent gap and getting ready for the growing importance of battery storage

Useful Links

Visit Bluefield's website: https://thebluefieldgroup.com/bluefield-partners

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanniterranova/

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-henderson-25639522/

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

In this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam sits down with Giles Hanglin, CEO of Apatura, to unpack the strategic collision of AI, energy infrastructure, and data centres in Scotland.

Giles shares how Apatura is evolving from battery energy storage to developing gigawatt-scale data centre campuses, capitalising on grid connections originally intended for BESS projects. With over 3 GW of projects now pivoted towards data centre use, Giles explains why Scotland – often overlooked compared to Ireland – is uniquely positioned to become a global hub for AI-driven computing, thanks to its abundant green power, lower temperatures, and strong connectivity.

The conversation explores how hyperscalers are seeking final demand connections and grid resilience, the opportunity to use surplus heat for local community benefit, and how regional pricing dynamics could supercharge data centre development in the central belt. Giles also reflects on the challenges of scaling a fast-moving private business and the need for government support, planning reform, and talent pipelines to capture this transformative opportunity for the Scottish economy.

Whether you’re in energy, infrastructure, or AI, this episode provides an insider look into one of the most compelling industrial plays happening on UK soil.

Adam and Giles explore:

• How Apatura is transforming grid-connected BESS sites into AI-ready data centre campuses
• Why Scotland is primed to lead: abundant green power, cooler climate, and strong fibre connectivity
• The role of batteries in providing grid resilience and powering data centres with curtailed wind
• Opportunities to reuse surplus heat from data centres for local communities and infrastructure
• The potential for £70 billion in investment and long-term job creation across Scotland

Useful Links

• Apatura's website: https://apatura.energy/
• Connect with Giles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-hanglin/
• Join Hypercube's Beyond Energy Community: https://wearehypercube.com/join-the-community/

Smart Charging and Virtual Power Plants: EVs, Data, and Clean Energy

In this episode of the Hypercube Podcast, Adam sits down with William Goldsmith, Director of Market Intelligence at ev.energy, to explore the intersection of electric vehicles, smart charging, and virtual power plants (VPPs).

William shares his journey from the National Electricity Control Centre to helping scale ev.energy from a UK-based startup into a global clean tech company. He explains how ev.energy connects EV drivers, OEMs, and utilities to deliver cheaper, greener, and smarter home charging – transforming EVs into distributed energy assets capable of supporting the grid.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the technical and regulatory challenges of deploying VPPs across multiple markets, to how data, AI, and user experience design underpin ev.energy’s ability to flexibly manage more than 200,000 vehicles on its platform. William also gives a candid overview of the company’s four-stage smart charging framework – from behavioural nudges to fully bi-directional energy flows – and why building trust and transparency is essential to unlocking the full value of vehicle-to-grid technology.

The episode closes with reflections on the importance of data standardisation, explainable forecasting models, and the cultural work behind building a technology-led, mission-driven organisation.

Adam and Will cover:

• The rise of EVs as energy assets and how smart charging turns parked cars into grid-supporting superheroes
• How ev.energy is building a virtual power plant from 200,000+ EVs to lower bills and carbon emissions
• What it takes to scale globally, from UK market unbundling to navigating US state-by-state energy rules
• The role of AI and forecasting in making smart charging smarter - and more reliable for users and utilities
• Why trust, transparency, and culture are critical to scaling climate tech with real impact

Chapter markers

[00:00] Introduction to William Goldsmith – Background and role at ev.energy.

[01:22] Early career at National Grid – Learning the grid from the inside out.

[03:34] EVs and the grid – Challenge or opportunity?

[05:10] Building smart charging experiences – Trust, design, and incentives.

[06:45] Global expansion – How market structures shape strategy.

[10:30] Virtual power plants – Aggregating 200,000+ EVs to support the grid.

[14:30] Home charging in practice – Cost savings and everyday convenience.

[19:00] Bi-directional charging – V2G, solar, and the future of flexibility.

[25:00] Data and AI – Forecasting, optimisation, and explainability.

[30:43] Culture and transparency – Scaling tech with purpose and trust.

Useful Links

ev.energy's website: Smart EV Charging Solutions | ev.energy

Connect with William on LinkedIn: William Goldsmith | LinkedIn

Join Hypercube's Beyond Energy Community: Join the Beyond Energy Community - Hypercube | Energy Technology Partner

Watch on YouTube: Smart Charging and Virtual Power Plants: EVs, Data, and Clean Energy | William Goldsmith, ev.energy - YouTube