Smart Charging and Virtual Power Plants: EVs, Data, and Clean Energy, William Goldsmith, Director of Market Intelligence at ev.energy

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