{"id":45017,"date":"2025-01-31T09:30:40","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T09:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.archtam.com\/podcasts\/talking-infrastructure-podcast\/s04e01\/"},"modified":"2025-02-04T11:26:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T16:26:12","slug":"s04e01","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.archtam.com\/podcasts\/talking-infrastructure-podcast\/s04e01\/","title":{"rendered":"Accelerating the energy transition: why systems thinking changes everything"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Talking Infrastructure<\/p>\n

Accelerating the energy transition: why systems thinking changes everything<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n
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\n We\u2019ve got to think about this all together as a whole-systems holistic solution, whether it\u2019s a single rural community or whether that\u2019s at an industrial cluster level. It\u2019s the same\u2014the whole nation is a system in itself. So, we\u2019ve got to have that whole-systems approach from the top down, whether that\u2019s transmission networks right the way down to […] the final mile on the grid. <\/p>\n

\n Kate Gilmartin <\/p>\n

\n British Hydropower Association <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For too long, we\u2019ve tackled energy challenges in isolation\u2014treating renewables, grid capacity and infrastructure as separate pieces of the puzzle. But real progress demands a systems approach\u2014one that connects people, politics, places and portfolios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this first episode of Talking Infrastructure\u2019s Season 4, our host Toby Sadler is joined by Kate Gilmartin<\/strong> (CEO, British Hydropower Association), Dan Nicholls<\/strong> (Chief Product Officer, SNRG) and Sarah Falconer<\/strong> (Energy Planning, Consenting and Development Lead, ArchTam) to discuss why systems thinking is key to delivering a successful transition to clean energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They cover topics such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • How local energy solutions like microgrids could shift power back into the hands of communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The role of hydropower in providing reliable power, flexibility and storage\u2014and the barriers to scaling it up in the UK<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • What\u2019s needed to better align policy, planning and investment to accelerate clean energy projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • How systems thinking can help tackle skills shortages and build a long-term workforce for the sector<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Speaker profiles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Kate Gilmartin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    CEO, British Hydropower Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Experience\/background<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Kate Gilmartin is a long-time campaigner and supporter of the hydropower industry, having voluntarily managed the Micro Hydro Association and co-ordinated the Community Hydro Forum for more than 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With a BSc in Fuel & Energy and an MSc in Renewable Energy, Kate has experience and expertise across all renewable energy technologies and a passion for delivering net zero. Kate believes that net zero is of strategic importance not only in terms of CO2 savings and climate change mitigation but also with the increased urgency around the UK\u2019s energy security, added to the pressing requirement to dramatically reduce the cost of energy and alleviate the pressure of current price shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kate believes the UK is well placed to achieve its ambition for net zero and total energy security in which hydropower, tidal range and pumped storage hydro will all play a large part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why you\u2019re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s always great to have the opportunity to talk about the benefits of hydropower, especially as it blends so seamlessly into the landscape that people often don\u2019t even know it\u2019s there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a winter generator, hydropower is crucial for meeting peak energy demand. With the electrification of heat increasing this demand, we\u2019re going to need even more hydropower. The UK still has no tidal range capacity, and for an island nation, that has to change. We need to get the message across to policymakers\u2014now is the time for tidal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Dan Nicholls <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Chief Product Officer, SNRG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Experience\/background<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Dan Nicholls is a net zero specialist with over 15 years of experience delivering clean energy products and infrastructure. He is a man on a mission \u2013 one which began while at university, when he spent a year working for a sea turtle conservation charity in Greece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dan\u2019s career spans a range of roles that have built his expertise in the energy and climate sectors. Early on, he worked as a Hydrographic Surveyor, project managing offshore hydrographic and marine geophysical surveys, before transitioning to local government as a Planning Officer for Kerrier District Council and later as Principal Development Officer for Cornwall Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At Cornwall Council, Dan\u2019s focus shifted firmly to climate action when he became Senior Low Carbon Officer. He then joined Centrica as Programme Manager, leading the groundbreaking \u00a319 million Cornwall Local Energy Market (LEM) programme. This world-first innovation programme set out to explore flexible, smart energy solutions and novel software platforms with the potential to unlock new value streams and transform the energy sector. In 2021, Dan became Managing Director of SNRG, a role he held before stepping into his current position as Chief Product Officer in 2023, where he continues to lead the way in developing innovative energy products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why you\u2019re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m thrilled to join ArchTam to discuss why a systems thinking approach is essential for transforming energy infrastructure. The energy transition isn\u2019t just about swapping technologies\u2014it\u2019s about reimagining energy service and utility infrastructure business models and rethinking how the construction, energy and community sectors interact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A holistic, interconnected approach helps us tackle complexity, avoid unintended consequences and create resilient, sustainable solutions. It\u2019s a real pleasure to be part of the conversation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Sarah Falconer <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Energy Planning, Consenting and Development Lead, ArchTam<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Experience\/background<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Sarah Falconer joined ArchTam in November 2023 as the Environment and Sustainability Energy Lead. Before joining ArchTam, she worked at WSP as Clients and Sectors Lead, as well as Energy Sector Lead for the Environmental Consents Team. Prior to that, she spent 18 years at Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in various roles, most recently as Partner in Charge of the Capital Projects Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why you\u2019re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    This episode was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the energy transition with other professionals in the field. It\u2019s increasingly clear that the energy transition can only be achieved through consideration of all energy systems and combining market forces with government policy and financial support to drive progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It was insightful to hear different perspectives from Kate and Dan, and despite our different focus areas, common themes emerged\u2014particularly the importance of social value and community engagement, as well as the need to develop future energy professionals and retrain others to ensure a just transition in decarbonisation. The enthusiasm and commitment in the room to advancing the energy transition were truly inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Toby Sadler<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Host of Talking Infrastructure Season 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Experience\/background<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Toby Sadler brings 25 years of experience of broadcast journalism experience to his role as host of ArchTam\u2019s Talking Infrastructure podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Throughout his career, Toby has reported on major national and international stories for outlets such as Sky News, 5 News and ITV News. Many of these stories took him beyond the newsroom\u2014hard hat and safety boots in hand\u2014as infrastructure news increasingly moved from trade press to mainstream media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Toby has long been connected to the sector, not only producing corporate films on infrastructure developments but also serving as an in-house reporter at expos and conferences for nearly a decade. He has highlighted industry progress on key challenges, including transport decarbonisation, hydrogen development and workforce recruitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why you\u2019re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m excited to join the podcast as I am passionate about exploring the transformative power of infrastructure. Drawing on my extensive storytelling expertise, I aim to make infrastructure topics accessible and engaging, unpacking their critical role in shaping our communities, economies and environments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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