ABOUT
Welcome internet traveller to this conduit for my papers and publications, which also sets out a little about who I am and what I stand for! If you are getting in touch about public speaking or advisory, please jump to the "Contact" section.
Sustainability Pioneer
Accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy is key to our future prosperity, and the technology that underpins the success of this transition is energy storage. I have been at the forefront of this industry since 2009. After completing an industry-based PhD I became part of the founding team of Fluence, a start-up that grew into a global leader in grid-scale storage, helping to develop and deploy the technology needed to decarbonise power grids. I'm a passionate tech evangelist and frequent public speaker, including plenary keynotes to thousands of delegates. In 2017, Forbes made me an honouree of their 30 Under 30 list in recognition of my leadership in this sector.
Technology Futurist
I like to spend time thinking and reflecting about the world we live in and the science and technology breakthroughs that are shaping the world. The future isn't some abstract, distant utopia (or dystopia); the technology adoption curve is accelerating, often with implications difficult to comprehend and complex. I'm a board and UN advisor on such topics as well as a frequent media contributor through various platforms on a vision for the future energy system we are rapidly converging towards, shaped by technology and people.
Digital Nomad
British-born but of Polish descent, I'm an avid traveller and explorer, having visited 65+ countries & territories across 6 continents of the world. I currently live in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I believe that finding new angles and perspectives on all global issues is critical for helping us build bridges rather than walls between communities. Travelling, living and working in different places around the world has given me an opportunity to develop cultural fluency, an international network of connections, and enrich my knowledge of different cultures.
MY EXPERIENCE
I'm a firm believer in the power of technology to drastically advance our living standards and wellbeing.
I strive to catalyse such change.
Industry Thought Leader
I hold masters and doctoral degrees in engineering, with a focus on how to enable a sustainable energy system. I have been leading the conversation as an invited speaker and futurist on sustainability at hundreds of events including the UN, Forbes Summits, as well as top universities including Imperial, Cambridge and Oxford. I am a recognised LinkedIn 'Top Voice' with 27,000+ followers.
Experienced Executive
I have 15+ years of experience in technology entrepreneurship, supported by an executive education from Stanford. I have helped accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy across several leadership roles, most notably as founder and MD of Fluence, a global leader in grid-scale battery storage. I currently serve in the flex leadership team ENOWA in NEOM, building a 100% renewable power grid from scratch in Saudi Arabia.
Board, Government & UN Advisor
I have previously worked in Westminster at POST and served on the board of the UK Electricity Storage Network. I am currently an invited expert at the United Nations Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems, a subsidiary body of the Committee on Sustainable Energy, meeting typically once a year at the UN headquarters in Geneva. I also serve as a specialist board advisor to infrastructure investor Reichmuth & Co.
MY ADVENTURES
I love to get involved in a whole host of things to challenge myself and develop as a person, as well as hopefully improve the world in some small way. Consider these a collection of some of my other passions from over the years.
The Explorer
I'm an avid traveller, with a thirst to experience new cultures and meet new people. I've explored 6 continents, from deserts to rainforests, mountain peaks to ocean floors.
The Photographer
I enjoy capturing the world's diverse wonders and curiosities through a lens, and have amassed a diverse collection from my travels. I occasionally exhibit my photography and sell prints.
The Diplomat
I'm a member of the UN Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems, a subsidiary body that focuses on activities that significantly reduce GHG emissions from fossil fuel electricity.
The Volunteer
I was Durham University branch President at sustainable development charity Engineers Without Borders, managing
sustainability projects and using engineering to help people prosper.
The Actor
Film industry friends rejuvenated my interest in the creative arts (and yes that is the real Iron Throne). I've been a registered Extra and appeared in several film & tv productions including Cannes feature film 'A Christmas Star' (alongside Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson!).
The Physicist
NASA do more than send rockets into space. They also have a big role in helping us understand the world we live in. I worked with NASA data during my PhD to validate new ways of simulating generation from wind, receiving a high commendation from the Institute of Physics in 2015.
The YLUKer
During the Obama presidency, I was a member of the US Embassy's UK Young Leaders program. The US Mission recognised this as a way to strengthen the special relationship and I regularly connected with the US Ambassador and business leaders through hosted events.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER
Some of the diverse projects I've been involved with
Building a net zero grid by 2030
Mission: enable a 100% power grid from scratch in record time
As Director of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in ENOWA, NEOM's clean energy, water & green hydrogen company I am helping to build a grid 100% powered by renewable energy from scratch in a short few years. NEOM is the world's largest sustainable infrastructure project ($500b+) in Saudi Arabia, including iconic projects like the linear, car-free city 'The Line', a mountain ski resort 'Trojena' and an industrial port city 'Oxagon'.
Sustainable housing in India
Mission: salvage international development project, empower locals.
Analysis into an international development project to identify why earthquake-resistant dome housing structures were failing. I worked with an Indian NGO and development charity EWB to find a solution. I also developed structural analysis tools that empowered the NGO to teach structural design to its students. This was recognised by the Frazer-Nash Consultancy Award for Innovation and the honour of ICE Civil Engineering Student of the Year.
Europe's first big battery
Mission: introduce game changing technology to market.
I had a lead role in the development of (at that time) Europe's largest and first fully commercial battery energy storage project in 2015, aligning stakeholders to accelerate market opening. The UK Government hailed it as 'game changing green technology' that will help integrate renewables, reduce bills and improve energy security. For my role leading the project, I was named the Energy Institute's Young Energy Professional of the Year.
Photography start-up
Mission: take stories, not pictures.
With encouragement from friends and family, I set out to stretch my entrepreneurial muscles and begin sharing my passion for travel photography, negotiating some resale agreements through local businesses. I've exhibited in DOCK Cafe and Kaffe O in Belfast and been interviewed by BBC radio about my work and inspiration.
Carbon reduction
Mission: cut EMEA office carbon footprint 20%.
Asked by the regional president of a global energy company to report on their Europe, Middle East and Africa HQ carbon footprint. I produced a baseline report of emissions and was backed to support a project team to act on the findings. Ongoing monitoring identified the changes we implemented more than doubled our goal, reducing emissions by 40% after 2 years.
Managing renewable intermittency
Mission: accelerate the world's transition to sustinable energy.
I led collaborative industry and academic research to inform corporate strategy and identify challenges with renewables integration in Ireland. This highlighted opportunities to improve system security, reduce costs £1.9m and emissions by 20 million kg of CO2 per year. The University of Reading awarded me TSBE Researcher of the Year for my analysis and strategic plan.
CONTACT
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