Can AI help us build resilience into the energy grid, even in the face of unforeseen challenges?

Host

Dr Francesco Leofante - Assistant Professor in the Department of Computing, Imperial (Centre for eXperimental AI)

Guest

Mary Cleary - Vice President (Marketing, Communications & Policy) at Neara

Today's topics

• Challenges in modelling AI for a critical infrastructure
• Major applications for grid resilience
• Repairing models for policy and regulators and
• New opportunities in AI

Timecodes & Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast

01:13 - Grid Resilience Applications

01:38 - Meet the Host and Topic: Francesco Leofante on AI for Critical Infrastructure

02:27 - Meet the Guest: Mary Cleary from Neara

03:41 - What is a Physics-Enabled Digital Twin?

04:05 - Role of AI in Classifying Infrastructure Data

08:11 - Counterfactual Reasoning and Scenario Simulation

09:25 - Challenges of Data Collection in the Energy Sector

12:17 - Cost of Training AI Models and Opportunity Costs

14:44 - AI Safety and Explainability in Critical Systems

16:22 - Regulatory Challenges and Transparency

22:56 - Privacy and Cybersecurity Considerations

24:58 - Policy Recommendations and the Need for Guidance

29:04 - AI for Extreme Weather Prediction and Infrastructure Stress Testing

43:00 - Closing Remarks and Reflections on AI’s Role in Energy

Francesco's links

Imperial Profile link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/f.leofante

Linked In link - https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescoleofante/

Mary's link

LinkedIn link - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-cleary-71212423/

Produced by Annemarie van Basten

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/

Additional Links

Neara webpage link - https://neara.com

Centre for eXplainable AI link - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/explainable-artificial-intelligence/

From noisy myths to quiet revolutions: Heat pumps are transforming home heating in the UK. Curious how? Tune into this deep-dive with experts from Imperial College.

Host

Dr Anastasiya Ostrovnaya - Senior Research & Teaching Fellow at the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment

Guest 

Matt Lipson – Deputy Director at Undaunted, Imperial

Today's Topics

• Challenges the ‘heat pump’ industry face in line with Net Zero targets.
• Government policies on Heat pumps
• Initiatives, new technologies and installations in UK homes
• And the driving force behind the market

Timecode Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast

01:10 - Meet the Host and Guest: Anastasia Ostrovnaya & Matt Lipson

02:30 - Why Heat Pumps Matter for Net Zero

04:15 - Comparing UK and Norway: Adoption Challenges

06:00 - Government Subsidies and Public Awareness

08:00 - Electricity vs Gas Prices in the UK

10:00 - Heat Pump Efficiency Explained (COP & SCOP)

13:00 - System Design and Installation Quality

15:30 - Electricity Pricing and Smart Usage

17:45 - Scaling Up: Installer Shortages and Training

20:00 - Comfort Concerns in Older Homes

22:30 - Upfront Costs vs Running Costs

25:00 - Innovations in Heat Pump Technology

27:30 - Planning Rules and Noise Concerns

29:30 - Market Drivers: Startups vs Big Utilities

32:00 - Role of Finance and Mortgages

34:30 - EPC Ratings and Policy Misalignment

37:00 - Landlords and the Rental Market Challenge

39:30 - Ground Source Heat Pumps and New Builds

42:00 - Government Regulation and Developer Incentives

44:00 - Fuel Poverty and Warm Home Prescriptions

46:30 - Supporting Innovation and Startups

48:00 - Will the UK Meet Its Heat Pump Targets?

49:30 - Closing Thoughts

Anastasiya’s links:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aostrovnaya/

Imperial profile link - https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/a.ostrovnaya

Matt’s links:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-lipson-20baab/

Produced by Annemarie van Basten

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/

Additional Links

Get in touch if you have an innovative idea for solving the challenges with getting heat pumps installed by everyone;

Undaunted Link - https://undaunted-hq.org/contact/.

Find out more about the cool new heat pump tech developed by Anzen here: Anzen Link - https://www.anzenwalls.co.uk/

Find answers to any of your heat pump questions on Heat Geek's YouTube channel. - https://www.youtube.com/HeatGeek

Open Energy Monitor link - https://openenergymonitor.org/

There's no need to fully insulate your home for heat pumps to operate at very high efficiency according to;

University of Oxford, link - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/janrosenow_new-paper-why-the-fabric-first-dogma-is-activity-7141426267156840448-9Cok?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

University College London, link - https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.388

Nesta, link - https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/insulation-impact-how-much-do-uk-houses-really-need/

Energy Systems Catapult, link - https://es.catapult.org.uk/news/electrification-of-heat-trial-finds-heat-pumps-suitable-for-all-housing-types/

Green Alliance, link - https://green-alliance.org.uk/briefing/decarbonising-heat-while-addressing-fuel-poverty/

Government consultation on new standards for private landlords in this link -...

In order to transform the UK’s transport system into a fully electric one, government have to identify key areas of infrastructure that need support and investment.

Do they run the risk of failure when large scale decisions are not backed by analysis?

Host

Edoardo Taricco, a mechanical engineer and graduate of the MSc in sustainable energy futures from Imperial

Guests

Mats Larson, a business Management Consultant with 30-years experience in developing company strategy. He has worked with large-scale transformation to electromobility and sustainability. His work has resulted in five internationally published books.

Topics Discussed

• What is needed to develop the UK and the EU electromobility systems.
• Society and government’s thought process leading to unachievable targets. - The need for identifying key risks and investing in infrastructure.
• Electromobility in developing countries.

Timecode & Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Futures Podcast

00:42 - Meet the Host and Guest: Eduardo Taricco & Mats Larsson

02:15 - Mats Larsson’s Background and Work on Electromobility

04:30 - What is Hyper Think? Understanding the Concept

07:45 - Risks of Hyper Think in Policy and Decision-Making

11:10 - Historical Examples of Successful System Change

14:20 - The Role of Competition in Driving Innovation

17:00 - Infrastructure Challenges in Electromobility

20:35 - Lessons from China’s Strategic Electrification

24:10 - Underestimating Electricity Demand in Europe

27:30 - The Problem with Unrealistic Policy Targets

30:50 - Root Causes of Hyper Think in Politics and Society

34:00 - Institutions and the Need for New Collaborative Models

37:20 - The Skills Gap: From Mechanical to Electrical Competence

40:00 - Government Mechanisms to Coordinate System Change

43:15 - External Factors That Could Shift the Dynamics

46:30 - Electromobility in Developing Countries

50:00 - The Need to Focus on Scalable, Proven Solutions

53:10 - Strategic Planning: Electrification Architects & Strategists

56:00 - What Gives Hope for the Future of Electromobility

58:00 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find the Book

59:00 - Outro and Energy Futures Lab Info

Edoardo's Link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edoardo-taricco-9a77a2205/

Mats' link

https://www.getinstitute.com/about

Produced by Annemarie van Basten

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-van-basten-b4289a17/

Additional Links

• GET Institute Link - https://www.getinstitute.com/
• Mat's new book ' How building the future really works' - https://www.getinstitute.com/electromobilitytransformationhandbook