Hi everyone, Last week was a whirlwind of learning and inspiration! I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the CIRED conference and even present a paper. My topic, “Reducing Peak Demand of EV fast charging stations using solar power streetlights,” focuses on bringing clever energy solutions to developing countries in Africa, especially where we have lots of sun but grids need a bit...
Following up on my previous blog about Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed, I took the recommendation from fellow readers to heart and dived into his other insightful work, Black Box Thinking. It was a fascinating read that shed new light on how we approach mistakes, learning, and ultimately, improvement. Coupled with his BBC radio series, the messages resonated deeply. Here are some of the key takeaways...
Last week, I sat down to write my blog post and suddenly, panic set in. Looking back over the past week, I realised that I hadn’t completed any of the books I was reading (listening to) or even listened to any new podcast episodes. My to-do list felt miles long, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. Then, it hit me. I remembered an episode from a podcast called “Beyond the To-do...
Hello everyone, I’m truly excited to share that a paper I co-authored with Soumia Ayyadi and Ryan Sims has recently been published, focusing on the lifetime cost analysis of zero-emission refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) in Scotland. This research is particularly timely as we continue to explore sustainable solutions for urban and rural environments alike. Let’s delve into some of...
Hi friends! Today, I want to share a gem from the “Coaching for Leaders” podcast by Dave Stachowiak with Zach Mercurio, author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance. This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about strategy or innovation—it’s also about people. And as someone who balances R&D work with a creative life at home, I’m...
Hi energy innovation enthusiasts! 🌿⚡Last week was a bumper ride of project closures, on-the-ground exploration, and lively Gaelic sun flair — all centred around green hydrogen. Let me take you for a quick spin through the week, where history and technology met in a surprising, flamed-out climax. 🎥 1. Electrolyser Horizons: Reshaping Hydrogen Strategy Across the UK The week began with the closeout...
Hi there, energy systems enthusiasts and craft lovers and gardeners alike! As someone who splits her time between accelerating clean energy tech and scribbling patterns on greeting cards or gardening, I’m always curious about how diverse thinking shows up in different worlds. While recently listening to Matthew Syed’s “Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking” on audiobook, I found...
My weekly blogs are inspired by real-life events in that week, like listening to books, gardening, and my research. But not every week is filled with memorable events worth writing about. This week, I listened to “Originals” by Adam Grant, and while it wasn’t a standout read for me, it did offer a few valuable insights. My Take on “Originals” I have to admit...
This week’s post is a day delayed because I was participating in the IMechE event, Decarbonise, Power, Store. The event brought together three key themes—decarbonization, power generation, and energy storage—under one roof, fostering a rich exchange of ideas. It was a highly informative day, and I was honoured to be a panellist in the session on the challenges of operations versus maintenance in...
Gardening is all about learning, and my recent foray into growing asparagus has been a valuable lesson in planning and research. Here’s my story and the key takeaways from this short stint. The Initial Plan As a novice gardener in Scotland, I was on the hunt for vegetables that thrive in our cool, damp climate. Given our limited variety of veggies at home, I was looking for something we enjoy and...
Proud Mom. Lead R&D Engineer at PNDC, University of Strathclyde. Oxford Martin Fellow and Oxford policy engagement network KE fellow. Interests in energy technology, policy and sustainable system. Current research areas include the decarbonisation of heat, transport and electricity and the role of hydrogen in decarbonisation.