Accelerating the energy transition: why systems thinking changes everything

For too long, we’ve tackled energy challenges in isolation—treating renewables, grid capacity and infrastructure as separate pieces of the puzzle. But real progress demands a systems approach—one that connects people, politics, places and portfolios.

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

They cover topics such as:

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

Speaker profiles

Kate Gilmartin

CEO, British Hydropower Association

Experience/background

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.

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’s energy security, added to the pressing requirement to dramatically reduce the cost of energy and alleviate the pressure of current price shocks.

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.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

It’s 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’t even know it’s there!

As a winter generator, hydropower is crucial for meeting peak energy demand. With the electrification of heat increasing this demand, we’re 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—now is the time for tidal!

Dan Nicholls

Chief Product Officer, SNRG

Experience/background

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 – one which began while at university, when he spent a year working for a sea turtle conservation charity in Greece.

Dan’s 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.

At Cornwall Council, Dan’s focus shifted firmly to climate action when he became Senior Low Carbon Officer. He then joined Centrica as Programme Manager, leading the groundbreaking £19 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.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

I’m thrilled to join AECOM to discuss why a systems thinking approach is essential for transforming energy infrastructure. The energy transition isn’t just about swapping technologies—it’s about reimagining energy service and utility infrastructure business models and rethinking how the construction, energy and community sectors interact.

A holistic, interconnected approach helps us tackle complexity, avoid unintended consequences and create resilient, sustainable solutions. It’s a real pleasure to be part of the conversation!

Sarah Falconer

Energy Planning, Consenting and Development Lead, AECOM

Experience/background

Sarah Falconer joined AECOM in November 2023 as the Environment and Sustainability Energy Lead. Before joining AECOM, 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.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

This episode was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the energy transition with other professionals in the field. It’s 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.

It was insightful to hear different perspectives from Kate and Dan, and despite our different focus areas, common themes emerged—particularly 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.

Toby Sadler

Host of Talking Infrastructure Season 4

Experience/background

Toby Sadler brings 25 years of experience of broadcast journalism experience to his role as host of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast.

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—hard hat and safety boots in hand—as infrastructure news increasingly moved from trade press to mainstream media.

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.

Why you’re excited to join TI podcast and why is this subject important to you?

I’m 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.