Battery Energy Storage 2023

James Whiteford: Electricity Modelling and Regional Strategy Manager, National Grid ESO

After completing a PhD investigating the interactions between the gas and electricity transmission networks in 2010, James Whiteford joined National Grid and has worked in a number of roles focussed on gas and electricity network development. His current role is in the Electricity System Operator where he is responsible for leading on the electricity supply modelling and assumptions within the annual Future Energy Scenarios. The Future Energy Scenarios represent a range of different, credible ways to decarbonise our energy system as we strive towards the 2050 target.

Tony Roulstone: Lecturer, Nuclear Engineering, University of Cambridge

Tony Roulstone established and teaches on the Nuclear Energy Masters programme in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. His research interests are the economics and safety of nuclear power with a focus on Small Modular Reactors. He is leading several SMR research projects in the UK. Also, he is involved with projects on the industrialisation and the economics of fusion and the design of energy systems for net-zero in 2050.

He received his degree from the University of Cambridge and has spent much of his career in the nuclear and aerospace industries, starting with UKAEA working on fast reactor systems and including 20 years at Rolls-Royce becoming MD of the Nuclear Group in 1992.

He is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of the Nuclear Institute. He is an independent adviser on SMR design.

Richard Dawson: Technical Director, LiNa Energy

Richard Dawson, is LiNa Energy’s Technical Director. He has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, and an MEng in Engineering Science from Cambridge University. Richard leads the team that implements LiNa Energy’s technical strategy. He helped develop the original concept for the LiNa cell and was part of the team that led the spin-out from Lancaster University. Prior to LiNa Energy, Richard gained experience in developing novel electrochemical technologies at Ceres Power, AFC Energy and at Lancaster University where he was an academic.

David Ainsworth: Battery Technology Advisor, BP

David holds a PhD in materials for solid-state batteries from the University of St Andrews where he was a member of Sir Peter Bruce’s research group. Prior to joining bp David spent 8 years as CTO of Oxis Energy Ltd, leading the R&D effort to develop high-energy Lithium-Sulfur batteries for a range of applications. Since joining bp in 2021,  David has held the role of Battery Technology advisor were he has been involved in  building business cases for battery energy storage in relation to bp’s transition growth engines. David’s also is responsible for investigating new battery and energy storage technologies for bp.

Ben de Laune: Research Project Engineer, The Faraday Institution

Ben de Laune joined the Faraday Institution as Research Project Manager in November 2021. He is responsible for managing the ReLiB, SafeBatt, Degradation and Nexgenna projects as well as the Industry Sprints programme.

Ben completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham in the field of advanced material chemistry. During this time, he discovered some new, rare, properties of a little explored class of materials that displayed technological potential. He went on to secure EPSRC post-doctoral funding to further the research with the intention of providing technological proof of concept.

Ben subsequently worked in the nuclear industry for Radioactive Waste Management, part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, charged with siting and designing a final, safe, resting place for the UK’s radioactive waste.

David Landon: Chief Executive Officer, MoltexFLEX

David Landon is Chief Executive Officer of MoltexFLEX. He has 20 years of experience as a director in the nuclear industry, having built and led engineering teams focused on spent fuel management, decommissioning and transport of nuclear materials. He has worked for Sellafield Ltd, the NDA’s subsidiary International Nuclear Services, and a variety of other companies, including 13 years at Siemens before joining the nuclear industry. He is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Nick Provost: Commercial Manager, Balance Power

As Commercial Manager at Balance Power, Nick is responsible for developing strategies to maximise Balance Power’s commercial position over both short, and long-term periods. This has involved working with external parties to determine revenue impacts for projects that have unconventional grid connection parameters and characteristics. Starting in 2023, Nick’s role has expanded to include being the General Manager of Net Zero Power, a Balance Power group company set up to deliver energy project development expertise direct to businesses to help them unlock more challenging decarbonisation projects.

Prior to joining Balance Power, Nick spent over 10 years working within the sales and pre-contract commercial environment for an energy solutions company and big-six utility supplier. He successfully built a reputation as the ‘go-to’ person for all energy modelling requirements which was used to underpin energy performance contracts worth £150m+ in both the UK and USA.

Michael Willemot: COO/Sales Manager , OXTO Energy

Michael has contributed to the development of a global sales pipeline. He has established several partnerships with engineering firms & distributors. He works with engineering teams to address customer needs.

Michael has worked in energy sectors several years, in the renewables, oil & gas and forestry industries. His background is IT engineering and geography; he worked 10 years on geographic information systems. He has been involved with the energy storage industry for the past 6 years, establishing key networks and participating as a speaker at international conferences related to energy storage and renewable energy.