Solar and wind energy used to be considered speculative, prototype ideas of no-carbon energy solutions. Yet the enormous growth seen in these two forms of renewable energy over the last decade has soared past pessimistic predictions. Off the back of this success, the question for other promising innovations is how can they do the same? How can we apply the lessons learned from the success of solar and wind energy to other innovations? And, what solutions should we be betting on?
This is the first discussion in our new ‘Critical Conversations’ series with Mars Wrigley UK bringing together pioneers from different technologies looking to build our net-zero and no-carbon future.
MODERATOR:
Kate Turner – Kate is the founder and CEO of Vör, a start-up strategy firm providing carbon accounting and offset strategy services. Vör incorporates a Thought Leadership element where she enjoys promoting learning and discussion about science enabled climate security, biodiversity regeneration and responsible use of technology. An ex-military Engineering Officer, with a Master’s Degree in Materials Engineering and a background in communications and electronics, Kate previously served 8 years in the Royal Air Force before deciding to divert her energy and passion towards climate and biodiversity challenges. Kate recently accepted an offer to study an MSt in Practical Ethics at Oxford University, starting in September ’23 where she looks forward to learning more about the philosophical underpinnings of modern ethics, and applying these concepts towards current thinking on the global governance of AI development.
ON THE PANEL:
Steven Lua – Steven is a passionate clean-tech entrepreneur with a personal mission to “create a virtuous world for the next thousand generations”. He graduated from Oxford University in 2008 with a Masters in “Engineering, Economics and Management” and shortly founded Unitrove following his work as an investment analyst in the City of London. As a member of the British Standards Institution (BSI), he regularly contributes to the development of various international standards including those governed by ISO/TC 197 on “Hydrogen technologies” and ISO/TC 220 on “Cryogenic vessels”. His key interests include robotics, safety-critical software, and advanced industrial control systems.
Natasha Patel – Natasha is a Director at Baringa Partners experienced in delivering growth and deal strategy. Starting in downstream Oil & Gas, with a short stint in Nuclear Power, she is now supporting Energy, Automotive and Financial Services clients develop their EV strategies, transition their fleets and deploy funds into the sector. Natasha is also a member of the Dept of Transports’ Net Zero Transport Board, LowCVP’s EV Energy taskforce and the Association of Fleet Professional’s Future Roads Committee.
Gaurav N. Sant – Gaurav is the a Professor and the Pritzker Endowed Chair in Sustainability at the Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds faculty appointments in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and the California Nanosystems Institute. He is also the Director of UCLA’s Institute for Carbon Management. Gaurav is the Co-Founder of SeaChange Inc., the Grand Prize Winner of the Temasek Foundation’s 2021 Liveability Challenge, the Co-Founder of Concrete-AI Inc., the Co-Founder of Nextli Technologies Inc., the Co-Founder of x/44, and the Founder of CarbonBuilt Inc., a Grand Prize Winner of the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, and a GlobalTop10 Innovation selected at The International Cool Earth Forum 2018.
Beena Sharma – Beena is the CEO of CCU International. She is a multi award-winning, results-driven, and self-motivated Director with experience in various industries including oil & gas, renewables, manufacturing, construction, cleantech, and healthcare. Focussed primarily on driving innovative approaches towards net zero including technology focussed start-ups in Biotechnology and Carbon Capture and Utilisation. Beena also sits on a number of international boards including CCS Brazil and the Society of Low Carbon Technologies.