Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical activities and policy development. He champions a whole-system approach to net zero, helping to ensure that Regen’s work considers the implications of change across all parts of the energy system, economy and society.
He spent five years with the Scottish Government providing detailed analysis and advice on a range of energy system challenges including the development of electricity and gas networks, decarbonisation of heat and transport, and the role of carbon capture and storage in reaching net zero. He worked closely with Ministers to support delivery of Scotland’s stretching greenhouse gas emissions targets and other ambitions for the energy system and he helped develop strong collaborations with regulators and the private sector. He was part of the team who wrote the 2017 Scottish Energy Strategy and the 2020 update to the Scottish Climate Change Plan.
Simon has a background in engineering with a particular focus on the power system. Alongside a PhD in electrical engineering he spent ten years based at the University of Strathclyde working with electricity distribution and transmission networks focusing on integrating renewables into the electricity system. He was involved in key innovation projects included the development of Smart Grids on Shetland and Orkney through the NINES project with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the introduction of Active Network Management in southern Scotland through the Accelerating Renewable Connections (ARC) project with SP Energy Networks, and a detailed study into Scotland’s Security of Electricity Supply.
Simon is based in Central Scotland.
