Meet Joshua Elliott - our new Energy Analyst in London!

I’m excited to welcome Joshua Elliott to the Gridcog team.

Josh joins us as Energy Analyst, helping our clients to navigate complex energy markets and assets using Gridcog’s platform to model renewable, storage, and flexibility projects.

Read on to learn more!

What were you doing before Gridcog and what got you into the energy space?

Before Gridcog, I was studying an MPhil in Energy Technologies at the University of Cambridge, where I was exposed to the full spectrum of renewable energy technologies and wrote a thesis on the optimisation of  these technologies in an electricity system (in a South African context).

Prior to that, in between my undergraduate (in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town) and postgraduate studies, I interned at two renewables companies - Zero Carbon Charge (an off-grid renewable energy EV charging station company) and Anthem (one of the largest independent power producers in South Africa) - where I was involved in various energy related modelling and analysis projects.

My entry into the energy space was the result of a mix of personal experience and academic exposure. Growing up in South Africa, conversations about sustainability were ever present. In school, this was reinforced in various subjects, and by the start of University I knew I wanted to do something with a sustainability focus. ChemEng enabled me to do this, with almost every project having a sustainable part to it. By the end of my degree, I knew that renewables was the industry I wanted to be in. That path led me to study Energy Technologies at Cambridge, and ultimately to begin my professional journey in renewable energy with Gridcog!

What is your role at Gridcog?

I am joining the Industry Team as an Energy Analyst - a role where I sit at the intersection of technical modelling, market dynamics and customer needs. I’ll be helping clients navigate complex energy markets and assets, using Gridcog’s software to model renewable, storage or flexibility projects, while collaborating with our product and data-science teams to refine the platform to meet client needs.

‍What attracted you to working with Gridcog?

I think the first thing that caught my eye about Gridcog was this quote I came across from the co-founders Pete and Fabian: “There will be trillions of dollars of investment in distributed energy assets over the coming decades... We’re here to help the players rolling out new energy assets to get the best economic outcome for their stakeholders and the best environmental outcome to tackle the climate crisis.”

‍I was actively looking for a company operating at the intersection of sustainability, technical analysis, modelling and finance - and Gridcog fits that description perfectly. I was also drawn to the nature of Gridcog’s work: engaging with a wide range of clients who are pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation in the renewable-energy sector. Being able to contribute to, and learn from, projects happening right at the forefront of the energy transition is an incredible opportunity and an absolute bonus.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work I have quite the focus on sports - especially racquet sports. During my year at Cambridge I picked up Real Tennis and quickly became hooked. A definite highlight was playing in the Varsity match against Oxford at Lord’s Cricket Ground, followed by a black-tie dinner in the historic Long Room. Prior to that, I played padel competitively back in South Africa for 3 or so years, and have continued to play in the UK. London has also opened up a whole new world of opportunities beyond sport. I’ve loved exploring the West End’s incredible theatre scene, and being so close to Europe has meant I’ve already managed a few trips - with many more hopefully on the horizon.

What technology could you not live without?

I have also just started training for my first marathon next year, so my running watch has become vital over the past month or so. Otherwise, if sports equipment is considered “technology”, then my padel racket definitely deserves an honourable mention (it travels with me pretty much everywhere).

Find Josh on LinkedIn here.