Full Track Record
The complete project history, executive roles, and strategic advisory engagements of Dr Alan James, presented in reverse chronological order.
German Client (details to be published in due course)
Expert advisor regarding the physical construction and mission-tasking of a new Ultra High Speed Ground Transport Test & Development facility, and the associated structural preparation of organisational and financial structures to ultimately enable commercial deployment at network scale.
Expert Alliance - Thought Leadership
Drawing together our cutting edge work 2ZEC Housing (Zero Energy Cost + Zero Energy Carbon), and our deep engagement since 2018 with Compressed Air Energy Storage, we have developed Smart Energy Microgrid Architecture to integrate AI data centres, renewable generation, LDES and Zero Bills (£0 energy cost) housing to radically decarbonise both domestic user and digital industry energy consumption. This work also encompasses structural proposals to use the UK's immense renewable energy resources to create a 'Green Energy Sovereign Wealth Fund': projected to be more valuable in only 6-8 years than Norway's SWF, which is founded on 50 years of North Sea Oil. Learn more.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 8 - Industrial Scale Demonstrator
Expert Alliance authored every aspect of technical, business, policy and environmental case, to secure a significant public funding package. Delivered to HMT 'Green Book' major project appraisal standard. Funding enables construction of Proof In Commercial Operation (PICO) plant for modular, scalable, Compressed Air Energy Storage, using innovative UK-developed technology.
Independent Expert Adviser to EU Hyperloop Development Programme
Authored the foundational documents for Europe's '4Ds' Programme (Develop, Demonstrate, Derisk, Deploy) to progress Ultra High Speed Ground Transport through Test & Development, Proof in service-like conditions, Certification, and into Commercial passenger service.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 7 - Modular Scaleable CAES: Use case modelling
Developed granular modelling for various potential applications for modular, scaleable CAES technology, with particular emphasis on the 'thermal symbiosis' potential to exchange 'heat & coolth' with synergetic co-located industrial operations. Whilst adiabatic CAES can achieve 80%+ RTE on purely electrical input/output (comparable with Pumped Storage Hydro), thermal symbiosis can increase 'whole energy RTE' to a best-in-world 90%+. Use cases modelled included various heat/chill intensive applications, including a wine bottling plant in Bristol and a pea-freezing plant in Dundee.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 6 - Modular Scaleable CAES: Preparation for Market
Recognising the urgent need for multiple forms of Long Duration Energy Storage to support the transition to a renewables-powered grid, whilst also acknowledging the (inevitably) long lead times for salt cavern CAES, Expert Alliance shifted focus to the modular, scaleable adiabatic CAES technology developed by UK innovation company, Sherwood Power. Our initial engagement was to assist Sherwood to 'package' their value proposition for both commercial deployment and investment, developing the powerful credentials secured during successful lab-scale validation at Imperial College, London.
Owner, Warksburn Old Church
Sensitively updating a heritage building with cutting edge low carbon and smart energy technologies, the rebuilt Warksburn Old Church is one of the most efficient buildings in the UK. Generating more energy than it consumes every year, it is the first church conversion in the world to create a home which meets the ultra-demanding Passivhaus standard for energy efficiency. Designed to educate and inspire, it invites guests to experience 'Beyond Net Zero' living for themselves.
Investor and Board Member, Mat Zero
Played a pivotal role in launching Mat Zero, one of the UK's leading purpose-driven companies. Mat Zero is developing safe, renewably-powered, portable heating for humanitarian NGOs, disaster relief agencies, and for people in energy poverty. It has received significant UK Government support from various innovation funding programmes.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 5 - Discovery Land Co - Taymouth Castle Estate
Detailed modelling for a potential modular CAES application to buffer locally generated Scottish renewables, to provide 24/7 green power to the Taymouth Castle estate, being developed by Discovery Land Co, the US-based owner of exclusive, luxury vacation properties for the global Ultra High Net Worth Individual market. Included parallel modelling of private wire and sleeved offtake agreements with local Highlands micro-hydro generators.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 4 - Strategic Proposition for NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Developed technical and investment proposition for geological scale CAES, using the salt cavern geology located underneath NEOM, Saudi Arabia's showcase new city. In this application, CAES could provide ultra-high-capacity storage for locally generated renewables, notably Saudi Arabia's vast solar generation potential, as the country transitions away from oil. Presented directly to the Sector Head of Energy at NEOM.
Owner and Publisher, How to Electrify Your Life, Save Loads of Money & Save the Planet
Developed a living lab proving that deep energy cost and carbon savings are achievable today. Demonstrated the technology and economics of radical decarbonisation at domestic scale.
East West Rail: battery trains & discontinuous electrification
Originated and developed the proposition that East West Rail, reopening the Oxford to Cambridge railway, should use battery-powered trains and discontinuous electrification. This became Government policy in 2025.
Hyperloop Expert (with Roland Berger) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Coordinating a world-class team of technical, infrastructure, policy, and project finance experts, led a programme advising the Saudi Royal Court on investments and practical measures to advance ≥ 1,000 km/h ground transport from R&D, through Proof of Operations, to full passenger service.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 3 - Investor Engagement Phase 2
Further developed investor-facing materials. Initiated deeper investor engagement, responding to Due Diligence enquiries as matters progressed.
Hyperloop Advisory Consultancy to various EU bodies
Provided policy advice to EU entities developing the long term plan to deploy 1,000 km/h hyperloop on a continental scale, encompassing the establishment of the European Hyperloop Centre, the Europe Hyperloop Alliance, and preliminary planning for a ≥ 10,000 km network addressing Connectivity, Competitiveness, Cohesion & Carbon.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 2 - Investor Engagement Phase 1
Prepared investor-facing materials for geological-scale CAES. Facilitated introductions to relevant City of London and international potential investors. Led presentations as required.
Compressed Air Energy Storage 1 - Geological Scale LDES
Collaboration with Storelectric, a UK-based innovation company, developing the fundamental IP and engineering approach which enables efficient adiabatic CAES technology to be used in very Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES). This involves repurposing impermeable salt caverns to become ultra-large compressed air storage volumes. The adiabatic element permits efficient thermal management during the compression/decompression cycle, which in turn significantly increases Round Trip Efficiency (RTE), compared to the early and unsophisticated 'energy dump' uses of salt cavern CAES, dating back to the 1970s in Germany.
Vice President Worldwide Business Development, Virgin Hyperloop One
Primary contact for cities, regions and countries seeking to revolutionise their transport and economic competitiveness with Hyperloop networks operating at speeds up to 1,080 km/h (671 mph). Led the company's engagement with the EU and the Governments of Member States where projects were proposed.
Project Director, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Commissioned by the Chief Executive of FCO Services, provided strategic advice on improving the efficiency of the UK Government's Diplomatic Service.
Project Director, HS2 - The Stoke Route
Lead adviser to a major project instructed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to redesign Phase 2 of the UK's planned high speed rail network. Secured a commitment to an HS2 service for the city, which would otherwise have been bypassed and its economy damaged.
Project Director, PZ Cussons Int'l Ltd: Manchester/Lagos
Defined and led delivery of a £50+m JV capital project and associated consumer product launch in Nigeria. Developed the business case to manufacture UNICEF's famine-relief foodstuff close-to-use in Africa, and led on global location search and tax optimisation for IP domiciling and R&D activities.
CEO, UK Ultraspeed
Funded by Siemens AG and ThyssenKrupp, initiated and led project development for the 311mph maglev alternative to 186 mph conventional rail High Speed 2. Role included direction, leadership and P&L sign-off for the multi-million planning and promotional phases of the Western world's most highly developed business case for 'next generation' ground transport.
Project Lead, National Rail Academy & Strategic Rail Testing Centre
Instructed by a public sector consortium, led a team which developed the business, policy and political cases for a UK National Rail Academy. Presented proposals to Ministers, which became UK Government policy with publication of the Strategic Rail Authority's ten year Strategic Plan.
Adviser, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
Commissioned by an NDA task force to advise on a nuclear skills-building and skills retention system. Recommended an industry-owned, Government-regulated Nuclear Skills Passport, designed to ensure an auditable system of safety-critical skills withstands the pressures of contractorisation.
Strategy Consultant, Eurotunnel
Commissioned by Eurotunnel, delivered a strategy for major commercial development in Ashford to support the company's property & traffic strategies.
Consultant, European Union for the Government of Poland
Authored the National Tourism Product Development Strategy for the Polish Government, mapping the industry for 1997-2005. Included a Brand Development Programme and policy advice on establishing a dedicated Tourism Investment Fund during the transition from a communist to a global competitive market.
Lead Consultant, Alfred McAlpine plc
Lead consultant on the creation of a new industry in 'sustainable stone', recycling 300 million tonnes of waste by-products of the Victorian slate mining industry in Blaenau Ffestiniog as a replacement for virgin aggregate in contemporary building projects.
Business Plan Adviser, Vinopolis City of Wine
Commissioned by the owners and promoters of one of London's largest indoor events venues, created in Victorian railway arches in Central London. Advised on the business plan and on co-using 'live railway' property assets for new uses.
Research Lead, Invest Hong Kong
Working to support the PwC team advising HK's new inward investment agency, led a research project to define HK's locational advantages for key global industries and made recommendations on communicating those advantages to inward investment decision-makers.
Adviser, Mick Jagger Centre
Advised on a successful Lottery fund bid for a music/performance centre at Mick Jagger's former school in Dartford.