I am an independent energy transition advisor, with over 20 years of experience bridging the gap between complex engineering, research, and commercial strategy.  I support public and private sector organisations in navigating the challenges of decarbonisation and the energy transition.  

My approach combines academic rigour with pragmatic business sense; I provide independent, objective advice that aligns technical feasibility with regulatory confidence and commercial viability.

I am a Chartered Engineer, and a member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology and the Energy Institute.  I hold degrees in 

Civil Engineering, Water & Environment, and Subsurface Engineering, a diploma in Financial Management, and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in infrastructure issues around renewable fuels and the wider energy transition.

Whether you are planning your energy transition strategy, managing large-scale infrastructure programmes, or evaluating renewable fuels, I focus on identifying risks, challenging assumptions, and enabling informed long-term decisions.

I provide flexible, independent advisory support tailored to your specific needs:

• Technical & Strategic Review: High-impact independent reviews of projects and programmes. I identify risks, gaps, and dependencies, providing clear recommendations and regulatory compliance assessments relating to achieving your intended outcomes. Typical engagement: 1–4 weeks.
  
  
• Project & Infrastructure Advisory: Ongoing support for complex programmes. I review strategies, plans, technical designs, and key decisions, and manage stakeholder engagement to ensure your projects stay on track. Typical engagement: 3–12 months.
  
  
• Energy Transition Analysis & Insight: Targeted research on sustainable fuel systems, decarbonisation strategies, and infrastructure impacts. I deliver structured analysis and feasibility studies to support your strategic planning. Typical engagement: 2–12 weeks.

Case studies for most of my projects to date are available below: 

• Navigate Regulatory Frameworks for Subsurface Energy Storage.
• Identify and de-risk low emission fuel pathways for offshore support vessels.

coming soon - please ask for information of interest in the meantime:

• Hydrogen Fleet Transition, Local Authority, Initial overview of requirements and costs.
• New Edinburgh Tram Project.  Planned utility diversion works, stakeholder management, contract negotiation
• Executive Education.  Planned and delivered training on renewable fuels to non-specialists.
• Contract review, Troubled UK wide facilities management, identification of issues, extensive discussions with stakeholders. recommend solutions.
• Capacity of gas network to supply hydrogen.  Research project.  Gas network modelling, capacity assessment with change of gas, method of forecasting constraints, potential solutions.

Main Capability Statement (PDF)

Comprehensive overview of services, experience, and credentials.

(coming soon - please ask for information of interest in the meantime)

Targeted Capability Statements

• Hydrogen Infrastructure Advisory
• Offshore Energy & Storage
• Transport Decarbonisation

Publications

Peer-reviewed and published in journals of science and engineering.

• The hidden cost of road maintenance due to the increased weight of battery and hydrogen trucks and buses—a perspective | Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy | Springer Nature Link
• Refuelling infrastructure requirements for renewable hydrogen road fuel through the energy transition | Energy Policy | ScienceDirect
• Surface‐Water Abstraction Controls in Scotland | Water and Environment Journal | Wiley Online Library

Pre-print (ie. accessible online but not yet completed the peer-review process).

• Capacity issues on converting natural gas network to supply hydrogen | Engineering Archive

PhD thesis, University of Edinburgh.

• Hydrogen fuel switch: road, sea and pipe - the Scottish energy transition

I am available, with no obligation, to discuss your project or strategic needs.  Let's have an initial discussion to understand your key issues, and explore where my approach to independent advisory support can help you plan and achieve your energy transition goals.  

Contact Details:

Email:  john.low@phodilus.co.uk

Phone:  07917 054794  (also text and Whatsapp)

LinkedIn:  John M. Low | LinkedIn

Based Edinburgh, can travel.