Building a data-driven energy sector | Nic Granger OBE, The Data Lab

In this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Nic Granger OBE, Chair of The Data Lab and former Chief Information and Financial Officer at the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), about how data and digital technologies are reshaping the future of offshore energy. Nic explains how the NSTA has put data at the centre of regulation and stewardship, from creating the National Data Repository to enabling greater collaboration across oil and gas, carbon storage and hydrogen. He also discusses why successful digital transformation starts with solving business problems, how organisations can build stronger data foundations, and what leaders need to do to unlock the value of AI. The conversation covers: 📊 Why data is becoming a strategic asset for the offshore energy sector 🗂️ The National Data Repository and the role of open data in accelerating innovation 🤝 Collaboration across oil and gas, carbon storage, hydrogen and the wider energy system 🧠 Why digital transformation should start with business problems, not technology 🚀 Building the data foundations, skills and leadership needed for AI adoption 🇬🇧 The role of The Data Lab in strengthening Scotland's data and AI ecosystem Guest spotlight 💡 Nic Granger OBE: Chair of The Data Lab and former Chief Information and Financial Officer at the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). Nic has led major digital and data transformation programmes across the energy sector, championing the use of data, collaboration and technology to improve decision-making and support the transition to a more integrated energy system. About us Hypercube delivers CAIRN, the decision intelligence platform for the energy sector. We help renewable developers, utilities and energy innovators turn complex operational data into faster decisions, optimised performance and measurable business outcomes through AI. 🚀 Visit our website: https://wearehypercube.com/ 🚀 Join the Beyond Energy Community: https://wearehypercube.com/join-the-c... 🚀 Follow us on LinkedIn:   / wearehypercube   Chapter markers [00:00] Meet Nic Granger – Chair of The Data Lab [01:49] The NSTA’s role in the energy transition [05:19] Data, finance and leadership [06:31] Is the energy sector ahead or behind on digital? [09:37] Building the National Data Repository [16:52] What good digital transformation looks like [21:17] Embedding data into business strategy [25:21] Agile transformation and strong foundations [28:34] Offshore Energy Digital Strategy Group [31:23] The Data Lab and Scotland’s AI ecosystem [36:38] Why people come before technology [38:08] The future of data-driven energy systems