Lucy Yu is a transformative leader at the intersection of clean energy, technology, and policy. With a career spanning deep tech ventures, government policymaking, and ground-breaking research, she is one of the UK’s pivotal leaders driving the shift towards a more sustainable AI-powered energy future.
We’re delighted that Lucy is one of the speakers at the International Women’s Day Advancing Digital Trust event we’re supporting on Tuesday 4 March in London. If you’d like to join us for an evening of thought-provoking talks and networking, a few places remain. Register now.
Who is Lucy Yu?
Lucy is the CEO and Founder of Centre for Net Zero, a not-for-profit AI and data-driven research institute within Octopus Energy Group, dedicated to advancing energy systems that benefit both people and the planet.
With 20 years’ experience, she has built and scaled global deep tech and consumer-facing ventures, led AI policy and regulation for the UK Government, European Commission, and UN, and in 2024 was appointed a Clean Power 2030 Commissioner by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). She also chairs ADViCE (AI for Decarbonisation Virtual Centre of Excellence), a DESNZ-funded initiative developing AI-driven technologies to accelerate the transition to net zero.
Lucy is a Non-Executive Director at E3G and Connected Places Catapult and a co-founder of the Institute for Ethical AI & Machine Learning. She also serves on the Russell Group’s Industrial Strategy Expert Advisory Group. Recognised as an Asian Tech Pioneer (2024), a Top 5 Star in GreenTech (2021), and a Financial Times Top 100 Leader in Tech (2019), she holds degrees in computational and physical chemistry from Imperial College and public leadership from Harvard Kennedy School.
A trailblazer in energy and AI
Lucy’s work is built on a firm belief that data and AI hold the key to tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time. At Centre for Net Zero, she leads research that integrates AI, real-time data, and behavioural insights to create smarter, fairer, and more affordable energy systems.
“We are pioneering research to deliver a faster, fairer and more affordable energy transition,” Lucy explained in Octopus Energy’s Spotlight series. “Within the next decade, most households will have an EV, heat pump, smart thermostat, home battery or solar panels. Our research helps integrate these distributed energy resources alongside renewable generation, creating a system that is both greener and cheaper for consumers.”
A core part of her work is harnessing real-time energy data, which she describes as “the world’s largest living lab,” to simulate household behaviours and model how emerging technologies can optimise energy consumption. By turning complex data into actionable insights, she is shaping both technological development and public policy.
Overcoming challenges and embracing change
Leading innovation is rarely without its challenges. When Lucy launched Centre for Net Zero at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she faced the dual challenge of building a research unit from scratch while navigating an unfamiliar sector within the constraints of a lockdown.
“I’ve worked on emerging technologies a lot. Tech transforms business models, industries, and systems, creating challenges and opposition. You either have the appetite to work through it or you don’t,” she told the New Statesman.
This ability to adapt and problem-solve in high-pressure environments has defined her career. She has developed an agile, forward-thinking mindset, equipping her to navigate complex technological and regulatory landscapes.
A thoughtful advocate for AI
For Lucy, AI is more than an efficiency tool. It is a transformational force that will reshape the future of energy.
“Our approach to general-purpose technologies like AI will unlock critical applications, helping model demand and optimise consumption. But we must develop them responsibly and safely.”
Under her leadership, Centre for Net Zero is exploring ways AI can predict energy demand, automate consumption, and improve system resilience, creating an energy grid that is smarter, more responsive, and consumer-centric.
Shaping policy and driving impact
Beyond her research, Lucy is a trusted voice in tech policy and regulation. She has advised the UK Government, European Commission, and UN, ensuring that regulatory frameworks keep pace with innovation while balancing economic growth, consumer interests, and ethical AI governance.
Her ability to connect technology, policy, and industry makes her a key influencer in shaping the future of clean energy and AI adoption.
Looking ahead
With two decades of experience, Lucy remains at the forefront of energy innovation. Whether leading AI-driven energy systems, pushing the boundaries of decarbonisation, or influencing policy at the highest levels, her work underscores the fact that the path to net zero requires both bold leadership and smart technology.
Lucy Yu’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and impact, a reminder of the power of visionary leadership in tackling the biggest challenges of our time.