Emma Burrow's diverse approach to product #EnergiseHer ??

Interviewed and written by Marta Colina Alonso, Researcher at Brightsmith.

Developing products that are fit-for-purpose and accessible to all is certainly a top priority in the cleantech sector, and Emma Burrow brings in a different, diverse, and refreshing perspective to it.

Having extensive expertise in fuel cell technology, she augurs a bright future for the industry. Now, with her most recent challenge as Bramble Energy's promising Head of Product Systems, she encourages everyone in the industry to ask questions and put forward their unique ideas, and our conversation was ever so inspirational. Read the full article below to find out about Emma's remarkable journey in clean energy ??

So, Emma, can you give us a short intro about yourself?

My name is Emma Burrow, and I’m the Head of Product Systems at Bramble Energy. I originally studied a degree in manufacturing engineering at Cambridge University, and after that I was lucky enough to get a great job in the fuel cell industry, working in testing and validation. Within one of the first fuel cell companies I worked at, I moved into systems engineering, which gave me a great understanding into how the whole fuel cell design fits together and how it suits the end user. It was thanks to working in systems engineering that I got great exposure into the relationship between product, system, and customer relations, which all eventually led me into product management.

Were there any challenges in the transition from technical roles to more client-facing roles?

I may have painted it as a smooth path, but it wasn’t quite like that. When I left university, I wasn’t sure what specific role or job I wanted, but I was sure I wanted to work in cleantech or something related to sustainability. I had always been interested in fuel cells, so getting the first job I mentioned in testing was brilliant, but that – finding a good first job and company – was a challenge in itself. Then, moving from cleantech to systems engineering as a broader discipline in a different industry, was an even bigger challenge. Working in defense was very interesting, it’s a far bigger scale in terms of how companies operate, but it really stretches your knowledge and problem-solving skills. And lastly, moving into product management, it was about understanding what was going on in the market at all times, it’s really the only way your business can grow and develop.

How did you get into cleantech in the first place?

When I first thought about studying engineering, at maybe 13 or 14 years old, my idea of it was “making big things” like buildings, and structures, and things that change the environment around you. Then, as I went through school doing product design, I gained a better understanding of what engineering actually is, as well as the subtleties of how products relate to both us and the environment, and I decided I wanted to carry that on at university. Thankfully there were a few great sustainability courses there, and that is how I eventually got to know fuel cells.

What potential do you see for fuel cells in the future?

Fuel cells are brilliant. They can be used in lots of different applications: from personal portable power, to backup power systems - even in remote locations, they can be coupled with solar or wind power, thus bringing a continuous power supply when the environment and infrastructure aren’t right for those types of energy sources. They are fairly low maintenance cost and they enable a path to removing carbon from the power generation process, and it’s because of all these different avenues that I think they are going to play a huge part in powering the race to net zero.

Now onto women in cleantech - what are the challenges in getting women to join the industry?

I think part of it starts early on in primary school, in terms of getting children interested in what engineering is rather than what people think it is. Engineering isn’t very accurately represented on television and media, so having children develop a thorough understanding of what is actually possible across all branches of engineering – from mechanical to software, automotive all the way to app developing – is so critical. This can be done by having women from the industry go into schools to represent themselves and explain their work, to show what their path has been and therefore moving it away from the idea that these fields are just mining and massive structures. There’s more to engineering than the first industrial revolution.

Why do we need more female voices in clean energy and engineering in general?

Lots of products in society are used by mixed groups of people, but designed by very limited teams diversity-wise. This means that they can be more difficult to use or access for certain groups of people. Having mixed groups, and specifically bringing women into tech and engineering, allows for different viewpoints and ensures were asking a variety – and the right – questions, so we can then find the right solutions to problems. A huge part of developing a product is having a real understanding of customers needs and wants, and having a diverse team developing said product is one of the best ways to tackle that effectively.

What is the role of women in growing cleantech?

As with any fairly new and growing industry, there are so many opportunities, challenges, and just so much to be done. It is particularly a large task in the journey to net zero, but having more women not only means we tackle these initial challenges effectively, it also helps generate more opportunities moving forward, so it becomes a positive feedback cycle. As a growing industry if you start from an inclusive point, you have a much better chance at staying balanced in the longer term.

What do you love most about cleantech?

I love being at the forefront of developing products and new technology! Particularly cleantech has such a good purpose, moving us to a future where we are healthier and more respectful of our resources. And also, in the day to day, I love that I get to work in broad teams – there are so many different types of technology and expertise being brought together in this sector, so it keeps my daily work very engaging.

Finally – what is your one silver bullet piece of advice for the next generation of cleantech pioneers?

Keep asking lots of questions. They will help you gain a better understanding of the opportunities available in this industry, and there’s more people to ask now than ever before, so take advantage of it. Also, having a technical background is great, but it is not essential to join this industry – there is also need for skills like marketing, sales, business development, graphic design… all these aspects are essential and need to be brought in to grow the industry with a sustainable and long term view.

Connect with Emma and follow her journey at Bramble here ??