Turning data into decisions: how a Geordie maths teacher found her spark in energy tech

There’s something about standing in front of a classroom that sharpens your sense of problem-solving – and for Kate O’Donnell, that instinct never really left.

“I used to teach maths to teenagers,” she says. “So trust me, if you can explain algebra to a group of 15-year-olds on a Friday afternoon, you can handle just about any complex technical problem.”

These days, Kate’s whiteboard has been swapped for data dashboards, her classroom for commercial customers, and her lesson plans for innovative tech. As part of the E.ON Control Solutions (ECS) team, she’s part of the digital revolution transforming how buildings use – and save – energy.

At its heart is a deceptively simple question: what if your building knew exactly how you were using it, and responded in real time?

 “Our team works with everything from sensors to automation systems to AI – tools that can detect movement, temperature, even predict how spaces will be used throughout the day,” Kate explains. “We can drive our building working smarter not harder, creating ideal conditions and minimising system downtime”

Kate’s job is all about creating smarter, more efficient buildings – whether they are offices, factories, supermarkets, even globally renowned museums stacked with priceless artifacts. She describes her team’s role as the “brains” of the site operation, managing the intricate network of energy systems that keep these buildings running smoothly and comfortably.

Building Management Systems (BMS) have transformed how modern buildings control temperature, air quality, and energy consumption. No longer are heating, cooling, and ventilation systems running at full capacity from 9 to 5, often inefficiently or even in conflict. Today, integrated BMS platforms use intelligent sensors, real-time data, and predictive controls to dynamically adjust building environments based on actual occupancy and demand.

“We use two main technologies,” Kate explains. “One is an occupancy sensor that detects when people are in a room by sensing movement or body heat, like a motion detector. The other is an air quality sensor that tracks carbon dioxide levels — since people exhale CO₂, higher levels usually mean more people are present. The system uses this information to automatically adjust airflow, lighting, and temperature to keep the space comfortable and energy-efficient.”

For example, if a small meeting room suddenly fills up with people, the system will automatically increase ventilation to maintain air quality. This not only improves comfort but also reduces unnecessary energy consumption.

After switching from teaching to engineering and then moving into energy sales, Kate’s route into the industry wasn’t a straight line – but it was, in her words, “all about finding where I could make the biggest impact”.

And the impact is measurable. ECS is already helping customers save up to 30% on their energy usage, and consequently, bills – and the team’s data-driven approach is opening doors across sectors, from retail to manufacturing, education to local government.

But for Kate, the real innovation isn’t just about the tech. It’s about what it unlocks.

“When you start talking about real-time building management, people’s eyes light up – not just because of the savings, but because it delivers real, measurable impact without disrupting how people use the space.”

As one of the younger faces in the room – and often one of the few women – Kate says she’s used to breaking the mould. But she’s also keen to help change the picture for the next generation.

“Coming from an engineering background, you get used to being in the minority,” she says. “But now, working somewhere like E.ON, where innovation is genuinely valued and ideas are taken seriously, I can see how important it is to bring different perspectives into the room. Tech shouldn’t just be something that happens to people – we should be shaping it, together.”

Kate is now an advocate for getting more girls into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) based subjects. She actively participates in E.ON’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and believes change needs to start early. “We should be going into schools and showing young girls that engineering is for them,” she says. “It’s about making STEM exciting, relatable, and accessible.”

“I love what I do,” she says. “The technology, the problem-solving, the relationships — it all makes for such a rewarding career.”