Dr. Somayeh Taheri’s story is one of determination, vision, and a genuine desire to make the world a better place through clean energy. Born in Shiraz, Iran, Somayeh grew up dreaming of a career in engineering and technology—fields that weren’t always easy to enter, especially for women in her hometown. But she didn’t let barriers stop her. Instead, she took a brave leap and moved to the UK to follow her passion.
With degrees in architecture, sustainable urbanism, and a PhD in planning and data science, Somayeh blends creativity with deep technical knowledge. This unique mix drives her innovative approach to solving one of today’s biggest challenges: how to make renewable energy accessible and affordable for everyone.
In 2017, Somayeh co-founded UrbanChain, a company that’s not just building technology it’s building a community around clean energy. UrbanChain’s breakthrough idea? A peer-to-peer energy trading platform that uses blockchain and artificial intelligence. This lets people and organizations buy and sell renewable energy directly, cutting out the usual middlemen and lowering costs.
For Somayeh, UrbanChain is personal. She wants to help families, social housing tenants, schools, and businesses not just consume energy but be part of a sustainable energy future. The platform is already helping many save on energy bills while supporting local green energy production.
UrbanChain has grown quickly, with revenues expected to jump from £2.4 million in 2023 to £85 million by 2025. It’s attracted strong investment about £15 million so far and built a dedicated team passionate about making a real difference.
But Somayeh and UrbanChain aren’t stopping there. They’re leading some exciting projects, like the Virtual Power Plant in Brockmoor, working with local councils to help households cut energy costs and fight fuel poverty. Another initiative, the SHIELD project in Essex, focuses on helping vulnerable communities access cleaner, cheaper energy.
What’s more, UrbanChain is gearing up to bring its model to the U.S., aiming to spread the benefits of decentralized renewable energy trading across new markets. They’re also innovating in electric vehicle charging and battery storage, backed by government grants that show faith in their vision.
Somayeh’s leadership has earned her awards and recognition, but for her, it’s about something bigger: creating an energy system that’s fair, transparent, and sustainable for all. She’s a powerful example of how technology combined with purpose can transform industries and lives.
Looking ahead, UrbanChain is raising funds to scale even further and fulfill Somayeh’s dream of making renewable energy truly accessible worldwide. Her journey reminds us that with courage, knowledge, and heart, we can all be part of building a cleaner, greener future.
