Welcome to ‘Energy Unplugged by Aurora’, a mix of in-depth conversations with key international industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, sharing their unique perspectives on the global energy transition.
Hosted by various Aurora experts, we explore the hottest topics and trends across the energy landscape. From renewables, battery storage, and grid integration, to hydrogen, commodity markets, and technology innovation, our high-profile guests weigh in with their valuable insights.
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the energy industry, with a new episode released every week!
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EP.245 Matt Grover on Battery Dispatch and Economics
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Matt Grover, Director of Energy Markets at Fluence in Australia. He joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and our Head of Research in APAC, James Ha, to discuss battery dispatch and economics.
At Fluence in Australia, Matt leads the team responsible for the company’s Mosaic software product, which supports dozens of renewable generators and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) assets in trading on the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM). Prior to joining Fluence, Matt held roles at AMS, EnelX, and EnerNOC. He brings over a decade of experience in Australia's NEM market operations.
Main topics include the following:
- Key features of NEM’s market design and generation mix, and future changes at a system level
- The role of battery dispatch software in overall business cases
- Battery economics including merchant dispatch, offtake contracts, and virtual tolls
EP.244 Mallika Ishwaran, Chief Economist, Shell
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Mallika Ishwaran, Chief Economist, Shell. She joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, to discuss Shell’s 2025 Energy Security Scenarios.
As Shell’s Chief Economist, Mallika advises on macroeconomic issues, economic trends, and related policy matters, shaping Shell’s long-term scenario outlooks. Prior to joining Shell, she had a distinguished career in the UK government, holding several senior roles, including Head of Policy Analysis at the Cabinet Office for the 2009 G20 London Summit.
Main topics include the following:
- Impact of AI and rising energy demand in the models and scenarios
- The role of gas in the energy transition, and the biggest levers to bend the emissions curve down
- The best use of long-term energy models in the development of reports
EP.243 Tom Glover, UK Country Chair, RWE
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Tom Glover, UK Country Chair, RWE. He joins Caroline Still, Project Leader in our Oxford Advisory team, to discuss the main challenges GB’s power sector is facing.
As RWE’s UK Country Chair and Chair of the RWE UK Renewables Boards, Tom serves as the company’s most senior representative in the UK. He is responsible for leading national-level engagement and managing relationships with key stakeholders. In addition to his role at RWE, Tom is Chair of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association and a trustee for several charities. His previous experience includes roles at Barclays Capital, Enron, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Main topics include the following:
- The impact of the Clean Power 2030 targets on the confidence of markets and investors
- What decisions need to be settled by strategic planning, and which should be market-driven?
- What can and should the UK be doing now to take advantage of the global uncertainty and remain attractive to global investors?
EP.242 Jonathan Dillon on Clean Energy Investment Trends in Europe
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Jonathan Dillon, Partner at Clifford Chance. He joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, to discuss clean energy investment trends in Europe.
Jonathan specialises in domestic and cross-border M&A for clean energy, renewables, and brownfield infrastructure assets. He advises private equity, infrastructure funds and other financial investors and has particular experience in competitive sale processes and the establishment of joint venture structures.
Main topics include the following:
- How is the investor landscape evolving in terms of investor profiles, geographical interest, technology, and business models?
- How do investors perceive the emerging risks to the markets and technologies of focus?
- How much does the volatile geopolitical climate influence investors' decisions?
EP.241 Margaret Cooney on New Zealand’s Power Market
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Margaret Cooney, Chief Operating Officer at Octopus Energy in New Zealand. She joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and our Head of Australia, Weije Mak, to discuss New Zealand’s power market.
Prior to Octopus Energy, Margaret was the Head of Powershop in New Zealand. She has also held roles at Meridian in New Zealand, and at OFWAT in the UK as their Head of Market Reform.
Main topics include the following:
- New Zealand’s predominantly green energy mix and the key drivers of investment
- Evolving from Demand Side Response to Intelligent Demand in a nodal market with extended, linear grids like those in New Zealand.
- What are the challenges and advantages of operating in smaller, more isolated markets?
EP.240 Jacob Stedman, CEO, Blykalla
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Jacob Stedman, CEO of Blykalla. He joins our Head of Nordics & Baltics, Alexander Esser, to discuss the role of nuclear energy and, more specifically, of small modular reactors (SMRs).
Jacob is the CEO of Blykalla, a Swedish company specialising in the development and supply of lead-cooled SMRs. He is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader with over 20 years of experience, having founded and led multiple start-ups and scale-ups. Most recently, he served as co-founder and CEO of Platform24, a leading Nordic SaaS company. Earlier in his career, Jacob spent six years at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on electricity generation and climate change.
Main topics include the following:
- The role of nuclear power for a future power system
- The nuclear renaissance and the ambitions by the Swedish government
- Blykalla’s technology and advantages of SMR over conventional nuclear reactors
EP.239 Dawn Owens on Geothermal Power in the US
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Dawn Owens, Head of Project Development and Commercial Markets at Fervo Energy. She joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, and Emma McElrath, Advisory Associate in our Oakland office, to discuss geothermal power in the US.
In addition to overseeing the development of the geothermal company Fervo Energy, Dawn also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University. She brings a wealth of experience in the power sector, having held roles at NRG Energy, GenOn Energy, and other organisations.
Main topics include the following:
- What is geothermal energy, and what are the differences between traditional and enhanced geothermal systems?
- The role of geothermal energy in the US power system
- Commercialisation of geothermal energy and barriers to a more widespread adoption
EP.238 Marion Calcine on Long-Term Investing in Volatile Markets
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Marion Calcine, Chief Investment Officer at Ardian Infrastructure and Member of the Ardian France Executive Board. She joins our Research Lead for France & Iberia, Christina Rentell, to discuss investment strategies.
As CIO, Marion supervises investment processes for Ardian Infrastructure Funds in Europe and in the Americas. She has served, or currently serves, on the boards of 3New, 4New, 2i Rete Gas, Trados M45, and Mila. On top of this, Marion co-leads digital project OPTA, which aims at optimizing operational performance and minimizing merchant risk of a 2GW portfolio.
Main topics include the following:
- Investment strategies amidst market volatility
- Development of the hydrogen landscape
- Attractiveness of financing battery storage
- Enhancing operational efficiency in asset management
EP.237 Guillaume de Goÿs, CEO, Aluminium Dunkerque
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Guillaume de Goÿs, CEO of Aluminium Dunkerque. He joins our Head of France, Pierre Dennery, and Julia Breuing, Research Associate in our Berlin office to discuss the challenges energy consumers are facing from tariffs, electricity, and carbon prices.
Guillaume began his career in the tire industry at Michelin before transitioning to the aluminium sector, working first in Cameroon and later in France. He is now CEO of Aluminium Dunkerque, the largest aluminium smelter in Europe and a global leader in low-carbon aluminium production. He also serves as President of Aluminium France and sits on the board of UNIDEN.
Main topics include the following:
- Challenges faced by energy-intensive industries in Europe and whether the European Clean Industrial Deal addresses them
- Indirect emission compensation in Europe and its interactions with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- The potential role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and flexibility
EP.236 Sir Alex Chisholm & Kirsty Gogan on the Role of Nuclear Power
This week on Energy Unplugged, we're thrilled to welcome Sir Alex Chisholm, UK Chair of EDF and a Board Director at BT Group plc, along with Kirsty Gogan, Founding Director & Co-CEO of Terra Praxis and Managing Partner at LucidCatalyst. They'll be joining Dan Monzani, our Managing Director for the UK, Ireland, and India, for an insightful discussion on the role of nuclear power.
Prior to EDF Energy and BT Group, Sir Alex worked at the top level of the UK Government, including 4 years in charge of the business and energy department. Kirsty’s experience counts 15 years as a senior advisor to Government on climate and energy policy, including 10 Downing St and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The main topics up for discussion include the following:
- The role of nuclear in supporting data centre demand
- How to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, and the role of innovation in standardising their manufacturing
- The major barriers to successful new nuclear development, including funding, supply chains, skills base, and public support to this technology
EP.235 Wendy Lam, CEO, Capsol Technologies
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Wendy Lam, CEO of Capsol Technologies. She joined our Head of Nordics & Baltics, Alexander Esser, to discuss the future of industrial decarbonisation.
Wendy is an experienced technology leader with more than 20 years’ experience at major international industrial companies and has a proven track record of driving growth, developing strategic partnerships, and commercializing new technologies worldwide. Now, she leads Capsol Technologies, a carbon capture technology provider. They license their technology to Stockholm’s Värtaverket, which will be Europe’s first large-scale bio-energy carbon capture and storage, BECCS, plant when operational.
Main topics include the following:
- The role of carbon capture in meeting climate goals
- The implications of the Clean Industrial Deal for industry and investment
- Real-world projects, including Europe’s first large-scale negative emissions plant
EP.234 Lucy Yu & Jon Norman on the Role of Flexibility to Enable a Clean Power Grid
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re excited to welcome Lucy Yu, CEO of the Centre for Net Zero, and Jon Norman, President of Hydrostor. They’ll join Marc Hedin, our Head of Research for Western Europe & India, to discuss how flexibility plays a crucial role in enabling a clean power grid.
The Centre for Net Zero is an independent research unit within Octopus Energy, focused on providing data-driven insights into the future of demand flexibility. Hydrostor, based in Toronto, specializes in the development and operation of Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage technology, offering energy storage solutions ranging from 8 hours to multiple days.
Main topics include the following:
- Challenges in achieving a net-zero energy system
- The importance of flexibility in a clean power system
- Potential risks of lacking sufficient flexibility in the system
EP.233 Carolina Nester on Curtailment and its Impact
This week on Energy Unplugged, we're excited to welcome Carolina Nester, Head of Operations for Iberia at Sonnedix. She joins Christina Rentell, our Research Lead for France & Iberia, to discuss the challenges of curtailment and its impact.
With over 17 years of experience in the photovoltaic (PV) sector, Carolina has a broad background spanning solar module manufacturing, installation permitting, design, construction management, and the supervision and control of solar assets, as well as PV consulting. Since joining Sonnedix in 2017, she has been responsible for optimizing and overseeing the performance of a solar asset portfolio generating €400M in revenue.
Main topics include the following:
- Negative prices and their impact on regulated assets
- Evolution of grid curtailment in Iberia
- Automatic Power Reduction System (SRAP) as a mitigant of curtailment
EP.232 Aurora Experts on our European Renewables Market Overview Report, CEE
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, our Head of Southeast Europe, Evangelos Gazis, is joined by Rebecca McManus, our Renewables Lead for European Power Markets, to disclose the main insights for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from our European Renewables Market Overview Report.
Over the past decade, Europe's solar and wind energy capacity has increased to over 528 GW, driven by rising power demand, supportive policies, higher commodity prices, and supply chain improvements. CEE is on the cusp of a wave of investment in renewables and batteries, with Aurora forecasting 90GW of investments across the region between 2025 and 2030.
Main topics include the following:
- The outlook for renewables across CEE, and how this varies between markets
- The emerging challenges, such as curtailment and negative prices, and impacts on renewable projects
- The available opportunities for renewables to help facilitate project financing
Aurora is expanding into the Western Balkans! Soon we will be launching our products in the region to help investors, developers, and policymakers gain the key insights they need to make well-informed, decisions in this rapidly developing market.
EP.231 Nat Bullard on his Latest Presentation on the State of Decarbonisation
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re thrilled to welcome Nat Bullard, Co-Founder of Halcyon. He joined Oliver Kerr, our Managing Director for North America, and Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC, to discuss the current state and future of global decarbonisation.
Nat is the Co-Founder of Halcyon, an AI-powered platform focused on energy transition and decarbonisation. He is also the Founder and Managing Director of Business Climate, a decarbonisation consulting firm based in Singapore, and serves on the advisory boards of both Ember and Arcadia. Prior to this, Nat spent 15 years at BloombergNEF, where he concluded his tenure as the group’s Chief Content Officer.
Main topics of discussion include:
- The impact AI may have on the energy transition over the next 10 years
- Recent dynamics in the Asian market, including India, China, and the Philippines
- Energy transition investment trends
EP.230 Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO, EDPR North America
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re excited to welcome Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America. She joins our North America Managing Director, Oliver Kerr, to explore the US power market—its appeal, and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future.
Before stepping into the CEO role in 2022, Sandhya was the Global Head of Investments and M&A, and also served as the Head of Investments and M&A for North America. With her vast experience in evaluating renewable energy investments and acquisitions, Sandhya brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation. Prior to joining EDPR, she spent over a decade as an investment banker, working with both regional and global banks across multiple regions.
Main topics include the following:
- Opportunities and challenges arising from demand growth
- Given challenges with interconnection queues, is there a meaningful chance that any US markets will be short on power in the next 5 years?
- The attractiveness of the US power market, and its sources of competitive advantage
EP.229 Javier Cavada, President & CEO for EMEA, Mitsubishi Power
This week on Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Javier Cavada, President & CEO for EMEA, Mitsubishi Power. He joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard and our Lead Expert for European Hydrogen Markets, Dilara Caglayan, to discuss electrification as a key pillar of decarbonisation.
With over 20 years of global experience in the energy sector, Javier has successfully guided companies through every stage of corporate development and growth. Before joining Mitsubishi Power, he served as President and CEO of Highview Power. Prior to that, he spent 17 years at Wärtsilä Corporation, where he was President of the Energy Division and a member of the executive board.
Main topics include the following:
- How to run a power system with a high growth of renewables and of power demand
- The role of flexibility in balancing the system
- The most attractive geographical markets for hydrogen
EP.228 terralayr on the German Battery Market
This week on Energy Unplugged, we're thrilled to welcome Philipp Man, Founder & CEO of terralayr, and Mikko Preuß, Vice President of the company. They join Eva Zimmerman, Senior Associate in our Berlin Research team, to discuss the German battery market.
As a company, terralayr is committed to overcoming the challenges of renewable energy with a mission to create a future powered entirely by renewables. Their goal is to ensure a reliable, sustainable power supply, no matter the fluctuations in demand or energy sources, by use of their cloud platform for clean energy flexibility.
Main topics of discussion include:
- Approaching batteries as an asset class, with a focus on financing and risk mitigation
- Insights into the German battery market
- Criteria for expanding into other battery markets
EP.227 Kelcy Pegler, CEO, FlexGen
This week on Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Kelcy Pegler, CEO of FlexGen. He joins Olivier Beaufils, our Head of US Central, to explore the current landscape and future outlook of the energy storage industry in the U.S.
Prior to joining FlexGen, Kelcy founded and chaired several companies in the renewables space, including Sofdesk (solar & storage software company) and Roof Diagnostics Solar (a residential solar installation company). He has been recognised by several business leadership awards, including EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year as a finalist, NJBIZ 40 Under 40, and Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies.
Main topics include the following:
- Today’s grid being shaped by data centre demand growth, and the role batteries play in the equation
- Role of data analytics in battery deployment for developers and operators
- How market design is enabling and how it could incentivise more battery deployment in Texas and California
EP.226 Scott Mercer on Nuclear Fusion
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Scott Mercer, CEO of Focused Energy discussing nuclear fusion with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr and Eva Zimmermann, Senior Associate in our Berlin office.
Scott has served as the CEO of Focused Energy since February 2024. Before joining Focused Energy, he founded and led Volta Charging, guiding the company from its inception to a successful initial public offering (IPO). Over the course of his career, Scott has played a key role in more than 1,000 engineering and construction projects across the US and Europe.
Main topics include the following:
- Nuclear fission VS fusion, and the different approaches people are taking to fusion
- Funding and commercialisation of nuclear fusion
- The role of nuclear fusion in the energy transition
EP.225 Andrew Flanagan, CEO, RWE Clean Energy
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are thrilled to welcome Andrew Flanagan, CEO of RWE Clean Energy. He chats with Oliver Kerr, our Managing Director for North America, to discuss the current and future landscape of U.S. power markets.
With over 25 years of experience in the US energy sector Andrew has a wealth of expertise. He leads the third-largest renewable energy business in North America and his career spans working with international teams across Europe. Andrew holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Main topics of discussion include the following:
- How much of the load growth in the US is real, and how much of its forecasting should be factored in investment decisions?
- What challenges are interconnection queues in the US creating, and how are markets reacting?
- What will the results of the US election mean for the energy transition in the country?
EP.224 Rohan Ma on Battery Market Economics
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we're excited to welcome Rohan Ma, the former Director of Energy Software at Tesla. Rohan joins Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC, and Julia Hoos, our Head of USA East, for an insightful discussion on battery market economics.
Rohan's career has focused on the intersection of energy economics and technology. The last 8 years saw him leading the global Energy Software team at Tesla, launching initiatives like Autobidder, Tesla's Virtual Power Plant, and the company’s retail electricity program, Tesla Electric. Before Tesla, Rohan held positions at SolarCity, Pacific Gas and Electric, Clearview Energy Partners, and the Chicago Climate Exchange.
Main topics of discussion include the following:
- How did Autobidder develop within Tesla, and what were the biggest challenges facing scaling and rolling it out internationally?
- How do new battery markets compare to established ones, and which ones are the best for investment?
- How will the Trump Administration potentially impact the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?
EP.223 Tyler Norris on Interconnection Processes in the US Power Markets
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are thrilled to welcome Tyler Norris, James B. Duke Fellow at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Tyler joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, to discuss the interconnection processes within U.S. power markets.
Tyler's PhD research at Duke University focuses on electric power systems. His background includes roles as VP of Development at Cypress Creek Renewables, Director at S&P Global Platts, and Special Advisor for Tech-to-Market at the U.S. Department of Energy. Tyler has also served as an expert witness in multiple utility commission proceedings, with his insights featuring in prominent publications such as The New York Times and Foreign Affairs.
Key topics in this episode include:
- What are interconnection processes, and why are these increasingly relevant in the US?
- “Invest and connect” vs “connect and manage” approaches to interconnection
- What will the results of the US election mean for the energy transition in the country?
EP.222 Axel Thiemann, CEO, Sonnedix
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Axel Thiemann, CEO of Sonnedix, to discuss the investment climate for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Europe. Axel joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, recorded live at the Aurora Battery Conference in November 2024.
Axel has been with Sonnedix since 2011 and became CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, the company has experienced rapid growth and diversification to more than 3.5GW of operational capacity. Today, he leads a global team of over 500 employees across 10 countries.
Main topics include the following:
- What are the factors and trends shaping the investment climate for BESS in Europe?
- What are the key risks and uncertainties for BESS investment in Europe, and how can these be managed?
- Where are the best opportunities and the hottest markets for BESS in Europe?
EP.221 Benjamin Merle, Chief Product Officer, Enpal
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Benjamin Merle, Chief Product Officer at Enpal, as he joins our Managing Director for Central Europe, Hanns Koenig, to discuss solar energy solutions and their role in the German power market.
Since 2020, Benjamin has been responsible for product development and energy market topics at Enpal. Before this, he played a key role in establishing Aurora's German branch and worked as a consultant at McKinsey. He studied International Business Administration at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford.
Main topics include the following:
- The importance of supply chain security in the face of geopolitical tensions
- What is a virtual power plant, and how does it work within the power market?
- How can incentive schemes for rooftop solar in Germany be reformed to make them more system-friendly?
EP.220 Miguel de Jesus on the Philippine Power Market
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Miguel de Jesus, Managing Director for the Philippines at ACEN. He joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and our Market Lead for Wider Asia, Patrick Tan, to discuss the current state of the Philippines' power market.
Miguel oversees ACEN's operations in the Philippines and has held key leadership roles within the company. These include leading the company's solar developments in Vietnam, pioneering ACEN’s retail electricity business, and managing the company’s first operating wind assets in the Philippines. Before joining ACEN, Miguel practiced law, with a focus on energy and project finance.
Main topics include the following:
- Philippines’ market design and the debates surrounding it
- Key barriers to accelerating renewables deployment and other zero-carbon technologies in the Philippines
- Major challenges faced by international players entering the Philippine market
EP.219 Toby Edmonds on Offshore Wind
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Toby Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Offshore Renewables at Northland Power. Toby joins Marc Hedin, our Head of Research for the UK & Ireland, for an in-depth discussion on the topic of offshore wind.
Toby oversees global operations, delivery, and growth initiatives for offshore renewables at Northland Power. With over 25 years in the energy industry, he previously served as COO at Maple Power and held senior roles at RWE, including Project Director for the Gwynt y Môr and Galloper wind farms, and Director of Asset Management and Operations.
Main topics include the following:
- The most time-consuming stages of offshore wind projects: engineering, planning, permitting, and grid connection
- Investing in offshore wind in a higher rates world: subsidy schemes and PPAs
- Floating offshore wind
EP.218 Akshay Kaul on Delivering a Grid for the Energy Transition in GB
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Akshay Kaul, Director General for Infrastructure at Ofgem. Akshay joins Tom Smout, Senior Associate in our GB Research team, for an in-depth discussion on building a grid ready to support the energy transition in Great Britain.
Akshay has been with Ofgem since 2017. Before his current role, he served as Director of Networks, overseeing the economic regulation of Great Britain’s energy networks. His responsibilities included developing the next generation of onshore network price controls (known as RIIO2), regulating offshore transmission infrastructure, and advancing an ambitious cross-border interconnection programme through the cap and floor regime.
Main topics include the following:
- What is the current state of the GB grid connection queue, and what led to the queue being so congested?
- What are the main proposals under consideration for improving the grid connection process, and why?
- How have things changed with a new UK government? How is Ofgem working with new organisations and ministers to deliver on energy targets?
EP.217 Ethan Zindler, Climate Counselor, U.S. Department of the Treasury
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Ethan Zindler, Climate Counselor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he leads the Treasury’s Climate Hub. Ethan joins our Head of Advisory for the UK & Ireland, Brian Potskowski, and Lizzie Bonahoom, Associate in our U.S. Research team, to discuss the current landscape and future of the U.S. energy transition, especially in light of the upcoming November 5th election.
Before joining the Treasury, Ethan served as Head of Americas at BloombergNEF (BNEF). He played a pivotal role in the creation of Climatescope, an annual public resource detailing clean energy investment conditions in emerging market economies since 2012. Ethan has also authored reports on climate and clean energy for organisations such as the Climate Investment Funds at the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations, among others.
Main topics include the following:
- What is the progress to date for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and how could the upcoming elections in the United States impact its future?
- Could the costs of the IRA overshoot, given higher power demand growth driven by generative AI?
- How is the United States supporting Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) and what is the outlook for delivery of their objectives?
EP.216 Power Deliverability Solutions for Data Centers
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome John Mushriqui, co-founder & CEO of InRange Energy, and Chris Pennington, Global Director of Energy and Sustainability at Iron Mountain Data Centers. They join our Market Lead for New York ISO & ISO New England, Anne Bettiol, to discuss power deliverability solutions for data centers.
John, a lifelong entrepreneur, founded InRange based on his firsthand experience with the challenges of energy procurement processes. Meanwhile, Chris, in his role at Iron Mountain, defines what it means for a data center to be truly sustainable—addressing issues from water use to biodiversity, with clean power as the foundation.
Key topics of discussion include:
- The opportunities and challenges data centers face today
- How can Behind the Meter (BTM) generation be used strategically to meet data center demand with clean electricity
- Nuclear vs renewables regarding BTM generation to meet data center demand
EP.215 John Pettigrew, Chief Executive, National Grid
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome John Pettigrew, Chief Executive, National Grid. He joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, to discuss the outlook for power systems in both the UK and the US, with a particular focus on the investment required in grid infrastructure in these markets.
John has extensive experience in the utility sector. He joined National Grid as a graduate in 1991 and has progressed through many senior management roles. As Chief Executive, he has delivered transformational organisational and portfolio change, positioning National Grid to play a pivotal role in the energy transition and helping shape energy policy. John is also a Fellow of the Energy Institute and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Key topics include the following:
- The Great Grid Upgrade
- The potential impact of the upcoming US election result on network investments
- Risks facing interconnection projects from technical, economic, regulatory, security, and market perspectives
Aurora’s Careers Series: Oxford Graduate Analyst Programme Explained
Aurora’s Careers Series: Oxford Graduate Modelling Programme Explained
EP.214 Louise Oriol on Negative Price Hours in the French Market
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Louise Oriol, Advisor, RTE (France's Transmission System Operator). She joins our Head of France, Pierre Dennery, and Jonathan Hoare, Senior Analyst in our French Research team, to discuss negative price hours in the French market.
Louise is an expert on electricity regulatory issues and electricity markets with over 10 years of experience, that include having worked for the French Ministry of Energy in the Electricity Markets Office and then in the Renewable Energy Office. She became advisor to RTE’s Director of New Flexibilities for the Power System in 2022, dealing with flexibilities for balance of demand and supply, but also for solving congestions.
Main topics include the following:
- What is driving negative price hours growth in France during 2024?
- How will actions by regulators, policymakers and private players affect negative price hours in the future?
- Would renewable energy participation in the balancing market during hours of negative prices be a possible solution for France?
EP.213 Brett Perlman on the US Hydrogen Industry
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Brett Perlman, President and CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future. He joins our Head of US Central, Olivier Beaufils, to discuss the current state of the US hydrogen Industry.
For the past seven years, Brett has been running the Center for Houston’s Future, particularly being involved in the development of Houston’s hydrogen hub. With a distinguished career in the US energy sector, Brett’s experience spans from consulting at McKinsey & Company to serving as a Commissioner on the Public Utility Commission of Texas, where he led the restructuring of the state’s electric utility industry.
Key topics of discussion include:
- What is a hydrogen hub, and what kind of supply is Houston focusing on—blue, green, or a mix of both?
- Hydrogen exports
- The impact of emerging hydrogen markets on the power system
EP.212 Tim Jarratt on the State of the Energy Transition in Australia
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Tim Jarratt, Group Executive of Market Development and Strategy at Ausgrid. He joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and Head of Research for APAC, James Ha, to discuss the current state of the energy transition in Australia.
Tim has a long and distinguished career in the energy sector. Before joining Ausgrid, he worked at National Grid, where he led the strategy team and served as Chief of Staff to the CEO. He has also held roles at Bain & Company, among other prestigious positions, and completed both his undergraduate and engineering PhD studies at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Key topics include the following:
- A comparison of the energy transition in the UK, rest of Europe, and Australia
- Ausgrid's vision for EV charging infrastructure, community batteries, and consumer tariffs
- Investment and costs in Australian distribution networks
EP.211 Kevin O’Donovan on the Renewables Landscape in GB
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Kevin O'Donovan, Vice President and Managing Director, UK & Ireland at Statkraft. He joins Robert Pearce, Senior Associate in our UK & Ireland Advisory team, to discuss the renewables landscape in Great Britain (GB).
As part of Statkraft’s Europe business area, Kevin oversees wind, solar, battery, and grid services across the UK and Ireland. He holds an engineering degree from University College Cork and a master’s in renewable energy.
Main topics include the following:
- How have recent political changes affected the sector in GB, and what is the likely impact on renewables deployment?
- GB’s position in the broader European energy transition
- The potential influence of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in supporting renewables
EP.210 Aurora Team on Korea’s Energy System
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, is joined by members of the Aurora team responsible for developing the analysis underpinning our market and grid forecasts for Korea.
Just last month, the team celebrated the launch of Aurora's Korean Power & Renewables Market service at a live event in Seoul, attended by numerous market experts. As Korea goes through a period of immense transformation, our team will take you through the intricacies of energy in the country and what makes it unique.
Key topics of discussion include the following:
- An overview of Korea's market, policy, and grid, along with the role of KEPCO and other key strategic considerations as the country navigates the challenges of achieving a Net Zero power system
- The long-term drivers and market outcomes in Korea
- Insights from our long-term electricity market and grid forecasts for the region
- Feedback from our Korean network on key challenges and strategic opportunities
EP.209 Francisco Muñoz on the Chilean Energy Sector
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Francisco Muñoz, Director of Research at Generadoras de Chile discussing Chile’s energy sector and its journey toward renewable energy integration with our Managing Director for Iberia & LATAM, Ana Barillas.
Generadoras de Chile is the trade association representing Chile’s power generation companies. In his role, Francisco leads a team that supports some of the world’s largest power generation companies as they navigate the evolving energy transition. With a career that includes consulting for various international organisations and private firms on market design, regulation, strategy, and planning, Francisco brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation. He also holds a Ph.D. in Energy Economics and Operations Research from Johns Hopkins University.
Main topics include the following:
- An introduction to the Chilean power sector and the factors behind its high renewable energy integration
- Challenges in regulation and market design
- The future challenges for battery storage in Chile
EP.208 Allan Marks on the US’ role in the Global Energy Transition
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Allan Marks, Global Project, Energy & Infrastructure Finance Partner at Milbank, to discuss the United States' role in the global energy transition. Joining him are our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, and our USA West Market Lead, George Prassas.
Allan is one of the world's leading project finance lawyers, with over 30 years of expertise across various sectors, including power and renewable energy, water, fuels, and digital infrastructure. He is a Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and has previously taught at the Haas School of Business. Additionally, he is a regular contributor to Forbes, where he covers topics related to energy, infrastructure, and climate.
Key topics include:
- The shift towards domestic manufacturing and labour in the US and its impact on the cost and speed of the energy transition
- The regulatory environment in the US and its regional diversity
- The upcoming election and its potential influence of its outcome on the US energy transition
EP.207 Steffen Schülzchen, Founder & CEO, Entrix
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Steffen Schülzchen, Founder & CEO, Entrix, discussing the current state and outlook of batteries in the German electricity market. Joining him are Thaddäus Kreisig, Project Leader from our Berlin Advisory team, and Eva Zimmermann, Associate in our European Research team.
Entrix offers an AI-based trading and optimisation solution that helps owners of flexible energy assets to maximise the value of their investments. Before founding Entrix, Steffen was a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company's energy practice.
Key topics covered in this episode include:
- Why are batteries important for the energy transition in Germany and how does battery trading work in the country?
- How will the various battery revenue streams develop in the future?
- How is revenue stacking and continuous intraday trading in Germany different from other EU markets, and what are the most interesting future markets?
EP.206 Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, discussing the Alberta energy and power landscape with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr.
Danielle Smith, who was sworn in as the 19th Premier of Alberta in 2022, previously served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood and the leader of the Official Opposition. Before returning to politics, she built a successful career in media and business, most recently as President of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Danielle holds degrees in both Economics and English from the University of Calgary.
Main topics include the following:
- Finding the right balance between decarbonisation, consumer affordability, and system reliability
- The roles of markets and government in addressing system reliability challenges
- The future of renewables in Alberta, with a focus on solar and wind energy
EP.205 Katan Hirachand, Chief Executive & Chief Country Officer, Société Générale India
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Katan Hirachand, Chief Executive & Chief Country Officer of Société Générale India. Katan will be discussing project finance in India with our Managing Director responsible for our activities in the region, Dan Monzani.
Katan oversees Société Générale’s Global Banking and Investor Solutions activities in India. With over two decades of global experience, he has held positions such as Co-head of Advisory and Project Finance for EMEA, and was responsible for the largest-ever project financing in Africa at USD 15.5 billion. Before joining Société Générale, Katan worked in commercial roles with BG Group in Brazil, Tunisia, Iran, and the UK.
Main topics include the following:
- Why do state lenders have a prominent role in India, and what opportunities exist for private lenders?
- How are projects being influenced by the emergence of commercial and industrial PPAs and the design of round-the-clock renewable electricity auctions?
- What is the potential of the green hydrogen market in India?
EP.204 Mateo Jaramillo, Co-founder & CEO, Form Energy
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we're delighted to welcome Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of Form Energy. Mateo joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, and Zachary Edelen, a Senior Associate from our Austin office, to discuss long-duration battery storage.
Before co-founding and directing Form Energy, Mateo served as the Vice President of Products and Programs for Tesla's stationary energy storage program. In this role, he was responsible for defining Tesla Energy's product line and business model definition, as well as overseeing global policy and business development. Prior to working at Tesla, Mateo was the Chief Operating Officer and a founding member of Gaia Power Technologies, a pioneering distributed energy storage company. Currently, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Clean Power Association.
Main topics include the following:
- What are iron-air batteries and how do they work?
- The cost, duration, and efficiency of long-duration storage
- Are there any potential major competitors or alternatives to long-duration energy storage?
EP.203 Andrew Waranch, President & CEO, Spearmint Energy
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Waranch, President & CEO of Spearmint Energy, discussing the battery storage market with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr.
Andrew brings over 25 years of experience in research, trading, and portfolio management across the electricity power markets. Before founding and leading Spearmint Energy, he worked at several energy trading firms, including Elustria, Elliott Associates, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Constellation Energy. He holds a B.S. in Applied Economics and Business Management from the Dyson School of Business at Cornell University.
The main topics include the following:
- US battery market landscape, including its attractiveness and its design
- Risk management and offtake structures
- The role of batteries in the energy transition
Australian Graduate Analyst Programme Explained
Thinking of applying to our Australian Graduate Program? Listen in! In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Mechtersheimer and Michael Veld, Graduate Analysts in the 2024 cohort, to hear about their first-hand experience at Aurora. You'll hear about everything from the application process to the day-to-day responsibilities and projects.
To learn more visit auroraer.com/grads!
EP.202 Buddy Rizer on Data Centre Demand and its Impact on Power Systems
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Buddy Rizer, Executive Director for the Department of Economic Development in Loudoun County, Virginia, USA. He discusses data centre demand and its impact on power systems with our Head of USA East, Julia Hoos, and Zachary Edelen, Senior Associate in our Research team.
Buddy is largely credited as the architect of "Data Center Alley"—the world’s largest concentration of data centre load. He leads the agency responsible for encouraging growth and developing relationships with Loudoun’s business community. During his tenure, Buddy and his team have attracted more than $60 billion in new commercial investment and over 50,000 new jobs.
The main topics include the following:
- The future of data centre demand in terms of growth and its absorption by the system
- Increases in power prices and their impact on local data centres
- The feasibility of serving data centre demand with 100% green power, and the extent to which this is already happening
EP.201 Agnes da Costa, Director, Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Agnes Maria da Costa, Director at the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL). She joins our Managing Director for Iberia & LATAM, Ana Barillas, to discuss policies for the Brazilian electricity market, including capacity reserve auctions.
Agnes has been a Director at ANEEL since December 2022. Before this role, she spent almost eighteen years at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, where she held positions such as advisor, special advisor, program director, deputy head, and head of the Special Advisory Board on Economic Affairs. Throughout her career, Agnes has played a significant role in shaping energy policy in Brazil.
In this episode, we cover the following main topics:
- What are the electricity market policies where Brazil has been a global leader?
- What is the future of electricity sector regulation in Brazil?
- How do capacity auctions work in Brazil, and why is more flexible and adaptable regulation needed?
EP.200 Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog
On our 200th episode of Energy Unplugged, which also marks our first India-focused episode, we are delighted to welcome a very special guest: Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. He takes a deep dive into the Indian market with Dan Monzani, Managing Director at Aurora, who oversees our activities in India.
Mr. Bery is an eminent economist, academic, writer, and policy leader who has spent the better part of the last three decades at the World Bank, eventually becoming their Lead Economist. Between 2012 and 2016, he served as Shell’s Chief Economist. In India, he has been a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and the Reserve Bank of India’s Technical Advisory Committee on Monetary Policy.
NITI Aayog is both India’s Ministry of Planning and its apex public policy think tank, bringing together senior Union Ministers and all the Chief Ministers of the states. Mr. Bery currently serves as NITI Aayog’s Vice Chairman, reporting directly to the Prime Minister, who acts ex officio as its Chair.
Main topics include the following:
- The development of India’s energy infrastructure in the context of the country’s economic growth.
- The Indian Energy Transition and its ambitious target of deploying 50GW of renewables per annum, including the roles of PPAs and green hydrogen.
- The Government’s vision in promoting liquid, open, competitive markets, and the importance of foreign direct investment.
Aurora opened an office in Delhi earlier this year and will be launching its coverage of the Indian power market from July 2024. If you would like to contact the team and find out more about our work, please email contact.delhi@auroraer.com.
EP.199 Flemming Sørensen and Ángel Sanz on the PPA Market in Europe
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Flemming Sørensen, Vice President for Europe, LevelTen Energy, and Ángel Sanz, Head of Energy Markets Iberia, ENGIE, analysing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market in Europe with our Managing Director for Iberia & LATAM, Ana Barillas.
This episode was recorded at the LevelTen Energy European Forum, a key event in the PPA industry that brought together leaders and innovators from across the renewable energy sector. This forum has become the ideal environment for sellers, buyers, financiers, and advisors to debate, exchange ideas, and collaborate on building a sustainable future.
Main topics include the following:
- The likelihood of seeing price reopeners or renegotiation of PPAs in the current environment in Europe
- Grid curtailment in Europe and its consequences for PPAs
- The impact of inflation on PPA negotiations
EP.198 Aurora experts on the New Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Northern Ireland
On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, the Aurora team analyses the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Northern Ireland.
Salman Khan, Principal in our Oxford Advisory team, welcomes for the discussion our colleagues Steph Unsworth, Senior Associate and Product Manager for I-SEM, and Michael Joos, also Senior Associate manager of the project Aurora is delivering to the Northern Irish Government to support the design of this new scheme.
Main topics include the following:
- Why is a support scheme needed in Northern Ireland?
- What is the design of the new scheme, and what are its key features?
- How is the new scheme expected to impact the I-SEM market?
EP.197 Chris Stark, Chief Executive, The Carbon Trust
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, discussing the UK’s climate targets with our Managing Director for the UK & Ireland and European Hydrogen, Dan Monzani.
A world-renowned climate policy expert, Chris is the Chief Executive of The Carbon Trust, a global climate consultancy dedicated to accelerating the transition to a decarbonised future. In his previous role as Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee, Chris led the independent advice to put the UK’s Net Zero target into law. He frequently speaks on the urgent need to confront climate change and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow.
Main topics include the following:
- The ambitions of the UK’s Carbon Budgets and their achievability
- Whether climate targets are being scaled back because they are impossible to achieve or because of a lack of political will to deliver them
- The mission and role of the Carbon Trust
EP.196 Alice Delahunty on the Importance of Energy Networks in the Transition to Net-Zero
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Alice Delahunty, President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, in conversation with Rebecca McManus, Senior Associate and our Renewables Lead for the European Power Markets Research team. The discussion focuses on the importance of energy networks in the transition to Net-Zero in the UK and other European power markets.
Alice is responsible for developing, building, maintaining, and operating the electricity transmission network in England and Wales, playing a critical role in enabling and delivering against the UK government’s Net-Zero commitments. Prior to this, she held a number of senior roles at E.ON, including Head of Operations for the offshore wind business.
Main topics include the following:
- What are the challenges and opportunities for the UK and wider European energy networks as part of the energy transition?
- What is The Great Grid Upgrade and, specifically, what is its impact on offshore wind networks connection?
- How do we address the UK’s green skills gap and develop the future Net-Zero workforce?
EP.194 Nicole Yazon on the Philippine Power Market
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Nicole Yazon, AVP for Strategy and deputy lead for the Corporate Strategy team at Aboitiz Power, analysing the Philippine power market with our Managing Director for APAC & California, Hugo Batten, and our Market Lead for Wider Asia, Patrick Tan.
At Aboitiz Power, Nicole works with the C-suite to shape portfolio strategy and advises senior leaders of the company’s subsidiaries on their business unit strategies. Previously, she worked in the downstream oil, chemicals, gas, and power sectors across Europe, Africa, and Asia, focusing on energy transition, utilities and energy management, and sustainability.
Main topics include the following:
- Opportunities and challenges in the Philippine power market
- The role of gas and nuclear in the Philippines
- Reliability and cost of energy VS prioritising the decarbonisation of the Philippine power system
EP.195 Prologis on the Sustainability and Decarbonisation Potential of the Logistics Real Estate Sector
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Vibhu Kaushik, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Energy, and Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy & Sustainability Officer, both at Prologis, in conversation with our Global Research Director, Richard Howard. The focus of the discussion is on the sustainability and decarbonisation potential of the logistics real estate sector.
Prologis is a global leader in the logistics real estate industry. As the world's largest owner and operator of logistics real estate, with over 1.2 billion square feet of warehouse space under management across 19 countries, it plays a significant role in helping customers decarbonise their operations. Prologis achieves this by providing renewable energy solutions through solar power, energy storage, EV charging infrastructure, and building electrification. In 2022, Prologis ranked #2 in USA for on-site solar power generation.
Main topics include the following:
- What is the sustainability vision for the logistics real estate sector?
- What is the potential for deploying rooftop solar, and can its business model be enhanced by adding batteries?
- Which are the most attractive markets for decarbonising buildings, and why?
EP.192 Johanna Schiele on the Results of the European Hydrogen Bank Auction
On this Energy Unplugged episode, we are pleased to welcome Johanna Schiele, Policy Officer at the EU Commission, DG CLIMA, discussing the results of the European Hydrogen Bank auction with Hanns Koenig, our Managing Director for Central Europe, and Emma Woodward, our European Hydrogen Market Lead.
As a Policy Officer at the EU Commission, DG CLIMA, Johanna works on designing and implementing EU-wide auctions and new funding instruments at the EU Innovation Fund. Prior to joining the Commission, Johanna worked in the power sector and as a researcher on auctions and clean tech funding. She holds a BA from Oxford University and an MPA from Harvard University.
Main topics include the following:
- What is the design of the European Hydrogen Bank’s auctions, and how does it compare to other support auctions across Europe?
- What are the outcomes of the European Hydrogen Bank auction, and how do they compare to other European auctions’ results?
- What are the main challenges for bidders when placing their bids in various auctions, and how can they be mitigated?
EP.193 Keith Anderson, Chief Executive, ScottishPower
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, discussing the deployment of renewables in the UK with our Global Research Director, Richard Howard.
As the CEO of ScottishPower, Keith oversees all of the company's activities in the UK. Over the past twelve months, he has been a member of the No10 Business Council, the UK Government’s Investment Trade Advisory Group, and has been a COP26 Business Leader. Before joining ScottishPower, Keith held positions at major financial institutions, including The Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life, and worked as a management consultant with Ernst & Young.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
- Challenges around grid connections and curtailment in GB
- Locational pricing: is it helpful to provide this kind of incentive?
- The UK’s ambitious wind targets: are they deliverable?
2024, Berlin Graduate Analyst Programme Explained
EP.191 Aurora Experts on Grid Modelling in APAC
On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, the Aurora team analyses grid modelling in APAC, both from a policy and investment perspective.
Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC, welcomes our colleagues Kento Yoshimura, Market Lead, Japan; Rowan von Spreckelsen, Head of New Markets, APAC; and James Ha, Research Lead, Australia to discuss the following:
• Policy debates around locational price signals
• Modelling debates around locational price signals, including its quality and reliability
• Market responses to policy changes and grid issues
EP.190 David Watson on the Future of EVs and Smart Charging
On this Energy Unplugged episode, we are pleased to welcome David Watson, CEO and Co-Founder of Ohme, discussing the future role of electric vehicles (EVs) and smart charging with Salman Khan, Principal at our Oxford Advisory team.
David created Ohme with the aim of making it the world’s most trusted smart charging platform. Today, Ohme is the UK’s fastest growing smart charging company and the official charging provider for the Volkswagen Group in the UK and Ireland, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Polestar in the UK. Prior to co-founding Ohme, David also co-founded Temporis Capital.
Main topics include the following:
• Market signals required for the successful deployment of smart chargers
• Smart charging to serve the grid—GB energy market opportunities
• Smart charging to serve the end-user—Retail Electricity Markets
EP.189 Charlotte Johnson on Battery Optimisation and Flexibility
On this Energy Unplugged episode we welcome Charlotte Johnson, Global Director of Markets, Kraken discussing flexible assets, their markets and, more specifically, batteries with Evangelos Gazis, our Head of Southeastern Europe.
Being part of the Octopus Energy Group, Kraken is a cloud-based technology platform that uses machine learning and AI to control and optimize distributed energy resources such as batteries, EVs and heat pumps in response to real-time fluctuations in demand and supply from intermittent renewable generation. Charlotte is passionate about accelerating the journey to net zero and regularly publishes engaging thought leadership material to a wide range of industry stakeholders.
Main topics include the following:
- Flexible energy assets: what are they and why do we need them?
- Market design and regulation for storage and batteries, and examples of successful policy support
- The role of software and AI in achieving an optimal dispatch
EP.188 Anna von Bremen on Storage Systems and Renewables in Germany
On this Energy Unplugged episode, we welcome Anna von Bremen, Partner and Head of Energy Innovation at Osborne Clarke, discussing the integration of storage systems with renewable energy sources with Thaddäus Kreisig, Project Leader in our Berlin Advisory team.
As the Head of Energy Innovation at Osborne Clarke, Anna advises companies in the energy industry on regulatory and energy law issues and aspects of digitalisation in the energy sector. Additionally, she conducts complex regulatory litigation on behalf of her clients which range from energy producers, energy trading houses, industrial companies, and utilities. In 2023, she was included in the renowned JUVE list of "40 under 40", an accolade reserved for 40 leading lawyers across all sectors.
Main topics include the following:
- Economics and policy of battery co-location for renewables projects in Germany
- Green and grey power, and the impact of their definitions on their respective business models
- Regulatory treatment of grid curtailment for co-located projects
EP.187 Ruth Herbert on Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we welcome Ruth Herbert, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), discussing Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) with Caroline Still, Project Leader at our Advisory team in Oxford.
Ruth has served as the CEO of the CCSA since 2021, following a two-decade career in the public sector. Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Low Carbon Contracts Company, where she served as Director of Strategy & Development, overseeing the implementation of Contracts for Difference (CfD) and Capacity Market initiatives. Additionally, from 2008 to 2010, Ruth led the UK's negotiations of the EU Directive on CO2 storage and its international Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) policy.
Main topics include the following:
- The role of CCUS in various key sectors, including power and hydrogen
- CCS-related policy gaps and funding in the power and industrial sectors in the UK
- Globally, what are the hot spots for CCUS development and why?
EP.186 Jeremy Bentham on the role of forecasts in the energy transition
On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we welcome Jeremy Bentham, Former Head of Shell Scenarios and Co-Chair at the World Energy Council, discussing the role of forecasts in the energy transition with our Head of Research for European Hydrogen and Global Energy Markets, Anise Ganbold.
With over 40 years of profound experience in the energy industry, Jeremy Bentham holds notable positions including senior advisory roles in various international organisations and serves as a non-executive company director. He has also been a commissioner on the Energy Transitions Commission and the inaugural Chair of the European Commission’s Advisory Council on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. Currently, Jeremy is a Senior Fellow with the Mission Possible Partnership and has recently launched his free fortnightly "Dodo Club Newsletter".
Main topics include the following:
• The combination of forecasting, with educational and influencing activities
• The Two Degrees view
• Tips to set successful strategies
EP.185 Andrew Doyle on Hydrogen Project Financing
On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Doyle, Executive Director, MUFG, discussing hydrogen project financing with our European Hydrogen Market Lead, Emma Woodward.
Andrew brings with him over 20 years of project finance experience, having joined MUFG in 2011. His expertise spans a wide range of projects, from large thermal power and renewables ventures across the UK and Europe, and Middle East as well as offshore transmission projects. Additionally, Andrew serves as a member of the Hydrogen Advisory Council and was seconded to the former UK Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2009.
Main topics include the following:
• Financing for both hydrogen production projects and transport & storage projects
• The impact of supply chain constraints and higher cost environments on hydrogen projects
• What are the countries at the forefront of hydrogen policy and why?
EP.184 Dr Sopna Sury provides an outlook of the hydrogen landscape
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss the changes, challenges, and future outlook of the hydrogen landscape. We are pleased to have Dr Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer Hydrogen, RWE Generation SE, join us in conversation with our Lead Expert for Hydrogen, Dilara Caglayan.
Sopna is responsible for the group-wide coordination and expansion of RWE's hydrogen activities and, under her leadership, RWE has set a growth target of 2 GW electrolyser capacity by 2030, supported by a 10 GW project pipeline. Prior to RWE, she held positions at McKinsey & Company, E.ON and Uniper. Sopna holds a degree in Business Economics and a Doctorate from the University of Witten/Herdecke.
Main topics include the following:
• An outlook of the hydrogen space’s situation over recent years
• The biggest challenges hindering hydrogen market rollout, from policy, regulation, and public support perspectives
• Regional competitiveness within Europe, and the EU's Response to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Support Schemes
EP.183 Declan Flanagan on Renewables & Storage Development in the US & Australia
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss renewables and storage development in the US and Australian markets. We are delighted to welcome Declan Flanagan, Founder & CEO of Bluestar Energy Capital, in conversation with our Managing Director for APAC & California, Hugo Batten, and our Research Lead for US West, Kimberly Liu.
Prior to founding and directing Bluestar Energy Capital, Declan served as EVP at Ørsted and CEO of Ørsted’s onshore renewables business. He was also the Founder & CEO of Lincoln Clean Energy (acquired by Ørsted in 2018). Declan has led over $10 billion in capital investment in global clean energy and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BSc from the University of Galway.
Main topics include the following:
• Consequences of rising financing costs and supply chain issues for renewables and storage
• Structural opportunities in the WECC region
• Grid issues in Australia and potential solutions
EP.182 Robert Todd on Long Duration Energy Storage
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and explore how this space is gathering momentum as its pivotal role in supporting the Energy Transition becomes increasingly recognised. We are pleased to have Robert Todd, Managing Director at CIBC Capital Markets, join us in conversation with our Head of Research for the UK & Ireland, Marc Hedin.
Robert joined CIBC three years ago to help expand their advisory platform activities globally, with recent experiences across offshore wind (floating & fixed), onshore wind, solar, energy storage (LDES and battery), hydrogen, and synfuels (e-methanol). Prior to CIBC, he held positions at HSBC and Barclays Capital.
Main topics include the following:
• LDES technologies and their new applications
• The best markets to develop LDES
• Financing and bankability of LDES projects
EP.181 Andy Bowman on Renewables in the US
On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Andy Bowman, Founder & CEO of Jupiter Power, discussing renewables in the US with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr.
Over his 25-year career in renewables, Andy has had executive responsibility for more than 3,600 MW of wind and solar projects and 1,400 MWh of energy storage projects which are currently operational or under construction. Prior to founding and managing Jupiter Power, he was CEO and founder of Pioneer Green Energy, Chief Development Officer at E.On Climate & Renewables, SVP Development at Airtricity, and CEO and founder of Renewable Generation Inc. Notably, he is also the author of “The West Texas Power Plant That Saved the World.”
Main topics include the following:
- The role of capital and infrastructure in both creating and combating climate change
- The role of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and industrial policy in supporting domestic labour and manufacturing
- The US battery storage market
EP.180 Craig Francis on Renewables & Storage Development in Australia
On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Craig Francis, CEO of Genex Power, discussing renewables and storage development in the Australian market with our Managing Director for APAC and California, Hugo Batten, and our Research Lead for Australia, James Ha.
Craig is an experienced leader with a career spanning over 15 years in financial markets as well as a deep knowledge of the energy sector. He joined Genex in 2017 to lead the commercial development of the Company’s portfolio, being appointed CFO in 2021, and CEO in 2023. Prior to Genex, Craig was part of the corporate finance team at Cantor Fitzgerald Europe in the UK, where he focused on advising clients in the energy and natural resources sectors. He also worked at RFC Ambrian and Helmsec Global Capital.
Main topics include the following:
• Pumped hydro in Australia and its economics
• The renewable and storage development landscape in the National Electricity Market (NEM)
• Policy and market frameworks in Australia
EP.179 Aurora Experts on our European Battery Markets Attractiveness Report
On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, Ryan Alexander, our Research Lead for European Power Markets, welcomes our colleagues Eva Zimmermann, Associate and Lead for Flexible Energy and Guillermo Ríos, Research Analytics Associate, to disclose the main insights from our European Battery Markets Attractiveness Report.
Europe is an immensely promising region for investment in batteries, driven by ambitious decarbonisation targets and projected exponential growth in renewables. Make the most of this booming market with the 3rd edition of the European Battery Markets Attractiveness Report releasing next week! This highly anticipated report provides insights on investment trends, policy environments, value drivers, and project economics, helping you conduct initial market scanning to identify the most attractive European markets for investment in batteries.
Key topics include the following:
- Identifying the top three markets in Europe, the reasons behind their prominence, and Germany's standing in comparison.
- What were the main regulatory changes in Europe over the last year, and what do they mean for developers and investors?
- Battery economics, including the consequences of participating in auctions and the costs of supply chains issues.
EP.178 Ralph Johnson on Battery Storage Optimisation
This week on Energy Unplugged, Ralph Johnson, Head of UK Business Development, Habitat Energy discusses battery storage optimisation in GB and globally with our Global Software Solutions Director, Mateusz Wronski.
Ralph is responsible for originating and managing Habitat Energy’s strategic partnerships in the UK. He is an expert in battery storage and brings over 15 years of experience working in the energy sector. Previously, Ralph held senior positions at Reactive Technologies and EDF, where he worked across supply-side, renewables, pricing, risk and financial modelling.
Main topics include the following:
• What is a good battery optimiser?
• Strategies of battery asset owners
• The future of the battery market: optimisers, asset owners, and market saturation & reforms
EP.177 Michael Terrell, Sr. Director for Energy and Climate, Google
On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Michael Terrell, Senior Director for Energy and Climate, Google, for a discussion with Oliver Kerr, our Head of North America, focusing on “the 24/7 goal”.
Michael leads Google’s efforts to decarbonise its global operations and value chain. In his previous role as Global Director of Energy, he spearheaded the company’s commitment to operate on 24/7 carbon free energy by 2030. Additionally, Michael serves as Board Chair of the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance (CEBA), which he co-founded in 2018. Prior to joining Google, he served in the US government, including at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Main topics include the following:
• Power consumption of data centres and the role of machine learning and flexibility
• What does the 24/7 goal mean and what are the pros and cons associated with making it achievable?
• Insights into upcoming developments on the policy side of the energy landscape
EP.176 James Johnston, CEO and Co-Founder, Piclo
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, James Johnston, CEO & Co-Founder of Piclo, engages in a discussion with Matteo Coriglioni, our Head of Italy, and Eva Zimmermann, Associate at Aurora. Together, they delve into the roles that flexibility and the deployment of new flexible technologies play as two of the key enabling factors for the energy transition.
James, who initiated his career with three years of microgrid research at the University of Strathclyde, co-founded Solar Sketch in 2009—a design company for the solar industry. He also gained experience at the international engineering firm Arup. In 2013, James co-founded Piclo, the leading marketplace for flexibility services. The platform has been steadily expanding its presence across the UK, Europe, and the USA. James is recognised as a sought-after expert and published author, contributing chapters to academic books on peer-to-peer energy and local flexibility trading.
Main topics include the following:
•Why are flexibility and flexibility analysis crucial right now?
•Are grid constraints more of an opportunity or of a bottleneck for flexibility assets development?
•How are Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) coordinating, and how can they improve their level of coordination?
EP.175 Pascale Courcelle on the new French PPA guarantee scheme
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, Pascale Courcelle, Director of Real Estate and Energy Environment Financing at Bpifrance, engages in a discussion with our Head of France, Pierre Denery, and our Co-Head of Advisory for Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow. The conversation focuses on the Renewable Electricity Guarantee Fund (GER), a guarantee fund for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) launched in France in September 2023.
Pascale began her career as a business manager in Brittany and later joined the credit committee of the bank’s head office, specialising in property financing for companies in the Ile de France region. When Bpi was established in 2012, she had already joined the renewable energy project financing team, eventually being appointed Director of Real Estate and Energy Environment Financing in 2017. Additionally, she serves as the Vice-president of the Financial Lease Commission (ASF) and is behind the creation of the GER.
Main topics include the following:
• Which parties can benefit from the GER and what criteria are used to assess which producers and projects should receive funding?
• How is the PPA price calculated, and what proportion of it is covered by the GER?
• How does the GER compare with other PPA funds already established in European countries like Spain and Norway?
EP.174 Gunter Erfurt, CEO, Meyer Burger
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, Gunter Erfurt, CEO, Meyer Burger engages in a discussion with Hanns Koenig, our Managing Director for Central Europe, with focus on the European solar industry.
Before becoming the CEO of Meyer Burger, Gunter held the position of both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, as well as managerial positions in other companies in the solar industry. He holds a Diploma in Engineering Physics from the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, and Degree in Physics and a PhD in Physics, both from the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg.
Main topics include the following:
• Dependence of Europe’s solar industry on imports, and how is China dominating
• Subsidies for solar in China
• Renewables manufacturing reshoring in Europe, compared to other countries such as China, India, or the US
EP.173 Dalia Majumder-Russell, Partner, CMS on the Latest Hydrogen Auctions
In this Energy Unplugged episode, Dalia Majumder-Russell, Partner at CMS, engages in a discussion with Emma Woodward, our European Hydrogen Market Lead, focusing on key announcements made recently, that will drive forward the development of a hydrogen economy. Particularly, focusing on the recent announcements made by the Department of Net Zero & Energy Security (DESNZ).
Dalia is a partner in CMS’s Energy team in London, with over 10 years’ experience advising a wide range investors, developers, utilities, lenders and governments on energy projects and infrastructure, including negotiating gas and hydrogen offtake agreements and advising on carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) projects in the UK and internationally. Dalia is also a member of a number of expert groups focused on developing hydrogen policies.
Main topics include the following:
• Recent hydrogen auctions in GB & Denmark
• European policy support for hydrogen investment
• Hydrogen transport & storage business models in GB and in comparison to other countries
EP.172 Igor Fonseca, Head of Power, Project Finance, Santander
This week on Energy Unplugged, Igor Fonseca, Head of Power, Santander Brazil Project Finance discusses project finance in Brazil’s power sector with our Founder & CEO, John Feddersen.
Over the past 11 years, Igor has worked within Santander’s Project Finance team following his positions at HSBC and Credit Agricole. At Santander, Igor has been covering the Power sector, executing and arranging several financial advisory mandates. This has amounted to investments over USD 10 billion and a total installed capacity over 20 GW, including large hydros, gas-fired thermal power plants, wind farms, small hydros, photovoltaic and concentrated solar power plants in Brazil.
Main topics include the following:
• Project finance in Brazil
• The impact of the shift to the free market and the green transition plan on project financing and investment in Brazil
• Key risks for Brazilian power projects
EP.170 Clare Savage, Chair, Australian Energy Regulator
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss the current status and future of the Energy Transition in Australia, with a specific focus on its regulatory landscape. We are pleased to be joined by Clare Savage, Chair, Australian Energy Regulator (AER), and James Ha, our Research Lead for Australia, in conversation with our Managing Director for APAC and California, Hugo Batten.
Clare has worked with some of Australia's largest businesses, including electricity and gas producers, as well as consumers, to develop a suite of integrated energy and climate change policies. Before joining the AER, she served as Deputy Chair of the Energy Security Board and, prior to that, as the Executive Director, Policy, Energy & Climate Change at the Business Council of Australia. Clare has also held executive positions within EnergyAustralia and the Energy Supply Association of Australia.
Main topics include the following:
• The current challenges facing the Energy Transition in Australia
• Regulatory considerations throughout the Energy Transition in Australia
• The importance of supporting innovation through the Energy Transition
EP.171 Alexander Voigt, Co-Founder & Board Member, HH2E
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, Alexander Voigt, Co-Founder & Board Member of HH2E, engages in a discussion with Hanns Koenig, our Managing Director for Central Europe. Together, they explore the resilience of Europe's clean energy supply chains and delve into the extent to which Europe should try to build or rebuild its own clean energy manufacturing space.
Alexander has spent his career creating several CO2-free businesses, some of which have achieved billion-euro valuations. Today, he is one of Germany's most successful green energy entrepreneurs. His latest initiative, HH2E AG, is a new green energy company in Germany, co-founded with other like-minded pioneers.
Main topics include the following:
• Competition between Europe, China, and the US: What factors are boosting the weight of the latter two at the expense of Europe?
• What players should be strengthening Europe’s role in the renewables manufacturing industry and how?
• What can Europe learn from China and the US and what should Europe push for?
EP.169 Catherine Raw, Managing Director, SSE Thermal
In this episode of Energy Unplugged, Catherine Raw, Managing Director of SSE Thermal, engages in a discussion with Anise Ganbold, our Head of Research for Global Markets & Hydrogen, exploring the role of hydrogen in the journey towards a Net-Zero power sector and economy in the UK and Ireland.
Prior to joining SSE Thermal in April 2022, Catherine served as both Chief Operating Officer for North America and Chief Financial Officer for the international metals and mining firm, Barrick Gold. Before this, she held positions as managing director and fund manager at BlackRock. Transitioning into the energy sector, Catherine brought her expertise in operational and financial performance, as well as her specialised knowledge of natural resources, commodity markets and investment management.
Main topics include the following:
• “Hydrogen clusters” and the business case including cost of hydrogen, profitability of new projects, and hydrogen-to-power opportunities
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen projects in the UK
• Using biofuels in Irish open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) and why this is not the right choice for the UK
EP.168 Pierre Bartholin, Senior Director, Glennmont Partners
In this Energy Unplugged episode, we delve into the intricacies of revenue strategy for renewable portfolio managers, focusing specifically on the topic of power purchase agreements (PPAs). We are pleased to be joined by Pierre Bartholin, Senior Director, Glennmont Partners in conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory in Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow.
With more than 12 years of experience in the carbon and power markets and having contributed to pioneering business models within SG CIB, Solvay, Lightsource BP and GE, Pierre joined Glennmont Partners in 2021 as Head of Revenue. In the past years he has been developing power-market-revenue solutions to secure revenue generation from renewable assets, such as PPA structures with corporate offtakers and utilities.
Main topics include the following:
• Understanding the significance of PPAs and their growing importance for funds and renewable developers across Europe
• Revenue strategy for renewables portfolio managers
• Perspectives on PPAs from the different market sides, including developers, utilities, traders and corporate offtakers
EP.167 Camilla Nilsson, CEO, Kyoto Group
In this Energy Unplugged episode Camilla Nilsson, CEO of Kyoto Group and Alejandro Zerain, Project Leader at Aurora, discuss long duration energy storage with Ana Barillas, our Head of Iberia and LATAM.
Dedicated to sustainability and clean technologies, especially in energy and agriculture, Camilla has extensive international industrial experience from her leadership roles in large international companies. Her background includes experience in multinational joint ventures, aggressive turn-arounds, and building ambitious start-ups. Prior to joining Kyoto Group, Camilla worked with Yara International and held leadership positions at Norsk Hydro ASA, Umoe BioEnergy ASA, and Agrinos AS.
Main topics include the following:
• What is digital farming?
• Long-duration energy storage, including both power and heat solutions
• The potential competition that thermal storage might face in the future
EP.166 Rogério Jorge, CEO, AES Brasil
In this Energy Unplugged episode, we discuss the context and challenges of the Brazilian power sector. We are pleased to be joined by Rogério Jorge, CEO of AES Brasil, in conversation with our Founder & CEO, John Feddersen.
Backed by 24 years of experience in the energy sector, Rogério has led different areas in the energy distribution, generation and commercialisation sectors, including the development of new businesses, the origination and structuring of greenfield projects, and the participation in mergers and acquisitions. He holds a degree in Law from Mackenzie and an International MBA from FIA/USP, among other specializations in Brazil and the USA.
Main topics include the following:
•Policy in the Brazilian power sector
•The importance of developing gas infrastructure in Brazil
•Brazil’s network capacity and reliability
EP.165 Dr Alan Finkel, Chair of the Low Emissions Technology Investment Advisory Council
In this Energy Unplugged episode, we discuss the transition to a future in which the role of electricity is scaled up in the global energy mix, powered by low-emission solutions. We’re pleased to be joined by Alan Finkel, Chair of the Low Emissions Technology Investment Advisory Council and James Ha, our Research Lead for Australia, in conversation with Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC & California.
Alan is, among many things, a neuroscientist, engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was Australia’s Chief Scientist from 2016 to 2020, during which time he led the National Electricity Market Review and developed Australia’s first National Hydrogen Strategy. The ideas presented in his latest book, titled “Powering Up: Unleashing the Clean Energy Supply Chain”, are the focus of today’s discussion.
Main topics include the following:
• Supply chain bottlenecks, and what the government can do to mitigate this and other risks
• Australia’s opportunities to become an export superpower for electrostates
• Industrial policy and appropriate basket of policies to help countries transition towards electrostates
EP.164 Emma Fletcher, Low Carbon Homes Director, Octopus Energy
In this Energy Unplugged episode, Emma Fletcher, Low Carbon Homes Director at Octopus Energy and Caroline Still, Senior Associate in our Advisory team, discuss the decarbonisation of homes and buildings with Richard Howard, our Global Research Director.
Emma started her career in the real-estate industry and, over time, became the manager of a major house-building and development company. Alongside this, she is part of a community land trust which implements low-carbon solutions at the domestic and settlement scale. Presently, at Octopus, she is at the forefront of developing customer propositions aimed to decarbonise homes and buildings.
Main topics include the following:
• Barriers at the individual household scale that curb the progress towards the decarbonisation of homes and buildings
• The various technologies that have the potential to replace traditional oil and gas boilers
• The role of policy both in GB and other European countries in enabling the decarbonisation of homes and buildings
EP.163 How can refineries’ value chain be carbon neutral? Lars Peter Lindfors, EVP Innovation, Neste
In this Energy Unplugged episode, we discuss how the oil refinery business can complete the transition towards a carbon neutral value chain by 2040. We are pleased to be joined by Lars Peter Lindfors, Executive Vice President (EVP), Innovation, Neste in conversation with our Head of Nordics & Baltics, Alexander Esser.
Holding 30+ years of Industrial experience, prior to being the EVP of Innovation of Neste Corporation, Lars Peter held positions as SVP, related to areas such as R&D, Engineering, Strategy, Investments, IT, Procurement and Business Processes. He has a doctoral degree with honours in the field of chemical reaction engineering and holds an MBA from Henley Management College, UK.
Main topics include the following:
• How can an oil refinery company achieve a carbon neutral value chain?
• Which fuels for green aviation are in reach?
• What are the economics of an electrolyser on-site at Neste’s largest refinery?
EP.162 Hydrogen in Europe and APAC: Daniel Sandermann, Head of Europe at Hysata
In this Energy Unplugged episode Daniel Tas Sandermann, Head of Europe at Hysata and James Ha, our Research Lead for Australia, discuss Hydrogen in Europe and APAC with Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC & California.
Before joining Hysata, Daniel was Vice President, Head of Energy Systems at Ørsted and also a Member of the Board of Directors. He has an academic background in science and sustainable energy systems.
Main topics include the following:
• Analysis of the hydrogen market in Europe and APAC
• The electrolyser technology and industry
• Differences in hydrogen government support models between regions, focusing on Europe and APAC
EP.161 Monalisa C. Dimalanta, Chairperson & CEO, Energy Regulatory Commission, Philippines
In this episode, we focus on the Philippines’ energy system. We’re delighted to be joined by Monalisa C. Dimalanta, Chairperson & CEO of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Philippines and John Feddersen, our Founder & CEO, in conversation with Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC & California.
As well as being Chairperson of the ERC, Philippines, Monalisa is a professor at Ateneo de Manila Law School. Prior to this, she was a partner at PJS Law, and also Chief of Legal & Compliance Officer at AboitizPower.
Main topics include the following:
• An outlook of the Philippines energy system
• Main obstacles for renewable deployment in the Philippines
• Key challenges in the Philippines regulation
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EP.160 Fintan Slye, Director of the ESO and Chair of the Board
In this Energy Unplugged episode, we discuss what's next for the Future System Operator (FSO) and other hot topics in the UK ahead of the winter season. We’re pleased to be joined by Fintan Slye, Director of the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and Chair of the Board, in conversation with our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani.
Fintan joined the ESO in 2018, following from his position as the CEO of the EirGrid Group, the electricity system and market operator in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Prior to leading the EirGrid Group, he worked for McKinsey & Company and the ESB Group. He is both a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Ireland and, the Energy Institute, holding a Masters in Engineering Science and an MBA from University College Dublin.
Main topics include:
• The future of the FSO and how it will be affected by the new Energy Bill
• Security of supply and flexibility demand in regard to winter peaks
• Connections and accelerating network delivery
• Dealing with increasing imbalances—the role of Locational Marginal Pricing
EP.159 Naoaki Eguchi, Partner, Baker McKenzie
On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, the discussion revolves around Japan’s energy markets. We welcome Naoaki “Nick” Eguchi, Partner at Baker McKenzie and and Co-head of the firm's Renewable and Clean Energy Group in Tokyo, in conversation with our Head of Advisory in Japan, Hayato Ono, and our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten.
Nick focuses his practice on project finance and renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric) and has worked on a lot of the major transactions that have occurred in Japan, as well as authoring a lot of academic articles, most recently as a co-author of the “Offshore Wind Finance Guide Book”.
Main topics include:
• Changes in Japan’s energy market related to market design & policy, generation mix and various players
• Technologies and investment cases, including batteries, offshore wind and hydrogen
• Market dynamics and successful business models
EP.158 Eirik Wærness, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Equinor
In this Energy Unplugged episode we look at the big picture scenarios for the decarbonisation of the global economy. We’re delighted to be joined by Eirik Wærness, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Equinor, and Anise Ganbold, our Head of Research, Global Energy Markets and Hydrogen, in a conversation with our Global Research Director, Richard Howard.
Joining Equinor in 2003 under it’s previous name Statoil, Eirik leads the group’s energy market policy and macroeconomics analysis, and in his role, he has been responsible for no less than 12 editions of the group’s Energy Perspectives scenario analysis.
Main topics include:
• What is required to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees?
• Steps that both the energy system and economy need to take in order to hit this target
• How to effectively utilise scenario analysis to tackle the above?
EP.157 Chris Greig, Princeton University & Richard Bolt, Nous Group
In this episode, we focus on Net Zero Australia, Net-Zero America, and the differences between the two countries. We’re delighted to be joined today by two guests: Chris Greig, Senior Research Scientist in the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, and Richard Bolt, Principal at Nous Group and Chair of Hydro Tasmania, in a conversation with Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC & California, Julia Hoos, our Head of USA East, and James Ha, our Research Lead for Australia.
Both of our guests have had illustrious careers spanning public and private sectors, but what’s brought them here today is their recent collaboration on an ambitious modelling project called Net Zero Australia, which offers granular insights into what it will take to decarbonise the economy by 2050, and builds on the Net-Zero America report published in 2021.
Main topics include:
• The main findings of the two reports including the consistent themes that have been seen in the models for both countries
• The use of models, and what are some of the reservations to relying on them looking forward
• Investment opportunities and the Public Sector’s role in the decarbonisation process to achieve net zero
• Comparisons between Australia and the US given the above context, and the role and potential of the various energy resources
EP.156 Luis Pita, General Manager, Brazil, Atlas Renewable Energy
On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, we welcome Luis Pita, General Manager, Brazil, Atlas Renewable Energy, in a conversation with our Founder & CEO, John Feddersen, that focuses on the current situation and future plans for the energy market in Brazil.
Before joining Atlas Renewable Energy, Luis worked at SunEdison (now Fenice Energy) for four years as GM for Brazil. Prior to that time, Luis accumulated over 20 years experience in executive roles across multiple continents, mainly in logistics, media production and retail. Luis was one of the founders of Brazil’s Solar Energy Association, and has been a Board Member since its inception.
Main topics include:
• Hydro driven prices and investing in renewables in Brazil
• Brazil’s network building – situation and challenges for investors and developers in the context of transmission auctions
• Brazil’s shift to the free market: what does it mean for consumers, investors and developers?
• The green transition plan in Brazil
EP.155 Global Project Finance Series in partnership with SMBC Group PART IV – The US
This episode of Energy Unplugged is fourth in a series on global project finance, organised in partnership with SMBC Group. Covering Europe, Australia, Asia, and the US, this series hosts guests from SMBC Group, various law firms, and Aurora energy experts.
Focusing on project finance in the US, we’re delighted to welcome Carl Morales, Managing Director and Group Head for the North American Power Project Finance Group at SMBC Group, Ron Erlichman, Partner and Co-Head of Energy & Infrastructure in the Americas, New York at Linklaters, and our Head of North America, Oliver Kerr, in conversation with our Head of USA East, Julia Hoos.
Main topics include the following:
· An overall look at the project finance space across the US during the last year
· The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), tax equity system, and how they impact the individual attractiveness of the US markets
· Risks, including financial, merchant, technological, and policy, that lenders may face
· The future of hydrogen technologies in the US
EP.154 Aurora on the Importance of Energy Networks for Investment Decisions and System Operation
On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, we deep dive in the importance of energy networks for investment decisions and the operation of the system to build Net Zero power systems. We’re happy to welcome our colleagues Alexandra Houston, Senior Associate and Ashutosh Padelkar, Research Associate in a conversation with our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani.
Alexandra is a Senior Associate in our GB Advisory team, where she has led a variety of work related to networks including for battery developers, long duration storage, renewables and locational marginal pricing. Ashutosh leads our Renewables service for the GB market and is also responsible for our Subscription Analytics offerings for corporate PPAs in GB and analysis of proposed policy and regulatory changes.
Main topics include the following:
• How Aurora expects networks and congestion to evolve in GB and what does this evolution mean for investment cases
• The role of hydrogen and how it might interact with the various constrains of the network
• What kinds of analysis and tools Aurora offers on this topic
EP.153 Japan’s Green Transformation Act: Hitomi Komachi, Partner, Allen & Overy Tokyo
In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Hitomi Komachi, Partner in Allen & Overy’s Tokyo office in a conversation with our Head of New Markets in APAC, Rowan von Spreckelsen and our Head of Advisory in Japan, Hayato Ono. The focus is on Japan’s recently unveiled green subsidy program, the draft Green Transformation Act published in February and passed into law in May by the Japanese Parliament.
Hitomi is an English law qualified lawyer with extensive experience in clean energy projects and the broader energy transition field. Hitomi is an expert in the international legal landscape and government policies impacting key Japanese and international industry players.
Main topics include:
•An overview of Japan’s Green Transformation Act and its importance
•The technologies the act is trying to incentivise and the mechanisms used
•Japan’s Green Transformation Act vs. the US’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
•The “Supply Chain Subsidy” aimed for producers of hydrogen and ammonia
EP.152 Aurora Experts on the Hottest Power Markets in Europe
This week, on Energy Unplugged, we have a special episode featuring Aurora experts in a discussion about what energy markets are hot in Europe right now and why.
Our Research Lead for European Power Markets Ryan Alexander is joined by Anuoluwa Omojola, Flexibility Lead and Rebecca McManus, Renewables Lead in the same team.
Main topics include:
•The most exciting markets for renewables and battery investment in Europe
•The European Commission’s current power market reform
•European Commission’s accelerated permitting rules and which markets are most ahead of the game in implementing those
•Which markets are most proactive in terms of encouraging co-location and why
EP.151 Julian Leslie, Head of Networks and Chief Engineer, National Grid ESO
In this episode we focus on the grid connections reform process and we welcome Julian Leslie, Head of Networks and Chief Engineer at National Grid ESO in a conversation with Emma Woodward, Project Leader at Aurora.
Julian has 30 years' experience in electricity system operation, planning and investment in various senior leadership roles. His current role is to prepare Great Britain’s electricity networks for Net Zero. Julian has a degree in Electrical Engineering, is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Main topics include:
•The current grid connections process and the key steps developers have to follow
•The multiple connections reforms going on at the moment, their current status and relation with other existing reforms
•The key challenges in the reform process
EP.150 Lowina Lundström, Senior Vice President, Svenska Kraftnät
In this Energy Unplugged episode, we discuss the upcoming priorities of the Swedish TSO (transmission system operator), such as the capacity market implementation and solving grid bottlenecks. We’re pleased to be joined by Lowina Lundström, Senior Vice President, Svenska Kraftnät, in a discussion with our Head of Nordics & Baltics, Alexander Esser.
Lowina is also Chairman of the Board of Directors at eSett, a company providing balance settlement services to participants of electricity markets in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Prior to that, she had several roles at the Nordic utility Fortum, and at Ellevio, one of Sweden's largest energy companies.
Main topics include:
•The role of TSOs for the energy transition in Sweden
•The needs and bottlenecks of the Swedish power system
•Sweden’s future as an electricity exporter
EP.149 Dave Jones, Global Electricity Insights Lead, Ember
This week on Energy Unplugged we welcome Dave Jones, Global Electricity Insights Lead at Ember in a conversation with our Managing Director for Central Europe, Hanns Koenig.
Ember is an independent energy think tank that uses data-driven insights to support the energy transition. Before joining Ember in 2020, Dave worked for 13 years at German utility E.ON as an electricity analyst and after that, in 2014, he joined the non-profit Sandbag, where he was working on phasing out coal in Europe.
Main topics include:
•Driving the agenda for Europe’s coal exit and global trends in the coal phase out
•Campaigning for wind parks, grid expansion, efficiency vs. campaigning against coal
•Ember’s most recent European Electricity Review and its work on a global renewables goal
EP.148 Llewelyn Hughes, Professor, Australian National University on Japan energy markets
In this Energy Unplugged episode we focus on Japan’s energy markets. We’re delighted to be joined by Professor Llewelyn Hughes of the Australian National University (ANU) in a conversation with our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten and our Head of New Markets in APAC, Rowan von Spreckelsen.
Llewelyn is a deep expert in Japan’s energy markets, being currently the Director of the Japan Institute at ANU. He’s had a long and distinguished academic career, spending time at MIT, Tokyo University, and Harvard, he has worked both in government (i.e. as an advisor to Ichirō Ozawa, Liberal Party of Japan) and the private sector (i.e Enron in Japan), as well as providing strategic and regulatory advice to energy companies operating in Japanese energy markets.
Main topics include:
•The evolution of Japan’s power markets over the last 5 years
•The Japanese power market de-regulation and market shifts and the big domestic players’ response to these
•The challenges of decarbonisation of the power sector in Japan, covering transmission, nuclear, hydrogen and offshore wind
EP.147 Sven Utermöhlen, CEO, RWE Offshore Wind
This week on Energy Unplugged we welcome Sven Utermöhlen, Chief Executive Officer at RWE Offshore Wind, in a conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory for Central Europe, Casimir Lorenz.
RWE is a leading global player in renewables and number two worldwide in offshore wind. Sven joined RWE in 2022 and before he has held various senior executive roles in renewable energy for more than sixteen years, including at innogy SE, and E.ON, where he also led the company’s offshore wind division. He also previously served in management consultancy roles for the Boston Consulting Group. He studied at the Universities of Karlsruhe and Hamburg.
Main topics include:
•The outlook of the offshore wind supply chain in Europe
•The probably of reaching the ambitious offshore wind targets in Europe
•The aim of a good market design for renewables and offshore wind in particular
•The competition between different markets with regards to their attractiveness
EP.146 The Japanese Power Market with Aurora’s Leadership Team in Tokyo
This week we have a special episode on Energy Unplugged in which we discuss the Japanese power market with Aurora's leadership team in Tokyo.
Our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten is joined by Aurora’s Rowan von Spreckelsen – Head of New Markets, APAC; Hayato Ono – Head of Advisory, Japan; Alex Luta and Zelin Chen – Project Leaders, Japan and Sehun Nakama – Associate, Japan.
This episode is being released just as we open our office in Tokyo and deliver our first research projects in Japan.
Main topics include:
• The current generation mix in Japan and expected changes over the next years
• Key elements of the energy transition in Japan
• The Japanese electricity market design
• Insights from Aurora’s Japan power market modelling work
EP.145 Jonathan Brearley, CEO, Ofgem
In this week’s podcast we welcome Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, in conversation with Dan Monzani, our Managing Director for UK & Ireland. Over the next 12 years, the energy system is under pressure for transformation to reach the goal of Net Zero. This episode focuses on the necessity for change within the energy system in order to achieve these targets.
Jonathan has wide-ranging energy sector experience, having led Electricity Market Reform as the Director for Energy Markets and Networks at DECC. Prior to this, he was Director of the Office of Climate Change, a cross-government strategy unit focussed on climate change and energy issues, where he led the development of the Climate Change Act. Earlier in his career, Jonathan was a senior adviser in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. In 2020, Jonathan became Ofgem's Chief Executive Officer after two years in the role of Executive Director for Systems and Networks.
Main topics include:
*The current stability of the retail market in the run to Net Zero
*The future of the system operators and how important some fundamental changes are for delivering Net Zero
*Why networks play a critical role in driving the energy transition.
EP.144 The energy transition: an investment climate for low-carbon infrastructure
In this episode, we discuss the energy transition as an investment climate for low-carbon infrastructure in Europe and the US. Our Research Director, Richard Howard is joined by Aurora experts: Ryan Alexander, Research Lead for European Power Markets and Julia Hoos, Head of USA East.
Main topics include:
•The impact of the REPowerEU plan and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US on the energy transition
•The status of renewables deployment in Europe vs the US
•Green hydrogen as a direct replacement for natural gas
EP.143 Jack Curtis, Chief Commercial Officer, Neara
In this episode, we welcome Jack Curtis, Chief Commercial Officer at Neara, in a talk with our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten, and our Head of Research in APAC, James Ha. Today’s discussion is focused on the challenges the power grid faces through the energy transition.
Neara is a physics-enabled platform that builds 3D interactive models of networks and assets, providing the ability to run real-world scenarios, assess current and future risks, and prioritize maintenance and disaster response. In the past, Jack was also Head of APAC for First Solar, and before he was both an investment banker and a lawyer.
Main topics include:
•The development of renewables over the past 10 years in Australia
•The government and the private sector’s roles in achieving the 1.5 degrees goal in Australia’s electricity system
•Neara’s platform, its fit with other models, and the challenges of the grid
EP.142 Jan Pepper, CEO, Peninsula Clean Energy
In this episode we welcome Jan Pepper, CEO, Peninsula Clean Energy in a conversation with our Head of Advisory – US West, Felix Chow-Kambitsch and our Head of Research – US West, Kim Liu. The discussion focusses on clean energy in California, as the state transitions towards its commitment of 100% clean electricity by 2045.
Jan has been working on renewable energy in California for the last 30 years. She is now CEO of Peninsula Clean Energy, a Community Choice Aggregation agency for San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos. Under Jan’s leadership since its inception in 2016, Peninsula Clean Energy has been leading the industry with its unprecedented goal for a California load-serving entity to procure 100% renewable energy 24/7 by 2025.
Main topics include:
•The role of CCAs in the energy transition
•PCE’s goal to deliver 24/7 renewable power by 2025
•Opportunities and challenges as California moves to 100% zero-carbon
EP.141 Daniel Breuer, Partner, Osborne Clarke
This week we have a special episode on Energy Unplugged in which we welcome Daniel Breuer, Partner at Osborne Clarke in a conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow. The episode is preparing for our Renewables Summit Berlin 2023 taking place tomorrow, Thursday 11th of May in Berlin, Germany.
The topic of the event is ‘Coordinating the German State and Market: Policies and Strategies to Reach 80% Renewables by 2030’ and Daniel is one of our speakers at the event. Daniel will be participating in one of the panel discussions entitled ‘Uncovering Optimal Pricing Mechanisms and Navigating Impacts of Regulatory Interventions on the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) Markets’.
Daniel heads Osborne Clarke Germany’s Energy & Utility practice. He advises clients on all energy and regulatory matters with a particular emphasis on renewable energy projects (from greenfield development to repowering), direct marketing and PPA structures (corporate, utility and financial), energy trading compliance, battery storage and (green) hydrogen and the digital transformation of the energy industry.
The podcast episode is a pre-discussion of the topics we will touch upon on at our Renewables Summit Berlin 2023. We hope to see you there!
Main topics include:
•The PPAs market in the last 2-3 years starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and going through the energy crisis
•The impact of price caps on the recent PPAs transactions in Germany
•Regulatory interventions and their impact on the PPA markets
EP.140 Melissa Gander, Chief Operating Officer, Kaluza
This week on Energy Unplugged, we discuss about the revolution in retail energy markets in the UK and internationally. We’re delighted to welcome Melissa Gander, Chief Operating Officer at Kaluza in a conversation with our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani.
With an extensive career in energy, Melissa was a member of OVO Energy’s launch team in 2009 where she headed up their Customer Services and Operations, as well as their smart metering business. In 2019, Melissa became OVO Group Chief Operating Officer and joined Kaluza in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer helping to spearhead the company's international growth. Before joining OVO Energy, Melissa spent three years at Envoy Asset Management (part of Inexus Group). Melissa graduated in Economics from Sheffield University.
Melissa & Dan discuss:
•OVO Energy and what drove the growth of the company in the first 5 to 10 years
•Kaluza’s business model as a real-time SaaS platform accelerating the shift to a zero carbon world
•International retail markets and how straightforward is to scale a platform such as Kaluza
•Domestic flexibility and the role EV manufacturers have to play
EP.139 Chris Hansen, State Senator for Colorado
In this episode we’re delighted to welcome Chris Hansen, State Senator for Colorado in a conversation with our Head of USA, Oliver Kerr.
Chris entered politics in 2016, he had a long career in the energy sector, both in academia and industry, he’s an energy expert by training, with a master degree from MIT, and a PhD from Oxford University.
Oliver and Chris discuss:
* The energy transition in Colorado and the role government has to play
* The role for markets in the energy transition
* The progress of decarbonisation wider in the US
EP.138 Australian Energy Market with PIP | Partners in Performance
Join Hugo Batten, Managing Director in Australia at Aurora, in an exciting episode of the podcast dedicated to the Australian Energy Market. With special guests Skipp Williamson, Managing Director at Partners in Performance, and Brian Innes, Global Technical Director specializing in energy transformation practice, this episode delves into the challenges and opportunities for large energy users in Australia to decarbonize their electricity supply.
Skipp Williamson, named by the Australian Financial Review as the 2019 most influential consultant, shares her insights on how she sees decarbonization as an opportunity rather than a challenge for large energy users, which derives significant cost reduction and increased productivity. The discussion also touches upon the importance of hybrid solutions and supply chain optimizations for big industrial users in the global market, including South Africa and Europe.
The episode also explores the complex coal closure process in Australia over the last decade and the role of technology and service in driving energy transition. The podcast highlights Australia's strong policy thinking and appetite for change, while acknowledging that implementation may lag behind other countries like the UK and New Zealand.
The role of governance and the need for the right mechanisms and incentives for investment reliability are also discussed, with a focus on the quality of carbon offsets in Australia, praised globally due to policies like The Safeguard Mechanism, implemented by the Australian government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial facilities in the energy sector.
Don't miss this informative and thought-provoking episode on the Australian Energy Market, packed with insights from industry experts and leaders in the field. Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and policy landscape in Australia's energy transition journey.
EP.137 Global Project Finance Series in partnership with SMBC Group PART III - Asia
In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Jeanne Soh - Head of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Structured Finance Department Asia Pacific, SMBC, Jason Humphreys - Partner Singapore, Allen Overy and Rowan von Spreckelsen - Principal at Research Analytics, Aurora in a discussion with our Managing Director for Australia Hugo Batten on some of the major challenges and opportunities in Asia Pacific Region for energy project finance. This episode is the third in a series on global project finance, organised in partnership with SMBC Group.
With a number of 4 episodes covering Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, this series is hosted by Aurora, with guests from SMBC Group, various law firms and Aurora.
The APAC region has varying levels of development when it comes to financing alternative energy solutions, with different markets exhibiting different levels of activity in energy and project finance based on technologies and geographies. Taiwan has shown increased interest in offshore wind, and its regulatory environment is favourable. Corporate PPAs are expected to be crucial in Taiwan, which has a clear regulatory framework for offshore wind. However, implementation may take some time.
India has high investment and growth in alternative energy solutions, driven by demand from C&I customers, with a focus on hybrid-type solutions. Vietnam has many investors interested in its energy solutions, and has already been a leader in the region due to its solar capacity additions as part of its coal phase-out.
Indonesia has room to grow in terms of renewable energy deployment, but has faced challenges with the tendering process and achieving grid-connected PPAs. There is also little visibility on how the carbon trading mechanism for coal plants will be implemented.
Japan's corporate PPA market has seen a lot of interest, with batteries also becoming a major focus. However, there are concerns regarding the deliverability of some of the government targets, particularly given policy uncertainty and commodity price fluctuations.
EP.136 Julian Nebreda, CEO & President, Fluence
In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Julian Nebreda, CEO & President of Fluence, in a conversation with our Head of USA, Oliver Kerr and our Head of Advisory, US West, Felix Chow-Kambitsch.
Julian leads the Fluence team and its efforts to accelerate energy storage adoption globally. Prior to joining Fluence, he had a distinguished career at the AES Corporation serving as President of the South America Strategic Business Unit and other multiple positions. Julian has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry as well as a remarkable expertise as a Fluence board member since September 2021.
Main topics include:
•The outlook for battery storage globally going forward
•The evolution of battery business model and to what extent business ownership models need to change
•The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act
•How easy it is to scale battery optimisation in-house
EP.135 Daisuke Tsujimoto, Co-Founder, RENOVA
This week on Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Daisuke Tsujimoto, co-founder of Renova Inc – a Japanese renewable and storage developer. Joined by our Managing Director of APAC & California, Hugo Batten, and Rowan von Spreckelsen, our Head of New Markets in APAC, this discussion focuses on the trajectory and strategy of Renova, the evolution of Japan’s power markets, and the politics and policies of energy security in Japan.
Main topics include:
•Market reforms in Japan including switching from Feed-in-Tariffs to Feed-in-Premiums and introduction of 20 yr capacity market
•The future of Japan’s nuclear fleet
•Network access reform and the challenge of connecting renewables and batteries in parts of Japan
•Future demand for hydrogen and ammonia in Japan
EP.134 Simon-Erik Ollus, EVP, Generation and Member of the Executive Management, Fortum
In this episode we’re delighted to welcome Simon-Erik Ollus, EVP, Generation and Member of the Executive Management at Fortum in a conversation with our Nordics & Baltics Lead, Alexander Esser.
Simon-Erik has been with Fortum since 2009 and held various roles in strategy and market intelligence and has been a member of the division’s management team since 2013. He has been appointed Executive Vice President of Fortum’s Generation division and member of Fortum’s Executive Management in March 2021. The Generation division is responsible for Fortum’s Nordic power generation in nuclear, hydro, and wind power plants.
Simon-Erik and Alexander discuss:
•Fortum’s new strategy after exiting Russia and Uniper
•What’s missing in recent reform proposals for electricity market design
•The role of nuclear in the Nordics
EP.133 Kate Tuohy, Director, Energy, MUFG
In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Kate Tuohy, Director, Energy at MUFG in a conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory in Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow.
Kate has over 12 years’ project finance experience focusing on structuring and arranging project financing, financial advisory and restructuring across the infrastructure, power and renewables sectors. Kate joined MUFG in September 2019 from ESB, Ireland’s state electricity utility where she had responsibly for structuring debt and equity funding solutions for new generation projects (thermal, renewable and flexible generation) within ESB’s portfolio.
Main topics include:
•The renewables landscape in Europe, US & China
•The offshore wind and differences in various European markets
•The hydrogen investment space
If you want to hear more from other global energy leaders, join the Aurora Spring Forum 2023 taking place on 29 March in Oxford, UK. The Forum offers a full day of intellectual engagement and thought-provoking analysis, with the opportunity to network with hundreds of the most influential players in the energy sector.
The topic for this year focuses on: Facing New Realities: Rethinking Energy Use, Supply, and Policy in the Wake of the Global Energy Crisis. Spaces are limited so book your ticket now!
Find out more at auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/
EP.132 Keith Anderson, CEO, ScottishPower
This week, on Energy Unplugged, we welcome Keith Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of ScottishPower in a conversation with our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani.
Keith is the CEO of ScottishPower since 2018 and prior to being the CEO of ScottishPower, Keith spent 12 years as the CEO of ScottishPower Renewables. As part of Iberdrola, ScottishPower Renewables is one of the leading global wind companies with over 20 GW of installed capacity.
Main topics include:
•The value ScottishPower sees in maintaining an integrated business model
•The level of ambition in grid networks and how do we deliver it to get to NetZero
•The UK retail market, vulnerable consumers and how the future is looking for them
If you want to hear more from Keith and other global energy leaders, join the Aurora Spring Forum 2023 taking place on 29 March in Oxford, UK. The Forum offers a full day of intellectual engagement and thought-provoking analysis, with the opportunity to network with hundreds of the most influential players in the energy sector.
The topic for this year focuses on: Facing New Realities: Rethinking Energy Use, Supply, and Policy in the Wake of the Global Energy Crisis. Spaces are limited so book your ticket now!
Find out more at https://auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/
EP.131 Deborah Harvey & Hugo Lidbetter, Partners Energy, Osborne Clarke
In this episode, our Co-Head of Advisory for Central Europe, Casmir Lorenz is joined by Deborah Harvey and Hugo Lidbetter, both Partners for Energy at Osborne Clarke.
Deborah specialises in energy sector transactions and agreements and advises on a range of commercial and regulatory energy matters across a range of technologies. Hugo has particular expertise in project development work in the energy sector and in construction law in the energy industry, and is interested in all aspects of the Net Zero agenda having recently authored a book called "Decarbonising Energy: The Pathway to Net Zero".
The focus of the conversation is on long-term offtake contracts, including:
•The shift from subsidy support to revenue support/sharing
•The role of shorter-term corporate and virtual Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
•The revenue structuring and optimisation of co-located assets
•Contract structuring for newer technologies such as hydrogen
EP.130 Ben Backwell, CEO, The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
In this episode, our Research Lead for European Power Markets, Ryan Alexander is joined by Ben Backwell, CEO of The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
Ben is a former journalist and analyst who has covered energy policy and markets in a number of geographies including Europe, the US and Latin America. Before joining GWEC, he worked for the global advisory company FTI Consulting, as a Managing Director in its Clean Energy Practice.
Ben and Ryan take a global tour of the offshore wind discussing:
•The offshore wind sector in the US and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act
•Europe’s challenges of having the largest installed capacity of offshore wind by region
•Offshore wind targets in Asia and the massive expansion of renewables in China
•Oil & gas majors moving into the offshore wind space and where we see the most promising markets
EP.129 Katherine Blunt, Energy Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
This week we have a very special episode on Energy Unplugged where we focus the discussion around a book. Our Managing Director in APAC & California, Hugo Batten and Kimberly Liu, our Head of Research in California are delighted to be joined by Katherine Blunt, Energy Reporter at The Wall Street Journal.
Katherine is the author of “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric and What it Means for America’s Power Grid”, a history of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), one of California's major utilities.
Main topics include:
•PG&E and its major challenges were over last 10-15 years
•The future of PG&E and how do they resolve their current challenges
•Regulation of transmission as one of the central challenges identified in the book
•The challenges of regulating the energy transition
EP.128 Nils Aldag, Co-Founder and CEO, Sunfire
In this episode, our Managing Director for Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Nils Aldag, Co-Founder and CEO, Sunfire, a leading manufacturer of electrolysers.
Nils spent his entire professional life at Sunfire, company he co-founded in 2009, right after graduating from EBS Business School in Germany. He has been Chief Executive Officer since 2020 and previously he was Chief Commercial Officer and before that Chief Financial Officer of Sunfire.
Nils and Hanns discuss:
•Sunfire business and the motivation for founding a hydrogen start-up
•The interaction between alkaline and solid oxide electrolysers and when solid oxide is expected to enter the market at scale
•The European hydrogen space and where is the largest hydrogen demand coming from
•Whether we are on track to meet the REPowerEU plan's target to produce 10 million tonnes and import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in the EU by 2023
EP.127 Julien Dumoulin-Smith, Managing Director, BofA Securities
In this week’s episode, we’re delighted to welcome Julien Dumoulin-Smith, Managing Director at Bank of America’s (BofA) Securities, in a conversation with Julia Hoos, Aurora’s Head of USA East.
Julien is a Managing Director in Bank of America’s Equity Research team covering US power, utilities, and alternative energy. He is a double ranked #1 analyst in both utility and alternative energy categories of the Institutional Investor All‐America Research Poll for several years. Julien has a BS in applied math and an MBA both from Columbia University.
Main topics include:
•The current state of the US power markets and the impact of the inflation reduction act (IRA)
•The differences between vertically integrated and competitive power markets in the US•The future of batteries in the short and long term
•The potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS)
EP.126 Dalia Majumder-Russell, Partner Energy, CMS
This week on Energy Unplugged, we focus on what it takes to launch a successful hydrogen production project. We’re delighted to welcome Dalia Majumder-Russell, Partner at CMS UK in conversation with Emma Woodward, Project Leader on Aurora’s Advisory Team.
Dalia is a partner in CMS’s Energy team in London, advising a wide range of investors, developers, utilities, lenders and governments on energy projects and infrastructure for over 10 years. She has extensive experience of negotiating power, gas and hydrogen offtake agreements and advising on carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) projects in the UK and internationally.
Dalia and Emma discuss:
* Key considerations for what it takes to launch a successful hydrogen production project
* Financial aspects developers should take into account for a bankable project
* Pieces of the puzzle policy makers need to consider
* Transport and storage – key issues and risks
EP.125 The UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy: Chris Skidmore MP
This week on Energy Unplugged we have a special episode with focus on the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy. Our Managing Director in UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani is delighted to be joined by Chris Skidmore MP.
Chris is a senior Conservative MP and former Minister for Energy and Climate Change from 2018 to 2019 when he signed the UK’s Net Zero targets. Chris is the chair of the independent review of the UK's trajectory to Net Zero which was reported to the UK Government last Friday, the 13th January.
Main topics include:
•The arguments for doubling down on Net Zero now when the voters’ main concerns are related to the cost of living
•Are gas-free homes by 2033 possible? How quickly we can get to a tipping point on heat pumps?
•The funding commitments and the financial strategy for Net Zero
•Net Zero and the energy security crisis
EP.124 Catherine Raw, Managing Director of SSE Thermal
In this episode, Emma Woodward, Project Leader on Aurora’s Advisory Team is joined by Catherine Raw, Managing Director of SSE Thermal to discuss low-carbon flexibility with focus on hydrogen and gas CCS within the power sector.
Catherine joined SSE in April 2022 where she is responsible for the strategy, performance and development of the company’s flexible power generation and energy storage activities. Previous to SSE, Catherine was Chief Operating Officer for North America and Chief Financial Officer for Barrick Gold and Managing Director and Fund Manager at Blackrock.
Emma & Catherine discuss:
•The importance of low-carbon flexibility in the power sector
•Additional system needs and how thermal technologies might be able to provide low-carbon capacity
•The work SSE is doing in this space
•The progress needed in 2023 in order to support the development of low-carbon flexibility in the power sector
EP.123 Aurora on the implications of the US Inflation Reduction Act
In this Energy Unplugged episode we discuss the implications of the US Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Our Head of US Oliver Kerr is joined by Martin Anderson, Aurora’s Head of Research in US, Felix Chow-Kambitsch, Aurora’s Head of US West and Julia Hoos, Aurora’s Market Lead for PJM.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is the most significant piece of climate legislation in the US in over a decade, and aims to support accelerating the energy transition.
Main topics include:
•The state of the energy transition in the US and key differences compared to the European approach
•How quickly can wind and solar scale given the constraints around supply chain and interconnection issues
•What determines whether solar will take the production tax credit or the investment tax credit
•The impact on power prices, on new build vs the existing assets and variations across markets
EP.122 Battery business models in Europe with Aurora experts Marise & Ryan
In this episode, we focus on an increasingly very hot topic which is battery business models in Europe. Our Managing Director for Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Aurora’s experts Marise Westbroek and Ryan Alexander.
Ryan leads our European research team and one of their most popular reports this year has been the European Battery Markets Attractiveness, which looks into market and policy drivers for shaping the attractiveness of various markets for batteries across Europe. Marise is a Project Leader in our advisory team and specialises in flexibility markets. Over the past years she had led a massive multi-client study with focus on investing battery business cases in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium in particular.
Main topics include:
•The current market conditions for batteries, the impact of supply chain constraints and the high power prices across Europe
•The characteristics developers would need today to be successful in such a complex market
•Revenue streams development and implications on trading strategies for batteries
•Individual and co-location business cases
•Regulations and market design
EP.121 Horatio Evers, Managing Director, BASF Renewable Energy
In this episode, our Managing Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Manuel Koehler is joined by Horatio Evers, Managing Director, BASF Renewable Energy.
BASF is the biggest chemical company in the world and in his current position, Horatio is responsible for the strategic direction and overall achievement of BASF’s Net Zero targets. Horatio is passionate about collecting, refurbishing and driving old racing bikes and through this reduces his CO2 output.
Horatio and Manuel discuss:
•BASF’s journey to decarbonisation and the company’s Net Zero targets
•What kind of partnerships are important for BASF
•The main changes that would need to happen at the policy level and why
•The implications of the energy crisis in Europe on BASF from a renewables perspective
EP.120 Sheldon Kimber, CEO & Founder, Intersect Power
In this episode, our Managing Director of Aurora in APAC & California, Hugo Batten is delighted to be joined by Sheldon Kimber, CEO and Founder of Intersect Power and our Founder and CEO, John Feddersen.
Intersect Power is one of the most successful and dynamic clean infrastructure companies in the US today. Sheldon has had a hugely impressive and diverse career in energy, spending time at Recurrent, Calpine and at Accenture before founding Intersect Power. He also lectures at the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley.
Main topics include:
•Intersect’s thinking about the future of energy markets and decarbonisation
•The US energy markets and the future of utilities in California
•The energy crisis in Europe
Read more from Sheldon on The Nexus of Deep Decarbonization here: https://www.intersectpower.com/the-nexus-of-deep-decarbonization/
EP.119 Nick Carter, Managing Director, Akaysha Energy
In this episode, Nick Carter, Managing Director at Akaysha Energy and Weijie Mak, Aurora’s Head of Consulting in Australia join Hugo Batten, our Managing Director in APAC & California.
Akaysha is a battery developer that has just had a major investment from Blackrock to help fund storage developments across APAC. Prior to Akaysha, Nick has worked at Macquarie, Tesla and AGL, as well as Toyota and General Motors.
The focus of the discussion is very much on the nuances of battery and hydrogen investment cases in Australia and across other key Asian markets.
Main topics include:
•The evolution of battery investment cases in the next few years
•Supply chain and CAPEX increases
•The transaction with Akaysha and Blackrock that made news in Australia
•Akaysha’s business plan when it comes to hydrogen
EP.118 Elliot Mainzer, President and CEO of CAISO
In this episode, our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten and our CEO, John Feddersen are joined by Elliot Mainzer, President and CEO of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
Elliot has had an impressive career in energy, spending time at Enron, 18 years at the Bonneville Power Administration where he rose to CEO, and over the last 3 years being the CEO of CAISO.
Main topics include:
•Californian energy markets - reality versus plans
•Market design in CAISO evolving over the very long-term
•Innovation in storage investment cases in CAISO
EP.117 Aurora Hydrogen Conference 2022: Alexander Voigt, Co-Founder and Board Member, HH2E
This is a special podcast episode featuring one of the speakers at the Aurora Hydrogen Conference 2022, taking place on Wednesday 9th November in London.
Our Co-Head of Advisory in Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow speaks to Alexander Voigt, CEO and Co-Founder of HH2E.
Alexander is a serial entrepreneur and one of the pioneers of the global energy transition. He has studied physics and started his career at an engineering bureau working on solar thermal solutions. He has founded several companies in the energy sector such as Solon in the solar space, Younicos in the battery space, Lumenion in the high temperature heat storage space, and as well as STOFF2 & HH2E in the hydrogen space.
Thekla and Alexander discuss:
• What does HH2E do? And what role will it play in the European hydrogen space?
• How can the growth of the hydrogen economy be accelerated and what are the main hurdles?
• What is the right way to integrate hydrogen in the wider energy system?
• What will the future of the European hydrogen landscape look like, and what will be the role of non-EU imports?
This discussion will be continued at our fully booked Hydrogen Conference on Wednesday 9th November in London. We hope to see you there!
EP.116 Frank Jotzo, Professor, The Australian National University
In this episode, our Research Lead in Aurora’s Australian office James Ha is delighted to be joined by Frank Jotzo, Professor at the Australian National University and our Managing Director for Australia and California, Hugo Batten.
Frank is a professor of environmental economics at the ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy, the inaugural director at the Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, and Head of Energy at the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions. He has been a lead author of the IPCC’s 5th and 6th Assessment Reports, and is the co-editor-in-chief of the journal Climate Policy. He has advised both the Australian and Indonesian Governments, and contributed to the Garnaut Climate Change Review.
Main topics include:
•Australia’s NetZero commitments and whether they are squaring with the goals of the Paris Agreement
•Decarbonising the Australian economy and views on carbon pricing
•Energy policy and the role of economic modelling
EP.115 Jimmy Glotfelty, Commissioner on the Public Utility Commission of Texas
In this episode, our Founder and CEO, John Feddersen is delighted to welcome Jimmy Glotfelty, Commissioner on the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).
With a distinguished career in public service in the electricity sector, Jimmy has been appointed as Commissioner on the PUCT in August 2021. Previously, he had several public senior roles including Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, Energy Policy Director to Texas Governor George W. Bush and Legislative Director to Congressman Sam Johnson. He has also served as Founder and Executive Vice President of Clean Line Energy.
Jimmy and John discuss:
•The PUCT’s role in the US energy system
•The impact of the Russian war in Europe and effects seen in the US
•The Government’s role in enabling the electrification of the vehicle fleet
EP.114 Global Project Finance Series in partnership with SMBC Group PART II - Australia
This episode is second in a series on global project finance, organized in partnership with SMBC Group. With a number of 4 episodes covering Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, this series is hosted by Aurora, with guests from SMBC Group, various law firms and Aurora.
In this episode, we have our Managing Director in APAC & California, Hugo Batten talking to Jeremy Hasnip, Head of Energy Transition at SMBC, Elizabeth Charlesworth, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills and Rowan von Spreckelsen, Principal at Aurora.
Main topics include:
•An overview of the project finance space in Australia
•The largest areas for debate and negotiation at the moment
•The impact of a higher-inflation and higher cost environment on typical project finance terms
•The financing of newer technologies and the largest impediments to debt funding of storage
EP.113 Australia’s National Electricity Market Reform: Benn Barr, CEO, AEMC
In this episode, our Managing Director for Australia and California, Hugo Batten is joined by Benn Barr, the Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) and James Ha, Aurora’s Project Lead in our Sydney team.
AEMC is the rule maker in the Australian energy markets and decides on any proposed rule changes in Australia’s electricity and gas markets. Prior to joining the AEMC, Benn was Deputy Director General in the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.
Main topics include:
•The current priorities for the AEMC including the role of rule makers and the impact of the current crisis
•The role of market modelling when it comes to challenges around market re-design
•The pros and cons of capacity markets
EP.112 Trends in energy markets: Fraser Thompson, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Sun Cable
This week on Energy Unplugged, Fraser Thompson, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Sun Cable joins our Managing Director for Australia and California, Hugo Batten and Weijie Mak, Aurora’s Head of Consulting across Asia-Pacific for our podcast episode.
Fraser is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer for SunCable. He also founded AlphaBeta, an economic strategy consultancy headquartered in Singapore which has now been acquired by Access Partnership. Prior to this he spent 9 years at McKinsey, in particular, at McKinsey’s Global Institute.
The main topics discussed include:
•Key fundamentals of the Sun Cable project
•Long-term trends in energy markets
•Fraser’s career and the value of doing a PhD
EP.111 Locational marginal pricing with Aurora’s leadership from all over the world
This week on Energy Unplugged, we explore the debates surrounding the technical and topical issue of Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP).
Drawing once again on the knowledge of some of Aurora’s global leadership: Dan Monzani, Managing Director of UK and Ireland, is joined by Hanns Koenig, Head of Consulting for Central and Eastern Europe, Hugo Batten - MD for Asia-Pacific and California and Oliver Kerr – Head of USA.
The main questions the team sought out to answer are as follows:
• What is LMP?
• What is the context surrounding the economic/ market design for LMP?
• What are the pros and cons of LMP?
EP.110 Jeff Dimery, Managing Director & CEO of Alinta Energy
Jeff Dimery, Managing Director & CEO of Alinta Energy joins our Managing Director for Australia and California, Hugo Batten, in our latest #EnergyUnplugged podcast episode.
Jeff has had a long and distinguished career in Australian energy. He has held senior roles at AGL (another Australian “gentailer”) and is now the Managing Director and CEO of Alinta Energy, one of the major vertically integrated utilities in the Australian market.
Hugo and Jeff discuss the following topics:
•Unprecedented times caused by the current crisis facing the Australian energy market
•The role of utility in decarbonising energy markets
•Market design, focusing on capacity markets
EP.109 Green hydrogen, offshore wind and market design: Dan McGrail, Chief Executive at RenewableUK
In this week’s episode of Energy Unplugged, our Managing Director for UK and Ireland, Dan Monzani is delighted to be joined by Dan McGrail, Chief Executive at RenewableUK.
Dan joined RenewableUK as Chief Executive in May 2021. Previously, during his time as a senior leader at Siemens for close to two decades, Dan played a critical role in the innovation and manufacture of key energy technologies including wind turbine blades and efficient thermal engines. As well as being the CEO of Siemens Engines until last year, Dan was also the Chair of the Association for Decentralised Energy from 2016 to 2019.
The main topics include:
•How broadly should green hydrogen be defined
•What is needed to hit the government’s new offshore wind targets
•The disruptions in the global supply chain
•The current debates around market design
EP.108 Power Market Design: Lion Hirth, Energy Policy Prof. Hertie School & Robert Gross, Dir. UKERC
This week, we have a special Energy Unplugged podcast episode on the topic of the current energy price crisis and the implications for market design.
The Head of our Berlin office, Hanns Koenig is joined by two very distinguished guests: Lion Hirth – Professor of Energy Policy at the Hertie School in Berlin and Robert Gross – Director at UKERC (The UK Energy Research Centre) and also a Professor of Energy Policy at Imperial College London. Lion is one of the leading thinkers on power market design in Europe and Rob is an authority in power market design in Great Britain.
Main topics include:
•What is going on in the European power markets at the moment
•Why are power prices so high and what are the implications for market design
•Splitting markets for renewables and conventional generation
•Gas price caps for the power sector and the windfall tax
EP.107 Rob Wheals, CEO & Managing Director of APA
In this episode, our Managing Director in Australia and California, Hugo Batten is delighted to be joined by Rob Wheals, CEO and Managing Director of APA.
APA is an energy infrastructure business with gas pipeline, electricity, solar and wind assets and the 30th largest publicly listed Australian company on the Australian Stock Exchange. Prior to APA, Rob had a varied career across tech, consulting, telco and energy.
Rob and Hugo discuss:
•The long-run impact of the current price/security of supply crises in Europe and Australia
•The major steps needed to deliver a more orderly transition
•Hydrogen and the timeline of cost competitiveness
EP.106 Monika Morawiecka, Senior Advisor at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)
In this episode, Hanns Koenig, our Head of Commissioned Projects for Central Europe, is joined by one of the leading voices of the Polish energy sector - Monika Morawiecka, Senior Advisor at The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP).
RAP is a think-tank advising predominantly governments in creating better energy sector regulation. Prior to RAP, Monika had a distinguished career in the energy sector, with more than 15 years at Poland's largest utility PGE. Her roles at PGE included Head of Strategy at PGE Group and CEO of PGE's Offshore Wind division, PGE Baltica.
Hanns and Monika discuss:
•The current state of the Polish energy market
•The energy crisis and the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on the energy transition in Poland
•The role offshore wind can play in the Polish energy mix
EP.105 Capacity markets deep dive with Aurora’s leadership from around the world
This week on Energy Unplugged we’re doing a deep dive on capacity markets with some of Aurora's leadership from around the world. Our Founder and CEO, John Feddersen is joined by Dan Monzani – MD for GB and Ireland, Hugo Batten - MD for Asia-Pacific and California and Oliver Kerr – Head of USA.
The main questions we’re trying to answer are: 1) What are capacity markets?; 2) Why are they used?; and 3) When do they work?
As in Europe capacity markets have largely won the debate, the focus is on markets outside Europe.
Main topics include:
•The core elements of capacity markets, procurement targets, timings & frequency of auctions
•Political context and in what ways does it matter
•Key strengths of the capacity markets
EP.104 Jacob Mays, Assistant Professor at Cornell University
This week on Energy Unplugged, Hugo Batten and Oliver Kerr are joined by Jacob Mays, Assistant Professor at Cornell University’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Prior to this role, Jacob studied at Harvard, Winconsin-Madison, and Northwestern. He’s been a management consultant, worked at FERC, and writes energy papers across a diverse range of topics.
Listen to this ep to hear them discuss:
- The role of energy modelling
- Market design, in particular Jacob’s view on the wholesale-only vs capacity market plus wholesale debate
- The role of academics in the energy transition
Enjoy!
EP.103 John Cole, CEO of Edify Energy
This week on Energy Unplugged, our MD for Australia and California Hugo Batten is joined by Founder and CEO of Edify Energy, John Cole.
Edify has originated, financed and delivered 950 MW of utility scale solar PV and battery storage projects, with a strong pipeline of renewable, storage and green hydrogen projects to follow. John was recently included in The Australian newspaper’s Top 100 Green Power Players list.
In this episode, Hugo and John discuss:
•The current crisis, impact of the federal election, and redesign of the Australian market
•Edify and the Riverina asset
•John’s career, having co-founded 2 very successful renewables businesses in both UK and Australia
Enjoy!
EP.102 Global Project Finance Series in partnership with SMBC Group PART I - Europe
This episode is first in a series on global project finance, organized in partnership with SMBC Group. With a number of 4 episodes covering Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, this series is hosted by Aurora, with guests from SMBC Group, various law firms and Aurora.
In this episode, we have Ana Barillas, our Head of Iberia talking to Caroline Lytton, Managing Director, Head of Power & Renewables Global Structured Finance EMEA at SMBC, John Dewar, Partner at Milbank London and Casimir Lorenz, Principal at Aurora.
Caroline has started working in project finance in 2003, she has always been focused on infrastructure having 12 years’ experience in oil and gas. 3 years ago she was asked to head up the SMBC power and renewables business.
John has lots of experience in the sector, and with Milbank, which has one of the largest renewable practices in the world. He became a partner in the late 90’s and has worked on a series of IPP projects in the UK and Europe. At Milbank John works on renewable energy projects but also in the hydrogen space and the in EV and battery space.
Casimir leads the renewable energy practice of Aurora’s consulting team for continental Europe and he has been active in the energy space for the last 10 years. Before joining Aurora 4 years ago he did a PhD in Energy Economics followed by a post-doc at the German Institute for Economic Research focussing on policy consulting.
The main topics include:
•The level of activity right now in the project finance space
•The impact of a higher-inflation and higher cost environment on typical project finance terms
•Merchant risk and the biggest uncertainty in power markets at the moment
•Managing the policy and regulatory risk in the power sector from a project finance perspective
EP.19 Nora Mead Brownell, Founding Partner of ESPY Energy Solutions_REPLAY
This is a replay of an older episode with Nora Mead Brownell, Former Commissioner FERC, Former Chair PG&E and Founding Partner of ESPY Energy Solutions. Nora will be one of the keynote speakers at the Aurora Spring Forum 2022 on 14 July.
If you want to hear more from Nora and many other industry leaders, join our Spring Forum 2022 on 14 July in Oxford, UK.
The topic is: Delivering the energy transition in a fractured world: Navigating price volatility, geopolitical risk, and supply chain disruption. Spaces are limited and are filling up quickly so book your ticket now! For more details check auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/
Our CEO John Feddersen discusses the energy transition in the US with his special guest Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions. Nora is a former commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) where she was nominated by President George W. Bush, and among many other previous roles she has also served as the Chair of the Board of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Topics covered include:
• Women in the energy sector, and ESPY Energy Solutions as a women-owned business
• The balance between state and federal responsibility in the US power sector
• Upcoming US elections, and how the energy sector will look
EP.45 Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy_REPLAY
This is a replay of an older episode with Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy. Greg will be one of the keynote speakers at the Aurora Spring Forum 2022 on 14 July.
If you want to hear more from Greg and many other industry leaders, join our Spring Forum 2022 on 14 July in Oxford, UK. The topic is: Delivering the energy transition in a fractured world: Navigating price volatility, geopolitical risk, and supply chain disruption. Spaces are limited and are filling up quickly so book your ticket now! For more details check auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/
In this episode our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Greg Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy supplier businesses, and award-winning for its status as a provider of 100% sustainable energy. Octopus Energy Group recently announced the acquisition of its sister company, Octopus Renewables, bringing the retail and the generation side of energy together under one roof. Greg is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK with a long career leading multiple software ventures among other businesses, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.
John and Greg discuss:
• The importance of policy in the current UK energy supply market
• Understanding the customer experience and meeting customer’s needs
• Weathering the debris of the Texas storms and cost-pass-through tariffs
• The role of prices in power generation and investment
EP.101 Mark Collette, Managing Director, EnergyAustralia
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Mark Collette, Managing Director of EnergyAustralia and Hugo Batten, Managing Director in Australia and California at Aurora.
EnergyAustralia is one of Australia’s major vertical integrated energy gentailers. Mark has been with EnergyAustralia since 2003 and commenced as Managing Director in July 2021. He served as Chief Customer Officer from May 2019 until June 2021 and prior to leading EnergyAustralia’s retail business, Mark led the Energy business between 2015 and 2019. Former roles have included executive responsibility for policy, sustainability, strategy and other matters. Mark was appointed Chair of the Australian Energy Council (AEC) in December 2021.
Main topics include:
•The energy industry in Australia over the last decade
•EnergyAustralia’s strategy for a Net Zero electricity system
•Battery storage and the role for flexible assets in Australia
•The long term review of Australia’s power market design, capacity payments and the introduction of a congestion management model
If you want to hear more from Mark Collette and many other industry leaders, join our Spring Forum 2022 on 14 July in Oxford, UK. The topic is: Delivering the energy transition in a fractured world: Navigating price volatility, geopolitical risk, and supply chain disruption.
Spaces are limited and are filling up quickly so book your ticket now! For more details check https://auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/
EP.100 Antje Kanngiesser, CEO of Alpiq
This week is a very special one for Energy Unplugged as we celebrate 100 episodes and 2 years since we launched the podcast. In this 100 episode, our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Antje Kanngiesser, CEO of Alpiq.
Alpiq is a leading Swiss energy services provider and electricity producer in Europe. Antje’s professional background include Vice President of Group Markets & Services and Member of the Executive Board for BKW AG, various roles at Alpiq Group and Energie Ouest Suisse as well as Lawyer at S&K and GGSC, Berlin.
Antje and Hanns discuss:
•The role of Switzerland in the European energy transition
•Alpiq’s strategy and activity across Europe
•The impact of the current energy crisis in Europe on utilities
EP.99 Paul Ezekiel, Founder, Chair and Chief Investment Officer, Amp Energy
In this episode, our CEO, John Feddersen is joined by Paul Ezekiel, Founder, Chair and Chief Investment Officer of Amp Energy.
Amp is primarily a renewable energy developer and operator with a focus across solar, wind and storage and with over 7GW of assets built or contracted since 2009. Amp is also a technology company and the Amp X platform contributes to accelerating the energy transition through a portfolio of disruptive technologies. Before Amp, Paul had a long history in the energy transition, being involved in clean energy for around two decades.
Paul and John discuss:
•Amp’s strategy and battery investing
•Investment in green hydrogen and at what point lithium-ion stops being the most cost effective storage solution
•The best market design for enabling batteries to provide all of their benefits
EP.98 Alice Delahunty, President of Electricity Transmission at National Grid
In this episode, our Research Director, Richard Howard is joined by Alice Delahunty, President of Electricity Transmission at National Grid.
Alice is the first President of National Grid’s Electricity Transmission business, where she is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the electricity transmission network for England and Wales. Prior to joining National Grid, Alice had a variety of roles at E.ON, culminating in Head of Offshore UK Wind Operations. The focus of the conversation is on grid networks, a critical enabler of the low carbon transition.
Alice and Richard discuss:
•The scale of network investment required as we add renewables to the system and move towards a zero-carbon electricity system
•The challenges of delivering this critical infrastructure
•The impact on consumers, affordability, and bills
EP.97 Flemming Sørensen, Vice President, Europe at LevelTen Energy
In this episode, our Thekla von Bülow, Principal for Commissioned Projects at Aurora is joined by Flemming Sørensen, Vice President for Europe at LevelTen Energy, in a discussion about long-term green power purchase agreements (PPAs).
LevelTen Energy is the leading provider of renewable transaction infrastructure, delivering the cloud-based software, centralized supply, automated analytics, and expertise required to accelerate clean energy transactions.
Flemming leads LevelTen’s expansion efforts from the company’s European headquarters in Madrid. His previous roles have included wholesale market trading and management of risk portfolios for corporate consumers at Energi Danmark, energy procurement and implementation of an RE100 strategy for NovoNordisk, and most recently originating offshore wind PPAs from Orsted.
Thekla and Flemming discuss:
•Which are the hot and emerging PPA markets in Europe
•PPA trends including virtual PPAs
•The current PPA market situation including very high prices and how is this affecting the willingness to close PPAs
EP.96 Brad Hopkins, General Manager, Commercial and Financial Markets, AEMO Services
This week on Energy Unplugged, our Managing Director in Australia and California, Hugo Batten is joined by Brad Hopkins, General Manager of Commercial and Financial Markets at AEMO Services.
With a variety of roles in the energy transition, most recently as a partner at KPMG and also at Macquarie, Brad is leading a lot of the work on the New South Wales Roadmap which aims to overhaul its energy markets and replace the coal capacity that is departing over the next decade.
Brad and Hugo discuss:
•The purpose and history of the New South Wales Roadmap and the role of AEMO Services in delivering and running the program
•The major challenges to deliver the ambitious goals for 2030 with focus on transmission and supply chain concerns
•The role of market modelling
EP.95 As Tempelman, CEO of Eneco
In this episode, our CEO, John Feddersen is joined by As Tempelman, the CEO of Eneco and Jesse Hettema, our Research Lead for Dutch & Belgium power markets.
Eneco is an electric utility in The Netherlands which specialises in retail, district heating, renewables and thermal generation. Eneco has committed to full climate neutrality by 2035 for all three scopes of emissions.
Main topics include:
* The current trends and the status of the energy transition in the Dutch market
* The impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on the trajectory of decarbonisation globally
* The role of big oil & gas companies in the energy transition
EP.94 Sam Stranks, Leader of StranksLab at Cambridge University
In this episode, our CEO, John Feddersen speaks to Sam Stranks, Leader of StranksLab at Cambridge University’s Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology.
Sam is at the forefront of research into the next generation of solar technology and his research focuses on the optical and electronic properties of emerging semiconductors including halide perovskites, carbon allotropes and organic semiconductors for low-cost electronics applications such as photovoltaics and lighting.
John and Sam discuss:
•Solar technology research and the trajectory for costs and efficiency
•The ability of the private sector to engage Academia in order to commercialize new technologies
•The role of solar in achieving Net Zero emissions globally
•What has enabled Cambridge to be such a successful technical university over such a long period of time
EP.93 Guillermo Bautista Alderete, Director, Market Analysis and Forecasting at California ISO
This week on Energy Unplugged, our Managing Director in Australia and California, Hugo Batten speaks to Guillermo Bautista Alderete, Director of Market Analysis and Forecasting at California’s system operator (CAISO). Hugo and Guillermo are also joined by Rowan von Spreckelsen, Aurora’s Head of Research in Australia and California. Guillermo has had a distinguished 15 years career at CAISO, having come out of academia at the University of Waterloo in Canada where he received a Ph. D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Main topics include:
•The role of the system operator over the next 5 to 10 years in the policy and market design space
•The mechanisms that CAISO has introduced to help with the integration of renewables
•The impact of new technologies such as offshore wind and hydrogen on the California market
•Batteries economics and saturation of ancillary markets
EP.92 Kwasi Kwarteng, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
This week on Energy Unplugged, we discuss energy security and the current energy crisis at just few hours since the UK Government has published its much anticipated energy security strategy. Our Managing Director for UK and Ireland, Dan Monzani, is delighted to welcome to the podcast the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - Kwasi Kwarteng.
The British Energy Security Strategy comes at a very challenging time for the global energy policy and sets out how Great Britain will accelerate homegrown power for greater energy independence.
Main topics include:
• Security of gas supply and UK’s access to the physical supply of gas for the next winter
• The Government’s new commitments on hydrogen and its potential in decarbonisation
• The longer term announcements on electricity security including technology announcements such as an increased target of 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030
• Market reform options in the UK and the bigger market interventions suggested in Europe, such as the Spanish Government’s proposal to cap wholesale prices charged by gas generators
EP.91 Jon Wellinghoff, Former FERC Chairman and current Chief Regulatory Officer at Voltus
This week on the podcast, our USA Country Lead, Oliver Kerr is joined by Jon Wellinghoff, Former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and current Chief Regulatory Officer at Voltus, the world’s leading platform for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).
With a distinguished career in the US energy sector, Jon was the longest serving Chairman of FERC during the Obama administration after he was appointed first as a commissioner by George W Bush in 2006.
Jon and Oliver discuss:
•The role of FERC and the Federal Government more broadly in the energy transition
•The potential of demand-side response which remains a relatively small part of energy mix in US and the reason why haven’t we seen more progress
•Whether it is possible to reach Net Zero with renewables, efficiency and demand-side response, or do we also need supply-side investment in other low carbon generation like nuclear, CCS, hydrogen, long-duration storage
EP.90 Malcolm Turnbull, the 29th Prime Minister of Australia
In this episode, we are honoured to welcome the 29th Prime Minister of Australia - Malcolm Turnbull, in a conversation with our CEO, John Feddersen.
Malcolm was the Prime Minister of Australia between 2015-2018, role in which he focussed heavily on decarbonisation. He announced and drove forward the Snowy Hydro 2.0 pumped hydro project, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Prior to entering politics he had successful careers as a lawyer, investment banker and journalist.
Malcolm and John discuss:
•The importance of long duration storage and why isn’t the market delivering large volumes right now
•The technological competition for long duration storage technologies
•The impact of Russia-Ukraine war on the energy transition globally
•Whether energy sector policy is more difficult in Australia than elsewhere and why
EP.89 David Giordano, Global Head of Renewable Power at BlackRock
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by a veteran of the renewable energy industry - David Giordano, Global Head of Renewable Power at BlackRock.
David has joined the BlackRock team upon its formation in 2011 and has played a key role in the development of BlackRock’s renewables platform. With more than 20 years of investment experience, David serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Council on Renewable Energy and is a Board member of the American Wind Energy Association.
John and David discuss:
•The changes in the process of deploying capital into renewable in the past 20 years
•ESG investing and where are we in measuring and evaluating ESG performance of companies and investment funds
•Developing renewables in regulated and non-regulated markets
•The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the power industryNext week we welcome Malcolm Turnbull, Former Prime Minister of Australia. Stay tuned!
EP.88 The role of Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) with Aurora experts Emma and Caroline
This week on Energy Unplugged, we discuss the role Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) could play in ensuring energy security in GB. Our Head of Commissioned Projects for Western Europe - Felix Chow-Kambitsch is joined by two Aurora experts: Emma Woodward, Senior Associate and Caroline Still, Associate.
Aurora has recently published a report on the topic, key findings can be found here: https://auroraer.com/insight/long-duration-electricity-storage-in-gb-2/
Felix, Emma and Caroline discuss:
•The role LDES plays in an energy system
•How much LDES do we need in the UK and what energy system implications would LDES have
•The UK government’s cap-and-floor mechanism to support LDESNext week we will welcome David Giordano, Global Head of Renewable Power at BlackRock. Stay tuned!
EP.87 Impact of Russia-Ukraine war on European gas markets with Aurora experts Hanns & Anise
This week, we have a special episode on Energy Unplugged in which our experts discuss the ongoing crisis in the European energy sector and the impact of Russia-Ukraine war on the European gas markets. Our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Anise Ganbold who leads our research team for Commodities and Hydrogen.
Anise and the team have been looking for the past couple of weeks into this topic and have been producing a couple of reports. One report which has been released this week examines how a drop in available Russian gas export capacity, or supply, to Europe affects the European supply mix.
More details can be found at: https://auroraer.com/insight/impact-of-ukraine-russia-conflict-on-european-gas-markets/
Anise and Hanns discuss:
• A retrospective of what happened in the European gas market over the past few weeks
• The European reliance on Russian gas and coal
• The increase in gas and power prices and the impact on gas supply and demand
EP.86 Kellie Metcalf, Managing Partner, Energy Transition at EnCap Investments
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is talking to Kellie Metcalf, Managing Partner at one of the leading energy transition investors - EnCap Investments.
Kellie had a long and distinguished career in the power sector. She was a Senior Director at Pattern Development, a renewable energy and transmission development firm and held senior roles in power marketing and origination at Barclays and Fortis Bank. She began her career in 1995 at Enron North America and before her business career, Kellie was a First Lieutenant in the US Army.
Kellie and John discuss:
•The importance of a trading background for a C-suite of an electricity utility
•The impact of the power crises in the US on the process of electricity market liberalisation
•ESG investing and where are we in measuring and evaluating ESG performance of companies and investment funds
EP.85 Laura Sandys, Non-Executive Director at SGN & Energy Systems Catapult
This week on Energy Unplugged we focus on energy data and digitalization. Our Managing Director for UK and Ireland, Dan Monzani is delighted to be joined by Laura Sandys, Non-Executive Director at SGN and at the Energy Systems Catapult.
With a diverse career in energy and consumer’s rights, Laura has recently chaired two of the UK Government taskforces, one on energy data and the Energy Digitalization Taskforce which was recently launched by BEIS with the purpose to continue the Government’s focus on modernising the energy system.
Dan and Laura discuss:
•What would a world class digital energy system look like
•The main recommendations on data and the progress made since 2019 plus the recent recommendations on digitalisation
•The benefits of interoperability across the system
•The need to rethink the role of the retail market as part of Net Zero
Next week we will welcome Kellie Metcalf, Managing Partner, Energy Transition at EnCap Investments. Stay tuned!
EP.84 Pat Wood, III, Former FERC Chairman, CEO at Hunt Energy Network
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Pat Wood, III, former FERC Chairman and CEO at Hunt Energy Network.
With a distinguished career in energy and the public service, Pat has served as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the US under President George W. Bush, and of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). He holds a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
John & Pat discuss:
* The role of the federal government in driving the push towards an increasingly clean, affordable and reliable power system
* The biggest impediment to Biden’s plan to decarbonise the power grid by 2035
* The potential for batteries in the US power grid
Next week on Energy Unplugged we will welcome Laura Sandys, Chair of the UK Government Energy Digitalisation Taskforce. Stay tuned!
EP.83 Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President for Europe & UK Head of Country at BP
In this episode, our Managing Director for UK and Ireland, Dan Monzani speaks to Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President for Europe & UK Head of Country at BP.
Prior to joining BP in May 2021, Louise was the CEO of the Energy Institute for more than 20 years, role in which she had a unique broad perspective across the energy transition. Louise is one of the sixteen CEOs on the Energy Leaders’ Coalition, organised by Powerful Women, a major professional initiative that seeks to promote the growth and leadership development of women across the energy sector.
Dan and Louise discuss:
* Affordability across Europe and how governments should manage the massive impact of rising energy prices on those on the lowest incomes
* BP's committment to reach Net Zero by 2050 and their focus to help the world get there too
* The most likely use cases for hydrogen, where is most likely to be a cost effective part of the transition and BP's new partnership with Aberdeen City Council
* Whether we are on track for the 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 target and what do we need to do to hit that
Next week on Energy Unplugged we will welcome Pat Wood, III, CEO at Hunt Energy Network. Stay tuned!
EP.82 Sam Arie, Head of European Utilities at UBS & Evangelos Gazis, Project Leader at Aurora
In this episode, we’re taking a global perspective on the energy transition having as guests two experts in the field. Our Principal Benjamin Collie is joined by Sam Arie, Head of European Utilities Equity Research at UBS and Evangelos Gazis, Project Leader and Market Lead for South Eastern Europe at Aurora.
Aurora and UBS worked together in the last few years in preparing a report on the state of the global energy transition with focus on emissions from the power sector.
Main topics of the podcast include:
•The scale of the challenge for investing to decarbonise
•How much capital is needed to decarbonise some of the most difficult sectors and what are the implications for the global economy
•The levels of carbon prices that might be needed across the economy to achieve the targets
•The progress made at COP26 and the most likely next steps to be made by COP27
Next week on Energy Unplugged we will welcome Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President for Europe and Head of Country in the UK at BP. Stay tuned!
EP.81 Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Department for Transport
This week on Energy Unplugged, we discuss about how to decarbonize transport with Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Department for Transport, in an episode hosted by our Research Director, Richard Howard.
Trudy was appointed in the current role on 17 September 2021 and she was elected Conservative MP for Copeland in 2017. Her career outside politics includes working for Sellafield nuclear site and in renewable energy and sustainable community projects.
Richard and Trudy discuss:
•How does a Net Zero system need to look like and what are the key enabling technologies
•What does government need to do to accelerate this shift
•How do we ensure that the costs and fiscal impacts of this transition are manageable
Next week we will welcome Sam Arie, Research Analyst at UBS. Stay tuned!
EP.80 Tony Cocker, Senior Independent Director of SSE plc
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Tony Cocker, Senior Independent Director of SSE plc.
Tony is also Chair of Infinis Energy Management Ltd, a distributed power generator. Between 1996-2017 he worked for E.ON SE and Powergen in a number of roles, including Chair and CEO of E.ON UK and Chair and CEO of E.ON Energy Trading SE.
John and Tony discuss:
•The change in the role of a director in the renewables space
•The future of the British retail power market
•Reforms needed to most ease the transition to Net Zero
•SSE as a major sponsor of COP26
Next week on Energy Unplugged we will welcome Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport. Stay tuned!
EP.79 Farhad Billimoria, Energy Systems Researcher, Energy & Power Group, University of Oxford
In this episode, our Managing Director in Australia Hugo Batten speaks to Farhad Billimoria, Energy Systems Researcher, Energy & Power Group at the University of Oxford and Rowan von Spreckelsen, Principal in our Sydney office.
Farhard is currently completing his PhD on energy markets in Oxford and he has worked for Australia’s system operator AEMO, Mercer, CalPERS and AMP Capital Investors. The focus of the discussion is around the Australian energy market and incentive structures to bring on new renewables and firming capacity.
Main topics include:
•The major challenges and opportunities for renewables and storage investment in Australia
•Market design reforms and incentive structures shifting through renewables
•The New South Wales Government contracts structures, key components and implications for market participants
Next week on Energy Unplugged we will welcome Tony Cocker, Senior Independent Director of SSE plc. Stay tuned!
EP.78 Julia Watsford, CEO at Enfinium & Chris Jonas, Director at Tolvik Consulting
This week on Energy Unplugged we have a Christmas special episode in which we focus on waste management and energy from waste in particular. Our Research Director, Richard Howard is joined by two waste experts: Julia Watsford, CEO at Enfinium, the largest pure-play waste-to-energy operator in the UK and Chris Jonas, Director at Tolvik Consulting, one of the expert advisors on waste markets in the UK and Europe.
Main topics include:
•COVID impact on the waste-to-energy sector
•The role of waste management in the Net Zero transition
•Views on a potential incineration tax
•Negative emissions and the potential of energy from waste to incorporate CCS
EP.77 Boris Schucht, CEO of Urenco
In this episode, our Head of Commissioned Projects for Western Europe, Felix Chow-Kambitsch is talking to Boris Schucht, Chief Executive Officer of Urenco, an international supplier of uranium enrichment services.
Boris joined Urenco in May 2019 from 50Hertz, the North-East German Transmission System Operator, where he has held the position of Chief Executive Officer since 2010. Previously he held a number of senior executive positions within the energy sector across Germany and Europe, including WEMAG AG and the Vattenfall Group.
Felix and Boris discuss:
•The role of nuclear in the energy transition and nuclear innovation
•Key takeaways from COP26 and what is needed to ensure the targets are met
•Pairing hydrogen and nuclear to decarbonize hard to abate sectors
Next week on Energy Unplugged we will welcome Julia Watsford, CEO at Enfinium & Chris Jonas, Director at Tolvik Consulting. Stay tuned!
EP.76 Christoph Strasser, Co-CEO of Pacifico Renewables Yield
Our Commercial Manager Lisa Langer is joined by Christoph Strasser, Co-CEO of Pacifico Renewables Yield, a renewable energy producer with a quickly growing portfolio of roughly 170 MW.
Christoph joined Pacifico Renewables Yield as Co-CEO in October 2019 and prior to that he spent few years in J.P. Morgan‘s Corporate & Investment Bank. Christoph has a B.Sc. in Business Administration from University of Mannheim and M.Sc. in Management from University of Mannheim and ESSEC Business School.
Lisa and Christoph discuss:
•Pacifico’s market expansion to The UK, Netherlands and Australia
•Moving to less established markets and taking on merchant exposure in Pacifico’s projects
•Power prices affecting renewables investment
•The next big challenge for the energy transition
EP.75 Shaun Kingsbury CBE, CIO of Just Climate
Thekla von Bülow, Principal for Commissioned Projects in our Berlin office is joined by Shaun Kingsbury, Chief Investment Officer of Just Climate.
Shaun started his career working for Shell and in 2012 he has set up the world’s first low carbon investment bank – Green Investment Bank, which was later acquired by Macquarie Group. Currently Shaun is Chairman of Renewable Power Capital, Co-founder and Board member of Climate Transition Capital, Chairman of CNG Fuels and Chief Investment Officer of Just Climate, a new business launched in the beginning of November.
The focus of the conversation is on sustainable finance and climate impact investment helping to accelerate climate action.
Thekla and Shaun discuss:
•Subsidy schemes for renewables vs. merchant / PPAs
•The role of the private sector in investing into clean energy technologies
•The ESG investment movement
•Corporate PPAs as a tool for decarbonisation
EP.74 Christian Thiel, CEO of EnergyNest
In this episode, our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Christian Thiel, CEO of EnergyNest, a high temperature energy storage company.
Christian started his career at BMW and prior to joining EnergyNest in 2014 he worked as Investment Banker at UBS and as Consultant at McKinsey and he was the Vice President for Business Development and Marketing at Senvion. Christian has a PhD in Economics and Marketing focussing on designing sales structures in foreign markets.
The focus of the discussion is around the importance of addressing industrial heat for reaching Net Zero.
Main topics include:
•EnergyNest’s technology and its role in the energy transition
•The challenge of addressing the emissions coming from the heat sector
•The current and future gas and carbon prices
•Hydrogen vs electrification
EP.73 Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Ventures at National Grid
With National Grid just announcing that the group expects profits to hit top end of range on soaring energy prices as a result of interconnectors, the focus of today's show is on interconnectors’ role in delivering NetZero and the North Sea Link project as the world’s longest subsea interconnector linking the UK and Norway.
In this episode, our Managing Director for UK and Ireland - Dan Monzani is delighted to be joined by Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Ventures at National Grid. Cordi has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy industry, managing key relationships with government officials, regulators and customers. She began her career trading power and gas for Centrica and between 2014 and 2017 she was Director of the UK System Operator. Prior to joining National Grid Ventures, Cordi was Chief Operating Officer for the US Gas Business for National Grid.
Dan and Cordi also discuss:
•The UK’s 40GW offshore wind target by 2030 and the technical barriers to get there
•COP26 and the opportunities for wider global cooperation on grids
•The most attractive business environment for investing in hydrogen at the moment
EP.72 Georg Aasen, Vice President at Nasdaq Commodities
In this episode we’re talking about power exchanges as a vital part of traded power markets. Our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Georg Aasen, Vice President at Nasdaq Commodities, which runs one of Europe’s largest power exchanges. Prior to this role, Georg was Head of Marketplace at Nord Pool and built up deep experience in the economics of power exchanges.
John and Georg discuss:
•The key characteristics of a successful power trader
•Social contribution of markets and what would the European power market look like in the absence of power exchanges
•The evolution of renewables offtake and PPAs
•The future of non-power contracts and hydrogen
EP.71 Lord Deben, Chairman of the Climate Change Committee
This week on Energy Unplugged we have a special episode which comes right after the UK Government published its Net Zero Strategy in response to the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations for the Sixth Carbon Budget and during COP26 taking place in Glasgow.
Our Managing Director for UK and Ireland - Dan Monzani is joined by Lord Deben, Chairman of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in a conversation about Net Zero and prospects for COP26.
Lord Deben has over 50 years’ experience in public life, consistently as a deep influential voice on climate change and the environment. He was the UK’s longest-serving Secretary of State for the Environment (1993 to 1997) and he has held several other high-level ministerial posts, including Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1989 to 1993). Since 2012 he is the Chair of CCC, an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008 with the main purpose to advise the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets.
Dan and Lord Deben discuss:
•The UK’s Net Zero Strategy - in which sectors the Government's plans are most complete and where are there the biggest holes
•The investment costs of Net Zero and who pays for it
•COP26 and the key ingredients in a successful climate diplomacy
EP.70 Rupert Maloney, Head of Hydrogen at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation
In this episode, our Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten is joined by Rupert Maloney, Head of Hydrogen at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Weijie Mak, Principal in Aurora’s office in Australia.
Before joining CEFC, Rupert was General Manager of Strategy & Corporate Development at Ampol, an Australian fuels player, as well as a banker at Macquarie and a lawyer at Baker & McKenzie. The discussion is focused on hydrogen and the opportunities for developing a hydrogen industry in Australia.
The main topics include:
•Key takeaways of CEFC’s recent Australian hydrogen market study
•Hydrogen as an export opportunity for Australia and prioritization of domestic opportunities
•How the Europeans are designing their markets around hydrogen
•The low electrolyzer CAPEX and the cost of capital reductions
EP.69 Alberto De Paoli, CFO of Enel
In this episode, we continue the discussion on the role of world’s largest utilities in decarbonising society. Our CEO John Feddersen is talking to Alberto De Paoli, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Enel.
Alberto was appointed CFO in November 2014 and joined the Enel Group in 2008 as CFO for Enel Green Power, the Group's renewable power generation subsidiary, a position he held until 2012. Between 2012 – 2014 he was the Head of Group Strategy. Alberto is also Co-chair of the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce for the sustainable development goals.
John and Alberto discuss:
•Enel’s role in the energy transition and ensuring sustainability at the centre of the company’s business model
•The driving force behind Enel’s internationalization
•ESG investment movement and what has enabled it to grow the way it has
EP.68 Peter Cramton, Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Peter Cramton, Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne to discuss the future of power markets.
Peter is one of the world’s foremost experts on electricity systems economics, he’s been a leading thinker in market design across energy, telecommunications and health procurements in the US, Europe and beyond. Since 1983, he has conducted research on auctions and market design, with a focus on the design of complex markets to best achieve goals. Between 2015-2021, he was an independent director of the board of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
John and Peter discuss:
•Whether privatisation of parts of the power markets worked globally in the sense that enhanced human welfare
•The meaning and targets for decarbonisation in Europe vs the US
•Security of supply and the impact of the recent events in ERCOT on capacity markets and energy only markets
EP.67 Toni Volpe, CEO of Falck Renewables
Our Market Lead for Italy - Matteo Coriglioni speaks to Toni Volpe, CEO of Falck Renewables.
Toni has been the CEO of Falck Renewables since 2016 and he started working in the energy industry at the Enel Group in 2004, where he covered several roles such as CEO of Enel Green Power North America in 2005 and Country Manager and CEO of Enel Romania in 2014. Falck Renewables is one of the biggest “pure players” in the European renewable energy sector, the Group has an installed capacity of 1.3 GW in UK, Italy, Spain, France, the Nordics and the United States, a project pipeline of more than 4.5 GW and manages around 4 GW of plants around the world (in more than 40 countries) on behalf of third parties; mostly wind onshore and solar.
Matteo and Toni discuss:
•The future of the energy transition and Falck Renewables’ strategy in terms of expanding to new markets and technologies
•The role of policy in decarbonisation and renewables development
•The impact of the Next Generation EU fund in accelerating the energy transition in Europe
EP.66 Andrew Doyle, Executive Director MUFG
Our Research Director Richard Howard speaks to Andrew Doyle, Executive Director MUFG.
Andrew joined MUFG in March 2011 following the acquisition of a US$5bn project finance portfolio from RBS. He has over 15 years of project finance experience covering large thermal power and renewables projects across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
This is one of a series of episodes featuring energy transition leaders who will be speaking at our Spring Forum 2021. The Forum takes place in London on Wednesday 29th September. For more information go to auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/.
Richard and Andrew discuss:
•Hydrogen and business models that are emerging and how and when they will become bankable
•By when will green hydrogen be cheap enough to compete with grey and blue hydrogen
•The most attractive markets in Europe for hydrogen
•Whether the UK Hydrogen strategy is ambitious enough
EP.65 Christoph Torwegge, International Energy & Utilities Sector Leader Osborne Clarke
Our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig speaks to Christoph Torwegge - International Energy & Utilities Sector Leader at Osborne Clarke.
Christoph leads a cross-border team advising clients across the energy sector on renewables, energy storage and energy innovation. He specialises in M&A and commercial law and supports funders, investors and developer clients in developing, investing in and financing projects in the renewables (solar, onshore wind and hydro) and other infrastructure sectors.
This is one of a series of episodes featuring energy transition leaders who will be speaking at our Spring Forum 2021. The Forum takes place in London on Wednesday 29th September. For more information go to auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/.
Hanns and Christoph discuss:
•The role of lawyers in the energy transition
•Renewables transactions and changes in the legal frameworks governing renewables
•Areas for reform and where the law needs to change to reflect commercial realities on the ground
EP.64 Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE
We have a very special episode for you this week on Energy Unplugged. Our CEO John Feddersen is talking to Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG about the role of the world’s largest utilities in decarbonising society.
This is one of a series of episodes featuring energy transition leaders who will be speaking at our Spring Forum 2021. The Forum takes place in London on Wednesday 29th September. For more information go to https://auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/.
John and Markus discuss:
•RWE’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040 and the impact of such a commitment
•The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy and how do we synchronize the investments cycles
•EU’s climate ambition and what do we need to do to achieve the targets, where do we get the space for renewables and how can we accelerate planning and permitting processes
EP.63 Anna Skarbek, CEO of ClimateWorks Australia
Our Managing Director in Australia - Hugo Batten is joined by Anna Skarbek, the CEO of ClimateWorks Australia, a not-for-profit decarbonisation think tank.
Anna has been the CEO of ClimateWorks Australia for almost 12 years now and she has had a number of Board roles in Australia, from CEFC to Impact Investment Group to the Carbon Market Institute. She has been hugely influential in Australia’s decarbonisation debates, and has certainly carried the torch when things were darkest in Australia’s long journey towards Net Zero.
Hugo and Anna discuss:
•The recently released IPCC report and its impact in Australia
•Decarbonisation debates in Australia over the last decade and the current status
•Solar & solar thermal storage technologies as dominant drivers of decarbonising the power system
EP.62 Bruce Riley – Managing Director, Infrastructure and Project Finance at NatWest
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Bruce Riley – Managing Director for Infrastructure and Project Finance at NatWest. The focus of the show is the evolving role of project and infrastructure finance in the energy transition.
Bruce leads one of Europe’ largest and most influential energy infrastructure and project finance teams and he’s a veteran in Europe’s project finance industry, having spent his career entirely with Royal Bank of Scotland – NatWest.
John and Bruce discuss:
•How has project finance as a field changed over the past two and a half decades
•The relevance of renewables low carbon finance for NatWest loan book & long term climate commitments
•Financing coal assets and how decisions are made within the bank to not lend against a particular area on ESG grounds
EP.61 Ed Birkett, Policy Exchange & Rachel Fletcher, Octopus Energy
Ed Birkett, Senior Research Fellow in the Energy and Environment unit at the Policy Exchange & Rachel Fletcher, Director Regulation and Economics at Octopus Energy join our Research Director Richard Howard for this week’s Energy Unplugged episode.
The conversation focuses on the challenges around energy market design in a Net Zero world. Ed wrote a report last year called ‘Powering Net Zero - Why local electricity pricing holds the key to a Net Zero energy system’ which tackled the energy market design topic.
Rachel is an experienced executive and regulatory expert, she spent many years at Ofgem in senior roles in retail markets, consumer protection, smart grids and networks, before moving to Ofwat as CEO and then more recently she has returned to the energy sector at Octopus Energy.
Main topics include:
•Is the current market design for power, gas, hydrogen and heating fit for purpose?
•Will it deliver and enable the transition towards Net Zero? And if so, will it do so at the least costs for consumers?
•How can we ensure security of supply and network operability, make sure we keep the lights on in a Net Zero world
If you'd like to hear more about this topic join our in-person Aurora Spring Forum on Wednesday 29 September 2021 in Central London, where we will continue the discussion on market design to enable the Net Zero transition. More info available here: https://auroraer.com/events/spring-forum/
EP.60 Alexander Voigt, CEO of STOFF2 & Board Member and Founder of HH2E
Our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig speaks to Alexander Voigt, CEO of STOFF2 & Board Member and Founder of HH2E.
Alexander is one of the pioneers of the global energy transition. He has studied physics and started his career at an engineering bureau working on solar thermal solutions. He has founded several companies in the energy sector such as Solon in the solar space, Younicos in the battery space, Lumenion in the high temperature heat storage space, and STOFF2 & HH2E in the hydrogen space.
Hanns and Alexander discuss:
•Alexander’s journey and solar wind as a niche topic in the past
•New technologies and concepts in the energy transition from battery & heat storage to hydrogen
•Hydrogen economics and CO2 prices
•Regulations needed to make the energy transition work
EP.59 Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer for Hydrogen at RWE Generation SE
Our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by one of the key executives in European hydrogen - Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer for Hydrogen at RWE Generation.
Previous to the current role, Sopna spent ten years in roles that have spanned leading Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at RWE Renewables, Energy Services and Infrastructure at Uniper, and Business Development at E.ON Climate and Renewables. Before entering the energy sector, she completed a bank training, then studied economics and joined McKinsey, where she spent almost 10 years.
Hanns and Sopna discuss:
•Sopna’s professional journey and the reasons for which RWE has a board member for hydrogen
•The role of hydrogen in the energy transition and why is everybody getting excited about it
•The controversial use of hydrogen in sectors such long distance road transport and heating
•RWE’s hydrogen strategy and its role in this pretty crowded market
EP.58 Stef Murphy and Paro Konar, Directors of Industrial Energy at BEIS
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is delighted to be joined by Stef Murphy and Paro Konar, Directors of Industrial Energy at Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Stef and Paro are job share directors for the Industrial Energy Directorate which provides focus and leadership of BEIS strategy, policy development and delivery on industrial energy issues, and also ensure that industrial energy policies maximise the economic opportunities to the UK from the global move to cleaner growth, as part of the overall Industrial Strategy.
The focus of the conversation is around industrial decarbonisation as the UK government has published its strategy in March this year, and the upcoming hydrogen strategy.
The main topics include:
•Key challenges and opportunities for industry in the move to Net Zero
•The progress against commitments in the UK’s Energy White Paper and the Ten Point Plan
•The UK’s upcoming Hydrogen Strategy and what to expect from it
•UK’s Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), what did it take to set it up from scratch & lessons learnt since the early EU ETS in 2005
•The impact of EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the UK industry
NOTE: At ~ min. 23:15 in the recording the ‘Net Zero Hydrogen Fund’ supporting the development and adoption of hydrogen is mentioned and referred to as the £250 million fund. We would like to clarify that the ‘Net Zero Hydrogen Fund’ is £240 million.
EP.57 Federico Giannandrea, Partner, Head of Continental Europe at Foresight
Our Head of Iberia, Ana Barillas speaks to Federico Giannandrea, Partner and Head of Continental Europe at Foresight, a sustainability-led listed infrastructure and private equity investment manager.
Federico joined Foresight in 2010 and leads Foresight’s infrastructure investments in continental Europe and the business development for infrastructure globally.
Ana and Federico discuss:
•How is renewable investment changing across Europe and value shifting across development stages
•Vertical integration in development and construction
•Local partnerships and how difficult is it to enter a new market
EP.56 Andrew Butler, Managing Director at Nectr
Our Managing Director in Australia - Hugo Batten speaks to Andrew Butler, Managing Director at Nectr – an Australian energy retailer that’s a subsidiary of the Korean group Hanwha.
Andrew has successfully led three retail energy start-up ventures - Australian Power & Gas, Alinta Energy and now Nectr and he’s also spent time in telco and infrastructure more broadly.
Hugo and Andrew discuss:
•The retail space shift in Australia over last decades and other major aspects in the evolution of the Australian retail
•Nectr and Octopus Energy Kraken Technology Platform
•The state of Australian energy in terms of energy start-ups and innovation
•Rising government intervention in energy markets with focus on wholesale and retail
EP.55 Dolf Gielen, Director of the IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre
Dolf Gielen, Director of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Innovation and Technology Centre joins our Research Director Richard Howard for this week’s Energy Unplugged podcast.
Dolf has been with IRENA for over 10 years, having previously been Chief of the Energy Efficiency and Policy Unit at UNIDO, and spending a number of years with IEA – starting as a Senior Energy Analyst and being promoted to Project Head of Energy Technology Scenarios.He has a strong engineering background, following his degree in Chemical Engineering with an MA in Environmental Sciences and a PhD in Energy and Materials Modelling.
The interview covers a breadth of key market concerns around decarbonisation, focusing initially on IRENA's flagship publication setting out the pathway for a 1.5 degrees celsius ambition and closely examining the key issues and opportunities en route.
The chat takes a deep dive into:
•What we need to achieve
•Hitting the targets by 2050 – what we can do with what we have, and the importance of joined-up thinking, including:oInterconnectionoFlexibilityoRetrofitoCarbon Capture and Storage
•and crucially includes for the burning hot topics of the sector: 'kalte dunkelflaute' and green hydrogen
EP.54 Julian Popov, ECF Fellow and former Minister of Environment of Bulgaria
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen is joined by a leading thinker on South Eastern European energy - Julian Popov.
Julian is former Minister of Environment of Bulgaria, European Climate Foundation (ECF) fellow and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Buildings Performance Institute Europe. He has been voted twice as one of the most influential voices in European energy by EURACTIV.
John and Julian discuss:
•Julian’s journey, his novel called ‘Island of Mists’ and his experience as the Bulgarian Energy Minister
•Energy transition and the power investment climate in South Eastern Europe
•Offshore wind potential and growing interest
•The European Commission as a force for good in South Eastern European power sector governance, structure, rules and markets
EP.53 Guy Newey, Strategy and Performance Director at Energy Systems Catapult
Our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Guy Newey, Strategy and Performance Director at Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) - an independent, not-for-profit centre of excellence that bridges the gap between industry, government, academia and research.
ESC has recently published its report called ‘Rethinking Electricity Markets – EMR 2.0’, an initiative aiming to develop proposals to reform electricity markets so that they best enable innovative, efficient, whole energy system decarbonisation.
Guy has had a diverse career across the energy sector. He has been a Special Adviser to two former Energy Secretaries of State, and was previously Head of Policy at Ovo Energy and Head of Environment and Energy at the think-tank Policy Exchange. Before this, Guy worked as a journalist in Hong Kong and in the UK.
John and Guy discuss:
•Guy’s journey, his early experience as a journalist and the impact on his present role
•ESC’s mission in the energy transition and avoiding clean growth costs
•‘Rethinking Electricity Markets’ report with a focus on the role of consumers
•The agreement on decarbonisation in 5 years’ time
EP.52 Harald Överholm, CEO and Co-founder of Alight
Our Nordics Lead Alexander Esser speaks with Harald Överholm, CEO and co-founder of the leading solar Power Purchase Agreement provider in the Nordics - Alight (previously Eneo).
Harald has been an advisor to WWF, the Swedish government and the Stockholm Environment Institute, as well as a former board member of Swedish Solar Energy. He is a Cambridge alumni with a PhD focused on market development of US solar PPA market and holds a masters degree in Industrial Engineering of Energy Systems.
Alex and Harald discuss:
•Harald’s in-depth studies of the US solar market, importing concepts to Europe and his inspiration in founding the company
•Nordics as one of the most advanced PPAs markets and long term supply of PPAs
•Alight and how does Solar as a Service differ from a typical project development
EP.51 Pat O’Doherty, CEO of Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
In this episode, Our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Pat O'Doherty, CEO of the leading Irish utility Electricity Supply Board (ESB).
Pat was appointed CEO of ESB in 2011 and to the ESB Board in 2013. He is Director of Energy UK and until very recently he was President of Eurelectric - the sector association which represents the common interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level.
John and Pat discuss:
•Pat’s journey and the job of the utility CEO now compared to 10 years ago
•ESB and how the enterprise is measuring its ESG success
•State-owned utilities’ role in enabling a just energy transition
•Cyber security and how well is the European utility industry prepared for it
EP.50 Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for Renewables at Total
Welcome to our 50th official Energy Unplugged episode!
Our Head of Digital Solutions Mateusz Wronski is joined by the creator of the renewables division at one of the largest energy companies in the world - Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for Renewables at Total.
Julien joined Total in 2016, after two years of service as Senior Advisor to the President of France, François Hollande where he was entrusted with the overhaul of the French nuclear industry.
Mateusz and Julien discuss:
•Key challenges in shifting the focus of an oil supermajor by creating the renewables division within Total
•Total’s target of 100 GW by 2030 as one of the most ambitious renewables goals in the industry
•Floating offshore wind and Total’s strategy in bringing the costs down
•The impact of green hydrogen in enabling renewables investment
EP.49 Henrik Tordrup, Partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Henrik Tordrup, Partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).
CIP is one of the leading clean energy investors globally, having recently raised a EUR 7 billion renewable energy investment fund. Henrik is a veteran of Europe’s offshore wind boom of the past decade and has deep expertise on the emerging energy transition in the US.
John and Henrik discuss:
•Henrik’s journey and his motivation to focus on the US markets
•CIP’s current strategy and the main risks as a renewable investor
•Current US policy and the recent federal election impact on decarbonisation
•Texas’ big freeze in February and lessons for policy makers
EP.48 Henry de Zoete, Co-founder of Look After My Bills
Our Research Director, Richard Howard speaks to Henry de Zoete, Co-founder of the energy switching service provider - Look After My Bills.
Henry has a career background working as Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Education prior to his success with Look After My Bills – which secured the best deal in the history of the UK Dragons’ Den business pitch competition. The company is now owned by industry giant Go Compare.
Henry and Richard discuss:
•Henry’s career and experience working for then Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove
•His inspiration and motivation for establishing Look After My Bills
•Raising funds in Silicon Valley and securing the investment from UK television’s notoriously tough Dragons panel
•Transferring the ownership of his business to Go Compare and what’s next
EP.47 Dulce Mendonça, Director and Fund Manager at InfraRed Capital Partners
Our Head of Iberia, Ana Barillas is joined by Dulce Mendonça, Director and Fund Manager at InfraRed Capital Partners.
Dulce joined InfraRed in 2013 and is currently focusing on business development and origination of infrastructure investments in Europe. After attaining an M.Sc in Business Administration from ISCTE Business School in Lisbon, she began her career in investment banking before moving to infrastructure investment around 16 years ago.
Ana and Dulce discuss:
•InfraRed’s approach to the risk-reward trade-off of investment
•The energy transition and scale of investment challenges
•The Iberian market and whether there is a solar bubble in the peninsula
•Sustainable investment and green hydrogen incentives
EP.46 Dr. Brigitte Knopf, Secretary General of MCC
Our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Dr. Brigitte Knopf, Secretary General of the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change).
Brigitte is one of Germany’s leading experts on climate change and has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Council of Experts on Climate Change by the German Federal Government. The Council has recently published its first report assessing Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.
Hanns and Brigitte discuss:
•MCC’s leading role in the climate change debate
•The Council of Experts on Climate Change’s report findings and lessons learned
•The European Green Deal and Germany’s decarbonisation targets
•COVID-19 impact and emissions reduction during lockdown
EP.45 Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy
In this episode our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Greg Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy supplier businesses, and award-winning for its status as a provider of 100% sustainable energy.
Octopus Energy Group recently announced the acquisition of its sister company, Octopus Renewables, bringing the retail and the generation side of energy together under one roof. Greg is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK with a long career leading multiple software ventures among other businesses, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.
John and Greg discuss:
•The importance of policy in the current UK energy supply market
•Understanding the customer experience and meeting customer’s needs
•Weathering the debris of the Texas storms and cost-pass-through tariffs
•The role of prices in power generation and investment
EP.44 Dr. Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power Plc
Our Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Dr. Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power Plc to discuss one of the biggest players to emerge in new energy policies: green hydrogen.
Graham joined ITM Power 12 years ago, previous to which he worked with National Power, and spent 11 years in the power industry developing energy storage and generation technologies. ITM Power is a leading manufacturer of hydrogen electrolysers. From early engagement on some of the UK’s earliest hydrogen mobility projects, it is currently working with the nationally significant HyDeploy energy trial – a crucial factor contributing towards the UK’s Net Zero targets.
Richard and Graham discuss:
•Green hydrogen’s role on the road to attaining Net Zero
•Typical buyers and business models for electrolysers
•Government support requirement for reaching the 40 GW target
EP.43 Models and their role in the energy transition: an Aurora perspective
This week on Energy Unplugged we have a special episode on modelling energy markets and the broader complexities of modelling for future scenarios.
Our Head of Digital Solutions Mateusz Wronski chats with Jonathan Black, our Head of Modelling. Jonathan’s role is to set the vision and strategy for our market models and their developments. Besides managing our international team of modellers he has extensive experience in modelling for a breadth of physical systems, with a background as a Research Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory and a PhD in Applied Mathematics.
Mateusz and Jonathan discuss:
•Credibility of modelling outside academia
•Our motivation for building our own models
•Modelling role in decarbonisation of the energy sector
EP.42 Lisa McDermott, Executive Director Renewable Project Financing at ABN AMRO Bank
Our Nordics Lead Alexander Esser speaks with Lisa McDermott - Executive Director Renewable Project Financing at ABN AMRO Bank.
Lisa started her career as a lawyer at Clifford Chance, specialising in tax, M&A and fund structuring. Since 2004 she has held a number of senior origination, structuring and management roles within various structured finance disciplines. ABN AMRO is one of the earliest project financiers for offshore wind and one of the most active debt providers for renewables and sustainable business in Europe.
Alex and Lisa discuss:
•ABN AMRO’s role in financing the energy transition
•Changing environment for project finance of renewables
•Financeability of electrolysers for green hydrogen production
EP.41 Tim Nelson, Executive General Manager, Energy Markets at Infigen
Our Managing Director in Australia - Hugo Batten is delighted to be joined by Professor Tim Nelson - Executive General Manager, Energy Markets at Infigen.
Tim is an Associate Professor at Griffith University and writes prolifically on Australia’s energy transition. Recently purchased by Iberdrola, Infigen is an Australian wind, gas and battery player, and also a retailer.
Hugo and Tim discuss:
•Gentailers and strategic options available to them
•Carbon pricing vs industrial policy
•Nodal pricing
•Perceptions of risk in the NEM
•Biden election and other global event impacts on Australia’s energy politics
EP.40 Jonathan Maxwell, CEO of Sustainable Development Capital LLP
Our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Jonathan Maxwell, CEO and founder of Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL).
Jonathan has over 25 years’ experience in international finance, infrastructure and private equity. Since its 2007 establishment, SDCL has launched energy efficiency project investment funds in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and New York.
John and Jonathan discuss:
•Jonathan’s motivation for starting a sustainable investment business
•The importance of energy security and resilience
•ESG investment and achieving high ESG performance
EP.39 Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Director, Head of Energy EMEA EBRD
In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen speaks with Harry Boyd-Carpenter – Director, Head of Energy EMEA at EBRD; and Peter Baum – Project Leader in our Berlin office.
Harry leads the landing and investment team at EBRD where he focuses on deploying capital investments in regions where investment is more challenging (including eastern Europe and northern Africa). Peter focuses on our activities in eastern and south-eastern Europe, and he has previously been an Analyst for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change at EBRD.
Main topics include:
•EBRD’s role in driving the energy transition
•Politics and investments decisions
•Energy transition in eastern Europe and northern African power markets
EP.38 Ana Quelhas, Managing Director for Hydrogen, EDP Group
This podcast episode is a special one celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March and discussing hydrogen. We're featuring two female leaders in the energy industry as our Head of Iberia, Ana Barillas is joined by Ana Quelhas, recently appointed as Managing Director for Hydrogen at EDP Group.
Prior to the new role, Ana Quelhas was the Head of Corporate Energy Planning at EDP and previous to that she worked at the Directorate General for Research within the European Commission and for the California Independent System Operator.
Main topics include:
•Investment decisions vs. uncertainties coming from public policies
•Iberian market as a hub for green hydrogen
•Interplay between green hydrogen and batteries
EP.37 Mark Futyan, CEO of Anesco
In this Energy Unplugged episode, Aurora’s Head of Commissioned Projects for Western Europe, Felix Chow-Kambitsch is joined by Mark Futyan, Anesco’s Chief Executive Officer.
Anesco is an energy services company specialising in solar PV, storage and energy efficiency, and playing a key role in the transition to Net Zero. With an impressive career within the energy industry, Mark joined Anesco in February 2020 from Centrica, where he most recently held the position of Distributed Power Systems Director.
Felix and Mark discuss:
•Anesco’s role in the energy transition and potential areas of growth
•UK’s commitment to Net Zero and how we can get there
•Investment opportunities and potential of hydrogen
EP.36 Tony Wood, Head of the Energy Program at Grattan Institute
In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten, speaks with Tony Wood, the Head of the Energy Program at Grattan Institute and one of Australia’s most prolific energy writers and thinkers.
Tony has had a lengthy career in energy - working for organisations such as Origin Energy, The Clinton Foundation and Incitec Pivot. He also writes in the Australian Financial Review and other Australian publications on energy.
Hugo and Tony discuss:
•Australian approach to climate policy and the history of the climate wars in Australia
•The role of gas in the energy transition
•Proposals to reform the Australian transmission system
EP.35 Andreas Regnell, Senior Vice President, Head of Strategic Development at Vattenfall
In this episode, our Nordics Lead Alexander Esser is joined by Andreas Regnell, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Development at Vattenfall.
Andreas has been with Vattenfall for more than 10 years and previously Managing Partner of Nordic Region at BCG, and Analyst and Account Manager at Citibank. He holds a degree in Economics.
Alexander and Andreas discuss:
•The role of state-owned energy companies on the path to Net Zero
•Backcasting vs forecasting of the energy market
•Green hydrogen for steel production
EP.34 Jason Tundermann, COO and Flemming Sørensen, VP Europe LevelTen Energy
In this episode, our US Country Lead Oliver Kerr is joined by LevelTen Energy’s Chief Operating Officer - Jason Tundermann and Vice President for Europe - Flemming Sørensen, as they take a deeper look at PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements).
LevelTen is the world’s largest renewable energy procurement platform. Jason has a successful career history in senior level business development roles within the energy sector for over ten years. Flemming has a strong investments background, and over 20 years’ experience in project development, energy sourcing and portfolio management for energy firms including Ørsted and Energi Danmark.
Main topics include:
•The role of PPAs within the broader energy transition
•Market design for Net Zero and investment in renewables
•Key trends in PPA markets across Europe
EP.33 Jay Zoellner, CEO of Kiwi Power
This week on Energy Unplugged, our US Country Lead Oliver Kerr is joined by Jay Zoellner, CEO of Kiwi Power, a leading global energy technology company.
Jay has held a number of leadership roles in the power sector – both in public and private energy companies, and is now focusing his efforts on growing Kiwi Power’s business internationally.
Oliver and Jay discuss:
•Kiwi Power’s mission and Jay’s role
•The company’s expansion to the US, and key differences between US and UK markets
•The role of flexible energy and investment opportunities
EP.32 Stefan-Jörg Göbel, Senior Vice President Wind & Solar Continental at Statkraft
In this episode, Aurora's CEO John Feddersen speaks with Stefan-Jörg Göbel - Senior Vice President Wind & Solar Continental at Statkraft.
Stefan-Jörg is responsible for developing a pan-European renewables portfolio, spanning solar and wind for one of Europe’s leading utilities. Previously, he ran one of Europe’s largest power trading and origination teams and he started his electricity sector career in Enron’s European team.
John and Stefan-Jörg discuss:
•The role of route-to-market providers and PPAs
•Renewables investment in Europe and trends in Government support
•The role of hydrogen in power markets
EP.31 Ian Learmonth, CEO of Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten speaks with Ian Learmonth, the CEO of Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
With vast experience in the energy sector across the globe, Ian has spent time at Macquarie Group, NatWest and Social Ventures Australia, prior to joining the CEFC in 2017.
Some of the main topics include:
•CEFC, technologies of focus and storage investment cases
•Role of gas and storage in Australia’s energy transition
•The evolution of policy and regulation in the Australian market
EP.30 Duncan Clark, Head of UK Region for Ørsted
In this new episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Duncan Clark, Head of UK Region for Ørsted.
Coming from a previous commercial role at The Crown Estate, Duncan joined Ørsted in 2012 as Programme Director for offshore wind, being responsible for delivering massive projects such as Westermost Rough and Hornsea 1 throughout the project execution phase, taking the new role of Head of Region UK in 2019.
Richard and Duncan discuss:
•Duncan’s professional journey and his plans as Head of UK for Ørsted
•Offshore wind in the UK and the Government target of 40GW by 2030
•Emerging technologies: floating wind and potential for hydrogen
EP.29 Will Gardiner, Chief Executive Officer of Drax Group
In this latest 2020 episode, Aurora's CEO John Feddersen is joined by Will Gardiner, Chief Executive Officer of Drax Group – the UK’s largest renewable power generator.
Will joined Drax as CFO in 2015 and was appointed CEO in January 2018, now playing one of the key roles in the decarbonisation of the British electricity system.
John and Will discuss:
* Will’s role and the most important trait of a publicly listed CEO
* Biomass sustainability and its role in decarbonisation
* BECCS, and if we can get to Net Zero without negative emissions technologies
EP.28 Marie-Luise Pörtner, Managing Director of BayWa r.e.Wind
In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Germany Manuel Köhler speaks with Marie-Luise Pörtner, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. Wind.
BayWa is one of the largest renewables developers in Europe, with projects all around the world. Marie-Luise has previously held a number of other senior roles within the energy sector including Managing Director of the wind developer Juwi and Energy Sector Manager at the Fraunhofer Society.
Manuel and Marie-Luise discuss:
* BayWa’s upcoming white paper and its impact on the energy sector
* Technological innovation – focusing on new technologies with disruptive potential
* The latest revision of Germany’s Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)
EP.27 Dan Monzani, Director of Energy Security, Networks & Markets at BEIS
This week, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Dan Monzani, Director of Energy Security, Networks & Markets at BEIS, about the UK Government’s long-awaited Energy White Paper: Powering our Net Zero Future, published this week.
The Energy White Paper follows Boris Johnson’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, and establishes a strategy to achieve Net Zero across the wider energy system.
John and Dan discuss:
* Market design and carbon pricing: why a trading scheme rather than a tax?
* Governance: what problems can the independent system operator (ISO) solve?
* R&D and technology innovation: what are the potential roles for CCUS and hydrogen? and also:
* Should we worry about buying a new internal combustion engine (ICE) car now?
EP.26 Roger Font Garcia, Global Head of Project Finance, Asset and Specialized Lending at Sabadell
In this episode, Aurora’s Head of Iberia Ana Barillas is joined by her special guest - Roger Font Garcia, Global Head of Project Finance, Asset and Specialized Lending at Sabadell.
Roger was appointed to the current role in January 2019 after several senior roles within the bank, and under his leadership, Sabadell had embraced the Spanish renewables market with a much higher degree of merchant exposure.
Ana and Roger discuss:
•Sabadell’s approach on project financing and the bank’s views of the merchant risk
•Renewable auctions in Spain and Portugal
•COVID-19 implications on the Iberian power market
EP.25 De-mystifying the hydrogen hype with Aurora experts Alexander Esser & Anise Ganbold
In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard discusses hydrogen’s potential in Europe with two of Aurora’s leading hydrogen experts - Alexander Esser, Senior Commercial Manager and Anise Ganbold, Project Leader.
Alexander has recently led a major hydrogen multiclient study on assessing its role in the energy systems of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands and Anise leads our work on global commodities.
Listen in to find out:
•Hydrogen’s real potential and demand
•Europe’s hottest markets and their policy support
•The investment propositions for industry
EP.24 Laurie Fitch, Partner in the Strategic Advisory Group at PJT Partners
In this episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Laurie Fitch, Partner in the Strategic Advisory Group at PJT Partners.
Laurie is also a Non-Executive Director of EDP (Energias de Portugal, SA) and prior to joining PJT Partners, she was Co-Head of Morgan Stanley’s Global Industrials Group in Europe.
John and Laurie discuss:
•Laurie’s journey and her roles at PJT Partners and EDP
•Investment banking for women at present
•Net Zero, and big oil’s ability to pivot towards big renewables
EP.23 David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s Principal Ben Collie talks with David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).
IWEA is Ireland's largest renewable energy association and a leader in Ireland’s fight against climate change. Prior to this role, David was an Associate Professor in Energy Planning at Aalborg University in Copenhagen, where his research focussed on the design and assessment of 100% renewable energy systems for electricity, heat and transport.
Ben and David discuss:
•David’s career path and his focus on smart energy systems
•IWEA’s role and the Irish wind sector potential for the future
•Decarbonising the Irish energy system, and what a Net Zero 2050 system might look like
EP.22 Ivan Varughese, Head of Green Investment Group, Asia-Pacific at Macquarie Group
In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten is joined by Ivan Varughese, Head of Green Investment Group for Asia-Pacific at Macquarie Group.
Ivan has been with Macquarie for more than 14 years as Executive Director and Head of Infrastructure, Utilities and Renewables in Australia & New Zealand, before being appointed to the new role in 2020.
Hugo and Ivan discuss:
•Green Investment Group’s mission and Ivan’s career
•Australia’s energy market and its evolution
•Green energy investment and energy storage opportunity in Australia and Asia
EP.21 Tejpreet Chopra, Founder & CEO of Bharat Light & Power
In this episode, Aurora’s Project Leader Thekla von Bülow discusses artificial intelligence in energy with her special guest Tejpreet Chopra, Founder & CEO of Bharat Light & Power (BLP).
Tejpreet is the former president and CEO of GE India, and has vast global management and finance experience in France, UK, Hong Kong, India and the US.
Listen to the episode to find more about:
•BLP and its role in the energy transition
•Renewables markets and opportunities for offshore wind in India
•Artificial intelligence in energy generation and consumption
EP.20 Rafael Mateo, Energy CEO of ACCIONA
A new podcast episode is ready for you! Aurora’s Project Leader Thekla von Bülow is joined by our first Spanish guest on ‘Energy Unplugged’ - Rafael Mateo, Energy CEO of ACCIONA.
ACCIONA is the largest independent renewable developer and operator in the world, and Rafael is a true pioneer of renewable energy, having been in the energy industry for over 35 years.
Thekla and Rafael discuss:
•ACCIONA’s plans for renewables and the business’ wide geographic coverage
•PPAs as a tool for risk mitigation or an enabler of business growth
•The big disrupters in terms of innovation for the energy industry
EP.19 Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions
In this episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen discusses the energy transition in the US with his special guest Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions.
Nora is a former commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) where she was nominated by President George W. Bush, and among many other previous roles she has also served as the Chair of the Board of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Topics covered include:
•Women in the energy sector, and ESPY Energy Solutions as a women-owned business
•The balance between state and federal responsibility in the US power sector
•Upcoming US elections, and how the energy sector will look
EP.18 Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy, Britain’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity.
Appointed as CEO in November 2017, Simone joined EDF in 2004 and had been head of EDF Group's international division since 2015.
Listen to the episode to find out more about:
•Simone’s professional journey and his clarinet playing skills
•The Hinkley Point C project and its implications for the energy transition
•EDF’s plan for a green recovery helping Britain achieve Net Zero
EP.17 Thomas Fureder, Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank
In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Thomas Fureder, Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank, in an interesting discussion about the market potential of hydrogen and its role in meeting Net Zero targets.
Richard and Thomas discuss:
•Hydrogen’s value proposition and investment opportunities
•The need for a clear policy framework
•Replacing grey hydrogen with blue and green hydrogen
EP.16 Audrey Zibelman, CEO and Managing Director of AEMO
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Audrey Zibelman, currently CEO and Managing Director of the Australian Energy Market Operator - AEMO.
This is Audrey’s first public interview since she announced this week that she will leave AEMO to take up a newly-created leadership role at X - the research and development facility for "moonshot" technologies, a subsidiary of Google’s parent entity, Alphabet Inc. Audrey has led AEMO for nearly four years and has more than 30 years’ international experience in the public, private and not-for-profit energy sectors.
Listen to the episode to find out more about:
•Audrey’s professional journey and the new role at X
•AEMO’s role in helping Australians to have access to affordable, secure and reliable energy
•Gender balance in the energy sector
EP.15 Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford
In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard spoke with Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford, about Dieter's recent book 'Net Zero: How We Stop Causing Climate Change'.
Dieter is also Chair of the Natural Capital Committee and has provided extensive advice to the UK and European governments on many issues, including 'The Cost of Energy Review' for the UK’s government in 2017 and for the European Commission in developing 'The Energy Roadmap 2030'.
Dieter and Richard discuss:
•Dieter’s motivation for writing his new book
•Carbon pricing as a necessary condition for decarbonisation
•EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme and Germany’s National Plan for Decarbonisation
EP.14 Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, President of Forum Energii
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe Hanns Koenig is joined by Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, President of Forum Energii, in a great discussion about the power market and energy transition in Poland.
Joanna is one of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the Polish energy sector, with a distinguished career for almost 20 years across academia, and both the public and private sectors. Joanna now leads Forum Energii, a think tank focussed on forging the foundation for a clean, innovative, safe and efficient energy sector based on data and analysis.
Hanns and Joanna discuss:
•The status and future of the Polish power market
•Forum Energii’s role in the energy transition
•Opportunities for investors in the energy market in Poland
EP.13 Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen spoke with Juliet Davenport, CEO & Founder of Good Energy, one of the UK’s leading renewable energy suppliers.
For over two decades, Good Energy’s mission has been to power a cleaner, greener world by helping homes and businesses to be part of a sustainable solution to climate change.
Discussion topics include:
•Juliet’s professional journey and Good Energy as a green energy supplier
•Electric vehicles and Zap-Map charge point app
•COVID-19 economic impact on energy suppliers, consumers’ protection and future of the industry
EP.12 Jonathan Carling, CEO of Tokamak Energy
On this week’s podcast, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen is joined by Tokamak Energy’s CEO Jonathan Carling.
Tokamak Energy develops fusion technology and aims to generate clean and abundant fusion power by 2030. Jonathan joined Tokamak Energy in 2017 as Chief Executive Officer and he is also a member of the board of directors. Jonathan is an experienced international business leader, bringing a unique blend of strategic, financial, technical, operational and brand know-how to Tokamak Energy.
John and Jonathan discuss:
•Tokamak’s technology and Jonathan’s professional journey
•Fusion power as a flexible energy source, and the market size of opportunities for Tokamak
•The process of engaging Government and bringing them along on the journey
EP.11 Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem - Part 2
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, we share the second part of John Feddersen’s discussion with Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem. If you missed Part 1 of this episode, you can find it in our podcast feed.
In Part 2, John and Jonathan discuss:
•Ofgem’s major long-term focus areas and its environmental perspective
•Networks regulations and the UK’s different approach for offshore and onshore
•Electricity markets and locational marginal pricing
EP.11 Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem - Part 1
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen is delighted to be joined by Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem.
Jonathan has wide-ranging energy sector experience, having led Electricity Market Reform as the Director for Energy Markets and Networks at the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). Prior to this, he was Director of the Office of Climate Change, where he led the development of the Climate Change Act, and earlier in his career, Jonathan was a senior adviser in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.
This episode consists of two parts, the first part of which we share with you this week, and the second part the week after.
In Part 1 of this episode, John and Jonathan discuss:
•Ofgem’s key role and Jonathan’s vast expertise in the energy sector
•Jonathan’s contribution to the development of the Climate Change Act
•Impact of COVID-19 on Ofgem’s work, and more broadly on retailers and suppliers
Look out for Part 2 on our podcast feed next week! John and Jonathan will be talking about Ofgem’s long-term focus areas and its environmental perspective, and more broadly about networks and energy markets.
EP.10 Bernhard Günther, CFO at Innogy
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen is joined by Bernhard Günther, CFO Innogy and Director Uniper and ThyssenKrupp.
Bernhard has played a central role in the energy transition in Germany and Europe over the last two decades, and created a successful renewables business within a traditional utility over the last five years.
John and Bernhard discuss:
•Bernhard’s current role within Innogy as CFO, and also as CHRO/Labour Director
•The idea of a carbon border tax in Europe
•Whether Germany is a success story in the energy transition
EP.9 Danielle Lane, UK Country Manager Vattenfall
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Danielle Lane, Vattenfall’s UK Country Manager and Director of Portfolio and Transactions Offshore, in a discussion about the Net Zero challenge.
Involved in many aspects of the energy transition, Vattenfall has the ambition to make fossil-free living possible within one generation.
Richard and Danielle discuss:
•The role Vattenfall can play in reaching Net Zero and what the UK Government needs to do
•The technologies we need to take us there
•The challenge to pair low carbon opportunities with consumer demand
EP.8 Paul Simshauser, CEO Powerlink Queensland
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen is joined by his compatriot Paul Simshauser, Chief Executive of Powerlink Queensland, a major electricity transmission operator in Australia.
Paul is also a Professor of Economics at Griffith University and was formerly the head of a major Government energy department.
John and Paul discuss:
•The global history of power markets' privatisation
•Centralised and dispatchable generation in the future energy system
•Negative emissions technologies, hydrogen, and batteries owned and operated by networks
EP.7 Ralph Alexander, Chairman and CEO Talen Energy
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen is joined by Ralph Alexander, Chairman and CEO of Talen Energy, one of North America’s largest private power generation businesses.
Some of the key topics include:
•Supermajors’ role in low-carbon power generation
•Energy transition and the future of nuclear
•Decarbonisation policy and Government’s role to meet carbon targets
EP.6 Mark Foley, CEO of EirGrid
This week on 'Energy Unplugged', Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen discusses energy transition with EirGrid’s Chief Executive Mark Foley, the person responsible for keeping the lights on in one of Europe’s most ambitious electricity systems in terms of their decarbonisation goals.
John and Mark discuss:
• EirGrid’s mission to ‘transform the power system for future generations’
• Ireland’s new Government ambition related to decarbornisation
• Energy transition in terms of renewables development and networks
EP.5 Sam Arie, Research Analyst at UBS
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen is joined by Sam Arie, Research Analyst at UBS Investment Bank, to discuss financing the energy transition and the impact of COVID-19 on the utilities sector.
Sam is one of the top utilities equities research analysts in the UK, and at UBS he leads the European Utilities Research team.
John and Sam discuss:
•The role of equities analysts
•The impact of COVID-19 on the utilities sector, and policy response
•Oil and gas majors’ contribution for financing the energy transition
EP.4 Cameron Hepburn, Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of Oxford
As countries emerge from the Coronavirus lockdown and take stock of the severe economic impact they’ve seen, the focus is now on how to reboot the economy with significant stimulus packages of economic measures.
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard discusses Green Stimulus with Cameron Hepburn, Professor of Environmental Economics and Director, Smith School, University of Oxford. Cameron and his team have been researching Green Stimulus, reviewing policies from around the world and the best measures to pursue from both the perspective of rebooting the economy and reducing emissions.
Richard and Cameron discuss:
•Different impacts of the pandemic across countries and industries, on emissions and wider environmental indicators
•How we respond to the pandemic and what the recovery packages will contain
•The best policies the UK Government should pursue
EP.3 Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of Energy UK
Welcome to this week's instalment of our new podcast series ‘Energy Unplugged’. In this episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen discusses the Net Zero challenge with Emma Pinchbeck, the new appointed Chief Executive of Energy UK.
Energy UK is perhaps the most influential energy industry group in the UK and Emma will join the trade association in July 2020, bringing with her valuable expertise and knowledge of the energy sector.
Some of the main topics include:
•Emma’s professional journey and transition from RenewableUK to the new role
•Role of COP26 and the opportunity for the UK’s Government to shine on the international stage
•The need of concrete actions for the UK to reach its Net Zero emissions target
EP.2 Chris Hunt, Partner at Riverstone
Welcome to this week's episode of our new podcast series ‘Energy Unplugged’. Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen explores the energy transition globally in a great discussion with Riverstone’s Partner Chris Hunt.
Riverstone is one of the world’s largest energy-focussed private equity fund and Chris has been in the renewables business well before the industry really began, as he first started working on wind energy projects back in the late 1980s.
John and Chris discuss:
•The biggest impacts of COVID-19 on the power sector and Green Stimulus plans in Europe
•UK’s role in the development of global biomass business and competition between biomass, hydrogen and CCS
•ESG current status and future steps: Implementation and Measurement
EP.1 Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO of SSE
Welcome to our new podcast series ‘Energy Unplugged’, a mix of in-depth conversations with key international industry leaders, policymakers and academics, exploring the hottest topics across the energy market.
Hosted by various Aurora experts, we invite high profile guests to share their unique perspectives on major energy issues.
Our intention is to share with you a new episode every week, so stay tuned and enjoy the podcast!
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen talks with Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO of SSE plc, one of UK’s largest utilities, about SSE’s recent Greenprint for a cleaner and more resilient economy.
Listen to the podcast to find out:
•why is now an important time to act
•why is offshore wind so central to the plan
•whether access to charging infrastructure is a key barrier to electric vehicles uptake at present…
•… and about Alistair’s darts abilities 🎯😊
EP.21 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part VIII - Interview with Richard Howard, Aurora
EP.20 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Ben Guest, Gresham House & Brian Lonn, Statkraft
EP.19 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part VI- Interview with Chris Stark CCC
EP.18 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part V - Interview with Tom Glover, RWE
EP.17 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part IV - Interview with Dan Wells, Foresight Group
EP.16 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part III - Interview with Antony Skinner, Ashurst
EP.15 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part II - Interview with Alejandro Ciruelos, Santander
EP.14 Aurora on COVID-19 implications - Part I - Interview with Richard Nourse, Greencoat Capital
EP.13 Spring Forum Preview #4 An interview with Vattenfall’s Danielle Lane
EP.12 Spring Forum Preview #3 An interview with ScottishPower’s Keith Anderson
EP.11 Spring Forum Preview #2 An interview with Falck Renewables’ Toni Volpe
EP.10 Spring Forum Preview #1 An interview with Equinor’s Stephen Bull
EP.9 Alan Whitehead MP challenged on Labour’s Net Zero policy at Aurora Battery Storage Conference
EP.8 - Aurora Battery Storage and Flexibility Conference 2019
EP.7 - Aurora Summer Renewables Summit 2019
EP.6 - Aurora Spring Forum 2019 - The Future of Energy
EP.5 - Spring Forum Preview with Irene Rummelhoff, Equinor, Executive Vice President of MMP
EP.3 - Spring Forum Preview with Audrey Zibelman, CEO AEMO
EP.2 - Spring Forum Preview with James Samworth, Greencoat Capital
EP.1 - Aurora Battery Conference 2018
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