Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

CarbonTracker’s Kingsmill Bond on his new report showing why wind and solar are already driving the most rapid energy transition the world has seen. Plus: Biden’s stunning climate pledge, Morrison digs in, and the AGL break-up.

Eric Coldham from Star of the South discusses the massive 2GW offshore wind project in Victoria that could be up and running in 2028. Plus: Te gas bauble bursts.

Logan Goldie-Scot, head of clean power research at BloombergNEF, discusses supply chain and price forecasts for battery storage, EVs and green hydrogen. Plus: Not so Kean on Turnbull, and Walcha’s big play.

AGL CEO Brett Redman on the reasons behind the utility’s proposed split, the pace of change with new technologies, and what’s next.

AEMC CEO Benn Barr discussed the controversial new solar tax, and the rule maker’s approach to the re-write of the energy market design. Plus: Batteries vs gas.

AEMO presses the off button for rooftop solar, and can EVs really provide battery storage on wheels for the grid. Laura Jones from ANU’s School of Electrical, Energy and Materials Engineering, gives an update.

We analyse the closure of Yallourn, the response from Angus Taylor, and are joined by The City of Newcastle’s Adam Clarke on how the coal city is transitioning to clean energy.

Greens leader Adam Bandt joins Energy Insiders to discuss his party’s policies, the Coalition’s “deliberate” misinformation program, and the chances of striking a deal with Labor.

Texas blackouts have lessons for Australia. As climate impacts grow, new market reforms are introduced, and more battery storage comes into the grid.

Ausgrid says one-fifth of the NSW storage target could be met with community batteries located in streets in suburbs.

Can AGL survive the rapid energy transition, what does the new CEO mean for Australia’s grid, and more big batteries.

Battery storage and other technologies are likely to take on all the system services once delivered by fossil fuel generators. Stephen Sproul from Hitachi ABB explains how.

The uptake of rooftop solar has defied the expectations of energy utilities, but networks now see it and battery storage as the key to their future. Ausnet’s Alistair Parker explains why.

A new conservative think tank proposes an orderly and faster closure plan for coal generators. Can conservatives really get on board the energy transition?

In a world of ageing coal clunkers and big dreams of renewable energy exports, we speak to Josh Gabbatiss from Carbon Brief about the potential for green hydrogen.

A combination of corporate and state government demand rescued many wind and solar projects in 2020. Chris Briggs explains why.

We talk to UQ’s EV specialist Jake Whitehead about the impact of the proposed electric vehicle road tax, and look at the contest of ideas between NSW and Canberra, and more big battery and green hydrogen announcements.

NSW energy minister Matt Kean explains why the state is fast-tracking plans to transition from coal to renewables. Plus: Australia’s newest big battery, and very big green hydrogen plans.

Tilt Renewables CEO Deion Campbell explains why wind farms are better value than solar right now, and challenges at Dundonnell. Plus: Big renewable visions from NSW and Fortescue.

The head of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Ian Learmonth, expects a “raft” of battery storage deals, but says role of CEFC in new gas generation is “debatable”.

China has set a net zero emissions target, which ultimately means the closure of the biggest coal fleet in the world. China coal expert Ryna Yiyun Cui from the University of Maryland explains how this might be done.

Rick Francis, CEO of network investor Spark Infrastructure, explains why networks are key to the clean energy transition. And it’s not just poles and wires.

In her first interview since announcing her surprise decision to leave AEMO, Audrey Zibelman explains why she took the position with Google’s X, and what’s next for Australia’s clean energy transition.

The new Warradarge wind farm north of Perth will be one of Australia’s best performing, with a capacity factor of around 50%. Bright Energy’s Tom Frood explains why, and we look at the latest network news.

The soon-to-depart Audrey Zibelman and the newly re-appointed Kerry Schott make clear that the clean energy transition in Australia will be rapid.

Tesla’s Battery Day delivered anticipated cost cuts, but the agency to act is highlighted by both Elon Musk and our guest, Zeke Hausfather from The Breakthrough Institute.

The Coalition’s energy week begins with big gas plans and finishes with more support for carbon capture and storage. And we talk to lithium market expert Rod Hooper ahead of Tesla’s Battery Day.

Queensland energy minister Anthony Lynham says the future of Australia is in renewable energy. All the states understand this, the only party that doesn’t is the federal government.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Stephen Davy steps down this week with a prediction that the clean energy transition can happen faster than people think, but will need new market signals.

AEMO’s Alex Wonhas joins Energy Insiders to discuss the new 20-year plan to manage the switch to a renewables dominated grid, and how to connect this new wind and solar capacity.

The West Australia grid is in the midst of an energy transition, but is on its own. AEMO’s Dean Sharafi explains the importance of inertia, and the potential of grid-forming inverters.

Ross Garnaut on his split with Gupta, his Sunshot plan for renewables, and how Australia can still become a clean energy superpower.

W.A. energy minister Bill Johnston and a panel of experts join the Energy Insiders podcast to discuss the conversion of miners to wind and solar, and plans for the state’s main grid.

Australia’s energy transition is accelerating, but energy minister Angus Taylor is doing his best to try and bury the details and the key decisions.

Two NGOs have proposed a new rule change to ensure that all solar households have right to export, and that networks are making the appropriate investment to allow this.

SwitchedIn CEO Andrew Mears joins the Energy Insiders podcast to talk about behind the meter issues, virtual power plants and all things, digital, distributed and democratic.

NSW energy minister Matt Kean says cheap and clean wind, solar and storage can turn the state into an economic superpower. It’s an opportunity too good to miss.

International Council on Clean Transportation chief Drew Kodjak on the need for the world’s car manufacturers to catch up with Tesla, and why Australia should - at the very least - introduce fuel economy standards.

Battery storage company Fluence unveils its latest technology and argues the case for batteries to act as “virtual transmission” and "virtual dams”.

Telstra is back in the market looking for new wind and solar projects to help get it to its 100 per cent renewables target by 2025, as its Belong subsidiary launches new campaign about emissions from mobile data.

Sun Cable CEO David Griffin joins Energy Insiders to discuss the latest update for the $20 billion plan to build the world’s biggest solar farm and biggest battery storage plant in the Northern Territory.

Julien Vincent from Market Forces on the campaign to get banks, investment houses and superannuation funds to switch away from fossil fuels and into new clean technologies.

AEMO’s Alex Wonhas joins Energy Insiders to discuss the operator’s Renewables Integration Study and how to integrate world-leading 75 per cent wind and solar into Australia’s main grid.

Transgrid CEO Paul Italiano discusses new upgrade and the challenge - putting square pegs in round holes - of negotiating Australia’s complex regulatory regime

Bloomberg NEF’s Kobad Bhavnagri on the prospects for a hydrogen economy, and why green hydrogen will easily beat coal hydrogen on costs and emissions.

WA energy minister Bill Johnston joins the Energy Insiders podcast to explain his state’s transition plans. “We can make our own rules,” he says.

ClimateWorks CEO Anna Skarbek on her latest report identifying ways to rapidly decarbonise Australia’s economy. Plus: WA’s ground-breaking distributed energy plan, and falling power prices.

Acciona’s Brett Wickham joins Energy Insiders to discuss his company’s plans for a 1029MW wind farm in Queensland, and the future of storage. Plus: Genex lands contract for pumped hydro.

Is there a better way to respond to Covid-19? Economist Matt Grudnoff on why the government stimulus package should lock in secondary benefits, the type you get from renewables.

New analysis from Carbon Tracker finds governments and investors risk losing $1 trillion through investments in new coal generation, because it can’t compete with wind and solar.