Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

Energy Insiders returns with an interview with former CEFC boss Oliver Yates, now challenging Josh Frydenberg in the “Menzies” seat of Kooyong, and a wrap of recent events.

Warren Lasher, head of system planning at the ERCOT grid in Texas, joins Energy Insiders to explain how that state is managing the huge influx of renewables - and a final wrap for the year.

An interview with Neoen on the performance of the Tesla big battery at Hornsdale in its first year, and Australia’s $20 billion wind and solar boom.

Mark Butler explains the details of Labor’s energy and climate policy, and how to reach 50% renewables and 45% emission reduction cuts by 2030.

What does Victoria poll result mean for renewables, and has Labor got it right with its new energy plan?

Former ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht joins Energy Insiders to provide some fascinating insights into the politics of energy, and the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy.

We talk to newly appointed Momentum Energy CEO Amy Childs, and look at the Coalition’s ham-fisted intervention in energy markets, and some good news on solar and batteries.

Which Australian companies will go 100 per cent renewable? We talk to the head of RE100, who has been to Australia, while David Leitch let’s fly against the “fair dinkum bullshit” of the latest government energy intervention.

Flow Power is pioneering new retail model delivering renewable energy to big business consumes. We talk to CEO Matthew van der Linden.

Coalswarm is an anti-coal NGO that is using satellite technology to keep track of coal generators across the world. We interview found and director Ted Nace, also the author of Gangs of America.

A special edition of Energy Insiders featuring David Leitch, Nigel Morris, Simon Corbell, and Glen Morelli “live” from the All Energy conference in Melbourne.

Origin’s Greg Jarvis on why renewables are cheaper than coal, why baseload is thing of the past, and why its looking at storage instead.

Simon Holmes à Court from the Energy Transition Hub spends much of his time challenging anti-renewable myths, and those who spread them - including energy minister Angus Taylor.

Interview with Greg Bourne on Climate Council’s report on transport emissions, and Deloitte’s John O’Brien on the overwhelming case for renewables.

SA energy minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan talks about his visit to Angus Taylor, and the South Australia subsidies for battery storage. And we take a look at Victoria’s renewable auction results and the discovery of a new power source in Canberra.

With wind, solar and storage clearly beating fossil fuels on costs, would conservatives seek to stop that investment if it were not also about emissions? Emma Herd, from the IGCC, joins us for a fascinating discussion.

ANU’s Andrew Blakers and GE’s Bill Armstrong on the future of pumped hydro in Australia. Where and when will it be built?

Angus Taylor - who has spent years fighting renewable energy targets and attacking wind farm developments - is now energy minister. We assess.

Victoria energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio talks about the state’s big rooftop solar initiative; David Leitch accuses Rod Sims of stepping over the line; and why price caps could cause bills to rise.

Despite NEG imbroglio, CoAG did some good work on integration of renewables and looking to green hydrogen future. Plus: Interview with NAB’s energy market guru, Andrew Smith.

The remarkable predictions of the Energy Security Board - death to wind, solar and big batteries. Plus, fear and loathing at CEC Summit and an interview with Vestas CEO Peter Cowling.

Kane Thornton on the CEC’s qualified support for the NEG, and the new connection hurdles threatening major wind and solar projects in Victoria, Queensland and NSW.

The straw-man arguments for the NEG drawn up by the Energy Security Board, compounds a disappointing ACCC report. Is there an agenda afoot? Of course there is.

AEMO chief executive Audrey Zibelman discusses he newly released Integrated System Plan, and why we can have a cheaper, reliable grid with more renewables.

NSW Labor says no to new coal, but may support government ownership of new wind and solar plants as it aims for high renewables share.

What future do EVs have in Australia? We talk to independent Senator Tim Storer, who is to chair Australia’s first parliamentary inquiry into the technology.

Tassie Hydro is putting together a plan to become the “clean energy battery of the nation”. But how does it stack up?

The latest version of the NEG is raising fears that while it might continue to be useless, at least for cutting emissions, it may not be benign. Dylan McConnell from the Climate and Energy College shares his concerns.

Labor climate and energy spokesman Mark Butler talks to RenewEconomy about two important topics: the proposed National Energy Guarantee and electric vehicles.

NSW grid treads fine line, big news in solar(and storage) usher in new era, and Frydenberg explains his emissions targets and where RenewEconomy gets it wrong.

Genex executive director Simon Kidston on the world-leading solar and pumped hydro storage plant planned for an old gold mine in north Queensland, and the changing face of generation.

Interviews with the South Australia Liberal government’s energy minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan, and battery storage maker Redflow’s Simon Hackett.

AEMO chief executive Audrey Zibelman on the summer review, plans for more storage and demand management, and managing the transition to a consumer focused and flexible grid. This interview was recorded following Zibelman’s address to the South Australian Chamber of Commerce and Mines and Energy at there fringes of the Australian Energy Storage conference in Adelaide.

Western Australia has an opportunity to lead the world on micro-grid technology, with energy companies hailing solar and battery as the next revolution. We speak to Jessica Shaw, who is heading a parliamentary inquiry into micro-grids.

ERM Power CEO Jon Stretch on the NEG, "solar firming" contracts, his LGC strategy and the shift to renewables.

CWP’s Andrew Dickson is working on a $20 billion wind and solar proposal for the Pilbara, and a remarkable solar taxi project in Africa.

In Victoria 200 dairy farms are being invited to join a “virtual” mini grid powered by blockchain technology and their own solar and storage. But what is blockchain? And what are the benefits?

States should be able to iron our the wrinkles in the technical parts of the NEG, but what to do with an emissions reduction target that is “useless and atrocious”.

The National Energy Guarantee has been re-designed. What does this mean? Plus: Three interviews from last week’s smart energy conference.

Paul Denholm, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, explains how storage is changing the game in the world’s biggest electricity grid.

ACT energy minister Shane Rattenbury on why the ACT won’t be bullied on the NEG; and why Monash Forum is last gasp for its battery storage rollout, and how the ACT’s 100% renewable target is costing little.

Why wind energy is considered the Mercedes of the energy market, and solar the iPhone. And the latest on the NEG.

The South Australia vote, deepening concerns about the NEG; the apparent split between Australia’s two leading energy institutions over policy and market rules, and CUB’s embrace of 100% renewables.

Ausgrid CEO Richard Gross explains why his network wants more solar, and how it plans to incorporate battery storage and electric vehicles.

Mara Bun, the new president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, on Adani, and the focus on environment, energy, and climate for one of Australia’s leading NGOs.

Germany’s sonnen talks market for battery storage, and its plans for manufacturing plant in Australia. Plus: Why the NEG is looking a mess, and Snowy 2.0 needs more wind and solar.

South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill explains why state election must be a referendum on renewables; hails Tesla battery; and applauds new AEMO boss.

Tilt Renewables’ plan to combine wind, solar, battery storage and pumped hydro seems to be a blueprint for the future grid in Australia.

Powershop’s Ed McManus on the retailer’s ground-breaking wind, solar and hydro deals, and why the Tesla big battery, and the even bigger Tesla virtual power plant, is good for consumers.

Electric vehicles are on the front pages of the mainstream media, largely because of all the wrong reasons. Behyad Jafari, the head of the EV Council, joins Energy Insiders to help sort fact from fiction.