Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

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.

Giles Parkinson and David Leitch discuss why there were more highs than lows in 2017, and why that might be repeated in 2018.

AGL chief economist Tim Nelson on renewable and storage replacement options for Liddell, the move beyond base-load, and what will make the NEG work.

AEMO boss Audrey Zibelman discusses NEG and future of energy, saying trying to stop the transition is like trying to stop the internet.

The Tesla big battery, the first big intervention by AEMO due to gas supply issues, and what big energy users really want: lower prices.

The Queensland poll result, the COAG meeting, and an interview with the lead author of the new Finkel report on energy storage.

Renewables and energy efficiency are expected to deliver the bulk of emissions reductions over the next few decades. But how do we get policies that encourage both? Special Edition from the National Energy Efficiency Conference.

A special edition of Energy Insiders for the Disruptive Innovation Festival, focusing on how data and tech can transform the consumer experience of electricity.

California Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister joins Energy Insiders to explain that state’s approach to high renewables targets, storage, energy efficiency and demand management.

CEFC boss Ian Learmonth joins Energy Insiders to discuss the NEG, the new Lincoln Gap wind farm with battery storage, and what’s next for the CEFC’s growing portfolio.

Why Whyalla’s green steel turns the tables on the fossil fuel industry; why networks suddenly love rooftop solar; and why Garnaut’s down on the NEG.

Windlab explains why world-first wind plus solar plus storage facility in Queensland will beat coal, and why NEG is so disappointing to industry.

Does the fact that it got past the Coalition party room make the National Energy Guarantee good policy?

Australia’s energy debate hit peak stupid last week, and then got even worse. Meanwhile, in China, the world’s biggest polluter may have already reached peak emissions.

Australian lithium miner Orocobre on the looming shortfall in lithium needed for EVs and batteries, and on the deficiency of Australia’s energy policies.

The owner of the so called Tesla big battery is French company Neoen. Its Australian head Franck Woitiez joins Energy Insiders to discuss that project, and other storage projects on the horizon.

Power Ledger’s Jemma Green on how blockchain technology will allow consumers to share solar energy; while David Leitch and Giles Parkinson differ on whether we should ignore Tony Abbott.

A road trip to the Hunter Valley to visit Liddell and Tomago, the Murdoch media’s renewable fabrications, and political stalemates.

New head of AEMO expert advisory committee says Coalition push for Liddell is mystifying, given AEMO and Finkel Review, while analyst David Leitch says it is Venezuela-Style politics.

What will AEMO tell the government about the need for more baseload? And why Turnbull’s meeting with the big retailers was a waste of time.

Victoria delivers on its promised path to 40 per cent renewables, but what is NSW up to? John Grimes, head of the Australian solar council and energy council, joins Energy Insiders to also talk about the back-down on battery storage by Standards Australia, the ongoing rush to large scale solar, and the policy gap in Canberra.

Solar thermal expert Keith Lovegrove joins Energy Insiders to discuss the Port Augusta solar tower project. Will it make money? How will it change energy markets? Plus: Cheap wind, and complaining manufacturers.

Tristan Edis joins the EI team to discuss Turnbull’s Kath and Kim moment; when too much solar is never enough; and Australia’s new energy Czar.

Malcolm Turnbull has summoned the eight biggest energy retailers to Canberra for a summit. What will he tell them? Plus: A 1GW solar plant.

Marija Petkovic, the CEO of Energy Synapse, joins Energy Insiders to discuss the release of the Model 3, the energy price wars, and the smarter way to address energy costs.

Greensync’s Phil Blythe joins the Energy Insiders to discuss his award winning Victoria micro-grid project and the future of energy.

What COAG means, the extraordinary response to the Tesla battery, Malcom Turnbull’s coal delusions and the appallingly ugly Alan Jones.

Labor’s mark Butler discussed his new book Climate Wars and his vision for a clean energy future and how to get there.

ENA boss John Bradley joins the Energy Insiders to discuss Sonnen’s battery launch, rising bills, the push for coal plants and how networks will lower their own costs.

Simon McKenzie from Vector discusses big Australian battery storage tender win, and the future of utilities.

Goldwind CEO John Titchen on record low wind costs, wind/solar hybrids and another big wind farm, the Finkel Review and why Tasmania should get an extra connection to mainland to be the “renewable battery”.

Regular Insiders Giles Parkinson and David Leitch are joined by Simon Corbell to discuss the Finkel Review, Victoria’s renewables target, and the shifts in battery storage.

Can Alan Finkel’s energy blueprint find a political compromise and beat a path to the Paris climate goals? And why a three-notice requirement for closing coal generators might be a bad idea.

Telstra push into solar to be followed by other corporates, and what Trump’s dumb decision on Paris means for Australia.