Energy Unplugged by Aurora

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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! Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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 [email protected]. Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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? Support the show

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? Support the show

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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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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. Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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? Support the show

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? Support the show