Interchange Recharged

Over 50 million homes in the US use propane. Within a few years, anywhere from 100-300 million gallons of renewable propane are expected to be available for homes and the transport industry. By 2050, renewable propane could meet half the world’s demand for non-chemical propane. So, the demand is there, but are the means of production? Where is the feedstock coming from and how scalable are production methods? To answer this, we are joined by Mike Stivala, President and CEO of Suburban Propane Partners, a nationwide distributor of propane and renewable propane.  The benefits of renewable propane are clear: reliability, portability and power, but with four times less carbon intensity than its regular counterpart.  How is Suburban Propane Partners tackling the issues of supply chain? Where does Mike see the future of the sector and where is the investment coming from? Listen to find out.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Department of Energy’s ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy) is an agency tasked with the research and development of advanced energy technologies. Since 2009, they’ve provided nearly US$4 billion in funding for more than 1500 potentially transformative energy technology projects. One particular area of focus for them at the moment is advanced nuclear. There’s a lot of potential for nuclear to deliver reliable power to millions of American homes, but projects are still finding costs prohibitive. Could advancements in technology be the thing to change this? Jenifer Shafer is Associate Director for Technology at ARPA-E, and she joins us to discuss initiatives in her department, and the focus on reducing imports, reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing American competitiveness in clean energy manufacturing.  What are the priorities for nuclear? Is it advancements in technology, getting costs down, or removing regulatory barriers to deployment? To analyse the current state of the sector, Jenifer is are joined by David Brown, Director of Energy Transition Practice at Wood Mackenzie, for the second half of the show. Together they explore the impact of the Biden administration's US$900 million support for nuclear small modular reactors, and the government’s role in sponsoring new supply sources for uranium. To keep up to date with everything we talk about on the show, sign up for the newsletter. You’ll get extra analysis from Wood Mackenzie and be notified when a new episode of the podcast is out. https://www.woodmac.com/nslp/the-inside-track/sign-up/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Demand for heating at industrial sites around the world is rising. How can demand be met sustainably?Think of energy storage, and what do you think of? Probably lithium and nickel. But what about salt, and bricks? One of the big challenges for the energy transition is storage. It’s a particular problem for industrial-scale buildings and areas that need a lot of energy. Currently about half the energy demand is heat, and electric batteries are (most of the time) the ones providing it.Where you need heat, you need a big battery. Or do you? On the Interchange: Recharged, we explore the other options that are emerging. Professor Robert Barthorpe is a lecturer in the Dynamics Research Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield. He joins us to discuss the new technologies that are opening up possibilities when it comes to providing heat to homes in the UK. There are plenty of options on a residential scale, but what about industrial?In California, a company called Rondo is approaching the issue of heat delivery to commercial-scale buildings with a novel solution: they’re using bricks to store energy at half the cost of green hydrogen or chemical batteries. What’s the technology look like, and how scalable is it? We talk to CEO John O’Donnell to find out.Finally, another innovative way of storing energy in the form of heat comes from Norwegian-based company Kyoto. What they call the Heatcube is a structure of vertical tanks filled with molten salt, that are charged by renewable electricity at periods of low cost. Installed at the site where heat is needed, the Heatcube stores it at 500c for use when required. Camilla Nilsson is CEO at Kyoto, and she joins us to explore the Heatcube and the trends in demand for heat across global industry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5x growth in five years: Convergent energy is overseeing $1 billion worth of energy storage development.Managing intermittent energy supply is a crucial part of the energy transition. When the wind doesn’t blow, or the sun doesn’t shine, we need a backup. Across two days of the Solar & Energy Storage summit, industry leaders and analysts explored the newest technology providing that service. Peter Cavan is Senior Vice President of Market Development at Convergent. They finance and manage all aspects of on-site renewable energy development and operations to significantly and sustainably lower electricity bills for the industrial sector, electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities, and investor owned utilities. Peter joins us in the SESS podcast studio to discuss the future of energy storage and the trends in the market. Convergent has over 800 MW of storage and 1 GWh of solar-plus-storage capacity operating or under development. How has their approach to storage evolved over the past decade? How are utilities integrating distributed storage into their operations? And where does Peter see the next big innovation in the sector coming from? To wrap up our SESS 2024 coverage, we bring you everything you need to know about distributed energy storage.For more information from our sponsor Convergent Energy and Power on their industry-leading battery storage and solar solutions, please go to convergentep.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2024 Solar and Energy Storage Summit has wrapped. What are the key takeaways?In the past three years there’s been a lot of advancement in solar deployment. We’ve seen technology develop and policy support increase. The key talking points have changed similarly in the last three years of the event, but a common thread has been consistent: the importance of supportive government policy. We are joined by Vanessa Witte, Senior Research Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, and Kelly Sarber, CEO of Strategic Management Group to recap the summit and explore the impact of the most important climate legislation in living memory: the IRA. New tariffs on solar and storage are part of it – what’s the impact been? What are the policy effects on emerging markets?Plus, supply chain issues in 2022 were a major talking point. Have these been resolved? On previous episodes of the show the issue of bottlenecks to new projects was raised as a big concern – Vanessa gives her perspective on this. It’s a high cost of capital environment and it’s causing delays. What can be done?Finally, Kelly explores the geopolitical risks, and the impacts of tariffs and policies aimed at strengthening domestic solar manufacturing. Registration for the 2025 Solar and Energy Storage summit will be open soon. Keep an eye on woodmac.com/events to secure your ticket. Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss any of the analysis from the Solar and Energy Storage Summit on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow. For more information from our sponsor Convergent Energy and Power on their industry-leading battery storage and solar solutions, please go to convergentep.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Insight and analysis from the second day of the Solar & Energy Storage Summit 2024. Day 2 of the 2024 Solar and Energy Storage Summit and the conversation was still in full swing. We were there once again to capture all the debate and discussion on the future of the solar energy sector. Electrification is at the heart of the energy transition. There’s been a sharp rise in grid connection capabilities in the last couple of years, and it’s causing a headache for the industry. Permitting queues are long, and connection charges are high. What needs to change to ease these? Kelly Snyder is Senior Director, Origination, at EDP Renewables. She joins us to discuss it, as well as the latest trends in solar PPAs.What’s the future of US electricity demand? Data centres, EV infrastructure and widespread electrification are causing a surge in demand, so how much is going to be met by green energy? Leuwam Tesfai is Deputy Executive Director for Energy and Climate Policy at the California Public Utilities Commission. She spoke to us about California’s plans to secure solar and storage supply chains to ensure there’s enough clean energy to meet demand. Plus, conversations with Oscar Araujo, General Manager for North America at Canadian Solar, and Shaun Laughlin of Solaris Energy, on mitigating climate risk and clean energy finance. Connection bottlenecks and possible solutions to the problem, PPAs, solar and storage technology and trends in funding and finance: it’s all here on our recap of day 2 of the summit.Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss any of the analysis from the Solar and Energy Storage Summit. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.For more information from our sponsor Convergent Energy and Power on their industry-leading battery storage and solar solutions, please go to convergentep.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Insight and analysis from Day 1 of the Solar & Energy Storage Summit 2024The 2024 Solar and Energy Storage Summit from Wood Mackenzie kicked off in San Francisco this week. We were there to capture all the debate and discussion on the future of the solar energy sector. If you couldn’t be there in person, we’ve got you covered. We are joined by a roster of expert analysts and industry leaders to explore the key topics. It’s a packed show, with conversation around the technology, policy and financing of the solar industry. There’s over a terawatt of solar, and gigawatts of storage in interconnection queues around the US. If all of that was built today, we’d have all the solar and storage we need to decarbonise the grid. How are these bottlenecks being eased? Why are projects taking years to complete? Becca Jones-Albertus, from US Department of Energy, joins us first on the show to discuss it, and analyse the latest advanced solar tech. Plus, what impact has the IRA had on the industry? Cassidy DeLine is CEO of Linea Energy, and she argues that there are three clear wins from the historic bill. David gets a new perspective on financing for projects from Kelsey Clair, Director at NY Green Bank, and a look at storage technology and government policy with Mike Graveley from the California Energy Commission. Finally, it wouldn’t be an energy podcast in 2024 without a look at the integration of AI. Kendra Williamson is Senior Principal at Key Capture Energy, and she talks with us about the nuances of storage optimisation. Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss any of the analysis from the Solar and Energy Storage Summit. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow. For more information from our sponsor Convergent Energy and Power on their industry-leading battery storage and solar solutions, please go to convergentep.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Increased energy demand is inevitable. How do make sure the grid can cope?We’ll likely need a grid twice the size it is today. And balancing supply and demand in the years ahead will require a smart approach.Transmission capacity is one of the most important things to address as we accelerate the energy transition. Achieving net zero by 2050 will require an upgrade and expansion of the grid, in the UK and US. So how do we do it?We are joined by Ben Wilson, Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer at National Grid, to analyse the grid-enhancing technology and investment we need to see deployed. Together they discuss the path to a smarter, more advanced grid.Ben highlights the need for policy support as well; streamlining permitting processes is crucial.In this episode, find out how National Grid is planning and investing in new infrastructure, the approach to finding and investing in the latest tech, and the importance of dynamic line ratings in managing energy demand.About National GridNational Grid is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Catch up on the latest episodes of National Grid’s podcast, The Clean Energy Revolution, which explores the people, policies, and projects that are leading the transition to clean energy.For more information, please visit nationalgrid.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can innovative new lithium extraction methods prevent a supply chain crisis?New lithium extraction methods are essential to meet the rising demand driven by EVs and grid storage. Traditional methods are time-consuming, geographically limited, and in some cases environmentally damaging. The concentration of lithium mines worldwide has implications for the supply chain; the fewer producers there are, the higher the likelihood of disruption. Lithium often travels tens of thousands of miles, so reducing these scope 3 emissions is critical.Xerion is a company who are trying to address this issue. John Busbee is Founder and CEO, and he chats to us about Xerion’s development of new lithium extraction techniques.Xerion are also developing methods to create newer, more efficient batteries with the lithium they extract. Paul Braun is the Director of the Materials Research Laboratory, and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois. He also joins the show, and says there’s no escaping lithium as a key component for EVs and batteries, so the question is how to mine it efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.New techniques in extraction and battery production promise to reduce CAPex by two-thirds and emissions by 40%. How do they do it? Can these technologies make clean energy more accessible and affordable? We find out. The Interchange will be at the annual Solar & Energy Storage Summit in San Francisco from the 12th of June. We’ll be recording some special shows from the event, with all the conversation and analysis on the solar sector in the US and beyond. Get your ticket at woodmac.com/events/solar-energy-storage-summitSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the UK, the collaboration between banks and policymakers is crucial for accelerating the energy transition. The financial sector in the UK managed assets worth over 9 trillion UK pounds (11.3 trillion USD) as of 2020, with a considerable portion needing realignment towards sustainable investments to meet the 2050 net zero goal. The Climate Change Committee, an independent advisory board to the UK government, estimates 50 billion UK pounds, or US$60 billion per year, is needed to meet net zero goals.Heather Buchanan is co-founder of Bankers For Net Zero, an initiative aiming to involve banks with governments to make better investment and policy decisions for the energy transition. One significant need for investment is the retrofitting of the housing stock; over half of the UK’s homes are old and inefficient. This a major challenge for banks. With host David Banmiller, Heather explores the financial implications of decarbonizing financed emissions from all banking products by 2050.Plus, the importance of Energy Performance Certificates and measuring efficiency, the financial incentives to de-risk clean energy investments, and how B4NZ is working to engage banks, government and NGOs to drive us to net zero. Collaboration is crucial, but it’s a constant struggle.For more information visit woodmac.com/podcasts. The Interchange is back at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar Energy and Storage Summit, in San Francisco on June 12. To secure your ticket visit woodmac.com/events/solar-energy-storage-summit.In this episode:00:00:08: Importance of collaboration between banks and policymakers for energy transition00:00:43: About Bankers for Net Zero initiative00:01:20: Discussion begins about financial community involvement in energy transition00:01:35: Introduction and milestones of Bankers for Net Zero00:04:19: Focus area for Bankers for Net Zero00:06:06: Challenges faced in housing issue and retrofit issue00:08:33: Introduction to National Retrofit Hub and role of energy performance certificate00:10:40: Ideas to de-risk financial burden of energy efficiency00:12:24: Coordinating energy efficiency on a larger scale00:14:41: Importance of convincing constituents00:15:22: Role of communities in the energy efficiency transition00:16:20: Designing policy to support the energy efficiency efforts00:18:01: Importance and issues of EPC in retrofitting00:20:00: Balancing energy security and costs00:23:35: The Role of Financial Institutions & SME's00:25:50: Changes to GHG Protocols00:27:04: Introduction to Project PerseusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Estimates for the cost of decarbonising could be inaccurate. What does that mean for investment and policy-making? About $1.2 trillion is invested annually in climate technology and infrastructure worldwide, with significant portions allocated to China due to its accelerated decarbonization goals. However, experts argue that about $9 trillion could be needed annually to effectively counter climate change, indicating a substantial gap in current funding​. Debate continues over the economic feasibility of such costs, to the detriment of progress, but what if the cost was actually far less? RMI, the research and clean energy advocacy group, says that this may indeed be the case. These forecasts could be overinflated by trillions of dollars. If that’s true, what will it mean for investors, markets and policy? We are joined by Dan Goldman, managing partner at Clean Energy Ventures, a VC that funds startups developing early stage breakthrough technologies. He says the there’s a significant investment shortfall – regardless of the total cost of decarbonising – currently to stabilise global temperatures. He discusses a downturn in venture capital investments in climate tech, particularly affecting early-stage companies and innovation in new technologies. Challenges remain in scaling up clean energy technologies due to a combination of high interest rates, inflationary pressures, and supply chain disruptions, which increase costs and complicate project implementations.There's a specific shortfall in investment for infrastructure necessary for large-scale renewable energy implementations, like wind and solar, which are essential for a robust energy transition. We discuss how this could be addressed, and analyse the current economic environment, characterized by high costs and uncertain returns.  Is it these barriers that are hindering significant capital flow into this sector, or the forecasted cost for decarbonising global energy systems? How can global financial strategies be adjusted to accelerate the necessary investments in clean energy and technology? Find out on the show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SMRs: a new horizon in Nuclear Power.This week on The Interchange: Recharged, we are joined by Ted Nordhaus, Executive Director at the Breakthrough Institute, an environmental research centre in Berkley, California. They focus on finding technological solutions to environmental problems.Achieving a net-zero emission grid by 2050, they claim, with a significant nuclear component would not only be feasible but also cost-effective compared to over-reliance on variable renewable energy sources. This approach requires substantial investment, estimated between US$150 to US$220 billion by 2035, escalating to over a trillion dollars by 2050. Together they discuss the likelihood that the private sector will drive this investment, provided that nuclear technologies are economically viable and regulatory uncertainties are addressed. They look at the Build Nuclear Now campaign, which aims to rally public support for nuclear energy and drive towards grassroots pro-nuclear advocacy. Is this a sign that public sentiment is changing?The main challenges hindering the adoption of nuclear energy include regulatory hurdles, financial barriers and ongoing concerns surrounding nuclear safety. Ted explains that regulatory reform and public sector commitment could overcome these obstacles. The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernisation Act are examples of a policy aimed at modernising the regulatory environment, to facilitate the licensing of advanced nuclear reactors.So, are SMRs the solution to everything nuclear? They’re designed to produce between 50 to 300 MW of electricity per module, which is about one-third of the generation capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. NuScale's design (listen back to our episode from April last year for more on this) for instance, is for a 77 MW module, with plans to deploy modules in groups that can generate up to 924 MW. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been actively supporting SMR development, investing over US$600 million in the past decade to assist in the design, licensing and siting of new SMR technologies in the U.S. The technology seems to be there, as does the baseline investment.What’s next for the nuclear industry? Listen to find out.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New battery technology could get EV prices down and drive mass adoptionIn this week’s episode of Wood Mackenzie’s The Interchange Recharged, we look at the rapidly evolving landscape of EVs and the battery technology that powers them. Market sentiment in the US is up and down; despite a 40% sales increase from the last quarter of 2022 to the same period in 2023, the industry is struggling with competition from China amid a price war. Batteries have a critical role to play in accelerating mass EV adoption and so their dramatic cost reduction - nearly 90% over the past 14 years – has potentially sparked an EV revolution.Joining us is Haresh Kamath, an expert in energy storage and clean tech from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Together, they explore the nuances of battery economics, the potential of cutting-edge technologies like solid-state batteries and the imperative of developing efficient recycling methods to sustain this green momentum.They examine the challenges of scaling EV infrastructure and supply chains, looking forward at the technologies that will continue to drive down costs and extend EV ranges.Subscribe to The Interchange Recharged on your preferred podcast platform, and join the conversation on X – we’re @interchangeshow. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A breakthrough way of producing hydrocarbons, crucial to the aviation industry, could reduce costs and accelerate decarbonisation.Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a key component in the aviation industry's path to decarbonization, which contributes to only 2% of global carbon emissions but is actively seeking cleaner solutions. Airbus and other aerospace companies are leading the charge, with Airbus integrating over 11 million litres of SAF in its operations in 2023, reducing carbon emissions significantly. The industry aims to increase SAF production to 17.5 billion litres by 2030, supported by initiatives like the IRA. On this episode of Wood Mackenzie's The Interchange Recharged, we speak with Andrew Symes, founder and CEO of OXCCU. They’re developing a more efficient way of converting CO2 and hydrogen into hydrocarbons, potentially a monumental step towards more scalable and environmentally-friendly fuels. Despite technological advancements, challenges in financing, regulatory support, and talent acquisition persist. SAF's integration with existing aviation infrastructure without the need for modifications is one key benefit; it could create a smoother transition to greener aviation, with expectations for SAF to achieve cost parity with Jet A fuel (the current standard) as technology and scale improve. The SAF industry enjoys broad support from airlines, governments and regulatory initiatives, who are pushing for increased SAF adoption towards a net-zero future by 2050. The technology behind SAF, and as Andrew explains, the science behind OXCCU, not only promises to revolutionise aviation but also has applications in producing chemicals and plastics, signalling a broader impact on sustainability across various sectors and the goal of a circular economy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Half of the energy workforce is employed in clean energy technologies. By 2030, over 10 million new jobs will need to be filled as the energy transition continues. China, for example, employs 3 million workers in clean energy manufacturing – accounting for 80% of solar PV and EV battery manufacturing jobs globally. Skill shortages are as significant a bottleneck as lack of investment or supply chain constraints, so how can the industry ensure there’s enough people to build, maintain and design clean energy infrastructure?On the show today, we are joined by Caleigh Andrews, Energy Analyst and Modeller at the International Energy Agency. The IEA emphasises the need for clear policies that drive demand for clean technologies, in order to attract and retain skilled labor. Reskilling and attracting new people to the energy workforce require a combination of market incentives and political will, so what are these incentives? And what can governments do to incentivise reskilling?AI can play a role in easing the skilling burden and establishing standardised credentials, but with manufacturing and maintenance a large part of it, are the use cases for AI limited?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recent legislation in the US promises to be a boon for geothermal energy production.In January, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bipartisan bill that could have a big impact on the geothermal sector. Effectively putting geothermal on the same footing as oil and gas - by excluding geothermal development from strict NEPA rules – the bill could cut the red tape and boost production in the sector.Geothermal has a lot of potential. The DOE estimates it could contribute almost 10% of US energy capacity by 2050. New geothermal technology, which uses horizontal drilling to drill multiple wells into geothermal reservoirs from a single location, is a promising start, but more innovation is needed to become cost competitive.Joining us to discuss the legislation, and the technology that underpins the geothermal sector, are Dr Joseph Moore - Research Professor at the University of Utah and Managing Principal Investigator at Utah FORGE, a geothermal research facility managed by the Energy & Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah, and sponsored by the DOE – and Lauren Boyd, Director of the EERE’s Geothermal Technologies Office, which is sponsoring the Utah FORGE laboratory. Together they examine the cost, operation and scope for geothermal energy in the US.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The traditional process of battery development is slow, expensive, and capital-intensive. AI can help overcome the challenges of predicting battery performance, exploring the vast design space, and conducting time-consuming cycle life testing. We are joined by Alán Aspuru-Guzik, a professor at the University of Toronto specialising in Chemistry and Computer Science, and Jason Koeller, the CTO and Co-founder of Chemix, to examine the role of machine learning in EV battery development. Chemix is exploring new ways of developing batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) by utilising AI, aiming to make it faster and more efficient compared to the traditional, slower, and costlier methods. AI not only speeds up the development process by predicting performance and exploring design options, but also – as Professor Aspuru-Guzik explains - leads to innovative battery compositions that improve performance. The machines can do calculations in timeframes inconceivable for a human.There are wide-ranging applications for AI in areas beyond battery development, including grid optimisation and materials design. Professor Aspuru-Guzik shares insights into the work of the Acceleration Consortium, which aims to be a leading hub for AI-driven scientific advancements in various sectors. Jason addresses some of the practical challenges in the EV industry, such as the need for adaptable battery solutions and the hurdles in introducing new manufacturing technologies. Technological advancement in battery technology and charging infrastructure are progressing together, enabling growth in the EV market.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the outlook for low-carbon hydrogen in 2024?Green hydrogen energy, by now well-regarded as a critical component in the energy transition, is still faced with significant challenges. It’s anticipated to significantly contribute to energy needs, with projections suggesting it could supply up to 35% of the UK's energy by 2050, and there's a push in the US to dramatically reduce hydrogen production costs. The sector is experiencing rapid growth with many projects in development but reaching the Final Investment Decision (FID) stage is a key hurdle, especially in the current economic climate of high interest rates and inflation. The sector is trying to manage high initial costs and a tendency for investments to favour blue hydrogen, which is currently more cost-effective.To discuss the hydrogen market, and the policy and financial decisions to be made to accelerate the rollout, we are joined by Murray Douglas and Vicky Paley. Murray is responsible for Wood Mackenzie’s global hydrogen and ammonia research, while Vicky heads up project delivery at Protium Green Solutions.  Together they look at the updates in legislation, permits and overall government policy we’ve seen in the last 6 months and can expect this year. The US, for example, has set definitive treasury rules to give a bit more clarity to the industry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The impact of Artificial Intelligence in energy management.We're at a crossroads in the world of energy. The landscape is shifting with the increasing role of renewables, growing demand and the need for resilience against extreme weather. How do we manage power effectively to keep the grid stable and efficient? Using AI to manage demand is one possibility. The role of artificial intelligence in energy management is an exciting development. It's set to transform how we predict, price, trade and use power, all while boosting efficiency and reliability. Managing the grid is like solving a complex puzzle in real-time. The old grid, built for predictable loads, now grapples with erratic consumption and the fickleness of renewables like solar and wind. AI steps in here, using data and machine learning to improve efficiency and strengthen the grid. AI outperforms traditional models in forecasting. While these conventional models are valuable, they often miss the finer details which can lead to forecast errors. AI, on the other hand, adapts rapidly to real-time changes, enhancing the predictability of supply and demand at a detailed level.For the first Interchange episode of the year, we welcome David Miller from Gridmatic to discuss the ever-evolving use of AI in grid management. Together they explore how AI is transforming strategic forecasting, risk management and optimisation in energy infrastructure. What are the current challenges for the grid and how could AI help? What investment is required in infrastructure to optimise the grid? And what are the regulatory measures in place that are helping and hindering the rollout of smart grids?Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bridging the gap and overcoming barriers in CCS expansionIt's no secret that achieving net-zero emissions requires a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels. As the world looks to alternative energy sources to combat climate change, carbon capture and storage (CCS) emerges as a key technology enabling industries to decarbonize. By capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at their source and storing them underground, CCS can significantly mitigate the environmental impact of industries that are otherwise hard to green, such as cement production and power generation.The International Energy Agency (IEA) has set an ambitious goal for CCS, expecting it to capture around 6 billion tons of CO2 by 2051 with notable advancements within the coming years. Innovations in CCS technology aim to address concerns of scalability and cost, making it more accessible and financially feasible for industries to adopt. Aker Carbon Capture is a provider with some major projects underway, and they’ve signed an MoU with Microsoft to pursue joint innovation in the space. David Banmiller sits down with Microsoft’s Ole Henrik Ree, and Aker Carbon Capture’s Hanne Rolen, and David Phillips, to discuss the crucial role played by CCS in achieving a more sustainable future.We conclude with a discussion about the 'Carbon Capture as a Service' (CCaaS) model, a shift aimed at enhancing accessibility and practicality, and the journey towards achieving net-zero emissions.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tackling the global textile waste challenge.The fashion and textile industries are at a pivotal point, urgently needing to incorporate sustainable practices, particularly in textile recycling. With the industry's shift towards synthetic materials like polyester, there's a significant challenge in handling the large quantity of textile waste, estimated at 92 million tons globally every year. Emerging chemical textile recycling technologies, especially those focusing on common polyester-cotton blends, are key to reducing waste and decreasing reliance on new raw materials.This has major implications for the circular economy; if you can reduce textile waste to zero then the techniques could theoretically be used across other manufacturing sectors. To discuss this, we are joined by Toby Moss and Erik Koep from Worn Again. Worn-Again focuses on recycling polycotton blends, which make up 80% of all textiles.Erik and Toby explain how they navigate the intricacies of recycling materials in a world where the average garment contains multiple fabric blends, often with less than 1% of unknown materials. What strategies are they employing to expand their technology's reach, considering the scale of this global challenge?The use of polyester in textiles is almost as widespread as the use of plastic bottles in Europe. Effective recycling methods for these widely used materials are essential in reducing environmental impact, marking an important stride in changing the industry's waste management and sustainability strategies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

COP28 gets underway next week. 7 years on from the Paris Agreement, and a global stocktake of decarbonisation efforts lies ahead. Collective action is crucial, as is an exponential increase in these efforts; current policy is not enough to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C.We are joined by Angela Wilkinson, CEO of the World Energy Council, to discuss the actions and pledges the world needs to see from the summit. She highlights the need for optimism in tackling the climate crisis. Geopolitical complexities across the world add to the challenge, creating what’s known as the energy trilemma (a term coined by the WEC nearly 20 years ago). Joining Angela to explore the issues of energy security created by geopolitical tension is Elena Belletti, Head of Carbon Research at Wood Mackenzie.Together they look at the accountability of government and corporations with high emissions profiles, changing societal and even economic norms, and the technology (like CCS) which could form most of the debate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recycling plastic into feedstock is a crucial piece of the energy transition puzzle. We use a lot of plastic – 380 million tons of it is produced every year. Reducing the amount of fossil fuels used in its production, and minimizing waste going into landfill is crucial as we accelerate towards net zero.Plastic Energy is a plastic producer who are leading this charge. In this week’s Interchange: Recharged, we sit down with Adela Putinelu, Head of Policy and Sustainability at Plastic Energy.They talk about the technology used to turn end-of-life plastic into feedstock for the production of new plastic products.How can we create a circular economy with recycling? What part will it play in the energy transition, and where is the demand for 100% recycled plastics?Subscribe to the show on your podcast platform of choice and visit woodmac.com/podcasts to listen back to previous episodes. Join in the conversation on X – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New forecasts for weather patterns could help the solar and wind industries make better investment decisions in the long term.Climate trends are accelerating rapidly. Global temperatures hovered consistently at around 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels from January to August. Then in September, they shot up to 1.8 degrees. Dr Zeke Hausfather, research scientist at Berkeley Earth, opined in a recent NYT piece that global warming has actually accelerated in the last 15 years, rather than continuing at a gradual pace. The effects of climate change are no longer something for the next generation to worry about; they’re being felt here, and now. As a result, it’s crucial to deploy renewables as quickly and efficiently as possible. This involves continuing to invest in the two largest sectors – wind and solar. There’s a strong correlation between the effectiveness of these energy sources and the weather predictions we make to inform our long-term planning and investment decisions. Anticipating and planning for variability in supply and demand comes from analyzing historical weather and climate data. On the Interchange Recharged today, we are joined by Rob Cirincione, founder and CEO of Sunairio. They have a model which they say can make better predictions for solar and wind demand and supply, helping the industry to make better investment decisions and deploy more quickly. Traditionally, historical data has been the primary tool for making predictions about future weather events and their possible impact on supply-demand imbalances. Historical data has its limits and does not always provide an accurate representation of future weather events. With climate change accelerating faster than we thought, and with a limited amount of historical data available, there’s a need for modeled projections to fill this gap.For instance, in the solar industry, historical average models like the typical meteorological year (TMY) are used to predict future performance and returns. However, the assumption that the climate is the same as it was when the model was developed is flawed. Therefore, it's essential to continually measure and observe the impact of climate trends on irradiance and thus, the performance and returns of solar projects.Rob explores the tools used to predict weather-driven variability in energy, what the solar industry currently uses to predict long-term performance, how to apply the predictive model Sunairio is developing to make better investment decisions, and how progress with decarbonisation efforts could impact future forecasts.Subscribe to the show on your podcast platform of choice and visit woodmac.com/podcasts to listen back to previous episodes. Join in the conversation on X – we’re @interchangeshow00:00:00: Introduction to the show00:00:01: Rob's career and the start of Sunairio00:00:06: The weather's impact on energy supply and demand00:00:37: Tools used to predict weather-driven variability in energy00:01:01: The limitations of using historical weather data00:01:47: The reason for creating Sunairio00:02:02: Sunairio's role in the industry00:03:18: Investment analysis and planning in regards to weather events00:03:32: Current practices in solar industry00:04:38: Flaws in using historical data for future predictions00:07:18: The impact of changing climate trends on the solar performance00:09:02: The importance of this analysis for investors and project managers00:09:30: The risk of production underperformance in renewable projects00:10:49: Sunairio's use of statistical climate model for predictions00:11:16: Discussion on weather forecasting and its impact on energy production00:12:20: Using statistical approach in climate modeling for energy production00:12:42: Applying the predictive model in decision-making00:14:27: The forecasted production gap and how it affects renewable energy goals00:16:13: Coverage and capabilities of the modeling system00:17:49: Expansion and future expectations for the renewable energy markets.00:20:01: Geographical challenges and solutions in energy productionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Carbon capture, utilization and storage is evolving rapidly from a niche market to a mainstream investment theme. To explore the technology, financing and science behind this key piece of the energy transition puzzle, industry leaders and analysts met in Houston for Wood Mackenzie’s CCUS Conference. The Interchange Recharged was there, capturing the best conversations and debate from a packed day of discussion. There was so much to unpack, we couldn’t fit it all into one podcast, so here’s part two of our special broadcast from the conference. There is push in the industry for collaboration between emitters and sequestration, but also between government and policy with permitting. It’s a complex task, but vital for developing CCUS infrastructure in as efficiently as possible.First to join us in the studio was Melany Vargas – VP, Head of Hydrogen Consulting at Wood Mac. There are mutual implications between hydrogen and CCUS; hydrogen, as a clean energy alternative will replace existing energy sources. CCUS allows for the continued use of these, while theoretically removing the harmful emissions. Blue hydrogen in particular has a value: you’re producing a product with commercial value. That creates the impetus for the application of CCS – you need to justify investment in those harder-to-abate other sectors.Following the examination of hydrogen, we sat down with Brandon Bromberek, Vice-President of oil and gas measurement solutions at Emerson Automated Solutions. Brandon looks at the impact of the IRA, with fiscal momentum helping to make projects more economic, and the shifting in political direction to stand behind carbon capture as a whole. Together they explore the regulation around the world – Canada seem to be further ahead than anyone else. Why? Carl Fortin is Global Business Manager, carbon capture and storage at ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. He sat down for a Fireside chat during the day, focused on developing a robust CCUS portfolio. He joins us on the podcast today to explain more about it. We’re behind as a society in trying to get to the pace necessary to meet our ambitions for decarbonization, says Carl. How can we improve value chains to accelerate decarbonization? Finally, Tom Nelson from Compact Membrane Systems joins us to explore the biggest challenges in the industry, and how partnerships between engineers and energy producers needs to improve to speed up the rollout of CCUS projects. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show and check out part one of our special live broadcast from the conference in Houston, with insight from Lazard, Chevron New Energies and Endress+Hauser. Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode, out every second Friday at 7am ET. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re facing a triple crisis: energy security, deadline for decarbonization and a fragile global economy. We’re at a pivotal moment where sustainable commitments can become a reality, now that technology has aligned with intention. We’ve seen extreme weather across the globe in the past few months, and it’s only going to increase in frequency. Mitigating these risks, strengthening the grid and reducing emissions to limit the warming are all vital.On the Interchange: Recharged today, we are joined by Bala Vinayagam, Senior Vice President of Microgrids at Schneider Electric, and Jana Gerber, North American Microgrid President, also at Schneider.Electricity 4.0 is the foundation of a digitized, modern and electrified grid. It’s a principle that transforms how we source, transmit and consume energy. Bala and Jana explain to us the importance of Electricity 4.0, and the ways it uses existing technology to implement ever-evolving solutions to climate change. Electricity 4.0 focuses on four key pillars, detailed in today’s show.DecarbonisationCentering on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a decarbonized economy, strategies for this include electrifying more sectors of the economy and employing renewable energy sources to generate electricity.DigitizationThe second aspect, digitization, revolves around the deployment of digital technologies to better monitor energy usage. The goal is to leverage data collected through artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things to improve the efficiency and resilience of existing infrastructure. The untapped efficiency of the current infrastructure can be harnessed through comprehensive digitization, offering potentially transformative benefits.DecentralizationElectricity 4.0 emphasizes decentralization. Currently, the electrical infrastructure relies heavily on bulk generation and large transmission infrastructure. Decentralization ensures more distributed generation and storage behind the meter, which simultaneously improves the resilience of the grid and generates a greener infrastructure.DemocratizationThis is all about empowering consumers to play a more active role in the energy system itself. The aim is for consumers to participate through demand response programs, energy efficiency measures, and deploying distributed generation and green infrastructure behind the meter. This concept transforms energy consumers into "prosumers", actively participating in energy production alongside consumption. Jana explores the concept of a prosumer – it’s a term we havw heard thrown about a lot in recent weeks.The future of sustainability depends on electrifying and digitizing our energy grid. Through digital twin interfaces, online exchanges and marketplaces, Schneider is constantly innovating to empower all to make the most of our energy and resourcesLearn more about Electricity 4.0 and microgrids here: www.se.com/us/microgridSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage is evolving rapidly from a niche market to a mainstream investment theme. To explore the technology, financing and science behind this key piece of the energy transition puzzle, industry leaders and analysts met in Houston for Wood Mackenzie’s CCUS Conference.The Interchange: Recharged was there, capturing the best conversations and debate from a packed day of discussion. Across two full episodes, we bring you the thoughts and insights from industry experts, as they examine the potential for CCUS to solve some of our biggest challenges in decarbonizing. Will it be the key to decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors? How much more development does the technology need? And where does the carbon actually go once it’s captured or sequestered? David kicks things off with the opening remarks from Wood Mac’s head of CCUS research: Mhairidh Evans. She explores the current state of the market and highlights some of the existing CCUS infrastructure and projects around the world that are leading the way.George Bilicic, Vice Chairman of Investment Banking, Global Head of Power, Energy & Infrastructure at Lazard is joined by Ed Crooks, Vice-Chair Americas at Wood Mackenzie, as they look at the regulatory environment for CCUS activities, and the complex route of finalising financial decisions (FID) for projects.Tim Duncan from Talos Energy, and Chris Powers from Chevron New Energies are next to join in the podcast studio, fresh from a panel discussion on stage in which they looked at the opportunities for corporates in the CCUS space. What are the challenges for operators? What are the key needs to scale a CCUS business?There’s an interesting link between green hydrogen and CCUS; this partnership is explored in depth by next guest Mercy Renteria, National Business Development Manager of Hydrogen and CCS at Endress+Hauser. Mercy’s background in oil and gas, and transition to green technology operation, is indicative of the wider shift across the industry. She stresses the need for collaboration in reaching net zero: as we say often on the show, the energy transition will need a multitude of technologies, working in tandem to achieve net zero.Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, and check out part two of our special live broadcast from the conference in Houston, with insight from Exxon Mobil, Wood Mackenzie, Emerson and Compact Membrane Systems.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alight is a company riding the solar-coaster and enjoying the heights.In November 2021, we sat down with Harald Overholm, co-founder and CEO of Alight. The focus of that discussion was on the emergence in popularity of Power-Purchase Agreements, in the solar sector. Alight, as one of the biggest providers in the Nordics, was looking to continue expansion throughout Europe. Since then, there’s been exponential growth and evolution in solar, and the way businesses and homes source that energy.In November 2022, Alight raised about €150 million to expand their operations. This was a major milestone for the relatively small company at the time. Managing to secure equity in the market, they worked with various partners, ultimately partnering with an infrastructure fund, DIF. DIF, being one of the leading mid-market infra funds specializing in renewables, was instrumental in driving the company to expand its team and strategically take control of certain projects.Alight's key play was transitioning their role from being developers to becoming an independent power producer. As a PPA, Alight gained the ability to select which projects to develop, devise strategies to monetise them, and ultimately derive profit. This significant shift has been a cornerstone of their recent progress.The solar industry, as it expands quickly, provides opportunities, but it also presents potential obstacles. A primary concern, as Harald explores, is the heavy reliance on China for polysilicon production, a foundational component of solar cells. This poses potential supply chain risk, fuelling the argument for diversifying polysilicon production.While challenges might lie ahead, the surge of interest from investors, the potential of new enhancing technologies, and the increasingly favourable view of solar power are a key part of the energy transition that keeps the industry optimistic.The key to sustained success lies in the ability of companies like Alight to ride the high times and the low times. With the right balance of financial backing, strategy, and a focused vision, solar energy companies are poised to illuminate the path towards a greener future. For more on this topic, check out the recent episode of the Energy Gang, our sister podcast which you can find here: https://www.woodmac.com/podcasts/the-energy-gang/riding-the-solar-coaster/Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode, out every second Friday at 7am ET. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new linear generator could be the answer to the risks of extreme weather.The prospect of an extended blackout during a heat wave is not only alarming, but a potential public health emergency. According to a recent report in the New York Times, 800,000 residents would require hospitalisation if a major heatwave coincided with an extended blackout. The study, conducted by the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, made clear the need for reliable energy storage. Advancements in technology are helping to mitigate the risk, with modern batteries improving their lifespans from two to four hours to a more robust eight to ten hours. Experts even predict reaching a milestone of 100-hour battery life in the near future. However, nature doesn’t keep time like we do, and extreme weather can cause outages that outlast even these improved capabilities. So how can we protect our cities and ensure sustained power during these disruptions? The answer lies in developing technologies that transition long-duration storage capacities from hours to days and beyond. The Mainspring Linear Generator, developed by Mainspring Energy, a Silicon Valley-based startup, could be one of the answers to the storage challenge. We are joined by Mainspring CEO Dr. Shannon Miller, a Stanford alumna with a PhD in mechanical engineering.The Mainspring Linear Generator has raised over $530 million in funding from cleantech investors and demonstrates the potential of innovative solutions in accelerating the shift towards a net-zero carbon grid. Shannon explains how it uses different types of fuel - including conventional types like natural gas - and clean fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.  To explore the wider trends and challenges around long-duration storage, Dr Melissa Lott also joins us on the Interchange this week. Melissa is Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, and she talks about the risks of gaps in power access, energy cost spikes and reliability issues. One of the key changes seen in the storage market is the separation of storage and generation solutions. As fossil fuel-based generators wind down, finding reliable and sustainable alternatives to provide reliable power becomes increasingly important.Incentives and regulatory frameworks are integral to fostering the energy transition. Currently, however, specific types of storage, like electrochemical or thermal storage, are often prescribed in state mandates instead of leaving room for innovative alternatives. Therefore, there's a growing need for technology-neutral policies that accommodate various kinds of storage, including clean fuels.If you haven’t already, check out our sister podcast, "The Energy Gang," which offers biweekly insights into the latest and biggest energy stories. Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode, out every second Friday at 7am ET. Find us on X (formerly known as Twitter) – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

280 million EV’s worth of battery material is sitting on the ocean floor, but do we need to mine it?The end is nigh for the internal combustion engine. Electric vehicles will be phased in across the next decade, with two-thirds of vehicles sold in the US by 2032 mandated to be electric. In California, 100% of cars will need to be electric by 2035. As a result, demand for the critical metals that are needed for EVs is forecast to increase significantly. Every solution creates its own challenges. Electrification is one of the answers to the net zero question, but it’s created an issue in itself – where are we going to get the minerals? On this episode, we are joined by Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Company. They estimate that there are quantities of metals equivalent to 280 million EVs (comparable to the total US fleet today), sitting on the seabed. Deep see mining is a new frontier – but do we need to start scouring the ocean floor when there’s an abundance of metals on the surface? How ecological is the practice? Also joining the discussion to answer these questions is Robbie Diamond, Founder, President and CEO of SAFE. SAFE is an advocacy group for US energy security and economic resiliency by reducing dependency on overseas energy supply. They work to ensure that the US and allies secure key aspects of the technology supply chain.Deep sea mining represents a significant opportunity to alleviate supply chain constraints. The mining, done in international waters, presents a few advantages: minimal impact on ecology (though this is debated, and addressed on the show today), avoidance of issues related to cross-continental delivery and rapid utilisation of resources due to lack of infrastructural hurdles.Despite the potential of deep sea mining to diversify supply chains, there has been some resistance from NGOs and other conservation groups who are hesitant about the potential environmental impacts. Understanding the benefits of deep sea mining and, as we do on the show, confronting its potential drawbacks is crucial.Follow us on Twitter - we're @interchange show, or head to woodmac.com/podcasts for more. Subscribe to the show on your podcast platform of choice so you don't miss an episode, out every second Friday at 8am ET. Also do check out our sister podcast The Energy Gang, out on the alternate Friday when the Interchange isn't.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The energy transition can’t be solved simply by focusing on infrastructure, digital solutions or investment alone. These three parts of the puzzle need to fit together. The federal government recognises this; at the end of June the Environmental Protection Agency, funded by the IRA, dedicated $7 billion to community solar projects. These projects will focus on supplying solar to lower-income neighbourhoods. This paradigm shift to the community and individual consumer level is welcome news to Michael Pinto, CEO of CleanWatts. They’re a cleantech company focused on the local energy market – utilising the power of solar farms and AI to provide clean energy to communities. Based in Portugal, they’ve seen a significant increase in community-based renewable energy initiatives. What lessons have they learned in Europe that can be replicated in the US? We guide you through a conversation to answer exactly that. Michael explores some of the major stumbling blocks and hurdles facing communities trying to access solar power, and how CleanWatts and others are overcoming them. In addition to looking for ways to improve energy efficiency, CleanWatts also perceives AI as an essential tool in managing and predicting future energy needs. These digital innovations enable a higher level of control, providing a more stable and resilient grid system in the face of the huge changes the energy transition places on the existing infrastructure.Two significant challenges that the industry faces are regulatory frameworks and supply chain dependencies. Speedy regulatory approvals for local energy generation constructs are critical to accelerating the energy transition. The latest announcement of funding from the US government could be a significant step on this path. Coupled with mass-scale infrastructure solutions, local demand-side activation needs to grow rapidly. Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode and follow us on Twitter @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back in May, we heard from two climate economists – Gernot Wagner and Bruce Usher, both from Columbia University. Together we explored the flow of capital going into the four largest sources of renewable energy: hydrogen, nuclear, solar and wind. Examining where the money is coming from and where it’s going?It's coming primarily from venture capitalists, but in the last two months there’s been significant changes and evolutions in the industry. As we accelerate towards our net zero future, with the goal set for 2050, total capital investment necessary to achieve it has been estimated at $275 trillion. Between 2010 and 2019, investment in renewables topped $2.6 trillion, so with three decades to go we need to increase that amount a hundred-fold.Today, we get another perspective on the financing for the energy transition. Serge Tismen is Managing Director and Global Head of Clean Energy Transition at Citi in New York and joins David to discuss the market as he sees it. Is this $275 trillion figure accurate? Serge explains that it could be 270 trillion, but some have estimated it at 120, or 195. What are the key criteria that investors are looking at when considering new projects and infrastructure? A year on from the IRA are we continuing to see impacts in the same sectors? Diversification is key. Investment in mining for critical minerals, battery recycling and the steady growth of new technologies such as geothermal all need to be considered. Serge examines it all. Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode and follow us on Twitter @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Changes to the way emissions are reported will have a big impact on renewable investment.It might be the most important piece of sustainability material in corporate and climate work that no one’s ever heard of, and it drives a huge amount of corporate behaviour.  In 1998, the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard launched, and set out a standard for businesses to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Like financial accounting standards, the GHG Protocol influences corporate behaviour such as investment decisions. So, a planned revision of the rules for reporting Scope 2 emissions is a significant event. The new standard, expected to take effect in 2025, could have a big impact on corporate investment in low-carbon energy around the world.  Now, a consortium of some of the world’s biggest funders of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, such as Amazon and Meta, are looking to refine the current rules with the goal of increasing the accuracy of reporting. Together with 8 other companies, including Intel and Heineken, they’ve co-founded the Emissions First Partnership, which is advocating for changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.  We are joined by Jake Oster, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy at Amazon Web Services, and Peter Freed, Head of Energy Strategy at Meta, to explain the goals of the EFP and why updating accounting standards is so important.   The EFP says that changes to the GHG Protocol Scope 2 emissions reporting is a crucial step to addressing the climate crisis and decarbonizing the power system. Investment in new renewable technologies from corporates, as a result of the accounting standards being updated in the past decade, is increasing.Pre 2015, before the current market-based methodology was in place, there was about a gigawatt of installed capacity coming from PPAs. Today, there’s more than 100. The pace of progress in the energy transition is accelerating as reporting standards are refined and the EFP aims to continue this progress.   Follow the Interchange on Twitter – we’re @interchangeshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Solar is attracting the power generation industry’s best talent. As solar and storage enter a new era of applied strategy, better analytics and tools are accelerating growth. Pine Gate Renewables is aiming to ‘get solar done’ by providing renewable energy to local communities across the country.On today’s episode of the Interchange: Recharged, we are joined by David Groleau, Senior Vice President of Origination at Pine Gate. Together, they explore how unprecedented demand and regulatory integrations are transforming solar and storage in the US.Plus, more of the best discussions from a packed Solar and Energy Storage Summit in San Francisco. We are joined by solar and storage experts with a focus on community and social enterprise, live from the Wood Mac event, including:Patrick Regan of Crossroads SolarBill Jordan of community initiative Share the SunEric Hafter from Origami SolarNate Webb of Passage Studio & Robert Cross from Cross Consulting ServicesFollow us on Twitter, we’re @interchangeshow Pine Gate Renewables is a fully integrated renewable energy company powering the nation's energy transition with trusted utility-scale energy and storage solutions. Building projects from a community mindset, Pine Gate is committed to delivering sustainable value where we live, work and operate. Visit pinegaterenewables.com/learnmoreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are in San Francisco, bringing you the second of three special episodes recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar Energy and Storage Summit. From the live podcast studio in the Gold Ballroom at the Palace Hotel, we brins you the best bits from a packed second day of presentations and interviews with leading solar policymakers, innovators and specialists. The focus shifts today to storage: how can domestic manufacturing be incentivised? What is required to nurture the development of a thriving localised storage component supply chain? What are the opportunities and challenges for long-duration energy storage implementation? Join us and five expert guests, as they explore the trends in storage tech, solar finance and managing storage operations. Make sure you subscribe to the show so you don’t miss our third and final episode of this special series, coming soon and featuring more interviews with solar and storage industry leaders and some bonus behind-the-scenes content. Follow us on Twitter, we’re @interchangeshow Pine Gate Renewables is a fully integrated renewable energy company powering the nation's energy transition with trusted utility-scale energy and storage solutions. Building projects from a community mindset, Pine Gate is committed to delivering sustainable value where we live, work and operate. Visit pinegaterenewables.com/learnmoreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are in San Francisco, bringing you the first of three special episodes recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar and Energy Storage Summit.  From the live podcast studio in the Palace Hotel, we bring you the best bits from a packed first day. Interviews with leading solar policymakers, innovators and specialists uncover the latest trends in the US solar market. One year on from the IRA and the implications for solar are still being discussed. What other policy will help accelerate the adoption of solar? What permitting reform is needed to drive innovation in storage and batteries?  Join us and five expert guests, as they explore the trends in solar finance, the growth and outlook for US manufacturing, and the forecasts for the solar supply chain.  Make sure you subscribe to the show so you don’t miss our recap of Day 2 of the summit, focusing on the innovations behind the latest storage technology. Follow us on Twitter, we’re @interchangeshow and follow the summit on our LinkedIn ( Pine Gate Renewables is a fully integrated renewable energy company powering the nation's energy transition with trusted utility-scale energy and storage solutions. Building projects from a community mindset, Pine Gate is committed to delivering sustainable value where we live, work and operate. Visit pinegaterenewables.com/learnmoreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the US last year, solar PV capacity totalled 142 GW, enough to power 25 million homes. Falling costs, advancements in storage and cell technology and supportive government policies drove record growth in 2022. This was an 11% year on year increase. Residential solar in 2022 had a record year, with nearly 6 GW of installations, a 40% increase on 2021.It wasn’t all plain sailing. We saw some downturns in other market segments as supply chain issues caused delays and roadblocks to adoption. Utility-scale solar was down over 30% year on year, but despite these challenges, the IRA and other market forces have created upside to long-term solar forecasts. Over the next decade, the industry will grow five-fold. 700 GW of total capacity could power more than 125 million American homes.So what can we expect from solar over the next 10 years? Just how bright is Solar’s future. In this episode of the Interchange recharged we’re joined by Abigail Hopper, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and John Berger is founder and CEO of Sunnova (a leading residential solar and storage provider).This edition of the podcasts uses data from the US Solar Market Insight®, a quarterly publication from Wood Mackenzie and SEIA®. Each quarter, we collect granular data on the US solar market from nearly 200 utilities, state agencies, installers, and manufacturers. This data provides the backbone of this US Solar Market Insight® report, in which we identify and analyze trends in US solar demand, manufacturing and pricing by state and market segment over the next five to ten years. You can download a free executive summary or buy the full report on our website.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When can we expect to see a lithium-ion battery that costs half as much as today, charges an EV in minutes and is made from recyclable materials? Accelerating the energy transition requires more and more electrification every year. Powering our micro grids, electric vehicles and devices with the most efficient batteries possible is crucial. One of the main issues with batteries today is they emit a lot of heat; energy is wasted as its expelled, leading to inefficiencies, not to mention safety concerns. KULR, a maker of energy management platforms and batteries, think they have a solution. On the Interchange today, we are joined by Michael Mo, CEO of KULR. They combine battery safety with advancements in AI-powered data analytics to manage energy more efficiently. Michael discusses the advancements in battery technology and how they can accelerate electrification.  It’s not just batteries that will benefit from advanced cooling and AI – energy storage will also see the benefits. High-powered battery cells, stacked in a configuration of 18 units, provide safe energy when its needed. These modular based storage cells KULR says will be cooled by a thermal management system. Michael explains how it works. The real-world uses for the next generation of batteries, from aviation to space exploration (Michael gives us some details on the KULR/NASA partnership never previously released), could deliver on the biggest need we have in the energy transition: fast-charging, safe, powerful, recyclable batteries.Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, and follow us on Twitter, we’re @interchangeshowWood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit is back, taking place at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on June 21 and 22. Join expert solar and storage analysts for discussions with leading grid-scale utilities, solar and energy storage developers and federal policy makers.  How is the IRA catapulting the development of solar and storage in North America? How can we continue to build a productive environment for solar and energy storage as we move forward with the energy transition? What is required to nurture the development of a thriving localized storage component supply chain?  Expect two days of panel discussions, presentations and workshops, as we explore the opportunities for solar and storage in the coming decades.  If you are interested in sponsoring or attending find out more on woodmac.com/events/solar-energy-storage-summit See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Solar, wind, hydrogen and nuclear – we need more investment in these renewables, but where can the money come from? In 2022, worldwide investment in renewables hit almost half a trillion dollars. Investment in solar – the largest sector - jumped 36% to 308 billion. Investment in wind – the second largest – remained stable at 175 billion. Overall investment in the energy transition topped 1.1 trillion dollars. The amount invested in new renewable projects is at the highest level in history – but it’s still not enough. For us to achieve net zero by 2050, it’s estimated we need between 3-5 trillion dollars a year going into the industry.   On the Interchange today, we look at the flow of money needed across renewable projects. We focus on hydrogen, nuclear, wind and solar: the four horsemen of the energy transition. Joining us on the show are two of the leading climate economists in the US, both from Columbia University, Gernot Wagner and Bruce Usher. Gernot is a senior lecturer at Columbia, and he explores the policy decisions and economic barriers to the mass adoption of renewables in the US. Bruce lectures as Director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia’s Business School, and he explains why hydrogen is such a promising piece of the energy transition puzzle.   Together they look at the investment going into the four main renewable energies and analyse what more needs to be done to get clean energy investment to the level it needs to be.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show and follow us on Twitter – we’re @interchangeshow  Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit is back, taking place at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on June 21 and 22. Join expert solar and storage analysts for discussions with leading grid-scale utilities, solar and energy storage developers and federal policy makers.  How is the IRA catapulting the development of solar and storage in North America? How can we continue to build a productive environment for solar and energy storage as we move forward with the energy transition? What is required to nurture the development of a thriving localized storage component supply chain?  Expect two days of panel discussions, presentations and workshops, as we explore the opportunities for solar and storage in the coming decades.  If you are interested in sponsoring or attending find out more on woodmac.com/events/solar-energy-storage-summit See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do we manage the explosion of data across the grid?Digitization is transforming the way energy is produced, directed and spent. Power plants are using real-time data to drive efficiency, smart grids are directing energy where needed and data models are now essential to help us make sense of the market. Across devices and sensors, we’re seeing an explosion of data which needs to be analysed to drive efficiencies. Machine learning and digital twins are tools which can be used for modelling, which in turn helps us make better decisions around where and how we direct energy. Optimizing the grid as best we can is key to moving forward in the energy transition.On the Interchange today, we are joined by Ben Hertz-Shargel, Head of Wood Mackenzie’s Grid Edge. Ben explores the role of virtual power plants in managing energy demand in real time. Short-term forecasting and analytics typically benefit traditional power plants, so how can VPP’s use the same information? Grid sensors are another important part of the digital grid, and Ben examines the data they work with.How is that data analysed and processed? Matthew Boyda is Senior Vice-President of Global Power & Renewables Research at Wood Mackenzie, and he joins the show to explain the forecasting capabilities in the industry and the importance of a transition from data centres to the cloud. Digital twins are a term you’ll likely have heard before, but how do they actually work? Why are they so central to the digitization of the grid?  It all comes down to driving efficiencies, and on the show today, we look at the technology that’s evolving at a rapid rate and enabling clean energy to flow to the right places.Don’t forget to subscribe to the show and follow us on Twitter, we’re @interchangeshowWood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit is back, taking place at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on June 21 and 22. Join expert solar and storage analysts for discussions with leading grid-scale utilities, solar and energy storage developers and federal policy makers.   How is the IRA catapulting the development of solar and storage in North America? How can we continue to build a productive environment for solar and energy storage as we move forward with the energy transition? What is required to nurture the development of a thriving localized storage component supply chain?  Expect two days of panel discussions, presentations and workshops, as we explore the opportunities for solar and storage in the coming decades.  If you are interested in sponsoring or attending find out more on woodmac.com/events/solar-energy-storage-summit See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The nuclear renaissance is underway, but can technology deliver the efficiencies needed? Nuclear power is back in the spotlight. Energy security concerns coupled with economic uncertainty have influenced a shift in global attitudes to the energy source. Policy and investment in nuclear are accelerating as the existing fleet of reactors ages. By 2050, at least 10% of the current nuclear fleet will retire, prompting the need to look to new and innovative technologies to replace them.   As ever, cost-efficiencies will drive adoption. The levelized cost of electricity for conventional nuclear is over three times the cost of wind and solar per MWh. New, advanced reactor technologies are needed to lower costs. Small Modular Reactors are one of these. As global innovation in nuclear evolves, these reactors could deliver energy at less than $80 a MWh. Investment in SMRs is focused on the US Canada and Europe.  On the Interchange today, we are joined by a panel of industry guests to identify the paths to safe, reliable nuclear power. Dr Kathryn Huff is Assistant Secretary at the Office of Nuclear Energy, at the US Department of Energy. She explains the decisions that have influenced the shift in government policy towards nuclear in recent months and outlines the plans for investment in new projects. The Natrium reactor, from TerraPower, is benefiting from a slice of the US$2 billion in funding from the DOE. Jeff Navin is Director of External Affairs at TerraPower, and he also joins us on the show.   The renaissance in nuclear power is driven by a multitude of factors but shifts in attitudes and the change in policy since the start of the Ukraine war have played a significant part. Maria Korsnick is the President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute. She joins the podcast to explain how the next generation of nuclear reactors will help power the energy transition. David Brown is Director of the Energy Transition Service at Wood Mackenzie. He completes the panel on the show today to forecast the future of nuclear around the world. Where is investment needed, and where is it coming from? Policy needs to start rewarding nuclear for what if offers in low-carbon dispatchable power. What technologies are enabling efficient nuclear power to slot into the grid?   Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit is back, taking place at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on June 21 and 22. Join expert solar and storage analysts for discussions with leading grid-scale utilities, solar and energy storage developers and federal policy makers.   How is the IRA catapulting the development of solar and storage in North America? How can we continue to build a productive environment for solar and energy storage as we move forward with the energy transition?What is required to nurture the development of a thriving localized storage component supply chain?   Expect two days of panel discussions, presentations and workshops, as we explore the opportunities for solar and storage in the coming decades.   If you are interested in sponsoring or attending find out more on woodmac.com/events/solar-energy-storage-summit See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When we think of renewables, we think of wind and solar. Investment in these established, scaled technologies dominates the global renewable market; almost half of new investment in renewables is solar. Onshore wind investment in 2020 topped $40 billion, a record year. The downside of wind and solar however, is that it’s sporadic. We can’t predict how much wind or sun we’ll get, and so backup power generation is needed. One thing we can predict is the tides. Wave power has grown steadily with record investment from the US Department of Energy in 2022 funding new projects, but power generation from undersea currents hasn’t yet seen the same investment. In October 2022, the DOE announced a further $35 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance tidal and river current energy systems. However, compare these grants to the total US$20 billion invested in wind in 2021 and there’s a clear mismatch. In the US, there are no large-scale tidal plants and there are only 3 projects that exist worldwide. What have we seen in the last few years in tidal power? In 2021, in waters off the northern-most tip of Scotland, the 02 tidal turbine started turning its massive blades for the first time. The largest commercial-scale turbine in the world is a project from Scottish marine power company Orbital and represents the culmination of 15 years of project development. In 2023, in the waters of the Etel Estuary in Brittany, France, another steel turbine is turning, powered by the tides to a maximum speed of 27 RPM. This was France’s promising, but stalled foray into tidal power restarting, this time by another tidal power manufacturer – NovaInnovation. Backed by the EU’s 5 million euro Element Marine Renewables Technology Development Scheme, the 50kW turbine was the first step on the journey to a whole new market. The EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy laid out the plan to have 1GW of ocean energy projects operating by 2030. Only 67kW of tidal stream capacity was deployed in 2022, the lowest addition since 2010. So why aren’t we seeing investment in marine power on the same scale as wind and solar? On the Interchange today, we are joined by Andrew Scott, CEO of Orbital Marine Power, and Tim Ramsey from the US Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, to look at the technology that could drive marine power into the same league as wind and solar.  Follow us on Twitter – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Electric vehicles find themselves on a rocky road. Following years of growth and advancements in battery technology, supply chain bottlenecks have created uncertainty in the market. President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act was stacked with tax incentives intended to drive EV adoption, but it was vague on battery requirements. The focus on growing the mineral and battery component industries in the US has prompted fresh scrutiny on China’s dominance of production as exports of Chinese-made EVs rose to almost a million in 2022.  Currently Indonesia and Thailand are planning similar government subsidies for EVs, while global organisations and governments have asked the Biden administration to relax its strict requirements around what EVs qualify for a tax credit. These policy debates continue against a backdrop of ever-increasing demand for EVs. Despite a 6% year-on-year decrease in total sales in December 2022, last year was a record year for EVs. 10.4 million units were sold.  On the Interchange: Recharged, we are joined by Michael Insulan from Electra, and Egor Prokhodtsev from Wood Mackenzie. Michael is interim CFO and VP of Commercial at the battery manufacturer, and explores how Electra is working to meet the demand for batteries by utilising new technologies and materials, as well as looking to recycle obsolete batteries. Egor is Senior Research Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, and examines the current state of the EV market.  Demand is growing, and something has to power the millions of vehicles sold each year. There’s a huge opportunity for organisations at the right place and right time to secure their future as supplier to the world of lithium, cobalt and nickel. National bans on ICE vehicles in the UK and Germany by 2030, France by 2040, and California by 2035 are snapshots of where the world is heading. Smoothing the road ahead so EVs can drive us to a net zero world is critical.  Follow us on Twitter – we’re @interchangeshow. Do get in touch with thoughts, queries or topics you’d like us to cover.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve got billions in the pot for renewables. The technology is there for wind, solar, hydrogen and nuclear, but there’s still a significant hurdle to overcome: the issue of storage.  Energy Vault is a company exploring innovative solutions to this problem. Using the science behind pumped hydro as inspiration, they created a gravity and kinetic-energy based system around massive composite blocks. Excess renewable energy lifts the blocks, then when the energy is needed again, it drops them and converts the kinetic energy into electricity.  The main problem with the grid is that it is designed as a ‘pre-generation’ storage solution, in that we simply convert fuel into energy. Post-generation storage, where we actual store the electricity, is lacking. The grid needs upgrading, and Energy Vault’s system is one solution. On the Interchange: Recharged, we are joined by Co-Founder and CEO Rob Piconi. Rob believes that the biggest step we need to take to decarbonise is solving our storage problems.  The discussion explores the technology behind Energy Vault, the every-present issue of the supply chain, and the future of investment for the company. Follow @InterchangeShow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. View the landing page to find all episodes of The Interchange Recharged. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Examining the pioneering ways that smart infrastructures could drive efficiencies.The energy transition will put a huge pressure on the grid. In order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, annual investment must increase from today's 1 trillion to 4 trillion by 2030. This will fund new technologies such as renewables and storage, but also upgrade the energy grid for transmission and distribution. Outdated power grids in urban areas are currently largely unable to integrate necessary renewable energy sources.   The technology to propel us through the energy transition already exists. The puzzle to solve is how to use it most efficiently. There's not a one size fits all solution to upgrading the grid, but data and smart infrastructure are emerging solutions that promise to drive efficiencies across the network. Every percentage point increase in energy efficiency or energy reduction moves the needle globally in tackling climate change.  On the Interchange: Recharged, we chair a panel discussion with three experts in grid innovation. Rachel Steinberg is Head of Mesa, an initiative from Google's Sidewalk Labs on a mission to drive energy efficiencies in buildings. Josh Chappell is Head of Engineering on the project and also joins us to discuss the technology behind it. The modernisation of the grid is crucial for the energy transition, so understanding these elements is key. To explore the policy reforms and investment driving the changes to the grid is Wood Mackenzie’s Sam Howe, Research Analyst in Building Decarbonisation.   Together, they examine the pioneering ways that clean electricity is directed to the right place.  Follow @InterchangeShow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. View the landing page to find all episodes of The Interchange Recharged. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back at the start of December, leading industry experts and energy figures converged in Phoenix, Arizona, for the annual Grid Edge Innovation Summit.As we look ahead to this year’s Solar and Energy Storage event on 21-22 June in San Francisco, we thought we'd dip into the archives and release some of the best interviews and unheard content from last year's summit.Hear from Wood Mackenzie’s experts and representatives from the leading distribution utilities, software technology developers, public utility commissions (PUCs), and distributed generation players in North America addressing key issues affecting the sector, including the latest insights on grid modernization, distributed energy resources (DER) aggregation technologies and transportation and building electrification.  Featuring on this episode:Aimee Bailey, Director of Innovation and Portfolio Management, National Grid PartnersKathy Knoop, Manager, EV Stakeholder Solutions, General MotorsAnna J Siefken, Commercialization Executive, U.S. Department of EnergyFahimeh Kazempour, Head, Grid Modernization, Wood MackenzieGiri Iyer, Vice President, Business Development, Sentient Energy, a KES CompanyVince Faherty, Head of Energy Marketplace & Implementation Partnerships, GoogleTiya Gordon, Co-Founder, itselectricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Interchange is back! As we near the end of January, the focus in the energy world is on viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Hydrogen has dominated the conversation in recent months, touted as the ‘silver bullet’ for tackling the climate crisis. But is that the case, or is it just hype?  In 2021, hydrogen production that was ‘green’ (produced from renewables) was at 1%. In 2022, that number has barely increased. Most of our current hydrogen production is from fossil fuels and used to produce other chemicals such as ammonia. All the focus in the industry, and the media, is on the green and the blue. These yield 11 million Google results, against 95,000 for grey and 49,000 for brown. Great news – we must be currently produced green hydrogen in the majority. Wrong. Only 0.04% of hydrogen produced is green. 96% is grey, or brown, produced for use in oil refineries and for manufacturing ammonia.  On the Interchange this week, we are joined by Luke Johnson, Managing Director and Founder of H2 Green. They’re a UK based company aiming to build green hydrogen production hubs across Europe, to produce and deliver hydrogen where needed. Luke is a serial entrepreneur with experience in energy and technology, across Australian, US, German and UK markets. Wood Mackenzie’s Melany Vargas also joins the show - she’s the Head of Hydrogen Consulting at Wood Mackenzie, and brings experience across the global energy value chain.  Together they look at the agenda of governments worldwide to turn this ship around. Do plans even exist to do so? Is the focus on green hydrogen production a distraction from the true industry practices? Can we rely on hydrogen as a viable alternative source of energy and can it be produced sustainably? At the moment, it’s not looking good.  Follow the Interchange: Recharged @InterchangeShow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this special episode of The Interchange: Recharged, we highlight some of his favorite and most memorable moments on the podcast this year. It was a very eventful year in the world of energy, and we have been lucky enough to sit down with some of the CEOs and sustainability experts around the world who are finding innovative ways to help us reach our net-zero goals. We discussed policies and early-stage investments helping to support the energy transition. We took this podcast on the road and brought you live recaps throughout several days at the Wood Mackenzie’s Solar Energy and Storage Summit in San Diego, and The Grid Edge Innovation Summit in Phoenix. Listen in as we reflect on the year, and feature clips from interviews with Quaise Energy, KMX Technologies, Boom Supersonic, Maersk and more. Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wood Mackenzie’s Grid Edge Innovation Summit has wrapped, and we’re bringing you a full recap and some bonus content from the two-day conference. Listen in as we reflects on our time in Phoenix, where he had the pleasure of sitting down with experts and representatives leading the charge in grid data, energy efficiency, and innovative EV charging solutions. This episode includes interviews with:               •              Fahimeh Kazempour, Head, Grid Modernization, Wood Mackenzie               •              Giri Iyer, Vice President, Business Development, Sentient Energy, a KES Company               •              Vince Faherty, Head of Energy Marketplace & Implementation Partnerships, Google               •              Tiya Gordon, Co-Founder, itselectric               •              Carter Li, CEO, SWTCH Energy Inc. Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wood Mackenzie’s Grid Edge Innovation Summit is now on and we’re bringing you all the action from two days of talks right here on The Interchange Recharged. We are live in Phoenix, bringing you highlights from each day of the conference. On the second day, we talk to experts and representatives from the leading distribution utilities, automotive industry experts, software technology developers, public utility commissions and distributed generation players in North America.  We are joined by:                •             Scott Peattie, Director Business Development / Head of Grid Services, Sunrun Inc.               •              Amaiya Khardenavis, Research Analyst, EV Charging Infrastructure, Wood Mackenzie               •              Kathy Knoop, Manager, EV Stakeholder Solutions, General Motors               •              Adam Langton, Energy Services Manager, BMW of North America, LLC               •             Ken Schisler, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CPower Energy Management               •             Anna J Siefken, Commercialization Executive, U.S. Department of Energy               •              Trudie Wang, VP of Product, Heila Technologies Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.