http://www.redefining-energy.comYour co-hosts: from Berlin, Gerard Reid and from London, Laurent Segalen.
Our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redefining-energy/
X handle: @Redef_Energy]]>enBusinessLaurent Segalen and Gerard Reidhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/08cdac5b7cf4ab26939053ce8b2adeab.jpghttp://www.redefining-energy.comWed, 08 Apr 2026 18:01:29 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent Segalen and Gerard Reidinfo@redefining-energy.comTwo investment bankers weekly explore how tech, finance, markets and regulations are radically redefining the world of energy: Renewable Energy, Electric Cars, Hydrogen, Battery Storage, Digitisation... Your co-hosts: from Berlin, Gerard Reid and from...Your co-hosts: from Berlin, Gerard Reid and from London, Laurent Segalen.
Our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redefining-energy/
X handle: @Redef_Energy]]>falseepisodichttp://www.redefining-energy.comAna Conde from PVcase to make the case for solar paired with storage as the economic foundation of the future energy system.

We are in the midst of a technological revolution driven by electrification and AI. But building the energy system that can power this shift requires more than adding new capacity — it demands system-level thinking, new coordination mechanisms, and new financial models to ensure a smooth transition.

They explore how solar moved from a niche technology to the backbone of modern energy infrastructure and why pairing it with storage is no longer optional for project bankability and long-term competitiveness.

They discuss how grid outages act as warning signals, exposing the fragility of legacy infrastructure, and what that implies for resilience in an increasingly electrified world.

The conversation also examines the economic incentives, institutional inertia, and behavioural forces that resist technological change — and how innovative business models are beginning to unlock faster adoption.

This episode goes beyond viewing solar as a technology alone. It unpacks the economics and coordination required to build a resilient, low-cost energy system capable of supporting the AI-driven future.
--
An episode delivered in partnership with SolarPower Europe. SolarPower Europe has established the ‘Battery Storage Europe Platform’ (advocacy, COMs campaigning, networking) around battery storage. Companies should join as members to help us push messages on solar, flexibility and batteries https://www.batterystorageeurope.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71046096Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:24:41 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard is invited by Ana Conde from PVcase to make the case for solar paired with storage as the economic foundation of the future energy system. We are in the midst of a technological revolution driven by electrification and AI. But building the...Ana Conde from PVcase to make the case for solar paired with storage as the economic foundation of the future energy system.

We are in the midst of a technological revolution driven by electrification and AI. But building the energy system that can power this shift requires more than adding new capacity — it demands system-level thinking, new coordination mechanisms, and new financial models to ensure a smooth transition.

They explore how solar moved from a niche technology to the backbone of modern energy infrastructure and why pairing it with storage is no longer optional for project bankability and long-term competitiveness.

They discuss how grid outages act as warning signals, exposing the fragility of legacy infrastructure, and what that implies for resilience in an increasingly electrified world.

The conversation also examines the economic incentives, institutional inertia, and behavioural forces that resist technological change — and how innovative business models are beginning to unlock faster adoption.

This episode goes beyond viewing solar as a technology alone. It unpacks the economics and coordination required to build a resilient, low-cost energy system capable of supporting the AI-driven future.
--
An episode delivered in partnership with SolarPower Europe. SolarPower Europe has established the ‘Battery Storage Europe Platform’ (advocacy, COMs campaigning, networking) around battery storage. Companies should join as members to help us push messages on solar, flexibility and batteries https://www.batterystorageeurope.org/]]>1905batteries,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
China’s approach reflects a distinctive “dual track” model in which command-and-control planning coexists with market dynamics. Central government frameworks, including the recent 15th Five-Year Plan, set strategic direction, while provinces interpret and implement policy with varying degrees of alignment or competition. At times collaborative and at times antagonistic, the relationship between Beijing and local authorities shapes how targets are pursued and reported. China often reframes its narrative retrospectively, particularly where electric vehicles and battery production have dramatically surpassed official expectations, highlighting the interplay between state ambition and private-sector execution.  

At the same time, the transition has been propelled by powerful entrepreneurial forces. Leaders such as Robin Zheng of CATL and Stella Li of BYD embody the “animal spirits” that have driven innovation and scale in batteries and electric vehicles. In many cases, private firms have exceeded policy goals, complicating simplistic narratives of top-down control and demonstrating how state guidance and commercial dynamism reinforce one another.  

Energy security remains a central pillar of this strategy. The current Hormuz crisis as well as the power shortages of 2020–2022 have exposed vulnerabilities in China’s system and reinforced the leadership’s determination to build integrated domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imported fuels and critical materials. Industrial policy and energy policy are deeply intertwined, with electrification, renewables, and advanced manufacturing serving both resilience and competitiveness objectives. The drive for clean technology is therefore as much about strategic autonomy as it is about environmental stewardship.  

Finally, the episode also addresses persistent misconceptions in Europe and the United States about China’s system, challenging both exaggerated fears and wishful thinking. Understanding China’s energy transition requires grappling with its internal tensions, strategic pragmatism, and the scale of its ambitions.  

Oxford Institute
 https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/disruption-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-implications-for-chinas-energy-markets-and-policies/  

Carbon Brief and Lauri Myllyvirta    
15FYP coverage https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-what-does-chinas-15th-five-year-plan-mean-for-climate-change/  
Latest on China emisisons https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-co2-emissions-have-now-been-flat-or-falling-for-21-months/  
Impact on GDP https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-drove-more-than-a-third-of-chinas-gdp-growth-in-2025/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70922947Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:50:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent and Gerard speak with Dr. Michal Meidan, Head of China Energy Research at the China Energy Research Programme at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, about the profound transformation reshaping China’s energy system. At the heart of the...
China’s approach reflects a distinctive “dual track” model in which command-and-control planning coexists with market dynamics. Central government frameworks, including the recent 15th Five-Year Plan, set strategic direction, while provinces interpret and implement policy with varying degrees of alignment or competition. At times collaborative and at times antagonistic, the relationship between Beijing and local authorities shapes how targets are pursued and reported. China often reframes its narrative retrospectively, particularly where electric vehicles and battery production have dramatically surpassed official expectations, highlighting the interplay between state ambition and private-sector execution.  

At the same time, the transition has been propelled by powerful entrepreneurial forces. Leaders such as Robin Zheng of CATL and Stella Li of BYD embody the “animal spirits” that have driven innovation and scale in batteries and electric vehicles. In many cases, private firms have exceeded policy goals, complicating simplistic narratives of top-down control and demonstrating how state guidance and commercial dynamism reinforce one another.  

Energy security remains a central pillar of this strategy. The current Hormuz crisis as well as the power shortages of 2020–2022 have exposed vulnerabilities in China’s system and reinforced the leadership’s determination to build integrated domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imported fuels and critical materials. Industrial policy and energy policy are deeply intertwined, with electrification, renewables, and advanced manufacturing serving both resilience and competitiveness objectives. The drive for clean technology is therefore as much about strategic autonomy as it is about environmental stewardship.  

Finally, the episode also addresses persistent misconceptions in Europe and the United States about China’s system, challenging both exaggerated fears and wishful thinking. Understanding China’s energy transition requires grappling with its internal tensions, strategic pragmatism, and the scale of its ambitions.  

Oxford Institute
 https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/disruption-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-implications-for-chinas-energy-markets-and-policies/  

Carbon Brief and Lauri Myllyvirta    
15FYP coverage https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-what-does-chinas-15th-five-year-plan-mean-for-climate-change/  
Latest on China emisisons fullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
In normal times, LNG supply is led by Qatar, the U.S., and Australia, with prices anchored to benchmarks like Henry Hub, TTF, and JKM. Before the war, markets were relatively well supplied, keeping prices stable.

Three weeks into the conflict, that balance has shifted. Brent crude has climbed to about $110, European gas (TTF) to around $20/MMBtu, while U.S. Henry Hub remains near $3—highlighting growing regional divergence driven by infrastructure and trade flows.

Two views have emerged: the White House sees a temporary disruption, while analysts like Jeff Currie and James Gutman argue this is a structural supply shock—captured by the idea that “you can’t print molecules.”

The impact is uneven. Europe is highly exposed, Asia faces rising competition for cargoes, and emerging markets risk being priced out. The U.S. remains relatively insulated but increasingly vital as a supplier. Massive damage to key Gulf infrastructure such as South Pars and Ras Laffan will disrupt flows for months if not years.

In response, short-term measures include stock releases, more coal production and demand cuts. Longer term the crisis may spur new LNG investment, accelerate energy security efforts, and boost the development of renewables while further fragmenting global markets.

The takeaway: this is not just another cycle, but a structural shift in the future of energy.

References
HC Group podcasts with Paul Chapman
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FelokgY7oWXMxwyv75N0D?si=SgGNX7S_RZuFnry5Ckdi_Q
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bOCstN1chwOmB16u5SvRU?si=mu9PEjU9QQqvSHSmXlTafg

On LNG. Ira Joseph papers
https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/
https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/us-israeli-attacks-on-iran-and-global-energy-impacts/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70777558Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard and Laurent host Ira Joseph, a leading expert on gas and LNG markets at the Columbia Center on Global Energy, to explore how the Middle East conflict is reshaping the industry. In normal times, LNG supply is led by Qatar, the U.S., and...
In normal times, LNG supply is led by Qatar, the U.S., and Australia, with prices anchored to benchmarks like Henry Hub, TTF, and JKM. Before the war, markets were relatively well supplied, keeping prices stable.

Three weeks into the conflict, that balance has shifted. Brent crude has climbed to about $110, European gas (TTF) to around $20/MMBtu, while U.S. Henry Hub remains near $3—highlighting growing regional divergence driven by infrastructure and trade flows.

Two views have emerged: the White House sees a temporary disruption, while analysts like Jeff Currie and James Gutman argue this is a structural supply shock—captured by the idea that “you can’t print molecules.”

The impact is uneven. Europe is highly exposed, Asia faces rising competition for cargoes, and emerging markets risk being priced out. The U.S. remains relatively insulated but increasingly vital as a supplier. Massive damage to key Gulf infrastructure such as South Pars and Ras Laffan will disrupt flows for months if not years.

In response, short-term measures include stock releases, more coal production and demand cuts. Longer term the crisis may spur new LNG investment, accelerate energy security efforts, and boost the development of renewables while further fragmenting global markets.

The takeaway: this is not just another cycle, but a structural shift in the future of energy.

References
HC Group podcasts with Paul Chapman
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FelokgY7oWXMxwyv75N0D?si=SgGNX7S_RZuFnry5Ckdi_Q
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bOCstN1chwOmB16u5SvRU?si=mu9PEjU9QQqvSHSmXlTafg

On LNG. Ira Joseph papers
https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/
https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/us-israeli-attacks-on-iran-and-global-energy-impacts/]]>1605hormuz,iran,lng,qatarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comNatasha Luther-Jones  returns to join Laurent and Gerard for a lively catch-up on how both her career and the energy sector have evolved. What began with her being dubbed the “Queen of PPA” has expanded into a far broader role — prompting the hosts to crown her the “Energy Empress” as she now operates across the full spectrum of global energy and infrastructure.  

Natasha reflects on the evolution as the Global co-chair in the Energy & Natural Resources practice at DLA Piper, describing how client demand has shifted from single-asset transactions to complex, multi-technology, cross-border platforms. The market has matured significantly, with renewables now firmly established as mainstream infrastructure and capital becoming more disciplined and selective.  

A major growth area is battery energy storage systems (BESS), which have moved from being an adjunct to renewables to a core investment thesis in their own right. Storage, hybridisation and co-location strategies are reshaping project design, while revenue stacking and merchant exposure are demanding more sophisticated structuring and risk management.  

On the M&A front, Natasha highlights sustained deal activity and strong valuations for scaled platforms and development pipelines. The market is firmly in a consolidation phase, with investors prioritising portfolio and platform transactions over single-asset deals. Innovative financing models, including holdco structures and cross-collateralisation across diversified portfolios, are increasingly replacing traditional asset-by-asset project finance.  

The conversation also turns to the accelerating demand from AI-driven datacentres and the growing integration of digital infrastructure within energy complexes. As power demand surges, particularly for firm and clean energy, the convergence of energy and technology is creating new investment models and strategic partnerships — signalling that the next chapter of the energy transition will be defined as much by integration and capital structuring as by capacity build-out.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70482158Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSix years after her last appearance on the podcast (Episode 28, 15 June 2020), Natasha Luther-Jones  returns to join Laurent and Gerard for a lively catch-up on how both her career and the energy sector have evolved. What began with her being dubbed...Natasha Luther-Jones  returns to join Laurent and Gerard for a lively catch-up on how both her career and the energy sector have evolved. What began with her being dubbed the “Queen of PPA” has expanded into a far broader role — prompting the hosts to crown her the “Energy Empress” as she now operates across the full spectrum of global energy and infrastructure.  

Natasha reflects on the evolution as the Global co-chair in the Energy & Natural Resources practice at DLA Piper, describing how client demand has shifted from single-asset transactions to complex, multi-technology, cross-border platforms. The market has matured significantly, with renewables now firmly established as mainstream infrastructure and capital becoming more disciplined and selective.  

A major growth area is battery energy storage systems (BESS), which have moved from being an adjunct to renewables to a core investment thesis in their own right. Storage, hybridisation and co-location strategies are reshaping project design, while revenue stacking and merchant exposure are demanding more sophisticated structuring and risk management.  

On the M&A front, Natasha highlights sustained deal activity and strong valuations for scaled platforms and development pipelines. The market is firmly in a consolidation phase, with investors prioritising portfolio and platform transactions over single-asset deals. Innovative financing models, including holdco structures and cross-collateralisation across diversified portfolios, are increasingly replacing traditional asset-by-asset project finance.  

The conversation also turns to the accelerating demand from AI-driven datacentres and the growing integration of digital infrastructure within energy complexes. As power demand surges, particularly for firm and clean energy, the convergence of energy and technology is creating new investment models and strategic partnerships — signalling that the next chapter of the energy transition will be defined as much by integration and capital structuring as by capacity build-out.]]>1728batteries,datacenters,finance,m&afalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
AI-driven datacenter growth is pushing the US power system into uncharted territory. Roughly 180 GW of U.S. electricity commitments tied to datacenters represent about 30% incremental demand. Hyperscaler CAPEX is exploding. Demand is accelerating far faster than new supply can come online, setting up a near-term imbalance. In response, the U.S. utility sector is preparing for a potential $1.4 trillion investment supercycle over the next five years.

In regulated markets, utilities are under pressure to modernize cost-of-service models and deliver massive capital programs while keeping electricity affordable. Companies such as Duke Energy, Southern Company, Entergy, and CenterPoint Energy are planning investments that run into the hundreds of billions.

In deregulated markets, players like Constellation Energy, Vistra Corp., and NRG Energy face a structural mismatch: datacenters can be built faster than power plants, while price signals may not rise quickly enough to incentivize new generation. Some customers are exploring off-grid solutions, but these bring technical and economic challenges.

The conclusion is clear: load growth is staggering. Parts of the system may move toward re-regulation, but that alone will not be enough. Rapid innovation—decentralized solutions, grid-enhancing technologies, faster interconnections, and deeper digitization—will be essential as utilities relearn how to build at scale and speed.  

Check an excellent WoodMac report on the Datacenters
https://www.woodmac.com/horizons/us-data-centre-power-demand-challenges-electricity-market-model/  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70444191Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:05:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhile Gerard is fixing his knee, Laurent invites Chris Seiple, Vice Chairman of WoodMac Power & Renewables group, to try to make sense of the scale of the coming power demand surge and the strain it is placing on today’s US market structures....
AI-driven datacenter growth is pushing the US power system into uncharted territory. Roughly 180 GW of U.S. electricity commitments tied to datacenters represent about 30% incremental demand. Hyperscaler CAPEX is exploding. Demand is accelerating far faster than new supply can come online, setting up a near-term imbalance. In response, the U.S. utility sector is preparing for a potential $1.4 trillion investment supercycle over the next five years.

In regulated markets, utilities are under pressure to modernize cost-of-service models and deliver massive capital programs while keeping electricity affordable. Companies such as Duke Energy, Southern Company, Entergy, and CenterPoint Energy are planning investments that run into the hundreds of billions.

In deregulated markets, players like Constellation Energy, Vistra Corp., and NRG Energy face a structural mismatch: datacenters can be built faster than power plants, while price signals may not rise quickly enough to incentivize new generation. Some customers are exploring off-grid solutions, but these bring technical and economic challenges.

The conclusion is clear: load growth is staggering. Parts of the system may move toward re-regulation, but that alone will not be enough. Rapid innovation—decentralized solutions, grid-enhancing technologies, faster interconnections, and deeper digitization—will be essential as utilities relearn how to build at scale and speed.  

Check an excellent WoodMac report on the Datacenters
https://www.woodmac.com/horizons/us-data-centre-power-demand-challenges-electricity-market-model/  ]]>1835datacenters,utilitiesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comShayle Kann, Managing Partner at Energy Impact Partners, for a world class and fast-moving conversation on the state and future of Climate Tech.   The discussion was organised by Carbon Equity and led by its co-founder Liza Rubinstein Malamud.

Originally it featured a third guest, Will Dufton of Giant Ventures, whose contributions were fully edited for this episode (with apologies — and an open invitation to return).  

First strong statement: the Silicon Valley-style climate tech era of 2021–2022 is over. Gerard is clear that carbon removal and hydrogen, at least as they were framed and funded during the hype cycle, are effectively dead. What comes now is a far more grounded, infrastructure-driven view of the transition.  

Both guests are emphatically bullish on energy and AI. Shayle especially sees climate tech not as a standalone vertical, but as a horizontal that cuts across the entire economy. Anything that supports electrification, datacenters, and energy-hungry digital infrastructure represents a major opportunity. Gerard pushes the horizon even further, imagining datacenters in space.  

A central theme is the convergence of AI and the physical world. Shayle argues that as large language models become commoditised, value will move from bits to atoms — from software to real-world systems, infrastructure, and industrial processes. Gerard complements this with a strong emphasis on resilience, positioning it as a defining investment lens for the coming decade.  

On batteries, there is rare and total agreement. Both see them as the most important technology of our time, underpinning electrification, grid stability, transport, and the scaling of renewables.  

What emerges is an intense, wide-ranging exchange between two of the sharpest minds in the energy transition — a true Battle Royale on where climate, energy, and technology are heading next.  

You can watch the hour-long video here:
 https://youtu.be/H5YE1Upe0JI?si=HlgHKFOOjZj8Gygp    ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70295711Mon, 02 Mar 2026 01:45:05 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLast month, Gerard Reid joined Shayle Kann, Managing Partner at Energy Impact Partners, for a world class and fast-moving conversation on the state and future of Climate Tech.   The discussion was organised by Carbon Equity and led by its co-founder...Shayle Kann, Managing Partner at Energy Impact Partners, for a world class and fast-moving conversation on the state and future of Climate Tech.   The discussion was organised by Carbon Equity and led by its co-founder Liza Rubinstein Malamud.

Originally it featured a third guest, Will Dufton of Giant Ventures, whose contributions were fully edited for this episode (with apologies — and an open invitation to return).  

First strong statement: the Silicon Valley-style climate tech era of 2021–2022 is over. Gerard is clear that carbon removal and hydrogen, at least as they were framed and funded during the hype cycle, are effectively dead. What comes now is a far more grounded, infrastructure-driven view of the transition.  

Both guests are emphatically bullish on energy and AI. Shayle especially sees climate tech not as a standalone vertical, but as a horizontal that cuts across the entire economy. Anything that supports electrification, datacenters, and energy-hungry digital infrastructure represents a major opportunity. Gerard pushes the horizon even further, imagining datacenters in space.  

A central theme is the convergence of AI and the physical world. Shayle argues that as large language models become commoditised, value will move from bits to atoms — from software to real-world systems, infrastructure, and industrial processes. Gerard complements this with a strong emphasis on resilience, positioning it as a defining investment lens for the coming decade.  

On batteries, there is rare and total agreement. Both see them as the most important technology of our time, underpinning electrification, grid stability, transport, and the scaling of renewables.  

What emerges is an intense, wide-ranging exchange between two of the sharpest minds in the energy transition — a true Battle Royale on where climate, energy, and technology are heading next.  

You can watch the hour-long video here:
 https://youtu.be/H5YE1Upe0JI?si=HlgHKFOOjZj8Gygp    ]]>2276batteries,climate,climatetech,datacenters,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
But this isn’t just another commodity cycle. These metals sit at the core of the energy transition. They’re embedded in batteries, EVs, transmission lines, datacenters, wind turbines, and solar modules. When they move, the entire transition complex moves with them.  

So, what are we really looking at? Is this a positioning squeeze in thin markets? Or the early tremors of a structural repricing?  

The divide is clear. At The Carlyle Group, Jeff Currie argues we’re only “on the foothills of the Himalayas” — the early stage of a structural supercycle driven by electrification, grid build-out, and constrained supply. Ed Morse pushes back. High prices cure high prices. Capital flows. Supply responds. Markets rebalance. Cycles end the way they always have. Two very different frameworks. One structural. One cyclical.  

To cut through the noise, Laurent and Gerard sit down with Matt Fernley, Managing Director at Battery Materials Review and Partner at RK Equity. They dissect what’s actually driving these rallies — inventory tightness, permitting bottlenecks, capital discipline, geopolitics, demand elasticity.  

They confront the supply question head-on: Can new production realistically catch up — on time, on budget, and at scale? And they explore the technologies that could reshape the curve — from the re-emergence of direct lithium extraction (DLE) to the accelerating development of sodium-ion batteries.  

This isn’t just about price volatility. It’s about whether the energy transition is entering a new cost regime. Because if these inputs are structurally repricing, everything downstream changes. And if they aren’t — the unwind could be just as violent.

----
Link to the report by the Volta Foundation
https://volta.foundation/battery-report-2025/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70150038Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:40:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLithium has doubled in three months. Copper is printing record highs. Silver went vertical—then collapsed. The move was fast. The reversals were faster. Volatility isn’t elevated. It’s systemic.   But this isn’t just another commodity cycle. These...
But this isn’t just another commodity cycle. These metals sit at the core of the energy transition. They’re embedded in batteries, EVs, transmission lines, datacenters, wind turbines, and solar modules. When they move, the entire transition complex moves with them.  

So, what are we really looking at? Is this a positioning squeeze in thin markets? Or the early tremors of a structural repricing?  

The divide is clear. At The Carlyle Group, Jeff Currie argues we’re only “on the foothills of the Himalayas” — the early stage of a structural supercycle driven by electrification, grid build-out, and constrained supply. Ed Morse pushes back. High prices cure high prices. Capital flows. Supply responds. Markets rebalance. Cycles end the way they always have. Two very different frameworks. One structural. One cyclical.  

To cut through the noise, Laurent and Gerard sit down with Matt Fernley, Managing Director at Battery Materials Review and Partner at RK Equity. They dissect what’s actually driving these rallies — inventory tightness, permitting bottlenecks, capital discipline, geopolitics, demand elasticity.  

They confront the supply question head-on: Can new production realistically catch up — on time, on budget, and at scale? And they explore the technologies that could reshape the curve — from the re-emergence of direct lithium extraction (DLE) to the accelerating development of sodium-ion batteries.  

This isn’t just about price volatility. It’s about whether the energy transition is entering a new cost regime. Because if these inputs are structurally repricing, everything downstream changes. And if they aren’t — the unwind could be just as violent.

----
Link to the report by the Volta Foundation
https://volta.foundation/battery-report-2025/]]>1626battery,copper,evs,lithium,silverfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Laurent and Gerard are joined by friend of the show Shanu Mathew, an equity portfolio manager everyone in the sector knows to unpack what’s really driving this performance.  

We begin by putting recent returns into a longer-term context — and by flagging an important caveat: some of the strongest results are coming from highly concentrated portfolios.  

Shanu makes a critical distinction that often gets blurred in market commentary: equipment providers versus sellers of electrons. On one side sit companies like GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, Caterpillar — and the surprise guest, Bloom Energy. On the other are utilities and IPPs. The divergence is striking. Equipment manufacturers have gone ballistic; utilities have performed, but at a far more pedestrian pace.  

The difference, unsurprisingly, is pricing power. Equipment suppliers — particularly those insulated from Chinese competition — have been able to push through aggressive price increases, turbocharged by surging demand from Hyperscalers. Utilities, by contrast, remain constrained by regulation, public scrutiny, and political pressure.  

The result? Hyperscalers are increasingly looking to self-generation: reciprocating engines, fuel cells, and a growing enthusiasm for frontier technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal and Small Modular Reactors.  

We walk through these alternatives, examine how public markets are valuing them today, and end where every cycle eventually leads us: Are we in a bubble? 
Or, as Chuck Prince, then CEO of Citigroup, famously put it on the eve of the 2008 financial crisis:
“As long as the music is playing, you’ve got to get up and dance.”]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69846901Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:55:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidClean Energy equities have comfortably outperformed the major indices in 2025.   Laurent and Gerard are joined by friend of the show Shanu Mathew, an equity portfolio manager everyone in the sector knows to unpack what’s really driving this...
Laurent and Gerard are joined by friend of the show Shanu Mathew, an equity portfolio manager everyone in the sector knows to unpack what’s really driving this performance.  

We begin by putting recent returns into a longer-term context — and by flagging an important caveat: some of the strongest results are coming from highly concentrated portfolios.  

Shanu makes a critical distinction that often gets blurred in market commentary: equipment providers versus sellers of electrons. On one side sit companies like GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, Caterpillar — and the surprise guest, Bloom Energy. On the other are utilities and IPPs. The divergence is striking. Equipment manufacturers have gone ballistic; utilities have performed, but at a far more pedestrian pace.  

The difference, unsurprisingly, is pricing power. Equipment suppliers — particularly those insulated from Chinese competition — have been able to push through aggressive price increases, turbocharged by surging demand from Hyperscalers. Utilities, by contrast, remain constrained by regulation, public scrutiny, and political pressure.  

The result? Hyperscalers are increasingly looking to self-generation: reciprocating engines, fuel cells, and a growing enthusiasm for frontier technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal and Small Modular Reactors.  

We walk through these alternatives, examine how public markets are valuing them today, and end where every cycle eventually leads us: Are we in a bubble? 
Or, as Chuck Prince, then CEO of Citigroup, famously put it on the eve of the 2008 financial crisis:
“As long as the music is playing, you’ve got to get up and dance.”]]>2063cleanenergy,equity,marketsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
We start with the growing importance of IFRS 13 fair value accounting. In increasingly volatile markets, long-term forecasts are no longer sufficient. Market-implied PPA prices are moving faster than fundamentals and are becoming a key signal for future capture rates and risk, forcing investors to reassess how renewable assets are valued.

The discussion then turns to Flexibility Purchase Agreements (FPAs), including tolls and floors for batteries. FPAs reflect a fundamental shift from generation toward flexibility and optimisation, as renewable-heavy systems face cannibalisation, negative prices, and widening price spreads.

With clean sources now accounting for nearly half of EU power generation, these side effects are becoming structural. Solar capture rates have dropped sharply in markets such as Germany, negative prices now occur in thousands of hours across Europe, and curtailment and balancing costs are rising. Batteries have become the system’s primary response.

We also explore how the buyer landscape is shifting. Hyperscalers and data centres are increasingly driving private PPAs, utilities are regaining relevance through trading and optimisation, and stand-alone renewable PPAs are showing signs of saturation. Despite this, capital deployment across clean energy continues to grow, signalling a reallocation of value rather than a slowdown.

The conversation concludes with a look ahead. Many renewable assets financed under merchant assumptions are now misaligned with today’s pricing reality. Battery tolls and floors are scaling quickly, consolidation among IPPs is accelerating, and capture rates remain unstable. The open question remains whether any buyers are willing to pay a green premium for co-located and hybrid projects in a market where flexibility has become central to value creation.

Link to Pexapark reports
IPPs:
https://go.pexapark.com/next-gen-ipp-playbook

Renewables Market Outlook 2026 - The Big Repricing: How volatility and BESS reshape clean energy markets (PPAs and FPAs): 

https://pexapark.com/pexapark-renewables-market-outlook-2026/ ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69761486Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:00:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLuca Pedretti, Co-Founder, Pexapark, returns to discuss how volatility, market design, and new contract structures are transforming power markets and renewable economics. What begins with PPA pricing quickly evolves into a broader conversation about...
We start with the growing importance of IFRS 13 fair value accounting. In increasingly volatile markets, long-term forecasts are no longer sufficient. Market-implied PPA prices are moving faster than fundamentals and are becoming a key signal for future capture rates and risk, forcing investors to reassess how renewable assets are valued.

The discussion then turns to Flexibility Purchase Agreements (FPAs), including tolls and floors for batteries. FPAs reflect a fundamental shift from generation toward flexibility and optimisation, as renewable-heavy systems face cannibalisation, negative prices, and widening price spreads.

With clean sources now accounting for nearly half of EU power generation, these side effects are becoming structural. Solar capture rates have dropped sharply in markets such as Germany, negative prices now occur in thousands of hours across Europe, and curtailment and balancing costs are rising. Batteries have become the system’s primary response.

We also explore how the buyer landscape is shifting. Hyperscalers and data centres are increasingly driving private PPAs, utilities are regaining relevance through trading and optimisation, and stand-alone renewable PPAs are showing signs of saturation. Despite this, capital deployment across clean energy continues to grow, signalling a reallocation of value rather than a slowdown.

The conversation concludes with a look ahead. Many renewable assets financed under merchant assumptions are now misaligned with today’s pricing reality. Battery tolls and floors are scaling quickly, consolidation among IPPs is accelerating, and capture rates remain unstable. The open question remains whether any buyers are willing to pay a green premium for co-located and hybrid projects in a market where flexibility has become central to value creation.

Link to Pexapark reports
IPPs:
https://go.pexapark.com/next-gen-ipp-playbook

Renewables Market Outlook 2026 - The Big Repricing: How volatility and BESS reshape clean energy markets (PPAs and FPAs): 

https://pexapark.com/pexapark-renewables-market-outlook-2026/ ]]>1655batteries,fpas,ppas,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
The great Doug Houseman draws a useful distinction between reliability and resilience. “Reliability is about how well you keep the lights on, while resilience is about how quickly you can restore power after an outage.”  

Over the past year, blackouts caused by extreme weather, human error, and physical attacks have exposed an uncomfortable truth: electricity is no longer invisible background infrastructure. It is the backbone of modern society, and when it fails, everything else quickly follows.  

To explore these challenges, Laurent and Gerard sit down with Ronny Fiuren, one of the Nordics’ sharpest thinkers on energy. Ronny is the Founder of Mylicia Energy, an executive board member, and a strategic business developer with deep expertise in power markets, energy flexibility, and grid-oriented solutions.  

Together, they discuss why resilience has evolved from a technical afterthought into a strategic priority, and what recent events across Europe and North America are really telling us about the condition of our power grids.  

The conversation examines how decentralisation, flexibility, and the use of advanced technologies and AI matter more than ever. It also highlights the need for a shift in mindset, not only among grid operators but also regulators.  

They explore the value of interconnectors in strengthening power systems, while also unpacking their political dimensions and the strong public emotions that can emerge when electricity prices rise suddenly.  

Beyond weather-related disruptions and cyber threats, the discussion turns to new risks such as deliberate sabotage and how energy systems can be designed to cope with them.  

From Scandinavia to the rest of Europe, this is a timely conversation about how to build power systems capable of withstanding shocks in an increasingly electrified and digital world.

----
Read Ember Europe Electricity Review  
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2026/
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69647718Mon, 02 Feb 2026 04:50:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidResilience is the buzzword of the moment—from Gerard’s personal resilience on display in Davos last week to the critical issue of grid resilience.   The great Doug Houseman draws a useful distinction between reliability and resilience. “Reliability...
The great Doug Houseman draws a useful distinction between reliability and resilience. “Reliability is about how well you keep the lights on, while resilience is about how quickly you can restore power after an outage.”  

Over the past year, blackouts caused by extreme weather, human error, and physical attacks have exposed an uncomfortable truth: electricity is no longer invisible background infrastructure. It is the backbone of modern society, and when it fails, everything else quickly follows.  

To explore these challenges, Laurent and Gerard sit down with Ronny Fiuren, one of the Nordics’ sharpest thinkers on energy. Ronny is the Founder of Mylicia Energy, an executive board member, and a strategic business developer with deep expertise in power markets, energy flexibility, and grid-oriented solutions.  

Together, they discuss why resilience has evolved from a technical afterthought into a strategic priority, and what recent events across Europe and North America are really telling us about the condition of our power grids.  

The conversation examines how decentralisation, flexibility, and the use of advanced technologies and AI matter more than ever. It also highlights the need for a shift in mindset, not only among grid operators but also regulators.  

They explore the value of interconnectors in strengthening power systems, while also unpacking their political dimensions and the strong public emotions that can emerge when electricity prices rise suddenly.  

Beyond weather-related disruptions and cyber threats, the discussion turns to new risks such as deliberate sabotage and how energy systems can be designed to cope with them.  

From Scandinavia to the rest of Europe, this is a timely conversation about how to build power systems capable of withstanding shocks in an increasingly electrified and digital world.

----
Read Ember Europe Electricity Review  
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2026/
]]>1785digitisation,grids,interconnectors,resiliencefalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
2025 smashed fundraising records, with c.USD300bn raised, but it also laid bare an uncomfortable truth: this is a market in consolidation mode. Capital is concentrating fast, and the biggest platforms are pulling further ahead.  

Global Infrastructure Partners set a new benchmark with its USD25.2bn Fund V, the largest infrastructure fund ever raised. Macquarie closed more than USD8bn for Infrastructure Partners VI, including co-investments, while Blackstone raised USD5.5bn for Strategic Partners Infrastructure IV, the largest infrastructure secondaries fund to date. Brookfield, KKR, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Ardian were also among the clear winners. Scale matters, and the leaders are taking an ever-larger share of the pie.  

Fundraising may look healthier on the surface, but the process has become longer and harder. Time on the road has stretched to around 25 months, meaning a large portion of the capital “raised” in 2025 was secured across 2023 and 2024. This is not a detail; it is the clearest symptom of the barbell dynamic now dominating infrastructure fundraising, where capital flows either to the very largest platforms or to highly differentiated specialists.  

Sector trends are also evolving. Airports and toll roads, written off after COVID, are back in favour. Social infrastructure is fading. ESG has been reset, not abandoned, and gas infrastructure is once again being embraced, often relabelled as energy transition to make it palatable. Datacenters sit at the centre of everything, hoovering up capital and pulling renewables and grid infrastructure along with them.  

The discussion goes straight at the hard questions: are genuinely new sectors emerging, can today’s giants realistically keep getting bigger, and is there still room for ultra-specialised strategies? 

The answer is increasingly clear. Bigger is not automatically better. Investors are becoming far more selective, and many are shifting capital toward focused, mid-market funds that offer expertise rather than sheer scale.  

-----
Berlin Infrastructure Conference – 24 to 27/3
https://www.peievents.com/en/checkout/?peievcc-event-id=113021    

Link to Nat Bullard – 200 pages yearly deck 
https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations      ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69547751Mon, 26 Jan 2026 04:15:09 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe infrastructure fund industry has become one of the most powerful engines behind the rise of renewables and datacenters. With Zak Bentley, Americas Editor, Infrastructure Investor (part of the PEI Group), Laurent and Gerard cut through the noise to...
2025 smashed fundraising records, with c.USD300bn raised, but it also laid bare an uncomfortable truth: this is a market in consolidation mode. Capital is concentrating fast, and the biggest platforms are pulling further ahead.  

Global Infrastructure Partners set a new benchmark with its USD25.2bn Fund V, the largest infrastructure fund ever raised. Macquarie closed more than USD8bn for Infrastructure Partners VI, including co-investments, while Blackstone raised USD5.5bn for Strategic Partners Infrastructure IV, the largest infrastructure secondaries fund to date. Brookfield, KKR, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Ardian were also among the clear winners. Scale matters, and the leaders are taking an ever-larger share of the pie.  

Fundraising may look healthier on the surface, but the process has become longer and harder. Time on the road has stretched to around 25 months, meaning a large portion of the capital “raised” in 2025 was secured across 2023 and 2024. This is not a detail; it is the clearest symptom of the barbell dynamic now dominating infrastructure fundraising, where capital flows either to the very largest platforms or to highly differentiated specialists.  

Sector trends are also evolving. Airports and toll roads, written off after COVID, are back in favour. Social infrastructure is fading. ESG has been reset, not abandoned, and gas infrastructure is once again being embraced, often relabelled as energy transition to make it palatable. Datacenters sit at the centre of everything, hoovering up capital and pulling renewables and grid infrastructure along with them.  

The discussion goes straight at the hard questions: are genuinely new sectors emerging, can today’s giants realistically keep getting bigger, and is there still room for ultra-specialised strategies? 

The answer is increasingly clear. Bigger is not automatically better. Investors are becoming far more selective, and many are shifting capital toward focused, mid-market funds that offer expertise rather than sheer scale.  

-----
Berlin Infrastructure Conference – 24 to 27/3
https://www.peievents.com/en/checkout/?peievcc-event-id=113021    

Link to Nat Bullard – 200 pages yearly deck 
https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations      ]]>1816datacenters,infrastructure,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Gerard and Laurent are joined by Paul Kenny, Director General of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), to unpack why adoption has surged in countries such as Japan, Scandinavia and parts of the US, while many European markets continue to lag.

After a strong year in 2022, European heat pump sales slowed in 2023 and 2024 amid high upfront costs, a shortage of qualified installers, weaker policy support and an unfavourable price relationship between gas and electricity. Paul explains why confidence is returning in 2025, with 1m heat pumps sold across 13 European countries in the first half of 2025, a 9% increase on 2024.

We also look beyond residential heating to the rapid rise of industrial heat pumps, which could become a major decarbonisation tool for sectors requiring heat below 200°C, including food processing and pharmaceuticals. The conversation explores how heat pumps can add flexibility to the power system, in some cases reducing the need for battery storage, and why data centre heat management is emerging as a key new application.

As the leading voice of Europe’s heat pump industry, EHPA is working to make heat pumps the preferred technology for sustainable heating and cooling — strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and energy security in the process.

-----
At Redefining Energy, we are excited to be part of International Energy Week, where some of the biggest names in global energy come together for a packed agenda tackling the ideas, technologies, and policies shaping the future. ENGIE's CEO Catherine MacGregor will be speaking, as well as IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol and Shell's CEO Wael Sawan.  

Join us there and get 20% off your ticket with the promo code REIEWEEK20. https://www.ieweek.co.uk/

--
Finally, Gerard and Laurent are invited by Jan Rosenow, professor of energy and climate policy at Oxford university and an energy policy expert, for a live session at Oriel College in Oxford on 25/2/26.    ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69455164Mon, 19 Jan 2026 04:55:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHeat pumps sit at the heart of Europe’s strategy to cut emissions and reduce dependence on imported gas. Under the EU’s REPowerEU plan, the bloc is targeting 60 million heat pumps by 2030. By the end of 2025, almost 30 million units were already...
Gerard and Laurent are joined by Paul Kenny, Director General of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), to unpack why adoption has surged in countries such as Japan, Scandinavia and parts of the US, while many European markets continue to lag.

After a strong year in 2022, European heat pump sales slowed in 2023 and 2024 amid high upfront costs, a shortage of qualified installers, weaker policy support and an unfavourable price relationship between gas and electricity. Paul explains why confidence is returning in 2025, with 1m heat pumps sold across 13 European countries in the first half of 2025, a 9% increase on 2024.

We also look beyond residential heating to the rapid rise of industrial heat pumps, which could become a major decarbonisation tool for sectors requiring heat below 200°C, including food processing and pharmaceuticals. The conversation explores how heat pumps can add flexibility to the power system, in some cases reducing the need for battery storage, and why data centre heat management is emerging as a key new application.

As the leading voice of Europe’s heat pump industry, EHPA is working to make heat pumps the preferred technology for sustainable heating and cooling — strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and energy security in the process.

-----
At Redefining Energy, we are excited to be part of International Energy Week, where some of the biggest names in global energy come together for a packed agenda tackling the ideas, technologies, and policies shaping the future. ENGIE's CEO Catherine MacGregor will be speaking, as well as IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol and Shell's CEO Wael Sawan.  

Join us there and get 20% off your ticket with the promo code REIEWEEK20. https://www.ieweek.co.uk/

--
Finally, Gerard and Laurent are invited by Jan Rosenow, professor of energy and climate policy at Oxford university and an energy policy expert, for a live session at Oriel College in Oxford on 25/2/26.    ]]>1908cooling,heatpumps,renewableheatfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comJo-Jo Hubbard, CEO of Electron, to explore why the centre of gravity in the energy transition is shifting decisively toward the distribution grid. Jo-Jo explains why the “last mile” is becoming the true engine of system flexibility, how demand at the edge must become a core resource, and why DSOs aren’t confused about flexibility at all — they simply respond to the incentives regulators design. Flexibility, she argues, isn’t replacing grid reinforcement but making it smarter, helping utilities target and sequence investments far more efficiently at a time when distribution upgrade costs are rising quickly.

We discuss how to escape the sector’s obsession with endless pilots, and why real scale only arrives when year-round, rules-based products give suppliers and aggregators the confidence to automate and invest. The conversation then turns to the economics of location — from REMA to zonal pricing — and why congestion at the distribution level is where flexibility competes most effectively with copper. Jo-Jo also lays out what it takes to get millions of households engaged without overwhelming them, making the experience effortless, automated and consistent across retailers.

She breaks down the hardest parts of the DER orchestration stack, noting that the real challenge isn’t cloud infrastructure but standardising how device capabilities and network constraints are described across a patchwork of utilities. Looking ahead to 2030, Jo-Jo argues that no single asset class “wins”: value depends on time, place and service, with EVs likely providing tens of gigawatts of potential flexibility but orchestration remaining the true hero.

We cover the future of interoperability and open data — not via global standards, but through adapters and translation layers similar to those that shaped the internet — and examine the cybersecurity demands of cloud-based orchestration as it becomes critical infrastructure. Jo-Jo also gives a global view of progress, from Australia’s rapid adoption to the US’s accelerating regulatory push and Europe’s mix of strong TSO-level progress but uneven local action. She closes with reflections on whether the centralised grid is dying, who should ultimately control DERs, whether blockchain still has a role, and what a nightmare scenario looks like in a DER-dominated world.

A fast, clear, and deeply insightful conversation on the rise of flexibility, the reinvention of the distribution grid, and the technologies and rules needed to orchestrate millions of devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69290260Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:30:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent and Gerard sit down with Jo-Jo Hubbard, CEO of Electron, to explore why the centre of gravity in the energy transition is shifting decisively toward the distribution grid. Jo-Jo explains why the “last mile” is becoming the true engine of...Jo-Jo Hubbard, CEO of Electron, to explore why the centre of gravity in the energy transition is shifting decisively toward the distribution grid. Jo-Jo explains why the “last mile” is becoming the true engine of system flexibility, how demand at the edge must become a core resource, and why DSOs aren’t confused about flexibility at all — they simply respond to the incentives regulators design. Flexibility, she argues, isn’t replacing grid reinforcement but making it smarter, helping utilities target and sequence investments far more efficiently at a time when distribution upgrade costs are rising quickly.

We discuss how to escape the sector’s obsession with endless pilots, and why real scale only arrives when year-round, rules-based products give suppliers and aggregators the confidence to automate and invest. The conversation then turns to the economics of location — from REMA to zonal pricing — and why congestion at the distribution level is where flexibility competes most effectively with copper. Jo-Jo also lays out what it takes to get millions of households engaged without overwhelming them, making the experience effortless, automated and consistent across retailers.

She breaks down the hardest parts of the DER orchestration stack, noting that the real challenge isn’t cloud infrastructure but standardising how device capabilities and network constraints are described across a patchwork of utilities. Looking ahead to 2030, Jo-Jo argues that no single asset class “wins”: value depends on time, place and service, with EVs likely providing tens of gigawatts of potential flexibility but orchestration remaining the true hero.

We cover the future of interoperability and open data — not via global standards, but through adapters and translation layers similar to those that shaped the internet — and examine the cybersecurity demands of cloud-based orchestration as it becomes critical infrastructure. Jo-Jo also gives a global view of progress, from Australia’s rapid adoption to the US’s accelerating regulatory push and Europe’s mix of strong TSO-level progress but uneven local action. She closes with reflections on whether the centralised grid is dying, who should ultimately control DERs, whether blockchain still has a role, and what a nightmare scenario looks like in a DER-dominated world.

A fast, clear, and deeply insightful conversation on the rise of flexibility, the reinvention of the distribution grid, and the technologies and rules needed to orchestrate millions of devices.]]>1845der,distribution,ev,flexibility,heatpumpsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
As tradition demands (and lawyers insist), the first episode of the year is the annual ritual where Gerard, Laurent, and Michael boldly predict the future of the energy transition… and then publicly roast themselves for last year’s bad calls.

Before unleashing our 2026 Predictions, we do a mandatory rewind to the crystal-ball disasters of 2025: The 2025 prophecy graveyard:

1. US oil production down in 2025 (MB — bold, brave… wrong)
2. Oil at $40/bbl in 2025 (GR — oof)
3. Geopolitics + broken supply chains + energy chaos = a better, more innovative world (LS — still hoping)
4. A bloodbath for hydrogen in transportation (MB — disturbingly accurate)
5. Record installs: Solar 700GW, EVs 20m, Batteries 200GWh (spot on)
6. The death of all things labelled ESG, Climate, and Carbon (LS — prematurely optimistic)

Scorecard: Gerard absolutely nailed Silver: from $30/oz to $60/oz in 18 months. BP technically survived 2025… but welcomed a new CEO, so partial credit at best.

Michael wins overall, which he will remind us of repeatedly. After heroic levels of co-host sabotage, Laurent loses again, as is now canon.
Our 2026 Predictions:
🔥 China battery systems at $40/kWh, full-system LFP (MB)
🔥 Half of all announced datacenters will never be built — welcome to the credit + grid crisis (LS)
🔥 Wind and solar installs DOWN in 2026 vs 2025 (GR — spicy)
🔥 20GW of solar in Africa in 2026 (MB)
🔥 The GhG Protocol revision fight gets ugly, personal, and possibly litigious (LS)
🔥 LNG glut creates stranded assets everywhere: flat demand, too much supply, tears on spreadsheets (GR)

And yes, plenty more hot takes, bruised egos, and inconvenient truths to kick off the year the right way.

🎙️ Welcome to 2026. Let’s redefine energy.  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69114028Mon, 05 Jan 2026 01:25:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHappy New Year energy nerds As tradition demands (and lawyers insist), the first episode of the year is the annual ritual where Gerard, Laurent, and Michael boldly predict the future of the energy transition… and then publicly roast themselves for...
As tradition demands (and lawyers insist), the first episode of the year is the annual ritual where Gerard, Laurent, and Michael boldly predict the future of the energy transition… and then publicly roast themselves for last year’s bad calls.

Before unleashing our 2026 Predictions, we do a mandatory rewind to the crystal-ball disasters of 2025: The 2025 prophecy graveyard:

1. US oil production down in 2025 (MB — bold, brave… wrong)
2. Oil at $40/bbl in 2025 (GR — oof)
3. Geopolitics + broken supply chains + energy chaos = a better, more innovative world (LS — still hoping)
4. A bloodbath for hydrogen in transportation (MB — disturbingly accurate)
5. Record installs: Solar 700GW, EVs 20m, Batteries 200GWh (spot on)
6. The death of all things labelled ESG, Climate, and Carbon (LS — prematurely optimistic)

Scorecard: Gerard absolutely nailed Silver: from $30/oz to $60/oz in 18 months. BP technically survived 2025… but welcomed a new CEO, so partial credit at best.

Michael wins overall, which he will remind us of repeatedly. After heroic levels of co-host sabotage, Laurent loses again, as is now canon.
Our 2026 Predictions:
🔥 China battery systems at $40/kWh, full-system LFP (MB)
🔥 Half of all announced datacenters will never be built — welcome to the credit + grid crisis (LS)
🔥 Wind and solar installs DOWN in 2026 vs 2025 (GR — spicy)
🔥 20GW of solar in Africa in 2026 (MB)
🔥 The GhG Protocol revision fight gets ugly, personal, and possibly litigious (LS)
🔥 LNG glut creates stranded assets everywhere: flat demand, too much supply, tears on spreadsheets (GR)

And yes, plenty more hot takes, bruised egos, and inconvenient truths to kick off the year the right way.

🎙️ Welcome to 2026. Let’s redefine energy.  ]]>19902026,batteries,lng,predictions,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com

Deals of the Year: The spectacular offshore wind meltdown in the US — Orsted’s year of pain — contrasted with the blazing global boom in battery deployment all over the world, up a staggering 50% year-on-year.

The AI & Datacenter Surge: An extraordinary rise… but how much of it is grounded in facts, and how much is built on faith?

Scandals & Disgraces: From the SMR pump-and-dump circus to Venture Global’s LNG “ghosts ships,” and of course the Tony Blair report debacle — 2025 delivered drama.

Innovations That Actually Mattered: V2G is born thanks to Octopus and BYD and ever larger LFP form factors are reshaping storage — real progress amid the noise.

Quotes of the Year: A remarkable harvest of sharp insights capturing the zeitgeist… and, inevitably, a mountain of nonsense worth calling out.

To all our listeners: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank you for riding through 2025 with us.

We’ll be back in early January with our Predictions episode — always a very popular one.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69079756Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:55:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFor our final episode of the year, Laurent jumped onto the Wolfe Power podcast, where he and host Alex Wolfe took a no-nonsense tour through the big energy moments that shaped 2025.   - Deals of the Year: The spectacular offshore wind meltdown in the...

Deals of the Year: The spectacular offshore wind meltdown in the US — Orsted’s year of pain — contrasted with the blazing global boom in battery deployment all over the world, up a staggering 50% year-on-year.

The AI & Datacenter Surge: An extraordinary rise… but how much of it is grounded in facts, and how much is built on faith?

Scandals & Disgraces: From the SMR pump-and-dump circus to Venture Global’s LNG “ghosts ships,” and of course the Tony Blair report debacle — 2025 delivered drama.

Innovations That Actually Mattered: V2G is born thanks to Octopus and BYD and ever larger LFP form factors are reshaping storage — real progress amid the noise.

Quotes of the Year: A remarkable harvest of sharp insights capturing the zeitgeist… and, inevitably, a mountain of nonsense worth calling out.

To all our listeners: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank you for riding through 2025 with us.

We’ll be back in early January with our Predictions episode — always a very popular one.]]>2252batteries,datacenters,offshorewindfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
To meet the exponential rise in energy demand, parts of the industry have taken shortcuts—rapidly adding behind-the-meter capacity through open-cycle gas turbines - OCGT (such as the Titan 350 from Caterpillar) with little regard for environmental regulations. The mantra seems to be speed at any cost.  

Is the AI boom we are witnessing justified—or sustainable? From a technological standpoint, certainly yes: AI capability is roughly doubling every seven months. But from a financial perspective, it is harder to defend—given the sky-high valuations, credit fuelled growth and mounting losses at many of the sector’s biggest players.  

The bigger question is what all this means for the energy system itself. How will AI be powered? What will it do to the cost of energy and the shape of our infrastructure? Will it accelerate—or hinder—the energy transition?  

Hope is powerful—but it can also be blind. Between AI’s explosive growth and the traditional energy system’s entrenched realities, who will bear the cost?  

These are the questions Laurent and Gerard pose to Andrew Perry, Director of the Energy Transition and Environment business unit at Faculty.ai, where he leads AI-driven innovation in the energy sector.   We have a heated debate, trying to honestly lay out the dilemmas in front of the industry. 

More insights in this excellent research by the FT
https://ig.ft.com/ai-power/

Today’s show is supported by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt. The BMW Foundation unites leaders from diverse sectors to develop solutions that foster an innovative economy and a future-proof society. A key focus is "Energy Transition & Climate Change," where the Foundation drives "International collaboration to accelerate the energy transition." With rising energy demands from AI and data centers, new partnerships, effective collaboration, and the exchange of science-based solutions and strategies are essential. That’s why the BMW Foundation supports this podcast and brings these discussions to global stages by hosting the Energy Security Hub at the Munich Security Conference 2026, streaming live February 12–14.
Learn more at www.bmw-foundation.org
 ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68852035Mon, 15 Dec 2025 03:15:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWill artificial intelligence reshape the power grid, or will the inertia and complexity of today’s infrastructure slow progress—or even redefine how large language models, chips, and datacenters are designed and located?   To meet the exponential...
To meet the exponential rise in energy demand, parts of the industry have taken shortcuts—rapidly adding behind-the-meter capacity through open-cycle gas turbines - OCGT (such as the Titan 350 from Caterpillar) with little regard for environmental regulations. The mantra seems to be speed at any cost.  

Is the AI boom we are witnessing justified—or sustainable? From a technological standpoint, certainly yes: AI capability is roughly doubling every seven months. But from a financial perspective, it is harder to defend—given the sky-high valuations, credit fuelled growth and mounting losses at many of the sector’s biggest players.  

The bigger question is what all this means for the energy system itself. How will AI be powered? What will it do to the cost of energy and the shape of our infrastructure? Will it accelerate—or hinder—the energy transition?  

Hope is powerful—but it can also be blind. Between AI’s explosive growth and the traditional energy system’s entrenched realities, who will bear the cost?  

These are the questions Laurent and Gerard pose to Andrew Perry, Director of the Energy Transition and Environment business unit at Faculty.ai, where he leads AI-driven innovation in the energy sector.   We have a heated debate, trying to honestly lay out the dilemmas in front of the industry. 

More insights in this excellent research by the FT
https://ig.ft.com/ai-power/

Today’s show is supported by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt. The BMW Foundation unites leaders from diverse sectors to develop solutions that foster an innovative economy and a future-proof society. A key focus is "Energy Transition & Climate Change," where the Foundation drives "International collaboration to accelerate the energy transition." With rising energy demands from AI and data centers, new partnerships, effective collaboration, and the exchange of science-based solutions and strategies are essential. That’s why the BMW Foundation supports this podcast and brings these discussions to global stages by hosting the Energy Security Hub at the Munich Security Conference 2026, streaming live February 12–14.
Learn more at www.bmw-foundation.org
 ]]>1861ai,energy,gasturbines,renewables,smrfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
In a conversation hosted by Jonathan Gifford, they discuss about the future for the intersection of e-mobility and renewable energy.  

The conversation has been released as an Episode of “Powering Through” entitled The Resilience of Renewables. Participants take a closer look at the power of the e-mobility revolution, and what is needed to continue to push it forward. The uptake of e-mobility in Europe and China is discussed, along with the implications for energy storage and industry.

Ultimately, the promise of a vast, mobile fleet of batteries is presented – offering a hopeful vision for emissions-free mobility and energy provision.  

Main topics:

• What is the status of e-mobility adoption and implications for car makers
• How EVs can interact with the grid and the promise for energy security
• What Global EV-Battery Cooperation Might Look Like

You can watch it on Youtube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=M2qM58Vz9Rc  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68677924Mon, 08 Dec 2025 04:30:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard is on stage with Adele Zhao - Trina Solar and Thomas Raffeiner- The Mobility House at the Smarter E Conference. In a conversation hosted by Jonathan Gifford, they discuss about the future for the intersection of e-mobility and renewable...
In a conversation hosted by Jonathan Gifford, they discuss about the future for the intersection of e-mobility and renewable energy.  

The conversation has been released as an Episode of “Powering Through” entitled The Resilience of Renewables. Participants take a closer look at the power of the e-mobility revolution, and what is needed to continue to push it forward. The uptake of e-mobility in Europe and China is discussed, along with the implications for energy storage and industry.

Ultimately, the promise of a vast, mobile fleet of batteries is presented – offering a hopeful vision for emissions-free mobility and energy provision.  

Main topics:

• What is the status of e-mobility adoption and implications for car makers
• How EVs can interact with the grid and the promise for energy security
• What Global EV-Battery Cooperation Might Look Like

You can watch it on Youtube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=M2qM58Vz9Rc  ]]>1740emobilityfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Are investors misreading the new market dynamics? And can renewable portfolios be optimized under a fundamentally different investment logic?

FlexPower, founded in 2022 in Hamburg and, as of October 2025, fully owned by Citadel, the global hedge fund, represents this shift. The firm operates at the intersection of short-term power trading and battery optimization, deploying data-driven strategies across European markets.

FlexPower exemplifies how agile, technology-led firms are reshaping power markets by leveraging algorithmic trading, high-frequency data analytics, and real-time dispatch optimization. Their approach contrasts sharply with traditional infrastructure investors who continue to rely on fixed offtake agreements and policy support.

In conversation with FLexPower Managing Director Amani Joas, Laurent and Gerard examine how algorithmic trading and hedge fund participation are redefining price formation in grids increasingly dominated by intermittent renewables. The discussion highlights a structural divergence: while incumbents pursue regulatory certainty, new entrants monetize volatility itself—treating renewable assets as dynamic trading platforms rather than passive infrastructure.

The energy transition is no longer just a technological revolution—it’s a financial one.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68677923Mon, 01 Dec 2025 04:25:09 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFor much of the past two decades, renewable energy investment was viewed as a core infrastructure play—favoured by funds and long-term capital seeking predictable, government-backed cash flows. Yet the gradual phase-out of subsidies and the increasing...
Are investors misreading the new market dynamics? And can renewable portfolios be optimized under a fundamentally different investment logic?

FlexPower, founded in 2022 in Hamburg and, as of October 2025, fully owned by Citadel, the global hedge fund, represents this shift. The firm operates at the intersection of short-term power trading and battery optimization, deploying data-driven strategies across European markets.

FlexPower exemplifies how agile, technology-led firms are reshaping power markets by leveraging algorithmic trading, high-frequency data analytics, and real-time dispatch optimization. Their approach contrasts sharply with traditional infrastructure investors who continue to rely on fixed offtake agreements and policy support.

In conversation with FLexPower Managing Director Amani Joas, Laurent and Gerard examine how algorithmic trading and hedge fund participation are redefining price formation in grids increasingly dominated by intermittent renewables. The discussion highlights a structural divergence: while incumbents pursue regulatory certainty, new entrants monetize volatility itself—treating renewable assets as dynamic trading platforms rather than passive infrastructure.

The energy transition is no longer just a technological revolution—it’s a financial one.
]]>1908algos,infrastructure,powertrading,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Elexon is the Balancing and Settlement Code Company (BSCCo) for Great Britain. They are the neutral heartbeat of the electricity market, making sure the lights stay on and energy imbalances are accurately billed. They provide the transparency, fairness, and precision that keeps the whole system running—and prevent anyone from gaming the market. Formerly part of National Grid, Elexon has always been independent and is owned by the 13 largest market participants.

In this episode, Laurent and Gerard sit down with Peter Stanley, CEO of Elexon, to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of the balancing market. They break down why system costs have quintupled in recent years, hitting £8 billion a year, how settlement processes are being modernized, and the surprising ways AI is starting to shape the market.

Elexon isn’t just about numbers—it’s the backbone of the UK’s Clean Power by 2030 plan (CP30). By keeping the system balanced and efficient, Elexon is helping drive the near-total elimination of fossil fuels from the power grid, making a cleaner, greener future possible.

Get ready for a technical—but fascinating—ride behind the scenes of the UK electricity market.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68493545Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:25:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidRunning a power market isn’t just about generating electricity—it’s about making sure every kilowatt is accounted for. Someone has to calculate who owes what, make sure the rules are fair, and keep the system balanced in real time. Think of it as...
Elexon is the Balancing and Settlement Code Company (BSCCo) for Great Britain. They are the neutral heartbeat of the electricity market, making sure the lights stay on and energy imbalances are accurately billed. They provide the transparency, fairness, and precision that keeps the whole system running—and prevent anyone from gaming the market. Formerly part of National Grid, Elexon has always been independent and is owned by the 13 largest market participants.

In this episode, Laurent and Gerard sit down with Peter Stanley, CEO of Elexon, to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of the balancing market. They break down why system costs have quintupled in recent years, hitting £8 billion a year, how settlement processes are being modernized, and the surprising ways AI is starting to shape the market.

Elexon isn’t just about numbers—it’s the backbone of the UK’s Clean Power by 2030 plan (CP30). By keeping the system balanced and efficient, Elexon is helping drive the near-total elimination of fossil fuels from the power grid, making a cleaner, greener future possible.

Get ready for a technical—but fascinating—ride behind the scenes of the UK electricity market.]]>1797grid,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
They explore how COP30 is structured, the role of the Global Renewable Alliance, and the dynamics among participants. The 800-pound gorilla in the room—the United States—hasn’t derailed the negotiations, but one might ask: does it really matter? The real action, Bruce explains, takes place in the Blue Zone and the Green Zone, rather than in the endless debates over whether the final text will call to “phase out,” “phase down,” or “phase up” fossil fuels.

With investments in clean technologies now triple those in fossil fuels, the global momentum toward renewables seems unstoppable.

The COP text, increasingly, feels symbolic—if not irrelevant. Together, Laurent and Bruce celebrate the ongoing success of bottom-up implementation and the steady deployment of proven technologies, rather than top-down grand initiatives.

They also touch on a new forestry initiative, TFFF—dubbed “WTF-FF” by Laurent—which, they suspect, may fade away like tears in the rain. Packed with anecdotes about the Amazon rainforest, chaotic logistics, Saudi Arabia’s surprising investments in boxing, and other quirky insights, this episode strikes an optimistic tone.

Whatever COP30’s final declaration may say, one thing is clear: renewables have already won.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68554494Mon, 17 Nov 2025 04:55:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent sits down with Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewable Alliance, for a live conversation from COP30 in Belém, Brazil. They explore how COP30 is structured, the role of the Global Renewable Alliance, and the dynamics among participants. The...
They explore how COP30 is structured, the role of the Global Renewable Alliance, and the dynamics among participants. The 800-pound gorilla in the room—the United States—hasn’t derailed the negotiations, but one might ask: does it really matter? The real action, Bruce explains, takes place in the Blue Zone and the Green Zone, rather than in the endless debates over whether the final text will call to “phase out,” “phase down,” or “phase up” fossil fuels.

With investments in clean technologies now triple those in fossil fuels, the global momentum toward renewables seems unstoppable.

The COP text, increasingly, feels symbolic—if not irrelevant. Together, Laurent and Bruce celebrate the ongoing success of bottom-up implementation and the steady deployment of proven technologies, rather than top-down grand initiatives.

They also touch on a new forestry initiative, TFFF—dubbed “WTF-FF” by Laurent—which, they suspect, may fade away like tears in the rain. Packed with anecdotes about the Amazon rainforest, chaotic logistics, Saudi Arabia’s surprising investments in boxing, and other quirky insights, this episode strikes an optimistic tone.

Whatever COP30’s final declaration may say, one thing is clear: renewables have already won.]]>1173cop30,renewables,unfcccfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Enter the concept of the “3 Cs” — Congestion, Curtailment, and Cannibalization — a term coined by Richard Sverisson at Montel. It captures the growing pains of an energy system being transformed at unprecedented speed.

To unpack this, Laurent and Gerard welcome one of the world’s leading voices in solar energy: Sam Wilkinson, Head of Renewables at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Sam leads a team of 20 global experts focused on analysing and forecasting trends across renewable energy markets, policy, and infrastructure. Their insights, developed in close collaboration with industry stakeholders, are critical for understanding where the solar market is heading.

Notably, Sam and his team are forecasting a 100GW decline in new solar capacity in 2026 compared to 2025 — introducing the idea of "Peak Solar."

In this conversation, we explore what “peak solar” really means: its causes, how it might unfold, and the ripple effects on the global supply chain. But it’s not all bad news. Market consolidation, geographic diversification, and ongoing innovation in solar technology are helping the industry navigate challenges. As costs continue to fall and accessibility improves, solar remains a cornerstone of the global energy transition.

Expect a technical yet insightful discussion on the current headwinds — and future opportunities — in the solar energy sector.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68310976Mon, 10 Nov 2025 04:00:09 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSolar energy has experienced explosive growth over the past five years — doubling in capacity outside of China and quadrupling within China. But with this rapid expansion come new concerns: Are we scaling too quickly? And is the proliferation of solar...
Enter the concept of the “3 Cs” — Congestion, Curtailment, and Cannibalization — a term coined by Richard Sverisson at Montel. It captures the growing pains of an energy system being transformed at unprecedented speed.

To unpack this, Laurent and Gerard welcome one of the world’s leading voices in solar energy: Sam Wilkinson, Head of Renewables at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Sam leads a team of 20 global experts focused on analysing and forecasting trends across renewable energy markets, policy, and infrastructure. Their insights, developed in close collaboration with industry stakeholders, are critical for understanding where the solar market is heading.

Notably, Sam and his team are forecasting a 100GW decline in new solar capacity in 2026 compared to 2025 — introducing the idea of "Peak Solar."

In this conversation, we explore what “peak solar” really means: its causes, how it might unfold, and the ripple effects on the global supply chain. But it’s not all bad news. Market consolidation, geographic diversification, and ongoing innovation in solar technology are helping the industry navigate challenges. As costs continue to fall and accessibility improves, solar remains a cornerstone of the global energy transition.

Expect a technical yet insightful discussion on the current headwinds — and future opportunities — in the solar energy sector.]]>1743batteries,china,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comThey explore why U.S. energy market signals are failing to support new capacity investments, despite soaring demand (especially from datacenters).  Key issues include misaligned pricing, liquidity constraints, and hedging challenges, all of which deter long-term private capital.

Key Takeaways: Current price signals don’t support investment in new generation, even as large load growth (e.g., datacenters) is accelerating. Market structures must evolve to better reflect long-term price signals and attract private capital. Supply-side issues: New natural gas peakers and battery storage (BESS) face fragmented development, rising CAPEX, procurement delays, and tariff risks. Industry response: Major consolidation in the IPP space—private equity-backed assets are being acquired by integrated players seeking scale for hyperscaler deals.
Possible solutions may include Repricing of forward curves, Government-backed long-term contracts, Regulatory reforms, Technological advancements Bottom line: Something must shift—be it policy, pricing, or tech—to align investment incentives with future demand growth. The next several years should be great for traders in the middle of the action.

Conclusion: Between the Large Load Growth and the Investment Capital, who will blink first?   
------------  
Bryan Long is an Executive Director in JPMorgan’s Commodities Group, focused on wholesale power & renewable energy transactions. With 20yrs+ experience across various U.S. Power trading, origination and management roles, he has deep understandings of electricity market structures.    ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68226504Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:30:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidExecutive Director in JPMorgan’s Commodities Group. They explore why U.S. energy market signals are failing to support new capacity investments, despite soaring demand (especially from datacenters).  Key issues include misaligned pricing, liquidity...They explore why U.S. energy market signals are failing to support new capacity investments, despite soaring demand (especially from datacenters).  Key issues include misaligned pricing, liquidity constraints, and hedging challenges, all of which deter long-term private capital.

Key Takeaways: Current price signals don’t support investment in new generation, even as large load growth (e.g., datacenters) is accelerating. Market structures must evolve to better reflect long-term price signals and attract private capital. Supply-side issues: New natural gas peakers and battery storage (BESS) face fragmented development, rising CAPEX, procurement delays, and tariff risks. Industry response: Major consolidation in the IPP space—private equity-backed assets are being acquired by integrated players seeking scale for hyperscaler deals.
Possible solutions may include Repricing of forward curves, Government-backed long-term contracts, Regulatory reforms, Technological advancements Bottom line: Something must shift—be it policy, pricing, or tech—to align investment incentives with future demand growth. The next several years should be great for traders in the middle of the action.

Conclusion: Between the Large Load Growth and the Investment Capital, who will blink first?   
------------  
Bryan Long is an Executive Director in JPMorgan’s Commodities Group, focused on wholesale power & renewable energy transactions. With 20yrs+ experience across various U.S. Power trading, origination and management roles, he has deep understandings of electricity market structures.    ]]>1698datacenters,powermarketsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
These are the questions we ask ourselves every day — and today, Gerard and Laurent are thrilled to have someone who can help us answer them. Laurent and Gerard are joined by the brilliant Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, following its acquisition of Rho Motion.  

Iola leads research across the battery demand spectrum — from EVs to stationary storage — managing forecasts, tracking battery chemistries, and analyzing the impact of everything from regulation to OEM strategies and technology roadmaps.   According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence and Rho Motion, as of 2025:

• The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) sector is growing at 40% year-over-year
• The EV market is expanding by 25% year-over-year

 But perhaps the most surprising trend is that forecasts made just 18 months ago are being exceeded — in nearly every region except the United States. There, the current administration appears to be kneecapped the industry by rolling back both incentives (like tax credits) and regulations (such as CAFE and emissions standards). Nissan in the US is moving back from EVs to hybrids while GM passes billions of impairments.  

On the industrial side, it’s increasingly a case of China versus the world. China now has the capacity to manufacture a staggering 50 million vehicles per year, far outpacing domestic demand and sparking concerns about overcapacity.  

In summary: we are witnessing a growing divide in the global battery and EV space. China is clearly in the lead. Europe and others are racing to catch up. And the U.S.? It’s at risk of falling further behind — not for lack of potential, but because of political and policy choices.

https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iolahughes/  
https://x.com/RhoMoIola  

Stunning visuals from FT on the development of batteries (most of the sources came from Benchmark)  
https://ig.ft.com/mega-batteries]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68226503Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:30:12 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe are in the middle of a battery boom, for EVs and even more for BESS. What's really happening in the electric vehicle (EV) market? Is China dominating the field, or are serious alternatives emerging? What roles are Europe, the U.S., and other global...
These are the questions we ask ourselves every day — and today, Gerard and Laurent are thrilled to have someone who can help us answer them. Laurent and Gerard are joined by the brilliant Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, following its acquisition of Rho Motion.  

Iola leads research across the battery demand spectrum — from EVs to stationary storage — managing forecasts, tracking battery chemistries, and analyzing the impact of everything from regulation to OEM strategies and technology roadmaps.   According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence and Rho Motion, as of 2025:

• The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) sector is growing at 40% year-over-year
• The EV market is expanding by 25% year-over-year

 But perhaps the most surprising trend is that forecasts made just 18 months ago are being exceeded — in nearly every region except the United States. There, the current administration appears to be kneecapped the industry by rolling back both incentives (like tax credits) and regulations (such as CAFE and emissions standards). Nissan in the US is moving back from EVs to hybrids while GM passes billions of impairments.  

On the industrial side, it’s increasingly a case of China versus the world. China now has the capacity to manufacture a staggering 50 million vehicles per year, far outpacing domestic demand and sparking concerns about overcapacity.  

In summary: we are witnessing a growing divide in the global battery and EV space. China is clearly in the lead. Europe and others are racing to catch up. And the U.S.? It’s at risk of falling further behind — not for lack of potential, but because of political and policy choices.

https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iolahughes/  
https://x.com/RhoMoIola  

Stunning visuals from FT on the development of batteries (most of the sources came from Benchmark)  
https://ig.ft.com/mega-batteries]]>1731batteries,evsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Nat is perhaps best known for his annual 200-slide deck, a rich compilation of global data and charts that paints a clear, fact-based picture of where the energy sector is heading.  

Our conversation spans major shifts shaping the future: the electrification of the Global South, the rise of AI and datacenters, the unravelling of ESG, and the evolving geopolitics of energy through the lens of "Electrostates vs. Petrostates"—and how investment flows are responding.  

We also explore the dominant narratives in the energy space, many of which, we agree, are self-serving and unhelpful.  

Ultimately, the energy transition is being held back less by technology and more by entrenched interests and a lack of curiosity. But the world is changing fast—and there is reason for hope.   We thank AFRY for supporting the show.  

Reference for reports quoted during the show

The Electrotech Revolution – Ember and Kingsmill Bond   https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/the-electrotech-revolution/  

Afry: Market and regulatory overview of the North Atlantic Transmission One -Link project https://afry.com/en/exploring-nato-l-project-and-transatlantic-power-exchange-decarbonised-future   
"AFRY provides engineering, design, digital and advisory services to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable society. At AFRY, we are 19,000 devoted experts in industry, energy and infrastructure sectors, creating impact for generations to come. Best example of AFRY expertise is the report they just released on the Regulatory and Revenue Models for the North Atlantic Transmission One – Link."   
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68105560Mon, 20 Oct 2025 03:10:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFor our 200th episode, we had the pleasure and privilege of speaking with Nat Bullard, one of the sharpest minds in the energy world. A leading analyst in climate and energy, Nat is known for his clear insights on clean energy, decarbonization, and...
Nat is perhaps best known for his annual 200-slide deck, a rich compilation of global data and charts that paints a clear, fact-based picture of where the energy sector is heading.  

Our conversation spans major shifts shaping the future: the electrification of the Global South, the rise of AI and datacenters, the unravelling of ESG, and the evolving geopolitics of energy through the lens of "Electrostates vs. Petrostates"—and how investment flows are responding.  

We also explore the dominant narratives in the energy space, many of which, we agree, are self-serving and unhelpful.  

Ultimately, the energy transition is being held back less by technology and more by entrenched interests and a lack of curiosity. But the world is changing fast—and there is reason for hope.   We thank AFRY for supporting the show.  

Reference for reports quoted during the show

The Electrotech Revolution – Ember and Kingsmill Bond   https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/the-electrotech-revolution/  

Afry: Market and regulatory overview of the North Atlantic Transmission One -Link project https://afry.com/en/exploring-nato-l-project-and-transatlantic-power-exchange-decarbonised-future   
"AFRY provides engineering, design, digital and advisory services to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable society. At AFRY, we are 19,000 devoted experts in industry, energy and infrastructure sectors, creating impact for generations to come. Best example of AFRY expertise is the report they just released on the Regulatory and Revenue Models for the North Atlantic Transmission One – Link."   
]]>1790ai,esg,natbullardfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
US LNG FIDs are breaking all records in 2025, with 55 mtpa of liquefaction capacity sanctioned since the start of the year. This is the second-best year for global LNG FIDs (Final Investment Decision), second only to 2019, when over 70 mtpa of FIDs .The latest example is the 14bnUSD FID for Sempra’s Port Arthur 2 in Texas in September 2025, mostly financed by large funds Blackstone, KKR, Apollo, Goldman Sachs.

Currently, LNG exports make up about 16% of U.S. gas consumption. Projections suggest that figure could rise to 30% by 2030. But two major uncertainties loom large:
Demand: Will international markets absorb this flood of LNG? China's pivot toward Russian and Central Asian pipelines, Qatar’s own ramp-up in production, and Europe’s push to reduce reliance on expensive imported gas all cast doubt on future demand.
Supply: Will the U.S. have enough cheap gas to meet this export surge — especially as the AI boom is expected to drive up domestic gas use, while the federal government places increasing restrictions on renewable energy development?

To unpack these critical questions, we’ve invited Justin Mikulka to explore what he calls the “LNG Mirage.” He’ll walk us through hard-hitting facts and trends that investors are currently overlooking. At events like CERAWeek and Gastech, the fossil fuel industry often seems to talk only to itself — echoing reassurances while ignoring warning signs. But winter is coming.

About the Speaker:
Justin Mikulka has spent the past decade investigating and reporting on the energy sector, with a particular focus on the shifting economics between fossil fuels and emerging clean technologies. He publishes regular insights at Powering the Planet and currently serves as the Communications Director at Oilfield Witness, a U.S.-based nonprofit that uses optical gas imaging to document methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

Reports in reference: Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report from World Bank https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/bd2432bbb0e514986f382f61b14b2608-0400072025/original/Global-Gas-Flaring-Tracker-Report-July-2025.pdf    

We thank Abloco Energy for supporting the show. www.abloco.energy

----
Epilog post recording:
"Venture Global shares plunged more than 20% on Friday following its loss in an arbitration case against BP, which accused the US liquefied natural gas producer of breaching contracts to profit from higher prices at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The case was one of several pursued by Venture Global’s customers alleging it failed to deliver shipments under long-term supply contracts and instead sold them for higher prices on the spot market when gas prices soared in early 2022.BP’s victory is a major blow to one of the largest US LNG exporters, which now faces a separate hearing to determine damages in the case. The UK oil group is seeking damages in excess of $1bn, as well as interest, costs and attorneys’ fees."]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67998231Mon, 13 Oct 2025 03:15:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe oil and gas industry is clinging to the narrative that we're entering a "Golden Age of Gas" — especially when it comes to LNG. Riding this assumption, companies have been pouring in investments at an aggressive pace, with plans to double LNG...
US LNG FIDs are breaking all records in 2025, with 55 mtpa of liquefaction capacity sanctioned since the start of the year. This is the second-best year for global LNG FIDs (Final Investment Decision), second only to 2019, when over 70 mtpa of FIDs .The latest example is the 14bnUSD FID for Sempra’s Port Arthur 2 in Texas in September 2025, mostly financed by large funds Blackstone, KKR, Apollo, Goldman Sachs.

Currently, LNG exports make up about 16% of U.S. gas consumption. Projections suggest that figure could rise to 30% by 2030. But two major uncertainties loom large:
Demand: Will international markets absorb this flood of LNG? China's pivot toward Russian and Central Asian pipelines, Qatar’s own ramp-up in production, and Europe’s push to reduce reliance on expensive imported gas all cast doubt on future demand.
Supply: Will the U.S. have enough cheap gas to meet this export surge — especially as the AI boom is expected to drive up domestic gas use, while the federal government places increasing restrictions on renewable energy development?

To unpack these critical questions, we’ve invited Justin Mikulka to explore what he calls the “LNG Mirage.” He’ll walk us through hard-hitting facts and trends that investors are currently overlooking. At events like CERAWeek and Gastech, the fossil fuel industry often seems to talk only to itself — echoing reassurances while ignoring warning signs. But winter is coming.

About the Speaker:
Justin Mikulka has spent the past decade investigating and reporting on the energy sector, with a particular focus on the shifting economics between fossil fuels and emerging clean technologies. He publishes regular insights at Powering the Planet and currently serves as the Communications Director at Oilfield Witness, a U.S.-based nonprofit that uses optical gas imaging to document methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

Reports in reference: Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report from World Bank https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/bd2432bbb0e514986f382f61b14b2608-0400072025/original/Global-Gas-Flaring-Tracker-Report-July-2025.pdf    

We thank Abloco Energy for supporting the show. www.abloco.energy

----
Epilog post recording:
"Venture Global shares plunged more than 20% on Friday following its loss in an arbitration case against BP, which accused the US liquefied natural gas producer of breaching contracts to profit from higher prices at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The case was one of several pursued by Venture Global’s customers alleging it failed to deliver shipments under long-term supply contracts and instead sold them for higher prices on the spot market when gas prices soared in early 2022.BP’s victory is a major blow to one of the largest US LNG exporters, which now faces a separate hearing to determine damages in the case. The UK oil group is seeking damages in excess of $1bn, as well as interest, costs and attorneys’ fees."]]>1656ceraweek,lng,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Legacy developers have not yet been able to catch that wave, but newcomers have. We bring on one those new pioneers, Philipp Man, CEO of Terralayr.  

In less than three years, Philipp has managed to set up a company which operates or currently builds 150MW of batteries in Germany; more importantly he has managed to sign some of the first tolling agreements with heavyweights such as Vattenfall and RWE. His approach combines medium size batteries (10-30MW) rather than gigantic ones.  

The Vattenfall-Terralayr deal is a pioneering seven-year, 55 MW multi-asset capacity tolling agreement for a decentralized fleet of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Germany, announced in May 2025. Described as an industry-first "virtual battery tolling structure," it marks a significant shift from traditional single-asset tolling models, enabling scalable and flexible energy storage solutions without significant capital investment from Vattenfall.  

With Philipp, we dissect his lightspeed approach in a seemingly bureaucratic environment, we analyse how he has been to put assets on the ground so fast, and his approach to commercialisation of flexibility combining hard assets and a digital layer.  

We discuss the price formation of tolling agreements, the “tranching” of capacity and how he sees the future. Is Terralayr a tech company? Is it an infrastructure play? Well, a bit of both.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67808648Mon, 06 Oct 2025 03:50:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGermany is experiencing a battery blitz. The market is expected to triple from 2GW to 6GW in less than two years. To give a bit of context, Zach Williams from Modo Energy, gives us the big picture and fundamentals of the German battery market.  ...
Legacy developers have not yet been able to catch that wave, but newcomers have. We bring on one those new pioneers, Philipp Man, CEO of Terralayr.  

In less than three years, Philipp has managed to set up a company which operates or currently builds 150MW of batteries in Germany; more importantly he has managed to sign some of the first tolling agreements with heavyweights such as Vattenfall and RWE. His approach combines medium size batteries (10-30MW) rather than gigantic ones.  

The Vattenfall-Terralayr deal is a pioneering seven-year, 55 MW multi-asset capacity tolling agreement for a decentralized fleet of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Germany, announced in May 2025. Described as an industry-first "virtual battery tolling structure," it marks a significant shift from traditional single-asset tolling models, enabling scalable and flexible energy storage solutions without significant capital investment from Vattenfall.  

With Philipp, we dissect his lightspeed approach in a seemingly bureaucratic environment, we analyse how he has been to put assets on the ground so fast, and his approach to commercialisation of flexibility combining hard assets and a digital layer.  

We discuss the price formation of tolling agreements, the “tranching” of capacity and how he sees the future. Is Terralayr a tech company? Is it an infrastructure play? Well, a bit of both.]]>1705batteries,energystorage,energytradingfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
For as long as we can remember, companies have tried to boost their green credentials—high rewards if successful, limited consequences if they fall short. To curb exaggerated claims, standards like the GHG Protocol emerged.

Laurent was part of the original task force that developed the first version of the GHG Protocol. He recalls the pivotal moment that led to the creation of Scope 2: an infamous visit to the Tomago aluminium smelter in Australia back in 2000. 

Fast forward two decades, and Killian Daly—now leading the forward-thinking organization EnergyTag—is driving efforts to embed 24/7 carbon accounting into the upcoming revision of Scope 2 of the GHG Protocol.

It’s a crucial battle—for transparency, integrity, digital innovation, and sound economics. Opposing us are certain (not all) Big Tech companies, whose actual emissions far exceed their green marketing, and fossil fuel lobbyists doing their best to delay progress.

But we are making progress—and we need your help. Join the fight. Reach out to Killian Daly at EnergyTag to see how you can get involved.
https://energytag.org/

And don’t miss a major event: Green Energy Procurement – 10th October in London, hosted with Renewabl, S&P Global, and Shoosmiths. Last year the event was 250% oversubscribed. This year’s venue is bigger—but spots are going fast.

Secure your place now:
https://www.renewabl.com/post/join-us-for-renewabl-day-2025-inside-the-ppa-market  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67704634Mon, 29 Sep 2025 03:05:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWith Gerard away, Laurent invited another Irishman, Killian Daly, to dive into a technical—but critically important—topic: carbon accounting, power procurement, the GHG Protocol (v3), and the push for 24/7 green energy. For as long as we can...
For as long as we can remember, companies have tried to boost their green credentials—high rewards if successful, limited consequences if they fall short. To curb exaggerated claims, standards like the GHG Protocol emerged.

Laurent was part of the original task force that developed the first version of the GHG Protocol. He recalls the pivotal moment that led to the creation of Scope 2: an infamous visit to the Tomago aluminium smelter in Australia back in 2000. 

Fast forward two decades, and Killian Daly—now leading the forward-thinking organization EnergyTag—is driving efforts to embed 24/7 carbon accounting into the upcoming revision of Scope 2 of the GHG Protocol.

It’s a crucial battle—for transparency, integrity, digital innovation, and sound economics. Opposing us are certain (not all) Big Tech companies, whose actual emissions far exceed their green marketing, and fossil fuel lobbyists doing their best to delay progress.

But we are making progress—and we need your help. Join the fight. Reach out to Killian Daly at EnergyTag to see how you can get involved.
https://energytag.org/

And don’t miss a major event: Green Energy Procurement – 10th October in London, hosted with Renewabl, S&P Global, and Shoosmiths. Last year the event was 250% oversubscribed. This year’s venue is bigger—but spots are going fast.

Secure your place now:
https://www.renewabl.com/post/join-us-for-renewabl-day-2025-inside-the-ppa-market  ]]>1304247cfe,carbon,ghgprotocolfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
In response, policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly focusing on low-carbon liquid fuels as transitional solutions. Chief among these are Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), both of which can be used in existing infrastructure and engines with minimal modification. These fuels can be of biological origin—typically derived from waste oils, agricultural residues, or purpose-grown feedstocks—or synthetic origin, such as Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels produced via electrolysis and CO₂ capture.

Globally, significant efforts are underway to scale up these alternatives. The European Union, for instance, has introduced blending mandates through the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations, requiring a gradual increase in the share of SAF or other renewable fuels used in transport. These policies are supported by a range of subsidies, research programs, and emissions trading mechanisms (e.g., EU ETS inclusion for aviation and shipping), all designed to stimulate supply and demand for cleaner fuels.

To help unpack the complex interplay of technical, economic, and regulatory challenges, we invited Callum McPherson, Chair of its Sustainable Business Forum and Head of Commodities at Investec, a London-based investment bank. With a mandate to structure and trade a wide array of fuels, Callum provides real-world insight into how these markets are evolving—and the limitations that remain.

Some of the key topics Laurent and Gerard explored with Callum included: Which green fuels have realistic pathways to scale, and which are unlikely to work due to poor energy return on investment, unsustainable feedstocks, or prohibitively high costs? How will regional mandates, particularly those in the EU, impact global markets—and will they be enforceable in practice? What role will synthetic fuels play, given their dependence on clean electricity, high capital costs, and still-immature supply chains?

What emerges is a highly nuanced picture. Despite the political momentum and technological progress, the fundamental economics remain challenging. Current estimates suggest that the cost of abating one tonne of CO₂ in these sectors can easily exceed €1,000 requiring considerable public support, whether stick or carrot.

High costs and regulatory uncertainties are probably some of the reasons why Shell has decided not to complete the construction of a SAF refinery in Rotterdam.

Laurent and Gerard conclude that while green fuels are a necessary part of the decarbonization toolkit, they are far from a silver bullet. The financial and ecological trade-offs are significant, and at current cost trajectories, these fuels will make only a marginal dent in overall emissions curves—at least in the near term.  

Finally, an excellent book on the general topic of biofuels by Michael Grunwald:  "We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate."

“The views and opinions expressed by Callum Macpherson are his own and are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any financial products or commodities. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information discussed. Listeners should not place reliance on any of the information share, and we accept no responsibility or liability for any loss arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on such information. Commodities and other investments carry risks, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Before making any investment or financial decision, you should seek independent advice from a qualified professional, taking into account your own objectives and circumstances.”    ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67629059Mon, 22 Sep 2025 03:45:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAviation and marine transport together account for approximately 15% of global oil consumption—a substantial share driven by sectors that are among the hardest to decarbonize. Unlike road transport or power generation, these industries face unique...
In response, policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly focusing on low-carbon liquid fuels as transitional solutions. Chief among these are Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), both of which can be used in existing infrastructure and engines with minimal modification. These fuels can be of biological origin—typically derived from waste oils, agricultural residues, or purpose-grown feedstocks—or synthetic origin, such as Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels produced via electrolysis and CO₂ capture.

Globally, significant efforts are underway to scale up these alternatives. The European Union, for instance, has introduced blending mandates through the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations, requiring a gradual increase in the share of SAF or other renewable fuels used in transport. These policies are supported by a range of subsidies, research programs, and emissions trading mechanisms (e.g., EU ETS inclusion for aviation and shipping), all designed to stimulate supply and demand for cleaner fuels.

To help unpack the complex interplay of technical, economic, and regulatory challenges, we invited Callum McPherson, Chair of its Sustainable Business Forum and Head of Commodities at Investec, a London-based investment bank. With a mandate to structure and trade a wide array of fuels, Callum provides real-world insight into how these markets are evolving—and the limitations that remain.

Some of the key topics Laurent and Gerard explored with Callum included: Which green fuels have realistic pathways to scale, and which are unlikely to work due to poor energy return on investment, unsustainable feedstocks, or prohibitively high costs? How will regional mandates, particularly those in the EU, impact global markets—and will they be enforceable in practice? What role will synthetic fuels play, given their dependence on clean electricity, high capital costs, and still-immature supply chains?

What emerges is a highly nuanced picture. Despite the political momentum and technological progress, the fundamental economics remain challenging. Current estimates suggest that the cost of abating one tonne of CO₂ in these sectors can easily exceed €1,000 requiring considerable public support, whether stick or carrot.

High costs and regulatory uncertainties are probably some of the reasons why Shell has decided not to complete the construction of a SAF refinery in Rotterdam.

Laurent and Gerard conclude that while green fuels are a necessary part of the decarbonization toolkit, they are far from a silver bullet. The financial and ecological trade-offs are significant, and at current cost trajectories, these fuels will make only a marginal dent in overall emissions curves—at least in the near term.  

Finally, an excellent book on the general topic of biofuels by Michael Grunwald:  "We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate."

“The views and opinions expressed by Callum Macpherson are his own and are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any financial products or commodities. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the...]]>1823biofuels,imo,saffalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Using artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and deep electrochemical expertise, ACCURE has established itself in the field of predictive battery analytics. The company currently supports over 6 gigawatt-hours of battery systems across various sectors including electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, marine applications, and insurance.

In this episode, Gerard and Laurent are joined by Dr. Kai-Philipp Kairies, CEO and co-founder of ACCURE, to explore How cloud-based analytics are driving advancements in battery safety, performance, and longevity.

The conversation delves into the electrochemical processes occurring inside batteries and how sensors provide critical insights. We also examine the role of Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Energy Management Systems (EMS) as the digital infrastructure of battery operation and how predictive analytics represents a new category of operational capability for battery fleets.

From early warning systems that prevent thermal runaway to precise lifetime predictions that influence asset financing, ACCURE demonstrates how data-driven insights can transform battery systems into safer, more efficient, and more profitable energy assets.

Laurent and Gerard enjoy having dynamic start-ups on the show, that foster the Energy Transition.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67454209Mon, 15 Sep 2025 03:15:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidBattery technology lies at the core of the global energy transition, but managing and optimizing battery systems has become a highly specialized discipline. ACCURE is a cutting-edge startup that is redefining how batteries are monitored and operated....
Using artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and deep electrochemical expertise, ACCURE has established itself in the field of predictive battery analytics. The company currently supports over 6 gigawatt-hours of battery systems across various sectors including electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, marine applications, and insurance.

In this episode, Gerard and Laurent are joined by Dr. Kai-Philipp Kairies, CEO and co-founder of ACCURE, to explore How cloud-based analytics are driving advancements in battery safety, performance, and longevity.

The conversation delves into the electrochemical processes occurring inside batteries and how sensors provide critical insights. We also examine the role of Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Energy Management Systems (EMS) as the digital infrastructure of battery operation and how predictive analytics represents a new category of operational capability for battery fleets.

From early warning systems that prevent thermal runaway to precise lifetime predictions that influence asset financing, ACCURE demonstrates how data-driven insights can transform battery systems into safer, more efficient, and more profitable energy assets.

Laurent and Gerard enjoy having dynamic start-ups on the show, that foster the Energy Transition.]]>1827batteries,cyber,digitalfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Weather forecasting is undergoing a quantum leap, powered by breakthroughs in satellites, drones, and artificial intelligence. Once the exclusive domain of national weather services, the industry is now being transformed by a new wave of tech-driven startups. And the market is booming.  

In this episode, Laurent and Gerard welcome Dr. Martin J. Fengler, a German mathematician and the founder and CEO of Meteomatics AG. Based in Switzerland, Meteomatics is a cutting-edge weather technology company with over 130 employees and a client base of 600 — including high-profile names like NASA, Lockheed Martin, Toyota, Tesla, and numerous utility companies. About 25% of its clients are in the energy sector.  

Meteomatics stands out not only for its AI-driven weather models but also for its proprietary fleet of weather drones, capable of flying up to 6 kilometres high, delivering ultra-precise atmospheric data. The company has raised over $35 million in venture capital to date.  

In our conversation, we explore the future of weather tech, its role in tackling climate change, the growing risks of extreme weather, surprising use cases — and yes, even wind theft.  

Heads up: This one’s for the geeks.

And at the end, Laurent sings for Lisa]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67454206Mon, 08 Sep 2025 03:10:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWater, wind, sunlight — the driving forces behind renewable energy. The better we can predict them, the more we can accelerate progress and reduce risk.   Weather forecasting is undergoing a quantum leap, powered by breakthroughs in satellites,...
Weather forecasting is undergoing a quantum leap, powered by breakthroughs in satellites, drones, and artificial intelligence. Once the exclusive domain of national weather services, the industry is now being transformed by a new wave of tech-driven startups. And the market is booming.  

In this episode, Laurent and Gerard welcome Dr. Martin J. Fengler, a German mathematician and the founder and CEO of Meteomatics AG. Based in Switzerland, Meteomatics is a cutting-edge weather technology company with over 130 employees and a client base of 600 — including high-profile names like NASA, Lockheed Martin, Toyota, Tesla, and numerous utility companies. About 25% of its clients are in the energy sector.  

Meteomatics stands out not only for its AI-driven weather models but also for its proprietary fleet of weather drones, capable of flying up to 6 kilometres high, delivering ultra-precise atmospheric data. The company has raised over $35 million in venture capital to date.  

In our conversation, we explore the future of weather tech, its role in tackling climate change, the growing risks of extreme weather, surprising use cases — and yes, even wind theft.  

Heads up: This one’s for the geeks.

And at the end, Laurent sings for Lisa]]>1614ai,energy,renewables,weatherfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com

Greed — “Subsidy Mining in a Lab Coat” (Carbon Capture & Direct Air Capture)
A capital-intensive detour that soaks up public money while delivering trivial abatement at extreme cost, great PR for incumbents, weak climate math. 

Gluttony — “Three Kilowatt-Hours to Move One” (Hydrogen-for-Energy)
An energy-wasting appetite: make H₂ with clean power, then throw most of that power away moving, compressing, liquefying, and reconverting it—useful only in narrow industrial niches. 

Sloth — “Always ‘On Time’ by 2040” (Small Modular Reactors)
Perma-prototype promises that stay years late and dollars short while wind, solar, and storage deploy at scale now. 

Pride — “We Will Bottle the Sun” (Fusion Salvationism)
Technological hubris as strategy: a captivating physics quest, but not a climate plan for the 2030s. Invest in science, don’t budget on miracles. 

Lust — “Drop-In Fantasies for Every Engine” (Biofuels-Everywhere)
The seductive promise of pouring yesterday’s fuels into tomorrow’s problems; keep them for hard-to-electrify edges, not as a universal fix. 

Wrath — “Culture War at Sea” (America’s Offshore-Wind Own-Goals)
Ideological backlash, litigation, and policy whiplash torch viable projects and local supply chains while the rest of the world builds.

Envy — “Green Halo by Checkbox” (ESG Box-Ticking)
Chasing ratings and labels instead of real-world decarbonization and cash-flow-relevant risk; better to separate E, S, and G and measure outcomes   

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67539117Mon, 01 Sep 2025 03:55:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThree wise men met and discussed the Seven Sins of The Energy Transition. Laurent, Gerard and Michael dissect seven sectors that have captured attention, investments and public money and are at best dead ends, at worst disasters waiting to happen. -...

Greed — “Subsidy Mining in a Lab Coat” (Carbon Capture & Direct Air Capture)
A capital-intensive detour that soaks up public money while delivering trivial abatement at extreme cost, great PR for incumbents, weak climate math. 

Gluttony — “Three Kilowatt-Hours to Move One” (Hydrogen-for-Energy)
An energy-wasting appetite: make H₂ with clean power, then throw most of that power away moving, compressing, liquefying, and reconverting it—useful only in narrow industrial niches. 

Sloth — “Always ‘On Time’ by 2040” (Small Modular Reactors)
Perma-prototype promises that stay years late and dollars short while wind, solar, and storage deploy at scale now. 

Pride — “We Will Bottle the Sun” (Fusion Salvationism)
Technological hubris as strategy: a captivating physics quest, but not a climate plan for the 2030s. Invest in science, don’t budget on miracles. 

Lust — “Drop-In Fantasies for Every Engine” (Biofuels-Everywhere)
The seductive promise of pouring yesterday’s fuels into tomorrow’s problems; keep them for hard-to-electrify edges, not as a universal fix. 

Wrath — “Culture War at Sea” (America’s Offshore-Wind Own-Goals)
Ideological backlash, litigation, and policy whiplash torch viable projects and local supply chains while the rest of the world builds.

Envy — “Green Halo by Checkbox” (ESG Box-Ticking)
Chasing ratings and labels instead of real-world decarbonization and cash-flow-relevant risk; better to separate E, S, and G and measure outcomes   

]]>1812biofuels,carbon,esg,fusion,hydrogen,nuclear,offshorewindfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Gerard Reid argues that we are living through a new industrial revolution driven by digitalization, AI, and electrification, comparable in scale to the steam and automobile revolutions of the past. He highlights how China is rapidly outpacing Western forecasts in areas like AI, solar power, and electric vehicles, reshaping global competitiveness. Reid stresses that AI will transform industries—from healthcare to transport to energy—while massively increasing the world’s demand for electricity, which will increasingly be met through solar and battery storage. His central message is that businesses and countries must adopt a growth mindset, embrace AI as an enabler, and adapt quickly—or risk irrelevance in the face of accelerating global change.

EcoVadis is a globally recognized platform that provides sustainability ratings and assessments for companies, focusing on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. It evaluates businesses across four key themes: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. These assessments help companies manage ESG risks, ensure compliance, and improve sustainability practices across their operations and supply chains.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67014176Mon, 25 Aug 2025 03:05:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard delivered a keynote on Digitalisation, AI, Supply Chains and Electrification at the EcoVadis Global Summit. Gerard Reid argues that we are living through a new industrial revolution driven by digitalization, AI, and electrification, comparable...
Gerard Reid argues that we are living through a new industrial revolution driven by digitalization, AI, and electrification, comparable in scale to the steam and automobile revolutions of the past. He highlights how China is rapidly outpacing Western forecasts in areas like AI, solar power, and electric vehicles, reshaping global competitiveness. Reid stresses that AI will transform industries—from healthcare to transport to energy—while massively increasing the world’s demand for electricity, which will increasingly be met through solar and battery storage. His central message is that businesses and countries must adopt a growth mindset, embrace AI as an enabler, and adapt quickly—or risk irrelevance in the face of accelerating global change.

EcoVadis is a globally recognized platform that provides sustainability ratings and assessments for companies, focusing on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. It evaluates businesses across four key themes: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. These assessments help companies manage ESG risks, ensure compliance, and improve sustainability practices across their operations and supply chains.]]>1400ai,datacenters,energydisruptionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comHow Big Things Get Done, shares insights from a database of over 16,000 projects, revealing that 99.5% fail to meet expectations in budget, timeline, or benefits.

He stresses the value of learning from successful projects, especially in renewable energy, where solar, wind, and transmission projects outperform nuclear power, which suffers from regulatory hurdles and skill shortages.

Flyvbjerg introduces key concepts like modularity, repeatability, and the “window of doom”—the critical early phase when delays can derail projects. He contrasts fast, modular successes like the Tesla Gigafactory with slow, complex projects like nuclear plants and the Olympics.

The episode also compares pumped hydro and battery storage, highlighting the role of risk management, stakeholder alignment, and using data-based heuristics to guide project decisions. Listeners are encouraged to understand base rates, study variance charts (especially Chapter 9 of Flyvbjerg's book), and develop their own heuristics for better megaproject outcomes.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67013689Mon, 18 Aug 2025 04:35:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis is a re-release of the legendary interview by Michael Barnard of Pr Bent Flyvbjerg on our sister show ”Redefining Energy Tech” Professor Bent Flyvbjerg, an expert on megaprojects and author of How Big Things Get Done, shares insights from a...How Big Things Get Done, shares insights from a database of over 16,000 projects, revealing that 99.5% fail to meet expectations in budget, timeline, or benefits.

He stresses the value of learning from successful projects, especially in renewable energy, where solar, wind, and transmission projects outperform nuclear power, which suffers from regulatory hurdles and skill shortages.

Flyvbjerg introduces key concepts like modularity, repeatability, and the “window of doom”—the critical early phase when delays can derail projects. He contrasts fast, modular successes like the Tesla Gigafactory with slow, complex projects like nuclear plants and the Olympics.

The episode also compares pumped hydro and battery storage, highlighting the role of risk management, stakeholder alignment, and using data-based heuristics to guide project decisions. Listeners are encouraged to understand base rates, study variance charts (especially Chapter 9 of Flyvbjerg's book), and develop their own heuristics for better megaproject outcomes.]]>4779energy,hydro,megaprojects,nuclear,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
The Speakers were:

• Andrea Wechsler, Member of the European Parliament, EPP, Germany
• Paula Rey Garcia, Acting HoU Renewables & Energy System Integration, DG ENER, European Commission
• Nick Bitsios, Head of Brussels Office, Metlen
• Juan Rivier Abbad, Head of Global Renewables Regulation, Iberdrola
• Vlasios Souflis, COO EMEA, Lightsource BP
• Jose Manuel Carvalho, Head of Renewable Energy JV & Partnerships, Arcelor Mittal

There is a European Policy being developed called the Green Industrial Deal. What is it? Does it work? Does it answer the current issues faced by Solar developers and Energy Consumers?

The panel confront the views of various actors, from policy makers to the private sector. A very lively debate with unexpected outcomes.  

We thank Walburga Hemetsberger and the whole team of Solar Power Europe for organising that great event
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67013438Mon, 11 Aug 2025 04:25:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis Spring, Laurent Segalen was invited by Solar Power Europe to moderate a panel, during the Solar Power Summit, around the theme ”Winning the Flex challenges”. The Speakers were: - Andrea Wechsler, Member of the European Parliament, EPP, Germany...
The Speakers were:

• Andrea Wechsler, Member of the European Parliament, EPP, Germany
• Paula Rey Garcia, Acting HoU Renewables & Energy System Integration, DG ENER, European Commission
• Nick Bitsios, Head of Brussels Office, Metlen
• Juan Rivier Abbad, Head of Global Renewables Regulation, Iberdrola
• Vlasios Souflis, COO EMEA, Lightsource BP
• Jose Manuel Carvalho, Head of Renewable Energy JV & Partnerships, Arcelor Mittal

There is a European Policy being developed called the Green Industrial Deal. What is it? Does it work? Does it answer the current issues faced by Solar developers and Energy Consumers?

The panel confront the views of various actors, from policy makers to the private sector. A very lively debate with unexpected outcomes.  

We thank Walburga Hemetsberger and the whole team of Solar Power Europe for organising that great event
]]>2396batteries,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
A few weeks ago, Gerard came on the ”Clean Titans”

The YouTube channel “Clean Titans” focused on clean energy, is hosted by Sam Evans, known as The Clean Energy Guy. His content dives into clean energy topics with enthusiasm, aiming to educate and inspire viewers about sustainable solutions.

Gerard talks about “Energy Disruptions” and you can watch him here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5LGTcT-EOw]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67013255Mon, 04 Aug 2025 04:05:14 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis is Summer time, so we publish some contents that we have created on other channels A few weeks ago, Gerard came on the ”Clean Titans” The YouTube channel “Clean Titans” focused on clean energy, is hosted by Sam Evans, known as The Clean Energy...
A few weeks ago, Gerard came on the ”Clean Titans”

The YouTube channel “Clean Titans” focused on clean energy, is hosted by Sam Evans, known as The Clean Energy Guy. His content dives into clean energy topics with enthusiasm, aiming to educate and inspire viewers about sustainable solutions.

Gerard talks about “Energy Disruptions” and you can watch him here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5LGTcT-EOw]]>4186energytransition,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comOpen Circuit, alongside Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey. It was an emotional reunion—Jigar and Katherine were part of the original Energy Gang, the very show that inspired us to create our own.

We had a rich, two-part conversation. The first part revisited the Spanish blackouts, a topic we had already explored in Episode 185. The second part delved into Europe’s energy security and the evolving dynamic between “Petrostates” and “Electrostates”—the main focus of this episode.

Twenty years ago, Europe and the U.S. shared a broadly aligned energy landscape. But the rise of American energy dominance has since driven a wedge between the two, contributing to today’s political fractures across the Atlantic.

Together, the five of us explored the implications of this growing misalignment—and where we might go from here. It was a passionate and thought-provoking discussion.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66970800Mon, 28 Jul 2025 03:25:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidOn July 7th, Gerard and Laurent were invited to appear on the U.S. podcast Open Circuit, alongside Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey. It was an emotional reunion—Jigar and Katherine were part of the original Energy Gang, the very show...Open Circuit, alongside Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey. It was an emotional reunion—Jigar and Katherine were part of the original Energy Gang, the very show that inspired us to create our own.

We had a rich, two-part conversation. The first part revisited the Spanish blackouts, a topic we had already explored in Episode 185. The second part delved into Europe’s energy security and the evolving dynamic between “Petrostates” and “Electrostates”—the main focus of this episode.

Twenty years ago, Europe and the U.S. shared a broadly aligned energy landscape. But the rise of American energy dominance has since driven a wedge between the two, contributing to today’s political fractures across the Atlantic.

Together, the five of us explored the implications of this growing misalignment—and where we might go from here. It was a passionate and thought-provoking discussion.]]>1928energysecurity,lng,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
To make sense of the current situation in Texas, and also talk about the future, with unbelievable projections, full of AI and Datacentres, we have the pleasure of welcoming Arushi Sharma Frank.

Arushi Sharma Frank is an energy policy expert with deep expertise in distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs). She pioneered ERCOT frameworks for grid-integrated VPPs and the integration of batteries on the Grid, while at Tesla where she worked between 2020 and 2024. Arushi was a key architect of the Texas Public Utility Commission’s Aggregated DER pilot, enhancing grid resilience post-Winter Storm Uri.  

The Lone Star State is at the crossroads: will the additional load arrive? Are the renewables in danger? Can fossil fuels make a come-back, or are we seeing this wrongly, as the new model suggest that it is all about flexibility.

Finally, the best source for information on renewable energy in Texas is Doug Lewin: www.douglewin.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66858994Mon, 21 Jul 2025 02:40:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidTexas is an oddity in the western electricity world: fastest growing load, ultra-low prices, crazy development of renewables. Texas consumes now more power than France, despite having only half the population. Prices are a factor 4 lower compared to...
To make sense of the current situation in Texas, and also talk about the future, with unbelievable projections, full of AI and Datacentres, we have the pleasure of welcoming Arushi Sharma Frank.

Arushi Sharma Frank is an energy policy expert with deep expertise in distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs). She pioneered ERCOT frameworks for grid-integrated VPPs and the integration of batteries on the Grid, while at Tesla where she worked between 2020 and 2024. Arushi was a key architect of the Texas Public Utility Commission’s Aggregated DER pilot, enhancing grid resilience post-Winter Storm Uri.  

The Lone Star State is at the crossroads: will the additional load arrive? Are the renewables in danger? Can fossil fuels make a come-back, or are we seeing this wrongly, as the new model suggest that it is all about flexibility.

Finally, the best source for information on renewable energy in Texas is Doug Lewin: www.douglewin.com]]>1585datacenters,renewables,texasfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Fortum, the Finnish energy company also active in Sweden and Poland, finds itself right on the front line when it comes to tensions with Russia—not exactly your average utility boardroom drama.   The conversation kicks off with Markus’s recent election as President of Eurelectric, taking over from none other than Leo “the Great” Birnbaum, CEO of E.ON.

We talk about the challenges Markus has faced so far, including how Fortum managed to steer through the stormy waters of the Ukraine war, and what’s ahead for the industry. Spoiler: it’s not all doom and gloom—there’s strategy, resilience, and some surprisingly good teamwork. Markus rolls out Eurelectric’s Manifesto centred on customers, security of supply and digitisation (AI).  

Markus introduces his vice-presidential duo: Georgios Stassis (CEO of PPC) and Catherine MacGregor (CEO of Engie). According to him, it’s a well-balanced trio—think energy world’s version of the Avengers, but with spreadsheets and grid stability. He also gives kudos to Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric, and the Brussels team for their stellar behind-the-scenes work.

The chat then shifts to the Baltics, one of the rare places in Europe where electricity demand is actually growing. Fortum’s been ahead of the game there too: Markus reveals they now have over 1.3 GW of capacity lined up and ready to power new datacenters.

Of course, we couldn’t ignore the constant cyber-attacks and sabotage attempts coming from Russia. Markus shares how Fortum has learned to deal with them—let’s just say they don’t flinch easily anymore.  

And finally, a public mea culpa: Laurent repeatedly referred to Finland as part of Scandinavia. A common slip-up. For the record: Finland is next to Scandinavia, but it’s not in it. The Finns are Nordic, not Scandinavian—but much like their neighbours to the west, they handled the mix-up with trademark cool. No sauna ban issued.  

We thank Kristian Ruby and all the Eurelectric team for organising this recording and putting together such a great summit.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66858966Mon, 14 Jul 2025 03:35:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent had the pleasure and privilege of sitting down with Markus Rauramo, CEO of Fortum, during the Eurelectric “Power Play” conference in Brussels this June.   Fortum, the Finnish energy company also active in Sweden and Poland, finds itself right...
Fortum, the Finnish energy company also active in Sweden and Poland, finds itself right on the front line when it comes to tensions with Russia—not exactly your average utility boardroom drama.   The conversation kicks off with Markus’s recent election as President of Eurelectric, taking over from none other than Leo “the Great” Birnbaum, CEO of E.ON.

We talk about the challenges Markus has faced so far, including how Fortum managed to steer through the stormy waters of the Ukraine war, and what’s ahead for the industry. Spoiler: it’s not all doom and gloom—there’s strategy, resilience, and some surprisingly good teamwork. Markus rolls out Eurelectric’s Manifesto centred on customers, security of supply and digitisation (AI).  

Markus introduces his vice-presidential duo: Georgios Stassis (CEO of PPC) and Catherine MacGregor (CEO of Engie). According to him, it’s a well-balanced trio—think energy world’s version of the Avengers, but with spreadsheets and grid stability. He also gives kudos to Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric, and the Brussels team for their stellar behind-the-scenes work.

The chat then shifts to the Baltics, one of the rare places in Europe where electricity demand is actually growing. Fortum’s been ahead of the game there too: Markus reveals they now have over 1.3 GW of capacity lined up and ready to power new datacenters.

Of course, we couldn’t ignore the constant cyber-attacks and sabotage attempts coming from Russia. Markus shares how Fortum has learned to deal with them—let’s just say they don’t flinch easily anymore.  

And finally, a public mea culpa: Laurent repeatedly referred to Finland as part of Scandinavia. A common slip-up. For the record: Finland is next to Scandinavia, but it’s not in it. The Finns are Nordic, not Scandinavian—but much like their neighbours to the west, they handled the mix-up with trademark cool. No sauna ban issued.  

We thank Kristian Ruby and all the Eurelectric team for organising this recording and putting together such a great summit.]]>1471cyber,datacenters,energysecurity,eurelectric,fortum,renewables,summitfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
To shed light on the events, Gerard and Laurent are joined by global energy expert Steve Berberich, who served as President and CEO of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) from 2011 to 2020. Steve led CAISO through the August 2020 blackout in California and now serves as President and CEO of Onward Energy.  

We begin by placing the Iberian blackout in a broader context—comparing and contrasting it with major grid failures from recent years: South Australia 2016, California 2020, Texas Uri 2021, Ireland 2024, Louisiana 2025 and of course Iberia 2025.  

We examine both the long-term systemic weaknesses and short-term triggering events behind each case—identifying patterns, divergences, and the reforms that followed in their aftermath. Then we turn our full attention to Spain.   Unlike the other blackouts, the Iberian event did not stem from extreme weather. Instead, Steve—along with Gerard and Laurent—dives deep into the underlying structural vulnerabilities of the Spanish grid.  

From regulatory gaps and design flaws to operational mistakes, we scrutinize the entire system and arrive at a set of clear, evidence-based conclusions.  

Link to Gerard’s substack https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/spains-grid-blame-blackouts-bureaucracy-gerard-reid-tiqre/  

Link to the Energy Institute Report https://www.energyinst.org/statistical-review]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66852487Mon, 07 Jul 2025 03:05:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhat Really Happened During the Iberian Blackout This Spring? And How Should We Make Sense of the Conflicting Reports?   To shed light on the events, Gerard and Laurent are joined by global energy expert Steve Berberich, who served as President and...
To shed light on the events, Gerard and Laurent are joined by global energy expert Steve Berberich, who served as President and CEO of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) from 2011 to 2020. Steve led CAISO through the August 2020 blackout in California and now serves as President and CEO of Onward Energy.  

We begin by placing the Iberian blackout in a broader context—comparing and contrasting it with major grid failures from recent years: South Australia 2016, California 2020, Texas Uri 2021, Ireland 2024, Louisiana 2025 and of course Iberia 2025.  

We examine both the long-term systemic weaknesses and short-term triggering events behind each case—identifying patterns, divergences, and the reforms that followed in their aftermath. Then we turn our full attention to Spain.   Unlike the other blackouts, the Iberian event did not stem from extreme weather. Instead, Steve—along with Gerard and Laurent—dives deep into the underlying structural vulnerabilities of the Spanish grid.  

From regulatory gaps and design flaws to operational mistakes, we scrutinize the entire system and arrive at a set of clear, evidence-based conclusions.  

Link to Gerard’s substack https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/spains-grid-blame-blackouts-bureaucracy-gerard-reid-tiqre/  

Link to the Energy Institute Report https://www.energyinst.org/statistical-review]]>1490blackouts,energy,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Fast forward today, we bring in, Caspar Rawles, Simon’s trusted lieutenant, and COO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence to assess how Simon’s predictions panned out. What was prophetic and what never materialized. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a London-based Price Reporting Agency (PRA) founded in 2014, specializes in lithium-ion battery and EV supply chains, offering IOSCO-accredited price assessments, supply-demand forecasts, ESG analytics, consultancy, global events, and policy influence.

It focuses on critical minerals and recently expanded with Rho Motion, valued at $500M. Caspar talks about the growth of BMI, about the importance of its agreement with ICE, and how he sees the future.

Laurent and Gerard conclude on Lithium and Rare Earths. Not really what you expect.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66409774Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:30:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSix years ago, Simon Moores, CEO of Benchmark Minerals Intelligence shook the world in a now legendary testimony in front of the US Senate. Then, Simon predicted the exponential growth of batteries and the control that China was starting to exert of...
Fast forward today, we bring in, Caspar Rawles, Simon’s trusted lieutenant, and COO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence to assess how Simon’s predictions panned out. What was prophetic and what never materialized. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a London-based Price Reporting Agency (PRA) founded in 2014, specializes in lithium-ion battery and EV supply chains, offering IOSCO-accredited price assessments, supply-demand forecasts, ESG analytics, consultancy, global events, and policy influence.

It focuses on critical minerals and recently expanded with Rho Motion, valued at $500M. Caspar talks about the growth of BMI, about the importance of its agreement with ICE, and how he sees the future.

Laurent and Gerard conclude on Lithium and Rare Earths. Not really what you expect.]]>1998batteries,criticalminerals,lithiumfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Lots of progress has been made since then, and Eastern Europe is an emerging bright spot of development for Renewables. It is not just about Economics but also about Security of Supply. We bring in Dimitar Enchev, Cofounder & CEO Europe at CWP - a global renewable energy company, behind some of the largest projects in Southeast Europe.  

CWP has been active since 2007 and developed the largest projects in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, including Europe’s largest onshore wind farm for 10 years – a 600MW project in Romania and has now partnered with Mercuria, one of the largest energy trading houses in the world. They discuss how Eastern Europe felt the largest blunt of Russia’s Energy War and how they have been accustomed to living, surviving and thriving with a hostile and aggressive neighbour, always prompt to weaponize energy. Is Europe “bringing a knife to a gunfight” when it comes to countering Russia?

We explain how opportunities have risen from this difficult environment and how the decorrelation of wind and solar between the East and West of the Continent, and a continuous integration with the global European Grid creates significant investment opportunities. It is about Transmission, Resilience, Hybridization and digitization.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66404816Sun, 15 Jun 2025 23:50:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent remembers vividly his trip to Sofia Bulgaria in winter 2009 when the Russians had cut the gas for Bulgaria during a -15C winter. Russia was already playing hard ball because of (guess what) a financial disagreement with Ukraine. The blackmail...
Lots of progress has been made since then, and Eastern Europe is an emerging bright spot of development for Renewables. It is not just about Economics but also about Security of Supply. We bring in Dimitar Enchev, Cofounder & CEO Europe at CWP - a global renewable energy company, behind some of the largest projects in Southeast Europe.  

CWP has been active since 2007 and developed the largest projects in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, including Europe’s largest onshore wind farm for 10 years – a 600MW project in Romania and has now partnered with Mercuria, one of the largest energy trading houses in the world. They discuss how Eastern Europe felt the largest blunt of Russia’s Energy War and how they have been accustomed to living, surviving and thriving with a hostile and aggressive neighbour, always prompt to weaponize energy. Is Europe “bringing a knife to a gunfight” when it comes to countering Russia?

We explain how opportunities have risen from this difficult environment and how the decorrelation of wind and solar between the East and West of the Continent, and a continuous integration with the global European Grid creates significant investment opportunities. It is about Transmission, Resilience, Hybridization and digitization.]]>1644balkans,energysecurity,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
The U.S. electrical grid, now over a century old, struggles to meet modern demands. Utilities are slow to adapt, and supply chains are congested, posing challenges for accommodating new load developments like datacenters and AI while ensuring reliable, affordable power for existing customers.

Jereme Kent, an engineer with practical expertise, is tackling these issues head-on. As the leader of One Power (an Ohio-based industrial power company) Kent champions customer-centric, decarbonized power grids. One Power delivers innovative, renewable-focused energy solutions, empowering industrial clients to manage costs and emissions through on-site wind power, EV charging hubs, and other advanced infrastructure. This approach challenges the outdated utility model, embodying a "Utility 2.0" vision.

A key innovation lies in transformer design: shifting from bespoke to modular, standardized systems to enhance efficiency and scalability. Kent also highlights the advantages of renewable energy, noting that power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewables can extend up to 20 years, compared to just three years for gas. Additionally, small behind-the-meter batteries play a critical role in stabilizing energy supply and optimizing costs.

Digital tools and software are another focus, where Kent offers unexpected insights, emphasizing practical, streamlined solutions over complex systems. He points to SMUD, a progressive utility in Sacramento, California, as a model for grid management. SMUD’s forward-thinking strategies have yielded impressive results, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

In the realm of transformer technology, Kent advocates for "dumb simplicity," inspired by the German motto “Stumpf ist Trumpf” (simple is best). Surprisingly, he notes that animal interference, such as birds, is a leading cause of transformer failures, underscoring the need for robust, straightforward designs.

To borrow from the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want, but you might just get what you need.” Kent’s pragmatic innovations are paving the way for a resilient, sustainable energy future.    

We thank Abloco Energy, premier European lessor of mobile batteries, for supporting the show.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66338265Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:55:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe have recently witnessed spectacular black outs: South Australia 2016, Texas Uri 2021, California 2020-21-25 and Iberia 2025. We are not even mentioning fragile grids in the Global South.  We will do an episode on those blackouts later this year....
The U.S. electrical grid, now over a century old, struggles to meet modern demands. Utilities are slow to adapt, and supply chains are congested, posing challenges for accommodating new load developments like datacenters and AI while ensuring reliable, affordable power for existing customers.

Jereme Kent, an engineer with practical expertise, is tackling these issues head-on. As the leader of One Power (an Ohio-based industrial power company) Kent champions customer-centric, decarbonized power grids. One Power delivers innovative, renewable-focused energy solutions, empowering industrial clients to manage costs and emissions through on-site wind power, EV charging hubs, and other advanced infrastructure. This approach challenges the outdated utility model, embodying a "Utility 2.0" vision.

A key innovation lies in transformer design: shifting from bespoke to modular, standardized systems to enhance efficiency and scalability. Kent also highlights the advantages of renewable energy, noting that power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewables can extend up to 20 years, compared to just three years for gas. Additionally, small behind-the-meter batteries play a critical role in stabilizing energy supply and optimizing costs.

Digital tools and software are another focus, where Kent offers unexpected insights, emphasizing practical, streamlined solutions over complex systems. He points to SMUD, a progressive utility in Sacramento, California, as a model for grid management. SMUD’s forward-thinking strategies have yielded impressive results, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

In the realm of transformer technology, Kent advocates for "dumb simplicity," inspired by the German motto “Stumpf ist Trumpf” (simple is best). Surprisingly, he notes that animal interference, such as birds, is a leading cause of transformer failures, underscoring the need for robust, straightforward designs.

To borrow from the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want, but you might just get what you need.” Kent’s pragmatic innovations are paving the way for a resilient, sustainable energy future.    

We thank Abloco Energy, premier European lessor of mobile batteries, for supporting the show.
]]>1935ai,batteries,datacenters,grids,transformersfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com“The Climate Paradox”, which has garnered significant positive attention from outlets such as the Guardian, the BBC, the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and much of the European press.

Beginning with the statement, “Climate action has reached an impasse,” the report, authored by Lindy Fursman (who holds a PhD in Sociology from UC Berkeley), outlines several key “facts” that have been effectively debunked by experts like Michael Liebreich in his Substack and Michael Barnard in Cleantechnica.

The TBI concludes with a series of recommendations, the most prominent being the call to “accelerate and scale technologies that capture carbon, alongside significant investments in engineered carbon-dioxide removal technologies, including direct air capture (DAC) solutions”. To emphasize this message, the cover of TBI’s report features an image of Climeworks’ plant in Iceland. Climeworks, a Swiss engineering company with 500 employees, has received $800 million in equity and subsidies from major players such as Partners Group, the GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund), Baillie Gifford (an early investor in Tesla), Swiss Re, and Microsoft.

However, last week, Climeworks faced a major setback when it was revealed that despite receiving substantial funding, the company had only captured 105 tonnes of CO2—not 105,000, but just 105 tonnes (less than a single flight London – New York) —despite the strong backing of tech giants like Stripe, Microsoft and Shopify.

This revelation has sparked widespread concern and warranted a prompt discussion with Laurent Segalen, Gerard Reid and Michael Barnard to assess the implications. The conversation will explore the credibility of the TBI’s stance on energy, the broader potential of DAC, and whether this technology is, in fact, a case of "Deception, Amateurism, and Con."

Links:
Michael Liebreich substack:
https://mliebreich.substack.com/p/why-tony-blair-needs-to-reset-his
Michael Barnard Cleantechnica
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/05/tony-blairs-new-climate-reset-report-promotes-delay-not-action/
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/15/climeworks-dac-fiscal-collapse-the-brutal-reality-of-pulling-carbon-from-the-sky/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66203363Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:09 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) recently released a widely publicized report titled “The Climate Paradox”, which has garnered significant positive attention from outlets such as the Guardian, the BBC, the Financial Times, Bloomberg,...“The Climate Paradox”, which has garnered significant positive attention from outlets such as the Guardian, the BBC, the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and much of the European press.

Beginning with the statement, “Climate action has reached an impasse,” the report, authored by Lindy Fursman (who holds a PhD in Sociology from UC Berkeley), outlines several key “facts” that have been effectively debunked by experts like Michael Liebreich in his Substack and Michael Barnard in Cleantechnica.

The TBI concludes with a series of recommendations, the most prominent being the call to “accelerate and scale technologies that capture carbon, alongside significant investments in engineered carbon-dioxide removal technologies, including direct air capture (DAC) solutions”. To emphasize this message, the cover of TBI’s report features an image of Climeworks’ plant in Iceland. Climeworks, a Swiss engineering company with 500 employees, has received $800 million in equity and subsidies from major players such as Partners Group, the GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund), Baillie Gifford (an early investor in Tesla), Swiss Re, and Microsoft.

However, last week, Climeworks faced a major setback when it was revealed that despite receiving substantial funding, the company had only captured 105 tonnes of CO2—not 105,000, but just 105 tonnes (less than a single flight London – New York) —despite the strong backing of tech giants like Stripe, Microsoft and Shopify.

This revelation has sparked widespread concern and warranted a prompt discussion with Laurent Segalen, Gerard Reid and Michael Barnard to assess the implications. The conversation will explore the credibility of the TBI’s stance on energy, the broader potential of DAC, and whether this technology is, in fact, a case of "Deception, Amateurism, and Con."

Links:
Michael Liebreich substack:
https://mliebreich.substack.com/p/why-tony-blair-needs-to-reset-his
Michael Barnard Cleantechnica
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/05/tony-blairs-new-climate-reset-report-promotes-delay-not-action/
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/15/climeworks-dac-fiscal-collapse-the-brutal-reality-of-pulling-carbon-from-the-sky/]]>1209china,climate,directaircapture,renewables,tonyblairfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
KKR’s approach combines several strategies which are developed in different vehicles from run of the mill yield funds to more risky platforms. Since the beginning of the decade, KKR has invested billions in the acquisitions of assets in the sector (Zenobe, Avantus, Albioma, Contour Global, Actis, Ignis, SMS, Acciona, Encavis, EGC, Eni biofuels) plus a special agreement to develop AI with ECP.

Laurent and Gerard have the pleasure and privilege to invite Emmanuel Lagarrigue, Partner and co-head of Global Climate at KKR, who co-runs this global effort. Prior joining KKR in 2022, Emmanuel had a 27 years stellar career at Schneider Electric where he ended up leading the Group Strategy. Under his tenure, Schneider Electric’s shares grew tenfold.

What is KKR’s strategy, how can it provide returns in this volatile environment, how to foster synergies inside its portfolio, where are the next big trends they are looking at? Emmanuel also discusses how private markets and public markets differ when it comes to asset valuations, how to deal with volatility, how much energy growth will be triggered by datacenters and finally what he thinks about Hydrogen and ”Green Premiums”.

A ”tour de force” from one of the most prominent Energy investor on the planet.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66085649Mon, 19 May 2025 00:45:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidKKR is a Private Equity giant whose involvement in the Energy/Infrastructure sector has grown bigger over the decades. Energy/Infrastructure investments now represents approx 10% of their global Asset under Management of c.700bnUSD. KKR’s approach...
KKR’s approach combines several strategies which are developed in different vehicles from run of the mill yield funds to more risky platforms. Since the beginning of the decade, KKR has invested billions in the acquisitions of assets in the sector (Zenobe, Avantus, Albioma, Contour Global, Actis, Ignis, SMS, Acciona, Encavis, EGC, Eni biofuels) plus a special agreement to develop AI with ECP.

Laurent and Gerard have the pleasure and privilege to invite Emmanuel Lagarrigue, Partner and co-head of Global Climate at KKR, who co-runs this global effort. Prior joining KKR in 2022, Emmanuel had a 27 years stellar career at Schneider Electric where he ended up leading the Group Strategy. Under his tenure, Schneider Electric’s shares grew tenfold.

What is KKR’s strategy, how can it provide returns in this volatile environment, how to foster synergies inside its portfolio, where are the next big trends they are looking at? Emmanuel also discusses how private markets and public markets differ when it comes to asset valuations, how to deal with volatility, how much energy growth will be triggered by datacenters and finally what he thinks about Hydrogen and ”Green Premiums”.

A ”tour de force” from one of the most prominent Energy investor on the planet.]]>1646cleanenergy,electrification,infrastructure,investment,kkr,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
To help make sense of these opposing dynamics—and to assess which OEMs are likely to lead or fall behind—Laurent and Gerard have brought in a top-tier expert: Michael J. Dunne. Michael is the CEO of Dunne Insights LLC, a San Diego-based firm specializing in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and battery supply chains. With over three decades of experience, Michael has held prominent roles including President of General Motors Indonesia and Managing Director of JD Power China. He is also the author of American Wheels, Chinese Roads (2011), and the host of the podcast Driving With Dunne.

Key Insights from Our Conversation:

• China: BYD reigns supreme, followed by legacy brands, tech giants, and emerging players.
• Japan: Toyota, the shogun of the market, stands tall—while the rest struggle to keep up.
• Korea: A tale of strong potential under threat.
• Germany: VW appears stuck in reverse, Mercedes feels increasingly "Chinese," and BMW navigates a narrow path.
• USA: Stellantis, Ford, and GM—industries in limbo, often described as “zombies.”
• The Wild Card: Tesla. With Elon at the helm, anything is possible—genius or chaos.

Across all regions, we forecast who the likely winners are, who may barely survive, and who seem destined for the dustbin of history.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65826598Mon, 12 May 2025 00:15:09 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidOn one hand, tariffs are causing significant disruption in the global automotive industry. On the other, the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to surge, seemingly unaffected. According to the latest Q1 2025 data from Rho Motion, 4.1 million EVs...
To help make sense of these opposing dynamics—and to assess which OEMs are likely to lead or fall behind—Laurent and Gerard have brought in a top-tier expert: Michael J. Dunne. Michael is the CEO of Dunne Insights LLC, a San Diego-based firm specializing in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and battery supply chains. With over three decades of experience, Michael has held prominent roles including President of General Motors Indonesia and Managing Director of JD Power China. He is also the author of American Wheels, Chinese Roads (2011), and the host of the podcast Driving With Dunne.

Key Insights from Our Conversation:

• China: BYD reigns supreme, followed by legacy brands, tech giants, and emerging players.
• Japan: Toyota, the shogun of the market, stands tall—while the rest struggle to keep up.
• Korea: A tale of strong potential under threat.
• Germany: VW appears stuck in reverse, Mercedes feels increasingly "Chinese," and BMW navigates a narrow path.
• USA: Stellantis, Ford, and GM—industries in limbo, often described as “zombies.”
• The Wild Card: Tesla. With Elon at the helm, anything is possible—genius or chaos.

Across all regions, we forecast who the likely winners are, who may barely survive, and who seem destined for the dustbin of history.]]>1875byd,electrictransportation,evs,teslafalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
As GWEC has just released its flagship Global Wind Report 2025—a must-read for anyone serious about the energy transition—they reflect on wind power’s progress. While the sector has continued to grow, it's been outpaced by solar and storage, grappling with supply chain bottlenecks, technical hurdles, and an all-out culture war driven by fossil fuel interests and political headwinds.

The discussion covers the recent struggles of the U.S. offshore wind sector.

We also dive into China’s meteoric rise, now dominating two-thirds of the global wind market with players like Goldwind, Envision, Windey, and Mingyang—now surpassing Western stalwarts such as Vestas, Siemens Energy, and GE Vernova.

Despite the noise and negativity—what Laurent refers to as “the enemies of freedom”—there’s reason to stay hopeful. Wind remains a cornerstone of clean, secure, and locally sourced energy in many regions.

Check out the full Global Wind Report 2025 from GWEC here: https://www.gwec.net/reports/globalwindreport]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65288909Mon, 05 May 2025 00:30:09 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent and Gerard sit down for an in-depth (and at times fiery) conversation with Ben Backwell, Chair of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), to unpack the current state of the wind industry. Ben joins from Brazil, where preparations for COP30 are...
As GWEC has just released its flagship Global Wind Report 2025—a must-read for anyone serious about the energy transition—they reflect on wind power’s progress. While the sector has continued to grow, it's been outpaced by solar and storage, grappling with supply chain bottlenecks, technical hurdles, and an all-out culture war driven by fossil fuel interests and political headwinds.

The discussion covers the recent struggles of the U.S. offshore wind sector.

We also dive into China’s meteoric rise, now dominating two-thirds of the global wind market with players like Goldwind, Envision, Windey, and Mingyang—now surpassing Western stalwarts such as Vestas, Siemens Energy, and GE Vernova.

Despite the noise and negativity—what Laurent refers to as “the enemies of freedom”—there’s reason to stay hopeful. Wind remains a cornerstone of clean, secure, and locally sourced energy in many regions.

Check out the full Global Wind Report 2025 from GWEC here: https://www.gwec.net/reports/globalwindreport]]>1585climate,cop30,renewables,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
While we can’t dive into our discussions with governments and system operators—those are protected by NDAs—rest assured, those conversations are very much underway, as you might expect. To put this episode together, we have brought in a range of perspectives:

• First, you'll hear an excerpt from a conversation with John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, on the Aurora Unplugged podcast last October, where he discusses the potential of ultra-long interconnectors.
• Next, we feature an interview with Laurent on the Jolts podcast from this February.
• That’s followed by a deep dive into the technical aspects with Cornelis Plet, Global Head of HVDC at DNV.
• We then explore the legal landscape with Silke Goldberg, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills and one of the world’s foremost legal experts in this area.
• And finally, we wrap up with a conversation between the co-founders, where Simon Ludlam lays out the key steps ahead in the coming months and Gerard engages with investors.

We hope this gives you a clearer picture of what has been accomplished so far—and what lies ahead on this ambitious journey.

A lot of information, reports and data are available on www.nato-l.org]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65664569Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThere's been a great deal of excitement and curiosity surrounding the idea of a Transatlantic Interconnector. So, as co-founders, Laurent Segalen and Simon Ludlam, alongside their adviser Gerard Reid, have decided to release a special episode to bring...
While we can’t dive into our discussions with governments and system operators—those are protected by NDAs—rest assured, those conversations are very much underway, as you might expect. To put this episode together, we have brought in a range of perspectives:

• First, you'll hear an excerpt from a conversation with John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, on the Aurora Unplugged podcast last October, where he discusses the potential of ultra-long interconnectors.
• Next, we feature an interview with Laurent on the Jolts podcast from this February.
• That’s followed by a deep dive into the technical aspects with Cornelis Plet, Global Head of HVDC at DNV.
• We then explore the legal landscape with Silke Goldberg, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills and one of the world’s foremost legal experts in this area.
• And finally, we wrap up with a conversation between the co-founders, where Simon Ludlam lays out the key steps ahead in the coming months and Gerard engages with investors.

We hope this gives you a clearer picture of what has been accomplished so far—and what lies ahead on this ambitious journey.

A lot of information, reports and data are available on www.nato-l.org]]>2130energysecurity,energytransition,transmissionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Last month we had the always comprehensive IEA Global Energy Review, and now to go deep into Electrification, we just received the Ember's sixth Global Electricity Review. We brought in two of its three authors: Dr Katye Altieri and Nicolas Fulghum to discuss the main finding. We’re sorry Euan Graham, the third author, could not join.

Here are the key findings:

• Electricity growth is twice as fast as Energy Growth
• The world electricity consumption grew by the size of Japan (last decade it was annually the size of Brazil)
• 80% of that additional demand is met by renewables
• Demand drive is led by Cooling, Heating, Transportation and Datacenters
• World surpasses 40% clean power as renewables (incl. hydro and nuclear) see record rise
• Solar is the main driver of renewables growth, with generation doubling in three years 

And more findings in this comprehensive episode.

Thank you, Ember Energy.
Link to the report: https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/

--------------
Other reports mentioned during the show:
IEA Report: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2025
IRENA Report: https://www.irena.org/Publications/2025/Mar/Renewable-capacity-statistics-2025
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65521785Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:00:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs we start receiving data for the year 2024 in terms of Energy Production and Consumption, it is time to have a forensic analysis of the global Energy Complex in 2024. Last month we had the always comprehensive IEA Global Energy Review, and now to...
Last month we had the always comprehensive IEA Global Energy Review, and now to go deep into Electrification, we just received the Ember's sixth Global Electricity Review. We brought in two of its three authors: Dr Katye Altieri and Nicolas Fulghum to discuss the main finding. We’re sorry Euan Graham, the third author, could not join.

Here are the key findings:

• Electricity growth is twice as fast as Energy Growth
• The world electricity consumption grew by the size of Japan (last decade it was annually the size of Brazil)
• 80% of that additional demand is met by renewables
• Demand drive is led by Cooling, Heating, Transportation and Datacenters
• World surpasses 40% clean power as renewables (incl. hydro and nuclear) see record rise
• Solar is the main driver of renewables growth, with generation doubling in three years 

And more findings in this comprehensive episode.

Thank you, Ember Energy.
Link to the report: https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/

--------------
Other reports mentioned during the show:
IEA Report: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2025
IRENA Report: https://www.irena.org/Publications/2025/Mar/Renewable-capacity-statistics-2025
]]>1879batteries,renewables,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comCapitalizing on the Infrastructure giants’ Blind Spots: How can a specialised PE fund thrive under the new US Administration?

The Energy Transition encompasses more than just power and AI. We have chosen to explore the niche yet crucial areas of waste gas, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and emissions capture.

At the heart of this journey is Cresta, a $2 billion specialist fund positioned at the intersection of Private Equity and Infrastructure. Chris Rozzell, the fund's Managing Partner, shares insights on how a fund focused on industrial sectors can thrive in underappreciated sub-sectors like mid-stream infrastructure—areas often overlooked by larger, more traditional funds.

By adopting a strategy akin to a scavenger's approach, Cresta has capitalized on these opportunities. Chris also discusses the impact of the new US administration on his investment thesis and why choosing the Zag when everyone else is choosing the Zig has proven to be highly profitable.

While the Energy Transition is multifaceted, it is also fraught with blind spots. Cresta stands as a prime example of how industrial expertise can drive meaningful decarbonization efforts.

The discussion in this podcast is for informational purposes and should not be relied on as investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation for an offer to buy any securities. Any opinions expressed are those of the speaker and are subject to change. Listeners should not make investment decisions based solely on the information in this podcast.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65012303Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:20:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidCapitalizing on the Infrastructure giants’ Blind Spots: How can a specialised PE fund thrive under the new US Administration? The Energy Transition encompasses more than just power and AI. We have chosen to explore the niche yet crucial areas of...Capitalizing on the Infrastructure giants’ Blind Spots: How can a specialised PE fund thrive under the new US Administration?

The Energy Transition encompasses more than just power and AI. We have chosen to explore the niche yet crucial areas of waste gas, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and emissions capture.

At the heart of this journey is Cresta, a $2 billion specialist fund positioned at the intersection of Private Equity and Infrastructure. Chris Rozzell, the fund's Managing Partner, shares insights on how a fund focused on industrial sectors can thrive in underappreciated sub-sectors like mid-stream infrastructure—areas often overlooked by larger, more traditional funds.

By adopting a strategy akin to a scavenger's approach, Cresta has capitalized on these opportunities. Chris also discusses the impact of the new US administration on his investment thesis and why choosing the Zag when everyone else is choosing the Zig has proven to be highly profitable.

While the Energy Transition is multifaceted, it is also fraught with blind spots. Cresta stands as a prime example of how industrial expertise can drive meaningful decarbonization efforts.

The discussion in this podcast is for informational purposes and should not be relied on as investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation for an offer to buy any securities. Any opinions expressed are those of the speaker and are subject to change. Listeners should not make investment decisions based solely on the information in this podcast.]]>1779carbonmanagement,ccs,energytransition,saffalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comCambridge University Energy Technology Society (CUETS) for a live session of Redefining Energy.

In front of hundreds of attentive students, they had a comprehensive debate with Pr. David Cebon about the Electrification of Trucks. What are the issues (technical, economic) and what are the proposed solutions from Electric roads to batteries?

We enjoyed sharing with an enthusiastic crowd at St John's College, Cambridge and give a special thanks to Max Krefting for the flawless organisation.  

A memorable evening for all participants.  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65163918Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:50:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidEarly March, Gerard and Laurent were invited by the https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-university-energy-technology-society/ for a live session of Redefining Energy. In front of hundreds of attentive students, they had a comprehensive debate...Cambridge University Energy Technology Society (CUETS) for a live session of Redefining Energy.

In front of hundreds of attentive students, they had a comprehensive debate with Pr. David Cebon about the Electrification of Trucks. What are the issues (technical, economic) and what are the proposed solutions from Electric roads to batteries?

We enjoyed sharing with an enthusiastic crowd at St John's College, Cambridge and give a special thanks to Max Krefting for the flawless organisation.  

A memorable evening for all participants.  ]]>1842batteries,electricroad,electrictransportation,evcharging,evsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
The rest of the world is finally waking up to the economic and geopolitical challenges that this presents and is actively trying to secure the supplies of critical minerals by creating non-Chinese supply chains.

Gerard and Laurent sat down with Richard Tite, Chief Investment Officer of TechMet, a critical minerals investment company that is partially owned by the U.S. Government through a series of equity investments by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). TechMet’s portfolio currently includes 10 projects across North America, South America, Africa, and Europe, that produce, process, and recycle critical minerals.

How does it work? What are the costs? Can China be countered? Does it succeed?

Are Critical Minerals truly critical? They are certainly polarizing.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64749374Mon, 24 Mar 2025 01:15:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe XXIst century economy will be powered by 'critical minerals' such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths. China has spent the past 20 years building a dominant position across the supply chain for these metals. The rest of the world is...
The rest of the world is finally waking up to the economic and geopolitical challenges that this presents and is actively trying to secure the supplies of critical minerals by creating non-Chinese supply chains.

Gerard and Laurent sat down with Richard Tite, Chief Investment Officer of TechMet, a critical minerals investment company that is partially owned by the U.S. Government through a series of equity investments by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). TechMet’s portfolio currently includes 10 projects across North America, South America, Africa, and Europe, that produce, process, and recycle critical minerals.

How does it work? What are the costs? Can China be countered? Does it succeed?

Are Critical Minerals truly critical? They are certainly polarizing.]]>2008batteries,china,criticalminerals,lithium,mining,rareearthsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Energy Security has become a critical issue, especially with the recent sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea by Russian and Chinese vessels, extreme weather events knocking out a third of the Irish Grid, and Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Kristian shares the story of his harrowing visit to a power plant in Ukraine, where DTEK engineers are bravely working through air raids every day to keep the lights on. The conversation expands to cover all aspects of Energy Security as we enter the Age of Electricity, exploring both cyber and physical measures that can be taken to protect energy systems.

The discussion also touches on the latest advancements in E-Mobility, including how Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology can provide additional security and offer consumers a chance to earn more revenue.

Eurelectric represents a strong, forward-thinking industry that exemplifies resilience and solidarity in the face of challenges.  

Join us at Power Summit Brussels 3 and 4 June to discuss those topics and many others
Home - Eurelectric Power Summit 2025]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64749370Mon, 17 Mar 2025 01:10:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent welcomes Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric, to discuss Energy Security, Resilience and Flexibility though the impact of E-Mobility. Energy Security has become a critical issue, especially with the recent sabotage of undersea...
Energy Security has become a critical issue, especially with the recent sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea by Russian and Chinese vessels, extreme weather events knocking out a third of the Irish Grid, and Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Kristian shares the story of his harrowing visit to a power plant in Ukraine, where DTEK engineers are bravely working through air raids every day to keep the lights on. The conversation expands to cover all aspects of Energy Security as we enter the Age of Electricity, exploring both cyber and physical measures that can be taken to protect energy systems.

The discussion also touches on the latest advancements in E-Mobility, including how Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology can provide additional security and offer consumers a chance to earn more revenue.

Eurelectric represents a strong, forward-thinking industry that exemplifies resilience and solidarity in the face of challenges.  

Join us at Power Summit Brussels 3 and 4 June to discuss those topics and many others
Home - Eurelectric Power Summit 2025]]>1477emobility,energysecurity,grid,v2gfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comLaurent and Gerard are joined by Luca to highlight the key insights from this year’s findings:

• Corporate PPA demand remains stable, but with new entrants
• More deals, but smaller sizes: The number of transactions increased by 16% (+37 deals), even as total volumes declined.
• Innovative deal structures on the rise: Hybrid models, such as solar-wind PPAs, multi-buyer/portfolio arrangements, and cross-border agreements, are gaining traction, offering enhanced flexibility and risk-sharing.
• The continuous rise of 24/7 energy with the need to track and trade GoOs

We also delve into the topic of negative prices, capture prices, and their implications. The conversation extends to Pexapark’s predictions for 2025.

Additionally, we explore the growing role of batteries, new tolling agreements, and their impact, along with how batteries are increasingly incorporated into PPAs.

Finally, we turn our attention to the US market, discussing Pexapark’s first acquisition of a US company, Renewafi, marking a significant step in Pexapark’s american expansion.    

Link to Report: https://pexapark.com/pexapark-renewables-market-outlook-2025/
Link to Renewafi: https://www.renewafi.com/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64608331Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:00:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidIt has become a tradition to welcome Luca Pedretti, Co-Founder of Pexapark, to the show to discuss the evolving PPA market, especially now that Pexapark has released its annual State of the Market report. Laurent and Gerard are joined by Luca to...Laurent and Gerard are joined by Luca to highlight the key insights from this year’s findings:

• Corporate PPA demand remains stable, but with new entrants
• More deals, but smaller sizes: The number of transactions increased by 16% (+37 deals), even as total volumes declined.
• Innovative deal structures on the rise: Hybrid models, such as solar-wind PPAs, multi-buyer/portfolio arrangements, and cross-border agreements, are gaining traction, offering enhanced flexibility and risk-sharing.
• The continuous rise of 24/7 energy with the need to track and trade GoOs

We also delve into the topic of negative prices, capture prices, and their implications. The conversation extends to Pexapark’s predictions for 2025.

Additionally, we explore the growing role of batteries, new tolling agreements, and their impact, along with how batteries are increasingly incorporated into PPAs.

Finally, we turn our attention to the US market, discussing Pexapark’s first acquisition of a US company, Renewafi, marking a significant step in Pexapark’s american expansion.    

Link to Report: https://pexapark.com/pexapark-renewables-market-outlook-2025/
Link to Renewafi: https://www.renewafi.com/]]>1572247cfe,batteries,energymarkets,ppas,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
At the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos, Hitachi, Ltd. Executive Chairman Toshiaki Higashihara and Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas Schierenbeck, with Elisabeth V. Vardheim (Statnett) and Gerard Reid (Alexa Capital), participate in a panel discussion on 22 January 2025 to explore the parallels between today’s energy landscape and offer insights into how global stakeholders can drive change to address the climate crises.

In summary, how to turn couch potatoes into ironmen.   Laurent’s conclusion is that Davos is a perfect microcosm to capture CEOs’ Zeitgeist. And when you hear a global consensus, like 4 years ago on Net Zero and Climate and this year on AI… then it is probably time to SELL.  

This event is part of the Davos Accredited Programme. Full video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIXafAbc1gc]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64294464Mon, 24 Feb 2025 01:30:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSecuring a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply to meet this demand is crucial. At the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos, Hitachi, Ltd. Executive Chairman Toshiaki Higashihara and Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas...
At the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos, Hitachi, Ltd. Executive Chairman Toshiaki Higashihara and Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas Schierenbeck, with Elisabeth V. Vardheim (Statnett) and Gerard Reid (Alexa Capital), participate in a panel discussion on 22 January 2025 to explore the parallels between today’s energy landscape and offer insights into how global stakeholders can drive change to address the climate crises.

In summary, how to turn couch potatoes into ironmen.   Laurent’s conclusion is that Davos is a perfect microcosm to capture CEOs’ Zeitgeist. And when you hear a global consensus, like 4 years ago on Net Zero and Climate and this year on AI… then it is probably time to SELL.  

This event is part of the Davos Accredited Programme. Full video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIXafAbc1gc]]>1589climate,davos,energy,grid,renewables,weffalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comThe Volta Foundation just released its monumental 516 pages report, covering industry, technology, research, government policy, standards. It is a must read for anybody in the industry.
Link to the Volta Foundation report: https://volta.foundation/battery-report-2024

With Aaron, we talk about the pivotal role of China, the evolution of the supply chain (do we have enough minerals? Spoiler Alert: Yes), the chemistries, the form factors, recycling and second life. We discuss industry consolidation among the leading suppliers. We dive into the rise of LFP, the divergence between EV and ESS industries, and the expected evolutions of technologies (sodium ion, solid state, semi solid state), Finally we debate about the prices of cells, packs and systems.
A great conversation to assess the current state of play in this ultra dynamic sector.
------------------------  
Beside the Volta Foundation, the 2 must read reports which came out a few weeks ago

• Ember when it comes to Electricity European Electricity Review 2025
• Nat Bullard when it comes to Climate and Decarbonisation

https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025/https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations


Aaron Wade is the Business Development Lead for Gaussion, enhancing battery performance through magneto-enhancement, and a project director for the Volta Foundation. He was previously the head of battery costs at CRU, helping clients understand the ever changing world of battery cost and technology. Aaron has a PhD from University College London, researching the degradation of battery chemistries using X-ray imaging.  Gaussion develop magnetic-enhancement components as a bolt-on for all batteries, unlocking faster charging and longer lifetimes. The solution is chemistry and form factor agnostic, and can result in up to 6x faster charging and up to 8x longer lifetimes.   ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64077428Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:35:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid2024 has been another exceptional year for the battery industry. We have invited Aaron Wade to discuss the various technological and economic aspects of this rapidly expanding universe. Aaron is a rising star in the battery world. Not only is a key...The Volta Foundation just released its monumental 516 pages report, covering industry, technology, research, government policy, standards. It is a must read for anybody in the industry.
Link to the Volta Foundation report: https://volta.foundation/battery-report-2024

With Aaron, we talk about the pivotal role of China, the evolution of the supply chain (do we have enough minerals? Spoiler Alert: Yes), the chemistries, the form factors, recycling and second life. We discuss industry consolidation among the leading suppliers. We dive into the rise of LFP, the divergence between EV and ESS industries, and the expected evolutions of technologies (sodium ion, solid state, semi solid state), Finally we debate about the prices of cells, packs and systems.
A great conversation to assess the current state of play in this ultra dynamic sector.
------------------------  
Beside the Volta Foundation, the 2 must read reports which came out a few weeks ago

• Ember when it comes to Electricity European Electricity Review 2025
• Nat Bullard when it comes to Climate and Decarbonisation

https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025/https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations


Aaron Wade is the Business Development Lead for Gaussion, enhancing battery performance through magneto-enhancement, and a project director for the Volta Foundation. He was previously the head of battery costs at CRU, helping clients understand the ever changing world of battery cost and technology. Aaron has a PhD from University College London, researching the degradation of battery chemistries using X-ray imaging.  Gaussion develop magnetic-enhancement components as a bolt-on for all batteries, unlocking faster charging and longer lifetimes. The solution is chemistry and form factor agnostic, and can result in up to 6x faster charging and up to 8x longer lifetimes.   ]]>1774batteries,energystorage,energytransition,evsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comLaurent has designed a typology of possible investments from the least desirable to the essential. 
1)      Aspirational
2)      Shoehorn
3)      Compliance
4)      Profitable
5)      Salvation

Laurent describes his numerous investments and how this framework has helped him deliver consequential returns.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63852539Mon, 03 Feb 2025 03:05:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhile Gerard Reid was at Davos, schmoozing with world leaders, Laurent Segalen was invited by Luca Pedretti on the Pexapark podcast. They had a conversation around where to invest in the Energy Transition.  Laurent has designed a typology of possible...Laurent has designed a typology of possible investments from the least desirable to the essential. 
1)      Aspirational
2)      Shoehorn
3)      Compliance
4)      Profitable
5)      Salvation

Laurent describes his numerous investments and how this framework has helped him deliver consequential returns.]]>1051energytransition,investments,marketsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comSeb Kennedy is a leading market analyst and Founding Editor of Energy Flux (www.EnergyFlux.news), an independent newsletter that analyses global gas and LNG markets through the lens of Europe's energy transition.
We review the numerous phases that the market has faced since the beginning of the decade, COVID, post COVID, Russia-Ukraine. We delve into the incredible expansion of US Exports capacity, with 8 terminals now operational and a forecasted growth of another 50% by the end of the decade.

We analyse how the market is inherently volatile, which make long term investment difficult but still inside a band. If the LNG gets too high, then consumers will switch; if it gets too low, then some capacity will be shelved.  
We focus on Qatar, the world’s lowest cost producer, which will continue to grow no matter what. Seb anticipates a surplus in the coming years with massive extra capacities coming on the market from USA and Qatar. But the role of Iran and Russia, which hold the largest reserves, remain a huge uncertainty. Europe’s attitude towards LNG is a complex web of contradictions, between decarbonisation, security and affordability of supply, and global geopolitics.  
In conclusion, a strategic source of energy, but difficult to apprehend.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63852538Mon, 27 Jan 2025 01:00:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs the price of gas and LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) becomes a key factor for the value of the world’s energy, we have decided to bring in a top gas expert to explain where the market is and how is it going to evolve. Seb Kennedy is a leading market...Seb Kennedy is a leading market analyst and Founding Editor of Energy Flux (www.EnergyFlux.news), an independent newsletter that analyses global gas and LNG markets through the lens of Europe's energy transition.
We review the numerous phases that the market has faced since the beginning of the decade, COVID, post COVID, Russia-Ukraine. We delve into the incredible expansion of US Exports capacity, with 8 terminals now operational and a forecasted growth of another 50% by the end of the decade.

We analyse how the market is inherently volatile, which make long term investment difficult but still inside a band. If the LNG gets too high, then consumers will switch; if it gets too low, then some capacity will be shelved.  
We focus on Qatar, the world’s lowest cost producer, which will continue to grow no matter what. Seb anticipates a surplus in the coming years with massive extra capacities coming on the market from USA and Qatar. But the role of Iran and Russia, which hold the largest reserves, remain a huge uncertainty. Europe’s attitude towards LNG is a complex web of contradictions, between decarbonisation, security and affordability of supply, and global geopolitics.  
In conclusion, a strategic source of energy, but difficult to apprehend.
]]>1993climate,energy,energytransition,lngfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
We are going to analyse the performance of “Cleantech” Equities throughout 2024 and discuss what to expect for 2025. Let’s be honest: 2024 was an annus horribilis for “Core” Cleantech with major indices (S&P Global Clean Energy Index) down 20%. But 2024 was also an exceptional year for “Periphery” (or adjacent) Cleantech with companies like Siemens Energy and GE Vernova being star performers.

Why such a divergence between “Core” and “Periphery”? What fundamentals are sustaining such trends? Beside interest rates, political uncertainties, competition of China, there are some green shoots that certain segments have better captured than others.

And of course, we are talking about load growth and the rise of datacenters. A rising tide lift all boats, and Core Cleantech having been so much slaughtered in recent years due to past excesses, we foresee a positive rebalancing in 2025.

Overall, a very vast panorama of how the market values the future of the Energy Transition.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63627063Mon, 13 Jan 2025 03:05:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFor the first episode of 2025, Gerard and Laurent have the pleasure of welcoming Shanu Mathew. Shanu is a Senior Vice President at Lazard Asset Management and Portfolio Manager/Analyst on US Sustainable Equity.   We are going to analyse the...
We are going to analyse the performance of “Cleantech” Equities throughout 2024 and discuss what to expect for 2025. Let’s be honest: 2024 was an annus horribilis for “Core” Cleantech with major indices (S&P Global Clean Energy Index) down 20%. But 2024 was also an exceptional year for “Periphery” (or adjacent) Cleantech with companies like Siemens Energy and GE Vernova being star performers.

Why such a divergence between “Core” and “Periphery”? What fundamentals are sustaining such trends? Beside interest rates, political uncertainties, competition of China, there are some green shoots that certain segments have better captured than others.

And of course, we are talking about load growth and the rise of datacenters. A rising tide lift all boats, and Core Cleantech having been so much slaughtered in recent years due to past excesses, we foresee a positive rebalancing in 2025.

Overall, a very vast panorama of how the market values the future of the Energy Transition.]]>1828energy,hydrogen,market,renewables,valuationfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Here are the predictions that were made a year ago.
1) Stellantis will outsource its EV production in China
2) Politics: Elections in 2024 could derail the Energy Transition
3) Oversupply of everything energy related – Prices are going down
4) Stronger top-down governance of Transmission and Interconnection
5) The return of Clean Energy shares
6) China will gain massive international market in Wind and EVs  

Winner for best predictions is Michael Barnard, and the loser is Laurent (as usual)  

And here are our 6 predictions for 2025
1) Oil production down in the US in 2025
2) Oil prices will hit 40USD/bl in 2025
3) Geopolitics, stressed supply chains and Energy bonanza will bring a more innovative and better world
4) A bloodbath for Hydrogen in the Transportation sector
5) Record installation of Solar (700GW), EVs (20m) and Batteries (200GWh)
6) The end of all financial products labelled ESG, Climate and Carbon  

We wish all our listeners an excellent year 2025 and we love you all.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63415507Thu, 02 Jan 2025 02:25:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHappy new year to all our listeners. It has become a tradition for the first episode of the year: Gerard, Laurent and Michael present their 2025 Predictions in the Energy Transition. Here are the predictions that were made a year ago. 1) Stellantis...
Here are the predictions that were made a year ago.
1) Stellantis will outsource its EV production in China
2) Politics: Elections in 2024 could derail the Energy Transition
3) Oversupply of everything energy related – Prices are going down
4) Stronger top-down governance of Transmission and Interconnection
5) The return of Clean Energy shares
6) China will gain massive international market in Wind and EVs  

Winner for best predictions is Michael Barnard, and the loser is Laurent (as usual)  

And here are our 6 predictions for 2025
1) Oil production down in the US in 2025
2) Oil prices will hit 40USD/bl in 2025
3) Geopolitics, stressed supply chains and Energy bonanza will bring a more innovative and better world
4) A bloodbath for Hydrogen in the Transportation sector
5) Record installation of Solar (700GW), EVs (20m) and Batteries (200GWh)
6) The end of all financial products labelled ESG, Climate and Carbon  

We wish all our listeners an excellent year 2025 and we love you all.]]>16232025,energy,hydrogen,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com2024 is a year that will be remembered at pivotal in so many aspects. We salute our friends, our influencers and unveil our book of the year: “The coming wave” by Mustafa Suleyman, not purely about Energy, but about the digital transformation that is revolutionising the world.

Laurent and Gerard wish our listeners wonderful year end celebrations and… Buckle up for 2025.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63397394Mon, 23 Dec 2024 02:25:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidMerry Christmas. This is our last Episode of the Year where Laurent and Gerard summarise what impressed them, surprised them and shocked them. AI, Hydrogen, Renewables, USA vs Europe vs China, Climate. What worked, what did not work. 2024 is a year...2024 is a year that will be remembered at pivotal in so many aspects. We salute our friends, our influencers and unveil our book of the year: “The coming wave” by Mustafa Suleyman, not purely about Energy, but about the digital transformation that is revolutionising the world.

Laurent and Gerard wish our listeners wonderful year end celebrations and… Buckle up for 2025.]]>1067energy,evs,hydrogen,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
An excellent introduction for tomorrow’s world.   

You can watch Gerard on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXwGvLj4rak  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62754247Mon, 16 Dec 2024 01:20:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard delivered a master class at TedXBerlin about the four forces driving the Energy Revolution Solar, Batteries, Electronics and China. It is called “Welcome to the Era of Energy Disruption”   An excellent introduction for tomorrow’s world.   ...
An excellent introduction for tomorrow’s world.   

You can watch Gerard on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXwGvLj4rak  ]]>858batteries,climate,energy,evs,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comLaurent and Gerard invite its co-CIO, Shaun Kingsbury, the “inventor” of North Sea Offshore Wind when he was at the head of UK Green Investment Bank.
We talk about the investment thesis and its portfolio. Steel? Cement? Electro-mobility? Gerard discusses the general environment when it comes to Climate Tech (not great) and wonders if the third wave of Green Investment is not hitting a wall after years of exuberance.
Shaun concludes that there is no future for climate innovations if they don’t deliver attractive risk-adjusted financial returns. There will be short term bumps, but the long term is bright.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63094142Mon, 09 Dec 2024 01:45:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidJust Climate is a 1.5bnUSD vehicle established by Generation Investment with the mission to invest in the highest impact solutions that can radically reduce or remove emissions. They occupy the “missing middle” between VC and PE-Infra allowing growth,...Laurent and Gerard invite its co-CIO, Shaun Kingsbury, the “inventor” of North Sea Offshore Wind when he was at the head of UK Green Investment Bank.
We talk about the investment thesis and its portfolio. Steel? Cement? Electro-mobility? Gerard discusses the general environment when it comes to Climate Tech (not great) and wonders if the third wave of Green Investment is not hitting a wall after years of exuberance.
Shaun concludes that there is no future for climate innovations if they don’t deliver attractive risk-adjusted financial returns. There will be short term bumps, but the long term is bright.]]>1812cement,climate,climatech,innovation,steelfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comThe Swedish battery start-up burned through billions of euros in capital from investors such as Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs, and others, with little to show for it. Laurent and Gerard conduct a postmortem on this debacle of epic proportions.
With access to confidential sources within the company and its supply chain, they arrived at the same conclusions as Robin Zheng, CEO of CATL—the world’s leading battery manufacturer—who stated: “They have the wrong design, the wrong process, and the wrong equipment. How can they scale up? So almost all mistakes together.”
The root causes of Northvolt’s failure? Hubris and culture. What’s next for the European battery industry? It’s time to face reality: partner with the best or risk failure.
Northvolt’s collapse is a tragedy for its believers and a costly loss for investors. However, the industry continues to grow at a breakneck pace, and with pragmatism, there is a path forward. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63060931Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:25:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidNorthvolt, once the poster child of the European battery industry, shocked the world last month by filling for Chapter 11 in the United States.  The Swedish battery start-up burned through billions of euros in capital from investors such as...The Swedish battery start-up burned through billions of euros in capital from investors such as Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs, and others, with little to show for it. Laurent and Gerard conduct a postmortem on this debacle of epic proportions.
With access to confidential sources within the company and its supply chain, they arrived at the same conclusions as Robin Zheng, CEO of CATL—the world’s leading battery manufacturer—who stated: “They have the wrong design, the wrong process, and the wrong equipment. How can they scale up? So almost all mistakes together.”
The root causes of Northvolt’s failure? Hubris and culture. What’s next for the European battery industry? It’s time to face reality: partner with the best or risk failure.
Northvolt’s collapse is a tragedy for its believers and a costly loss for investors. However, the industry continues to grow at a breakneck pace, and with pragmatism, there is a path forward. ]]>1025batteries,energystorage,northvoltfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comBeyond the king Octopus, Simon Phelan and his company Hometree have managed to become an unlikely challenger in the deployment of the Energy transition inside home. And Simon has achieved this feat by flipping the system onto his head.
Hometree is a company that offers its customers home emergency breakdown insurance, plus installations and financing for energy efficient hardware. The achievements of Hometree are truly remarkable: 100,000 homes covered, a network 5,000 engineers, 100mEUR VC raised (Legal & General, Blackrock), 400mEUR securitisation of behind the meter asset portfolio (Barclays and CPPIB).
How has the Hometree system cracked the code of home energy decarbonisation?
They don’t “push” a product or a technology, they “pull” the client towards the best decarbonised solution. It starts with insurance, making sure that your heating system always work and thus creating long term relationships with clients.
Then comes the financing with fully wrapped solutions that lower the prices; the financing is then securitised to investors. And it is a good risk. Finally, having boots on the ground to serve clients to repair, maintain or build.
The eco-system is so versatile and powerful that all Utilities are looking to partner with Hometree … in the secret hope of staying relevant against the Octopus juggernaut.  We call Hometree: “the Best of the Rest”.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62817202Mon, 25 Nov 2024 01:30:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidDeploying solar and heat pumps in the residential sector is all well and good, but many attempts to scale have unfortunately failed. Beyond the king Octopus, Simon Phelan and his company Hometree have managed to become an unlikely challenger in the...Beyond the king Octopus, Simon Phelan and his company Hometree have managed to become an unlikely challenger in the deployment of the Energy transition inside home. And Simon has achieved this feat by flipping the system onto his head.
Hometree is a company that offers its customers home emergency breakdown insurance, plus installations and financing for energy efficient hardware. The achievements of Hometree are truly remarkable: 100,000 homes covered, a network 5,000 engineers, 100mEUR VC raised (Legal & General, Blackrock), 400mEUR securitisation of behind the meter asset portfolio (Barclays and CPPIB).
How has the Hometree system cracked the code of home energy decarbonisation?
They don’t “push” a product or a technology, they “pull” the client towards the best decarbonised solution. It starts with insurance, making sure that your heating system always work and thus creating long term relationships with clients.
Then comes the financing with fully wrapped solutions that lower the prices; the financing is then securitised to investors. And it is a good risk. Finally, having boots on the ground to serve clients to repair, maintain or build.
The eco-system is so versatile and powerful that all Utilities are looking to partner with Hometree … in the secret hope of staying relevant against the Octopus juggernaut.  We call Hometree: “the Best of the Rest”.]]>1876energytransition,heatpumps,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comHe is the one who coins the famous “Triple Renewables” rallying cry, and has been rewarded by joining the precious list of TIME 100 Climate leaders.
With Bruce, Laurent dives into COP. Shambolic, Rudderless and Essential nevertheless. The world of renewables is at the centre stage, dealing with diplomats who are doing politics without a calculator while policy makers are busy inventing more alphabet soup concepts while ignoring geopolitics.
COP is the summary of the world’s contradictions. COPs are useless and irreplaceable at the same time.  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62755916Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:20:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent goes live to Baku COP29 to discuss with Bruce “Almighty” Douglas, CEO Global Renewable Alliance and tireless promoter of Renewable Energy. He is the one who coins the famous “Triple Renewables” rallying cry, and has been rewarded by joining...He is the one who coins the famous “Triple Renewables” rallying cry, and has been rewarded by joining the precious list of TIME 100 Climate leaders.
With Bruce, Laurent dives into COP. Shambolic, Rudderless and Essential nevertheless. The world of renewables is at the centre stage, dealing with diplomats who are doing politics without a calculator while policy makers are busy inventing more alphabet soup concepts while ignoring geopolitics.
COP is the summary of the world’s contradictions. COPs are useless and irreplaceable at the same time.  ]]>829cop29,cop29baku,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
COP28 welcomed 85,000 delegates, within which a significant contingent of Oil lobbyists. COP29 is supposed to be the “Finance COP”, whatever that means, but all major head of states will not participate.

What to expect from COP29?   Are COP still useful? Is it the correct format? Who is really committed and who is just paying lip service to fighting Climate Change?  

Those questions and more with Lord Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) a global coalition of companies committed to achieving a net zero global economy by 2050. Lord Turner is a leading British businessman and academic, former Chairman of the Financial Services Authority (2008-13). From 2008-2012 Lord Turner was the first chair of the UK’s Climate Change Committee.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62667567Mon, 11 Nov 2024 01:30:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs COP29 begins, the ripple effects of the re-election of Donald Trump are reaching the shores of the Caspian Sea.   COP28 welcomed 85,000 delegates, within which a significant contingent of Oil lobbyists. COP29 is supposed to be the “Finance COP”,...
COP28 welcomed 85,000 delegates, within which a significant contingent of Oil lobbyists. COP29 is supposed to be the “Finance COP”, whatever that means, but all major head of states will not participate.

What to expect from COP29?   Are COP still useful? Is it the correct format? Who is really committed and who is just paying lip service to fighting Climate Change?  

Those questions and more with Lord Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) a global coalition of companies committed to achieving a net zero global economy by 2050. Lord Turner is a leading British businessman and academic, former Chairman of the Financial Services Authority (2008-13). From 2008-2012 Lord Turner was the first chair of the UK’s Climate Change Committee.]]>1739climatechange,cop29,energytransitionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Skoon, based in Rotterdam, is now seven years old and manages more than 1,000 mobile batteries in 14 countries. Mobile batteries range from 1kw to 1MW and are either on trailers or inside 10ft containers.

With Peter Paul, Laurent analyses this new segment of the Storage market. How did the technology evolve, what are the established use-cases (Construction, Film sets, Events) but also the new ones (Support to distribution networks).

In recent years, not only has the hardware evolved (widespread use of LFP), but there has been an absolute revolution in the software layers, from BMS (Battery Management System) to EMS (Energy Management System) to now the overall fleet management. Those progresses are not only from a technical perspective but also from an economic and environmental perspectives.

How this whole system works, grows and provide immense services to the Electrification of the Economy by providing the ultimate flexibility (time and space).]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62527640Mon, 04 Nov 2024 01:15:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFirst, Gerard is sorry, he couldn’t make it as he was on a ship in the Irish Sea, and his Starlink wouldn’t connect. So, it is just Laurent interviewing a young superstar, Peter Paul van Voorst, CEO of the mobile battery management platform Skoon....
Skoon, based in Rotterdam, is now seven years old and manages more than 1,000 mobile batteries in 14 countries. Mobile batteries range from 1kw to 1MW and are either on trailers or inside 10ft containers.

With Peter Paul, Laurent analyses this new segment of the Storage market. How did the technology evolve, what are the established use-cases (Construction, Film sets, Events) but also the new ones (Support to distribution networks).

In recent years, not only has the hardware evolved (widespread use of LFP), but there has been an absolute revolution in the software layers, from BMS (Battery Management System) to EMS (Energy Management System) to now the overall fleet management. Those progresses are not only from a technical perspective but also from an economic and environmental perspectives.

How this whole system works, grows and provide immense services to the Electrification of the Economy by providing the ultimate flexibility (time and space).]]>1586batteries,energystoragefalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
To quote the IEA, we enter in the “Age of Electrification” where electrification rate is going to accelerate significantly.

We have an extensive conversation about the good news (growth of renewables, energy security progress in response to Russian aggression) and the not so good news (flat demand, as the new power usages – transportation, heating – don’t grow as fast as anticipated; demand reduction or destruction). We discuss the impact of counterproductive taxation of various sources of energy, European competitiveness, the development of behind the meter energy as well as great initiatives such as the North Sea Wind Power Hub”.

A very rich state of play.

And Gerard apologises for the poor quality of his audio as he was in car driving in France while carrying his precious collection of rare whiskies from Berlin to Dublin.  

Link to Eurelectric report: Power Barometer – Zeroing in
https://powerbarometer.eurelectric.org/  

Join us at the Energy Storage Awards 2024
https://storageawards.solarenergyevents.com/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62438936Mon, 28 Oct 2024 02:50:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard and Laurent welcome Kristian Ruby, secretary general of Eurelectric, about their new report entitled “Power Barometer – Zeroing in on Electrification”.   To quote the IEA, we enter in the “Age of Electrification” where electrification rate is...
To quote the IEA, we enter in the “Age of Electrification” where electrification rate is going to accelerate significantly.

We have an extensive conversation about the good news (growth of renewables, energy security progress in response to Russian aggression) and the not so good news (flat demand, as the new power usages – transportation, heating – don’t grow as fast as anticipated; demand reduction or destruction). We discuss the impact of counterproductive taxation of various sources of energy, European competitiveness, the development of behind the meter energy as well as great initiatives such as the North Sea Wind Power Hub”.

A very rich state of play.

And Gerard apologises for the poor quality of his audio as he was in car driving in France while carrying his precious collection of rare whiskies from Berlin to Dublin.  

Link to Eurelectric report: Power Barometer – Zeroing in
https://powerbarometer.eurelectric.org/  

Join us at the Energy Storage Awards 2024
https://storageawards.solarenergyevents.com/]]>1285climate,energytransitionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
As the grid becomes more intermittent while the load is growing, those VPP/DER platforms provide a critical role by shedding demand, sometimes for a few minutes, to alleviate stress on the Grids.
VPPs can avoid starting polluting peakers via pre-agreed and targeted demand reduction, shift consumption via batteries and even act in in Frequency response market. And System Operators are willing to pay a decent price to have access to those resources.

That is the mission of Dana Guernsey. Dana is the CEO of Voltus, a Boulder-CO based leading DER technology platform and virtual power plant operator connecting distributed energy resources to electricity markets. As interconnection queues lengthen and capacity cost explode, are we on the dawn of a crazy development of VPPs.

Dana explains that while working for Walmart or fleet of Electric School buses, she can reduce Voltus’ clients power bills by up to 20% while keeping their core services unchanged. We are going to talk about technology, heating and cooling management, AI… and lasagna.

A deep dive into the future.

--------------------------------------------------------------
VERY IMPORTANT: We are doing a Q&A Episode in November
Ask us whatever you want!!!  

Send your questions: info@redefining-energy.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62131055Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:25:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhat are VPP? Virtual Power Plants. What are DER? Distributed Energy Resources? As the grid becomes more intermittent while the load is growing, those VPP/DER platforms provide a critical role by shedding demand, sometimes for a few minutes, to...
As the grid becomes more intermittent while the load is growing, those VPP/DER platforms provide a critical role by shedding demand, sometimes for a few minutes, to alleviate stress on the Grids.
VPPs can avoid starting polluting peakers via pre-agreed and targeted demand reduction, shift consumption via batteries and even act in in Frequency response market. And System Operators are willing to pay a decent price to have access to those resources.

That is the mission of Dana Guernsey. Dana is the CEO of Voltus, a Boulder-CO based leading DER technology platform and virtual power plant operator connecting distributed energy resources to electricity markets. As interconnection queues lengthen and capacity cost explode, are we on the dawn of a crazy development of VPPs.

Dana explains that while working for Walmart or fleet of Electric School buses, she can reduce Voltus’ clients power bills by up to 20% while keeping their core services unchanged. We are going to talk about technology, heating and cooling management, AI… and lasagna.

A deep dive into the future.

--------------------------------------------------------------
VERY IMPORTANT: We are doing a Q&A Episode in November
Ask us whatever you want!!!  

Send your questions: info@redefining-energy.com]]>1768der,energytransition,vppfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Roger has a 40 year career in the Auto industry (half of them in EVs) and his cowboy hat makes him a fixture of great EV shows around the world. Roger talk about his encounters with Robin Zeng -  CEO CATL, Wang Chuanfu – founder BYD, Elon Musk, Jack Cheng - co-founder NIO, Bob Galyen – ex GM and CTO CATL,  Li Shufu – founder Geely and a lot of other formidable people pushing the EV revolution.

We also talk about the people we admire Michael Dunne, Robert Llewellyn and Simon Moores. Thanks to them, we see clearer.  

And in EVs as in any sector, culture eats policy every morning for breakfast.

--------------------------------------------------------------
VERY IMPORTANT: We are doing a Q&A Episode in November
Ask us whatever you want!!!  

Send your questions: info@redefining-energy.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62129015Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhile Gerard is doing his rock star concert at TedTalk Berlin, Laurent has invited an old friend, Roger Atkins, Top Voice on EVs to discuss the people behind the EV revolution.   Roger has a 40 year career in the Auto industry (half of them in EVs)...
Roger has a 40 year career in the Auto industry (half of them in EVs) and his cowboy hat makes him a fixture of great EV shows around the world. Roger talk about his encounters with Robin Zeng -  CEO CATL, Wang Chuanfu – founder BYD, Elon Musk, Jack Cheng - co-founder NIO, Bob Galyen – ex GM and CTO CATL,  Li Shufu – founder Geely and a lot of other formidable people pushing the EV revolution.

We also talk about the people we admire Michael Dunne, Robert Llewellyn and Simon Moores. Thanks to them, we see clearer.  

And in EVs as in any sector, culture eats policy every morning for breakfast.

--------------------------------------------------------------
VERY IMPORTANT: We are doing a Q&A Episode in November
Ask us whatever you want!!!  

Send your questions: info@redefining-energy.com]]>1148energytransition,evs,transportationfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
The prices are collapsing monthly, partly due to cheaper inputs, technological improvements and larger volumes, not dissimilar to what happened in recent years to the solar industry. Is LFP the winning chemistry or is there still a future for NMC?

Laurent and Gerard bring Dr Engelke, Chair of Battery Associates, to try to make sense of it all. This young German company has been developing a world class expertise and how uses it to train the future work force is how to build a Gigafactory and how to optimize it. With clients like Tesla, VW and CATL, Battery Associates is in the thick of it. GenZ is defying all politicians by creating a transnational spirit of collaboration between Continents to promote a faster and more efficient future.

Because in the end, it is all about Human Capital. China has benefited from our technology for decades, let’s not be shy and emulate their playbook. It will be more efficient in the long term than lobbying regulators, whine and ask for tariffs and subsidies. Despite the roller coaster, never forget that in a fast-growing market, short term demand is generally overstated, while long term demand is generally understated.  

-----
We don’t often recommend other podcasts/YouTube (I know we should). If you are interested in Batteries, please listen/view this interview of Robin Zheng, CEO of CATL.
Really fascinating 
https://youtu.be/5VIXjjw4u9A?si=enaf8fls2F82YxoX
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/catl-ceo-founder-robin-zeng-the-journey-to-market/id1614211565?i=1000669887553
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62130800Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:10:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe battery infrastructure is currently growing 3x faster than the solar industry. Records are beaten daily: in August 2024, for the first time, Chinese battery factories passed the 100GWh production mark. We are seeing industry giants consolidate...
The prices are collapsing monthly, partly due to cheaper inputs, technological improvements and larger volumes, not dissimilar to what happened in recent years to the solar industry. Is LFP the winning chemistry or is there still a future for NMC?

Laurent and Gerard bring Dr Engelke, Chair of Battery Associates, to try to make sense of it all. This young German company has been developing a world class expertise and how uses it to train the future work force is how to build a Gigafactory and how to optimize it. With clients like Tesla, VW and CATL, Battery Associates is in the thick of it. GenZ is defying all politicians by creating a transnational spirit of collaboration between Continents to promote a faster and more efficient future.

Because in the end, it is all about Human Capital. China has benefited from our technology for decades, let’s not be shy and emulate their playbook. It will be more efficient in the long term than lobbying regulators, whine and ask for tariffs and subsidies. Despite the roller coaster, never forget that in a fast-growing market, short term demand is generally overstated, while long term demand is generally understated.  

-----
We don’t often recommend other podcasts/YouTube (I know we should). If you are interested in Batteries, please listen/view this interview of Robin Zheng, CEO of CATL.
Really fascinating 
https://youtu.be/5VIXjjw4u9A?si=enaf8fls2F82YxoX
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/catl-ceo-founder-robin-zeng-the-journey-to-market/id1614211565?i=1000669887553
]]>1550batteries,energytransitionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
-----

Laurent will be keynote speaker at ReSource Amsterdam 24-25/10/24. Come say hello https://resource-platform.eu/events/re-source-2024-event/  

-----  

We also salute the latest edition of Mycle Schneider World Nuclear Industry Status Report. Essential to understand what is going on in the Nuclear Industry beyond the headlines and the lobbying – More than 500 pages of data and facts.
https://www.worldnuclearreport.org/World-Nuclear-Industry-Status-Report-2024]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62105321Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:55:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGerard is live on the Wisdom Tree Commodity Exchange podcast and delivers a masterclass on how to invest in the Energy Transition: Renewables, Equity, Innovation, Commodities.   ----- Laurent will be keynote speaker at ReSource Amsterdam...
-----

Laurent will be keynote speaker at ReSource Amsterdam 24-25/10/24. Come say hello https://resource-platform.eu/events/re-source-2024-event/  

-----  

We also salute the latest edition of Mycle Schneider World Nuclear Industry Status Report. Essential to understand what is going on in the Nuclear Industry beyond the headlines and the lobbying – More than 500 pages of data and facts.
https://www.worldnuclearreport.org/World-Nuclear-Industry-Status-Report-2024]]>1979batteries,energytransition,hydrogen,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
To discuss the future of the Energy system as well as the fight against Climate Change, we bring in a very respected expert and friend of the show: Kingsmill Bond, Energy Strategist at RMI. Kingsmill has been digging deep into the data and has realized that the fossil fuel cohort simply cannot fathom the speed of the Energy Transition.

Gerard and Laurent have a lengthy debate about the trends, the adoption of clean energy, not only in the OECD, but also what is now referred as the “Global South” and deliver an optimist message about the future.  

In the present, the pessimists always sound smarter, but in the long-term optimists are always right.
------- 

RMI is a global NGO transforming the global energy system to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.
RMI:  https://rmi.org/the-world-re-energized/
RMI report: https://rmi.org/insight/the-cleantech-revolution/
Nick Eyre work: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12053-021-09982-9?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62013640Mon, 23 Sep 2024 01:45:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidExxonMobil forecasts 2050 Oil demand be the same as today. We believe that they are just “talking their books.” To discuss the future of the Energy system as well as the fight against Climate Change, we bring in a very respected expert and friend of...
To discuss the future of the Energy system as well as the fight against Climate Change, we bring in a very respected expert and friend of the show: Kingsmill Bond, Energy Strategist at RMI. Kingsmill has been digging deep into the data and has realized that the fossil fuel cohort simply cannot fathom the speed of the Energy Transition.

Gerard and Laurent have a lengthy debate about the trends, the adoption of clean energy, not only in the OECD, but also what is now referred as the “Global South” and deliver an optimist message about the future.  

In the present, the pessimists always sound smarter, but in the long-term optimists are always right.
------- 

RMI is a global NGO transforming the global energy system to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.
RMI:  https://rmi.org/the-world-re-energized/
RMI report: https://rmi.org/insight/the-cleantech-revolution/
Nick Eyre work: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12053-021-09982-9?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email]]>1517batteries,climate,energy,peakfossil,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
After describing the past gloom (interest rates, inflation, supply chain, Ukraine), we analyse the fundamentals of the market and turn out to be very optimistic for the years ahead, both onshore and offshore.  

Mortimer talentedly explains how the risks and markets have evolved over time and what impact they will have on future valuations. Overall, he is bullish as ever.  

--------------------
 I will be chairing a free Seminar on the future of Green Energy procurement with Ofgem, KPMG, S&P Global and Renewabl, the award-winning platform I seat on the Board of, at the law firm Wedlake Bell, on Thursday 3/10 at 4pm. In the City of London. Super technical.

Link to Register.  
Renewabl day: The future of renewable energy procurement · Luma]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61328638Mon, 16 Sep 2024 01:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs Europe has reached 270GW wind power (vs 150GW USA), corresponding to a value of 500bnEUR, we dig into the value of those assets. Gerard being out, Laurent brought his friend Mortimer Menzel, Managing Partner of Augusta Co, one of the most seasoned...
After describing the past gloom (interest rates, inflation, supply chain, Ukraine), we analyse the fundamentals of the market and turn out to be very optimistic for the years ahead, both onshore and offshore.  

Mortimer talentedly explains how the risks and markets have evolved over time and what impact they will have on future valuations. Overall, he is bullish as ever.  

--------------------
 I will be chairing a free Seminar on the future of Green Energy procurement with Ofgem, KPMG, S&P Global and Renewabl, the award-winning platform I seat on the Board of, at the law firm Wedlake Bell, on Thursday 3/10 at 4pm. In the City of London. Super technical.

Link to Register.  
Renewabl day: The future of renewable energy procurement · Luma]]>836renewables,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comHydropower is concentrated in certain geographies (China, Brazil, Canada) and is almost entirely developed by State-Owned Utilities that can stomach and support the very long construction time. Bost costs and value should be measured in decades, not in years.
Unfortunately, Climate Change is impacting the reliability of hydro; we have recently witnessed  a succession of dry years and wet years, which have created stresses in the American West, Brazil and China… So, how to make the best of it? How to optimize this valuable resource?

That is the life’s mission of Janice Goodenough, CEO of HYDROGRID. With a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and over 15 years of experience in the hydropower sector, Janice Goodenough is a dedicated advocate for leveraging the complete potential of hydropower amidst the evolving energy landscape. HYDROGRID Insight is an integrated water management & production planning platform for proactive hydro teams, providing comprehensive, predictive capabilities such as plant monitoring, predictive production planning, optimal trading, as well as constraint and maintenance management under a single hood.

We love hydro, but they need to stop snoozing. Wake up!  

We thank AMUNDI for supporting the show 

Transcripts   https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008    ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61170090Mon, 09 Sep 2024 01:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs wind and solar become ubiquitous, the value of hydropower goes up. Hydropower is becoming the ultimate clean energy, as it is flexible and easily dispatchable. Hydropower is concentrated in certain geographies (China, Brazil, Canada) and is almost...Hydropower is concentrated in certain geographies (China, Brazil, Canada) and is almost entirely developed by State-Owned Utilities that can stomach and support the very long construction time. Bost costs and value should be measured in decades, not in years.
Unfortunately, Climate Change is impacting the reliability of hydro; we have recently witnessed  a succession of dry years and wet years, which have created stresses in the American West, Brazil and China… So, how to make the best of it? How to optimize this valuable resource?

That is the life’s mission of Janice Goodenough, CEO of HYDROGRID. With a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and over 15 years of experience in the hydropower sector, Janice Goodenough is a dedicated advocate for leveraging the complete potential of hydropower amidst the evolving energy landscape. HYDROGRID Insight is an integrated water management & production planning platform for proactive hydro teams, providing comprehensive, predictive capabilities such as plant monitoring, predictive production planning, optimal trading, as well as constraint and maintenance management under a single hood.

We love hydro, but they need to stop snoozing. Wake up!  

We thank AMUNDI for supporting the show 

Transcripts   https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008    ]]>1802climatechange,hydropower,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comSo we have a very energetic Minutes to start September. With Gerard, the co-hosts focus on one of the key trends of 2024 which they call “Batteries, the Great Consolidation”. A lot of great experts are helping shape our view.
To name a few Aaron Wade, Tom Tsogt, Cormac O’Laoire, Christopher Chico, Chris Berry, Benchmark Minerals Intelligence/Rho Motion (Iola Hughe  and all Simon Moores’ team). We are thankful for their relentless drive to show us the future.
So, what is the “Great Consolidation” in Batteries. First consolidation in the supplier's landscape, with CATL and BYD trashing the competition and indirectly eliminating a lot of promising startups (We list the cancelled Gigafactories). Then, consolidation in Chemistry, it’s all about LFP now. Finally consolidation in form factor, with prismatic becoming the staple.
At the end of the episode, we salute the King of Solar in Pakistan, Sulaiman ur Rehman.
And also invite on our podcast Mr Faraz Ahmad, one of the Top Energy guy at Amazon, as we are very curious about his attempts to rewrite the rules for accounting for Carbon Emissions. We want to know more. Faraz, you are welcome!    

Transcript
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61170033Mon, 02 Sep 2024 01:35:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid“Summer has come and passed / The innocent can never last / Wake me up when September ends”. Like John Wick, Laurent thinks he is back. So we have a very energetic Minutes to start September. With Gerard, the co-hosts focus on one of the key trends of...So we have a very energetic Minutes to start September. With Gerard, the co-hosts focus on one of the key trends of 2024 which they call “Batteries, the Great Consolidation”. A lot of great experts are helping shape our view.
To name a few Aaron Wade, Tom Tsogt, Cormac O’Laoire, Christopher Chico, Chris Berry, Benchmark Minerals Intelligence/Rho Motion (Iola Hughe  and all Simon Moores’ team). We are thankful for their relentless drive to show us the future.
So, what is the “Great Consolidation” in Batteries. First consolidation in the supplier's landscape, with CATL and BYD trashing the competition and indirectly eliminating a lot of promising startups (We list the cancelled Gigafactories). Then, consolidation in Chemistry, it’s all about LFP now. Finally consolidation in form factor, with prismatic becoming the staple.
At the end of the episode, we salute the King of Solar in Pakistan, Sulaiman ur Rehman.
And also invite on our podcast Mr Faraz Ahmad, one of the Top Energy guy at Amazon, as we are very curious about his attempts to rewrite the rules for accounting for Carbon Emissions. We want to know more. Faraz, you are welcome!    

Transcript
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008]]>735batteries,climatechange,energystoragefalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Progress has been mixed. If lighting is an incredible success, heating and cooling remain a complex proposition with certain countries adopting new technologies much faster than others. Energy efficiency is sometimes a hard sell, as pay back periods can be counted in decades. Energy efficiency can be active, passive, “behind the meter” or at system’s level. 

Laurent and Gerard wander though that landscape with Vincent Petit, who runs Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute. Vincent has overseen the company’s prospective on the Climate and Energy Transition since 2017. Digital and behind the meter (solar, batteries) open new horizons even if regulators get confused between sticks and carrots.

Furthermore, the famous “Jevons Paradox” seems to indicate that energy efficiency gains trigger a rise in energy consumption. We discuss options to decarbonise buildings, a long and winding road, but nevertheless critical to solving climate change. We debate about the value of sticks and carrots and the efficiency of public policy support. Is there a winning formula?

We thank Amundi for supporting the show

Transcripts available here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60923565Mon, 26 Aug 2024 03:50:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHow to decarbonise buildings? That’s an important topic because that sector accounts for 37% of all emissions, making it one of the three pillars of decarbonisation next to electricity generation and transportation. Progress has been mixed. If...
Progress has been mixed. If lighting is an incredible success, heating and cooling remain a complex proposition with certain countries adopting new technologies much faster than others. Energy efficiency is sometimes a hard sell, as pay back periods can be counted in decades. Energy efficiency can be active, passive, “behind the meter” or at system’s level. 

Laurent and Gerard wander though that landscape with Vincent Petit, who runs Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute. Vincent has overseen the company’s prospective on the Climate and Energy Transition since 2017. Digital and behind the meter (solar, batteries) open new horizons even if regulators get confused between sticks and carrots.

Furthermore, the famous “Jevons Paradox” seems to indicate that energy efficiency gains trigger a rise in energy consumption. We discuss options to decarbonise buildings, a long and winding road, but nevertheless critical to solving climate change. We debate about the value of sticks and carrots and the efficiency of public policy support. Is there a winning formula?

We thank Amundi for supporting the show

Transcripts available here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008]]>1875building,carbon,energyefficiencyfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
He just published a book called “Our Renewable Energy Future: The Story of How Renewables will become the Basis for Our Lives.”   “Our Renewable Energy Future” focuses on clean energy technology evolution and where our energy system is going. While its foundation is technology innovation, the book brings a unique perspective that technology alone is not what has brought about the explosive growth of renewable energy.  

Laurent and Gerard have a stratospheric conversation with Dr Arent about the options in front of us. Digitisation and intelligent networks are going to revolutionize the way we produce and consumer energy.  

About NREL: Originally called the Solar Energy Research Institute, NREL began operating in July 1977 and was designated a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in September 1991. It runs a budget of 1bnUSD/y making it one of the world’s (if not the) most impressive R&D institutions when it comes to Renewable Energy.  

LINK TO BOOK 
https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/q0441#t=aboutBook


We thank Amundi for supporting the show

Transcripts available here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60923525Mon, 19 Aug 2024 02:45:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidA special interview with one of the great minds of the Energy Transition. Dr. Doug Arent is the Executive Director of Strategic Public– Private Partnerships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, U.S and Distinguished Fellow,...
He just published a book called “Our Renewable Energy Future: The Story of How Renewables will become the Basis for Our Lives.”   “Our Renewable Energy Future” focuses on clean energy technology evolution and where our energy system is going. While its foundation is technology innovation, the book brings a unique perspective that technology alone is not what has brought about the explosive growth of renewable energy.  

Laurent and Gerard have a stratospheric conversation with Dr Arent about the options in front of us. Digitisation and intelligent networks are going to revolutionize the way we produce and consumer energy.  

About NREL: Originally called the Solar Energy Research Institute, NREL began operating in July 1977 and was designated a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in September 1991. It runs a budget of 1bnUSD/y making it one of the world’s (if not the) most impressive R&D institutions when it comes to Renewable Energy.  

LINK TO BOOK 
https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/q0441#t=aboutBook


We thank Amundi for supporting the show

Transcripts available here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008]]>1879batteries,renewables,solar,windfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/145-clash-of-titans-barnard-vs-martin-industrial-heat-redefined--60731256Paul Martin, a seasoned chemical engineer, share his profound insights on the electrification of industrial heat processes. Here’s a brief summary of the conversation:
The discussion kicked off with a critical analysis of the inefficiencies associated with using fire for heat generation compared to electricity. Paul emphasized that electricity not only offers cost advantages but also enhances safety. A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to the concept of exergy, highlighting its crucial role in the energy transition towards decarbonization. Paul underscored the potential of direct electricity usage for heating processes, moving away from traditional methods of burning chemical energy.
We also delved into the advancements in battery technology, discussing how these innovations are revolutionizing energy storage and management. Paul provided fascinating insights into the practical applications of batteries in industrial settings, particularly for short-term high-power requirements.
The episode further explored the diverse heat requirements in industrial food preparation, comparing the efficiency of natural gas with other energy sources. Paul highlighted the practicalities and benefits of heat pumping in industrial processes, stressing the importance of understanding different heat metrics for efficiency calculations.
In addition to these technical discussions, Paul addressed the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the technology readiness levels and market readiness of heat pumping applications. He also explained the significance of temperature lift in heat pumping and its applications below 200 degrees Celsius. Paul Martin shared insights on various types of industrial heat, including cement clinkering and specialty high-temperature processes, highlighting the importance of efficient heat management.
The discussion also touched on the potential of changing wire types for better energy transfer and the role of smart demand and storage solutions during peak energy periods. The episode explored cutting-edge heating technologies such as induction heating, thermolysis, and electrolysis, emphasizing their advantages over traditional combustion methods. Environmental considerations were a key focus, with a shift towards electric heating for sustainability and exploring alternatives to fossil fuels for high-temperature processes.
Closing remarks from Michael Barnard and Paul Martin highlighted the value propositions and technological innovations discussed, endorsing consulting services for chemistry process engineering with Paul Martin at Spitfire Research.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of industrial heat and clean energy solutions. Overall, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in industrial heat electrification and the future of energy systems.    

Transcripts available here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60731256Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:20:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidDuring Summer season, we bring you back the best of our sister show, Redefining Energy TECH, where host Michael Barnard invites Paul Martin for a very long and geekie conversation about innovative solutions for industrial heat. Two titans of our...Paul Martin, a seasoned chemical engineer, share his profound insights on the electrification of industrial heat processes. Here’s a brief summary of the conversation:
The discussion kicked off with a critical analysis of the inefficiencies associated with using fire for heat generation compared to electricity. Paul emphasized that electricity not only offers cost advantages but also enhances safety. A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to the concept of exergy, highlighting its crucial role in the energy transition towards decarbonization. Paul underscored the potential of direct electricity usage for heating processes, moving away from traditional methods of burning chemical energy.
We also delved into the advancements in battery technology, discussing how these innovations are revolutionizing energy storage and management. Paul provided fascinating insights into the practical applications of batteries in industrial settings, particularly for short-term high-power requirements.
The episode further explored the diverse heat requirements in industrial food preparation, comparing the efficiency of natural gas with other energy sources. Paul highlighted the practicalities and benefits of heat pumping in industrial processes, stressing the importance of understanding different heat metrics for efficiency calculations.
In addition to these technical discussions, Paul addressed the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the technology readiness levels and market readiness of heat pumping applications. He also explained the significance of temperature lift in heat pumping and its applications below 200 degrees Celsius. Paul Martin shared insights on various types of industrial heat, including cement clinkering and specialty high-temperature processes, highlighting the importance of efficient heat management.
The discussion also touched on the potential of changing wire types for better energy transfer and the role of smart demand and storage solutions during peak energy periods. The episode explored cutting-edge heating technologies such as induction heating, thermolysis, and electrolysis, emphasizing their advantages over traditional combustion methods. Environmental considerations were a key focus, with a shift towards electric heating for sustainability and exploring alternatives to fossil fuels for high-temperature processes.
Closing remarks from Michael Barnard and Paul Martin highlighted the value propositions and technological innovations discussed, endorsing consulting services for chemistry process engineering with Paul Martin at Spitfire Research.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of industrial heat and clean energy solutions. Overall, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in industrial heat electrification and the future of energy systems.    

Transcripts available here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/redefining-energy--3170008
]]>5393decarbonization,energytransition,industrialheatfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Michael Barnard is quite blunt: “To be clear, Gates is still highly resistant to the reality that we have almost all of the solutions we require, and that Breakthrough Energy Ventures is mostly invested in distractions.”

As we are about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BEV, we dive into its successes and failures. And it is a complex picture. BEV has invested in more than 100 companies which is a feat in itself.  For a 3.5bnUSD portfolio, that’s an average of 40mUSD/ticket.

When you dig into the portfolio, you will get the Good, with promising ventures (such as Antora, Rondo, Boston Metals, Brimstone, TS Conductor, Fervo, Natel, Pachama, Kobold), the bad with ginormous boondoggles (nuclear, carbon, Hydrogen planes, LDES…), and the Ugly, when BEV (but they are not alone) manage to offload failed ventures via SPACs (Heliogen, QuantumScape, ESS)  or Public Money (Carbon Engineering).  

So, Breakthrough or Break down? Glass half full or half empty?  A lot of Silicon Valley billionaires have emulated BEV, with absurd amount of money chasing impossible or totally uneconomic ventures. To name a few, Sam Altman, Khosla Ventures, Patrick Collinson (CEO Stripe) Bezos, Benioff. So, Bill is definitely not alone. 

And BEV, with a string of smart choices, is probably the least bad, or best of them all.  

Michael Barnard unleashed in Cleantechnica https://cleantechnica.com/2024/07/04/breakthrough-energy-ventures-has-bad-investment-theses-therefore-bad-investments/
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60779857Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:50:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidIn episode 143, Gerard, Laurent and Michael have discussed the philosophy of Bill Gates when it comes to the Energy Transition, and the root causes of his flawed thesis. Let see now if this transpires in his main investment vehicle, Breakthrough...
Michael Barnard is quite blunt: “To be clear, Gates is still highly resistant to the reality that we have almost all of the solutions we require, and that Breakthrough Energy Ventures is mostly invested in distractions.”

As we are about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BEV, we dive into its successes and failures. And it is a complex picture. BEV has invested in more than 100 companies which is a feat in itself.  For a 3.5bnUSD portfolio, that’s an average of 40mUSD/ticket.

When you dig into the portfolio, you will get the Good, with promising ventures (such as Antora, Rondo, Boston Metals, Brimstone, TS Conductor, Fervo, Natel, Pachama, Kobold), the bad with ginormous boondoggles (nuclear, carbon, Hydrogen planes, LDES…), and the Ugly, when BEV (but they are not alone) manage to offload failed ventures via SPACs (Heliogen, QuantumScape, ESS)  or Public Money (Carbon Engineering).  

So, Breakthrough or Break down? Glass half full or half empty?  A lot of Silicon Valley billionaires have emulated BEV, with absurd amount of money chasing impossible or totally uneconomic ventures. To name a few, Sam Altman, Khosla Ventures, Patrick Collinson (CEO Stripe) Bezos, Benioff. So, Bill is definitely not alone. 

And BEV, with a string of smart choices, is probably the least bad, or best of them all.  

Michael Barnard unleashed in Cleantechnica https://cleantechnica.com/2024/07/04/breakthrough-energy-ventures-has-bad-investment-theses-therefore-bad-investments/
]]>1135climatech,energytransitionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
In this episode, we will not analyse Breakthrough Energy Ventures, his VC fund celebrating its 10th anniversary. That will be the topic of Episode 144, next week.

Laurent, Gerard and Michael are going to analyse Bill Gates fascination for Vaclav Smil and David MacKay.  We will dissect how their theories have been consequential in the shaping of Bill Gates’ vision.
We will delve into Smil’s errors, namely the Primary Energy Fallacy, the refusal to consider wind, solar and batteries as viable alternatives and the impact they have had on Bill Gates thinking, and - probably worse - investments.
We will discuss how the Oil Industry has found an ally (probably unwilling, but certainly powerful) in their quest for immobility. Elon Musk might be controversial, but at least he has made the journey in practice, not in theory.
A very heated discussion. And we are not going to make friends here. That’s OK. Country above Party. 

Bill Gates on Smil
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Numbers-Dont-Lie  
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60779826Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:40:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidBill Gates is sucking a lot of oxygen in the Energy Transition. Is he a force for good, or a nuisance? What is his thesis and where does it come from? And is the thesis still valid in 2024 or obsolete? In this episode, we will not analyse...
In this episode, we will not analyse Breakthrough Energy Ventures, his VC fund celebrating its 10th anniversary. That will be the topic of Episode 144, next week.

Laurent, Gerard and Michael are going to analyse Bill Gates fascination for Vaclav Smil and David MacKay.  We will dissect how their theories have been consequential in the shaping of Bill Gates’ vision.
We will delve into Smil’s errors, namely the Primary Energy Fallacy, the refusal to consider wind, solar and batteries as viable alternatives and the impact they have had on Bill Gates thinking, and - probably worse - investments.
We will discuss how the Oil Industry has found an ally (probably unwilling, but certainly powerful) in their quest for immobility. Elon Musk might be controversial, but at least he has made the journey in practice, not in theory.
A very heated discussion. And we are not going to make friends here. That’s OK. Country above Party. 

Bill Gates on Smil
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Numbers-Dont-Lie  
]]>1174billgates,energytransition,nuclear,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
This is the audio of its remarkable presentation at EcoSummit Berlin in June 2024. The topic is “Batteries vs Hydrogen”

Link to the YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAbr4byi414
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60610631Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:25:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis week, it is a solo by Gerard Reid. This is the audio of its remarkable presentation at EcoSummit Berlin in June 2024. The topic is “Batteries vs Hydrogen” Link to the YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAbr4byi414
This is the audio of its remarkable presentation at EcoSummit Berlin in June 2024. The topic is “Batteries vs Hydrogen”

Link to the YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAbr4byi414
]]>943batteries,hydrogenfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
When it comes to the Energy Transition, you can make the following analogy: public policies are the land and financial markets are the rain. But the seeds are battle-hardened entrepreneurs. Laurent and Gerard love to invite such heroes of the development of Renewables. They don’t build pipelines of projects. They built projects. 

One of those American Heroes is Sheldon Kimber, CEO of Intersect Power. In the past 8 years, Intersect has delivered 4GW of Solar and 2.5GWh of batteries. By focusing on a few huge projects, by developing a unique expertise in both Texas and California. Along the way, the Company has closed $5B in project financings and raised nearly $1B in corporate equity (TPG, CAI, Trilantic) to support the buildout of the Base Portfolio and additional growth projects. But Sheldon’s success is also linked to the development of a secure and efficient supply chain.

The conversation is so rich that we didn’t have time to delve into his plan to develop e-fuels for Taylor Swift private jet.  
And, as Daniel said: “Stumpf ist Trumpf”.  

We thank DLA Piper for supporting the show
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60644441Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:21:06 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidTexas and California have witnessed a crazy growth in Solar and Batteries in recent years. In 2024 California has 24GW of Solar and 9GW of batteries on its grid; Texas has grown even faster with 31GW of Solar and 10GW of batteries. When it comes to...
When it comes to the Energy Transition, you can make the following analogy: public policies are the land and financial markets are the rain. But the seeds are battle-hardened entrepreneurs. Laurent and Gerard love to invite such heroes of the development of Renewables. They don’t build pipelines of projects. They built projects. 

One of those American Heroes is Sheldon Kimber, CEO of Intersect Power. In the past 8 years, Intersect has delivered 4GW of Solar and 2.5GWh of batteries. By focusing on a few huge projects, by developing a unique expertise in both Texas and California. Along the way, the Company has closed $5B in project financings and raised nearly $1B in corporate equity (TPG, CAI, Trilantic) to support the buildout of the Base Portfolio and additional growth projects. But Sheldon’s success is also linked to the development of a secure and efficient supply chain.

The conversation is so rich that we didn’t have time to delve into his plan to develop e-fuels for Taylor Swift private jet.  
And, as Daniel said: “Stumpf ist Trumpf”.  

We thank DLA Piper for supporting the show
]]>1757batteries,california,renewables,solar,texasfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Gerard and Laurent bring in Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of Solar Power Europe, to discuss the development of Solar, and through the new report “Mission Solar 2040”, how we are on the cusp of a Flexibility Revolution.

The Report is available here: https://www.solarpowereurope.org/insights/thematic-reports/mission-solar-2040-1  
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60602988Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAfter a crazy Intersolar in Munich which welcomed more than 120,000 visitors, the pace of Solar deployment in Europe is going exponentially. Gerard and Laurent bring in Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of Solar Power Europe, to discuss the development of...
Gerard and Laurent bring in Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of Solar Power Europe, to discuss the development of Solar, and through the new report “Mission Solar 2040”, how we are on the cusp of a Flexibility Revolution.

The Report is available here: https://www.solarpowereurope.org/insights/thematic-reports/mission-solar-2040-1  
]]>709batteries,europe,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comThe ESG movement is facing a significant backlash. On the one hand there has been too much greenwashing, on the other hand, ESG has become a political punching ball in certain US States dependent on the fossil fuel industry. Some European Oil companies want to list in NY to get a better valuation and are complaining about too much sustainability scrutiny. And Larry Fink, Blackrock CEO, went in the last four years from hero to zero of the ESG wave.
Going back a few years a lot of the ESG popularity was linked to an overweighting of Tech and Luxury stocks which performed wonderfully, a trend partially reversed by the war in Ukraine and the rise of interest rates. In 2024, we have seen outflows in ESG labelled funds from a peak three years ago. Still, they represent, according to the FT, a 7tnUSD pot of money, so it is a big industry.

We’re not experts… but a system that rates ExxonMobil higher than Tesla on ESG raises eyebrows.

To add insult to injury, there is a multiplication of standards and regulations (CSRD, SFDR) which make the whole ESG universe very confusing. There are byzantine debates about passive vs active management. There are endless conversations about the adequacy of “engagement” and if shareholders should behave as activists. And finally, there is a clear transatlantic drift when it comes to that issue.

We are totally lost! 

To try to understand better if ESG is dead, or if it will have to reinvent itself, we bring in Jean Jacques Barberis Deputy CEO and Head of Institutional and Corporate Clients Division & ESG at Amundi. Amundi is EU’s largest EU Asset Manager and a leader in Green investing. Jean-Jacques Barbéris is currently responsible for the global development of the institutional business at Amundi. With Jean Jacques, Laurent and Gerard take no prisoners and call a spade a spade… and then realise that Paris-aligned targets are for real, that “engagement” with companies deliver results, and that a proper investment strategy starts to yield results.

We thank DLA Piper for supporting the show.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60447774Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:15:04 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe ESG movement is facing a significant backlash. On the one hand there has been too much greenwashing, on the other hand, ESG has become a political punching ball in certain US States dependent on the fossil fuel industry. Some European Oil...The ESG movement is facing a significant backlash. On the one hand there has been too much greenwashing, on the other hand, ESG has become a political punching ball in certain US States dependent on the fossil fuel industry. Some European Oil companies want to list in NY to get a better valuation and are complaining about too much sustainability scrutiny. And Larry Fink, Blackrock CEO, went in the last four years from hero to zero of the ESG wave.
Going back a few years a lot of the ESG popularity was linked to an overweighting of Tech and Luxury stocks which performed wonderfully, a trend partially reversed by the war in Ukraine and the rise of interest rates. In 2024, we have seen outflows in ESG labelled funds from a peak three years ago. Still, they represent, according to the FT, a 7tnUSD pot of money, so it is a big industry.

We’re not experts… but a system that rates ExxonMobil higher than Tesla on ESG raises eyebrows.

To add insult to injury, there is a multiplication of standards and regulations (CSRD, SFDR) which make the whole ESG universe very confusing. There are byzantine debates about passive vs active management. There are endless conversations about the adequacy of “engagement” and if shareholders should behave as activists. And finally, there is a clear transatlantic drift when it comes to that issue.

We are totally lost! 

To try to understand better if ESG is dead, or if it will have to reinvent itself, we bring in Jean Jacques Barberis Deputy CEO and Head of Institutional and Corporate Clients Division & ESG at Amundi. Amundi is EU’s largest EU Asset Manager and a leader in Green investing. Jean-Jacques Barbéris is currently responsible for the global development of the institutional business at Amundi. With Jean Jacques, Laurent and Gerard take no prisoners and call a spade a spade… and then realise that Paris-aligned targets are for real, that “engagement” with companies deliver results, and that a proper investment strategy starts to yield results.

We thank DLA Piper for supporting the show.]]>1885climatechange,esg,greeninvestingfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comPreviously produced by bp, the Review has been providing timely, comprehensive and objective data to the energy community since 1952. The Strategic Review is now a collaboration between the EI, KPMG, Kearney and Heriot University. Five key stories emerge from the 2023 data:

1. Record global energy consumption, with coal and oil pushing fossil fuels and their emissions to record levels
2. Solar and wind push global renewable electricity generation to another record level
3. Ongoing Ukraine conflict cements gas rebalancing in Europe  
4. Dependence on fossil fuels in major advanced economies is likely to have peaked
5. Growth economies struggle to curb fossil fuel growth, but renewables accelerate in China   

Although we disagree on the message and question the concept of Primary Energy (super misleading), we salute the consistency and comprehensiveness of that Report. Keep them coming.

https://www.energyinst.org/statistical-review
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60473955Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe bring in Nick Wayth, CEO of Energy Institute (EI), for the release of the 73rd Edition of the Statistical Review of World Energy. The Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy™ analyses data on world energy markets from the prior year....Previously produced by bp, the Review has been providing timely, comprehensive and objective data to the energy community since 1952. The Strategic Review is now a collaboration between the EI, KPMG, Kearney and Heriot University. Five key stories emerge from the 2023 data:

1. Record global energy consumption, with coal and oil pushing fossil fuels and their emissions to record levels
2. Solar and wind push global renewable electricity generation to another record level
3. Ongoing Ukraine conflict cements gas rebalancing in Europe  
4. Dependence on fossil fuels in major advanced economies is likely to have peaked
5. Growth economies struggle to curb fossil fuel growth, but renewables accelerate in China   

Although we disagree on the message and question the concept of Primary Energy (super misleading), we salute the consistency and comprehensiveness of that Report. Keep them coming.

https://www.energyinst.org/statistical-review
]]>928climate,emission,energy,oil,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Subsea cables are now a growing industry because of the benefits they bring to the grids, such as resiliency, capacity, lower prices, and renewable energy balancing. Alongside batteries and pumped Hydro, interconnectors are the best flexible green infrastructure currently available on our road to net-zero.

How has the technology evolved over the recent years? What are the economics in terms of CAPEX and OPEX? What are the revenue models? Is there a role for infrastructure investor? What are the technological challenges? How are the permitting and regulatory frameworks? How far and how deep will we go in the development of interconnectors, as we start hearing about transcontinental projects. 

To answer all those questions, we have invited Rebecca Sedler, aka “The Mother of Interconnectors” (reference to Games of Throne). After a long career at E.ON and EDF, Rebecca is Managing Director of the Interconnectors business for UK National Grid. We will start by the Viking Link, her more recent achievement, linking GB to Denmark with a 750km cable and only 3.7% loss. Finally, we will talk about the bright future of subsea interconnectors.

“We are going to America”  www.nato-l.org 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/26/climate/green-energy-wars-undersea-cables-intl?cid=ios_app


We thank Amundi for supporting our show. EU Largest Asset Manager and leader in Green investing.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60371321Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:15:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidUK is at the nexus of the subsea interconnector’s new economy. Great Britain is connected to Continental Europe by 8 interconnectors representing up to 15% of its power consumption. Subsea cables are now a growing industry because of the benefits...
Subsea cables are now a growing industry because of the benefits they bring to the grids, such as resiliency, capacity, lower prices, and renewable energy balancing. Alongside batteries and pumped Hydro, interconnectors are the best flexible green infrastructure currently available on our road to net-zero.

How has the technology evolved over the recent years? What are the economics in terms of CAPEX and OPEX? What are the revenue models? Is there a role for infrastructure investor? What are the technological challenges? How are the permitting and regulatory frameworks? How far and how deep will we go in the development of interconnectors, as we start hearing about transcontinental projects. 

To answer all those questions, we have invited Rebecca Sedler, aka “The Mother of Interconnectors” (reference to Games of Throne). After a long career at E.ON and EDF, Rebecca is Managing Director of the Interconnectors business for UK National Grid. We will start by the Viking Link, her more recent achievement, linking GB to Denmark with a 750km cable and only 3.7% loss. Finally, we will talk about the bright future of subsea interconnectors.

“We are going to America”  www.nato-l.org 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/26/climate/green-energy-wars-undersea-cables-intl?cid=ios_app


We thank Amundi for supporting our show. EU Largest Asset Manager and leader in Green investing.]]>1663cables,energytransition,nationalgrid,transmissionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
PPC, the Greek Utility, is a remarkable turnaround story: from a soviet-style dinosaur a few years ago, PPC has become a thriving forward-looking profitable modern Utility.
With Georgios, we discuss the investment in renewables, the phase out of lignite, digitisation, the investment in new segments (Datacenters, E Mobility, Demand Response…) and share an overview of regional integration with interconnectors and the successful acquisition of Enel Romania.

And, to crown it all, a Quiz: Eurelectric or AC/DC?]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60241807Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:25:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent interviews Georgios Stassis, PPC’S CEO, during Eurelectric Power Summit 24. PPC, the Greek Utility, is a remarkable turnaround story: from a soviet-style dinosaur a few years ago, PPC has become a thriving forward-looking profitable modern...
PPC, the Greek Utility, is a remarkable turnaround story: from a soviet-style dinosaur a few years ago, PPC has become a thriving forward-looking profitable modern Utility.
With Georgios, we discuss the investment in renewables, the phase out of lignite, digitisation, the investment in new segments (Datacenters, E Mobility, Demand Response…) and share an overview of regional integration with interconnectors and the successful acquisition of Enel Romania.

And, to crown it all, a Quiz: Eurelectric or AC/DC?]]>1078eurelectric,greece,ppc,renewables,transmissionsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWith David Fishman, an American based in Shanghai, we dig deep into China’s Energy Transition. We try to reconcile the rise of renewables and the rise of coal use. We try to decipher what is decided locally and nationally. We investigate what is the result of command-and-control measures vs market forces. We cover wind, solar, batteries, EVs. Our goal is not to give good points or bad points, our mission is to share with our listeners the fascinating but complex picture of what is happening in China. And we debunk a lot of the cliches that we read in the Western media.
To paraphrase Churchill: “A riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma”.
As the US and the EU are becoming more and more wary and protectionist in relation to China’s progresses in clean technologies, we try to stay neutral when it comes to subsidies, “overcapacity” and real advances made by China Inc.
Beyond those cliches, we talk about human capital and the fundamental concern about energy security which are powerful drivers boosting the Chinese energy transition. In David’s opinion, China is turning the corner on Coal and Fuels, and we might already have seen peak emissions. And we like that!  

For institutions which would like to partner with our show, please ask for our media kit.  

We thank Amundi for suppiorting our show. 

--------------------------------
David Fishman is an economic consultant at the Lantau Group specializing in the Chinese power sector. His work includes regulatory and commercial intelligence for Chinese nuclear power, solar, wind, and distributed energy markets. His specific experience includes Chinese power market and policy intelligence and forecasting, solar and wind pricing forecasts, renewable asset transactional due diligence, China business matchmaking, and green power procurement planning and execution for multinationals with factories in China.   Check David Fishman on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/china-electricity-2023-statistics-summary-david-fishman-mknic?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60163380Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:50:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWith David Fishman, an American based in Shanghai, we dig deep into China’s Energy Transition. We try to reconcile the rise of renewables and the rise of coal use. We try to decipher what is decided locally and nationally. We investigate what is the...With David Fishman, an American based in Shanghai, we dig deep into China’s Energy Transition. We try to reconcile the rise of renewables and the rise of coal use. We try to decipher what is decided locally and nationally. We investigate what is the result of command-and-control measures vs market forces. We cover wind, solar, batteries, EVs. Our goal is not to give good points or bad points, our mission is to share with our listeners the fascinating but complex picture of what is happening in China. And we debunk a lot of the cliches that we read in the Western media.
To paraphrase Churchill: “A riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma”.
As the US and the EU are becoming more and more wary and protectionist in relation to China’s progresses in clean technologies, we try to stay neutral when it comes to subsidies, “overcapacity” and real advances made by China Inc.
Beyond those cliches, we talk about human capital and the fundamental concern about energy security which are powerful drivers boosting the Chinese energy transition. In David’s opinion, China is turning the corner on Coal and Fuels, and we might already have seen peak emissions. And we like that!  

For institutions which would like to partner with our show, please ask for our media kit.  

We thank Amundi for suppiorting our show. 

--------------------------------
David Fishman is an economic consultant at the Lantau Group specializing in the Chinese power sector. His work includes regulatory and commercial intelligence for Chinese nuclear power, solar, wind, and distributed energy markets. His specific experience includes Chinese power market and policy intelligence and forecasting, solar and wind pricing forecasts, renewable asset transactional due diligence, China business matchmaking, and green power procurement planning and execution for multinationals with factories in China.   Check David Fishman on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/china-electricity-2023-statistics-summary-david-fishman-mknic?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via  ]]>1817batteries,china,energytransition,evs,solar,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comIf you don’t have your tickets (yet) https://ecosummit.net/  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60163492Mon, 27 May 2024 00:05:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLast week, Laurent was in Athens for the spectacular Eurelectric Summit (we will talk more about it in 2 weeks’ time, with a special Episode) meanwhile, we bring in our friend Jan-Michael Hess, organiser of the Berlin EcoSummit 4-5 June to discuss...If you don’t have your tickets (yet) https://ecosummit.net/  ]]>485climate,energytransition,startups,vcfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Laurent and Gerard prefer to go directly to the source. So, we have invited Michael Terrell, Senior Director Energy and Climate at Google. Google is one of the Top 5 purchasers of Green Electricity in the world, and Michael is one of the key architects for providing 24/7 green power to their 28 datacenters around the world.

With Michael, we analyse why datacenters consume so much energy. We also discuss why the overall grid has not melted down despite ominous predictions a decade ago, as energy efficiency improvements have been spectacular. We talk about fostering the purchase of green energy and especially 24/7. We discuss new tech, whether software (Tapestry) or hardtech (geothermal, nuclear, LDES) and why Google and others BigTech are fostering them. Finally, we discuss the development of AI and its impact on the future demand.

All in all, a great discussion but more importantly a very optimistic dialogue, where we see that we – the Energy Transition Brotherhood – are a force for good and we will defeat – easily – the old guard of fossil fuel lobbyists and scaremongers.   

We thank Amundi for supporting our show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60056580Mon, 20 May 2024 00:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid"McKinsey, BCG and S&P Global Commodity Insights project electricity demand tied to data centers to increase at a CAGR of 15% through 2030." “Booming AI demand threatens global electricity supply (FT)”. Media and consultants have recently raised...
Laurent and Gerard prefer to go directly to the source. So, we have invited Michael Terrell, Senior Director Energy and Climate at Google. Google is one of the Top 5 purchasers of Green Electricity in the world, and Michael is one of the key architects for providing 24/7 green power to their 28 datacenters around the world.

With Michael, we analyse why datacenters consume so much energy. We also discuss why the overall grid has not melted down despite ominous predictions a decade ago, as energy efficiency improvements have been spectacular. We talk about fostering the purchase of green energy and especially 24/7. We discuss new tech, whether software (Tapestry) or hardtech (geothermal, nuclear, LDES) and why Google and others BigTech are fostering them. Finally, we discuss the development of AI and its impact on the future demand.

All in all, a great discussion but more importantly a very optimistic dialogue, where we see that we – the Energy Transition Brotherhood – are a force for good and we will defeat – easily – the old guard of fossil fuel lobbyists and scaremongers.   

We thank Amundi for supporting our show]]>1789ai,cfe247,datacenters,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comMain take aways (thank you Nat Bullard): 

• Renewable sources (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass) are now 30% of global electricity supply.
• Solar generation increased 23% yoy; wind 10%.
• Fossil fuel generation increased 0.8%.

If not for a decline in hydro production, renewables would have met almost the entirety of the global increase in electricity demand.
We are entering a new era of electricity with three great flexors acting on a complex and growing supply mix:

1. Continued growth of wind+solar increasing global clean electron supply
2. Variations in hydro and nuclear production
3. Demand driven by electrification, data, and global wealth

 https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/global-electricity-review-2024/

 
We partner with EcoSummit Berlin, the annual unique gathering for startups and investors to discuss to decarbonise our economy and save our climate. Berlin 4-5 June. If you don’t have your tickets (yet) https://ecosummit.net/

Finally Happy Anniversary to Paul Chapman and his excellent podcast HC Insider who is about to change name to HC Commodities podcast. 200th episode. Really if you are interested in Commodities markets, from Oil to Power to Metals to Ags, Trading , they are the best.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59962083Mon, 13 May 2024 00:15:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe bring in the star of the week, Ember’s Dave Jones, to discuss the Global Electricity Review 2024, published last week. Main take aways (thank you Nat Bullard):  - Renewable sources (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass) are now 30% of global...Main take aways (thank you Nat Bullard): 

• Renewable sources (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass) are now 30% of global electricity supply.
• Solar generation increased 23% yoy; wind 10%.
• Fossil fuel generation increased 0.8%.

If not for a decline in hydro production, renewables would have met almost the entirety of the global increase in electricity demand.
We are entering a new era of electricity with three great flexors acting on a complex and growing supply mix:

1. Continued growth of wind+solar increasing global clean electron supply
2. Variations in hydro and nuclear production
3. Demand driven by electrification, data, and global wealth

 https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/global-electricity-review-2024/

 
We partner with EcoSummit Berlin, the annual unique gathering for startups and investors to discuss to decarbonise our economy and save our climate. Berlin 4-5 June. If you don’t have your tickets (yet) https://ecosummit.net/

Finally Happy Anniversary to Paul Chapman and his excellent podcast HC Insider who is about to change name to HC Commodities podcast. 200th episode. Really if you are interested in Commodities markets, from Oil to Power to Metals to Ags, Trading , they are the best.]]>680climate,renewables,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comHow to reconcile those challenges while maintaining grid stability? And how can Utilities, hooked up on rates and CAPEX start thinking differently and adopt new technologies? Beyond the regulatory changes and technical investments, some cultural shifts need to be implemented. And a lot of solutions are digital.
That’s the job of our guest, Robert Denda. Robert is CEO of Gridspertise, a new company carved out two years ago out of ENEL. Previously, he was Head of Innovation & Industrialization (since June 2021) at the Enel Global Infrastructure and Networks and Head of Network Technology and Innovation (since June 2015) at the same business line of the Enel Group, leading the development of and application of digital grid technologies at the largest privately-owned international operator of power distribution grids, serving 74 million customers.  

Gridspertise today is an independent company jointly controlled by is a 50/50 JV between Enel and investment fund CVC Capital Partners, valued almost 1bnEUR, headquartered in Italy but also present in Spain, Brazil, USA, Germany and Scandinavia the Nordics. Its Enterprise Value was valued 625M EUR at the time of the transaction, with potential deferred payments that could bring the enterprise value up to 1bn EUR.

Our conversation encompasses several themes, from smart meters to sensors, from cyber security to AI, from performance to business trends. Solutions are being implemented daily to speed up the Energy Transition.   

We thank Amundi, EU largest Asset Manager, for supporting the show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59653219Mon, 06 May 2024 00:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidDistribution grids are facing new challenges. On the one hand, they experience a growth of local demand, with EV charging, heat pumps and datacenters. On the other, they must accommodate with the fast deployment of decentralised energy such as rooftop...How to reconcile those challenges while maintaining grid stability? And how can Utilities, hooked up on rates and CAPEX start thinking differently and adopt new technologies? Beyond the regulatory changes and technical investments, some cultural shifts need to be implemented. And a lot of solutions are digital.
That’s the job of our guest, Robert Denda. Robert is CEO of Gridspertise, a new company carved out two years ago out of ENEL. Previously, he was Head of Innovation & Industrialization (since June 2021) at the Enel Global Infrastructure and Networks and Head of Network Technology and Innovation (since June 2015) at the same business line of the Enel Group, leading the development of and application of digital grid technologies at the largest privately-owned international operator of power distribution grids, serving 74 million customers.  

Gridspertise today is an independent company jointly controlled by is a 50/50 JV between Enel and investment fund CVC Capital Partners, valued almost 1bnEUR, headquartered in Italy but also present in Spain, Brazil, USA, Germany and Scandinavia the Nordics. Its Enterprise Value was valued 625M EUR at the time of the transaction, with potential deferred payments that could bring the enterprise value up to 1bn EUR.

Our conversation encompasses several themes, from smart meters to sensors, from cyber security to AI, from performance to business trends. Solutions are being implemented daily to speed up the Energy Transition.   

We thank Amundi, EU largest Asset Manager, for supporting the show]]>1905climatechange,energytransition,grid,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Has Tesla lost its mojo or will Elon refocus and reboot. Lots of announcements, but also a 10% cut in the workforce, and a depressed share price. Meanwhile the “Oil Street Journal” and other publications have been repeating ad nauseum (but falsely) that the EV Story is over.

In fact, EV sales in Q1 2024 were 21% higher than Q1 2023. China led the way with at 31% growth with the US and Canada at 13%, and EU and EFTA trailing behind at a 7%. Removal of the BEV subsidies in Germany showing their full impact there.

There are also a lot of questions about protectionism, as Elon Musk just declared that “Chinese automakers would "demolish" most of the world's other car companies if there were no trade barriers. Our observation is generally that the Chinese car companies are the most competitive car companies in the world,"

To discuss this and the future of the EV market, Laurent brought James Carter. James is a friend of the show and one of the top Auto experts in the world based in Toronto, Canada.

And Gerard will be back with us next week. He was simply too busy successfully selling our German Rooftop Solar company Febesol to Thermondo. But that is a story for another day.

The pod has just been named number 1 Energy Transition show. Thank you, guys. We love you all.

--------

PS: when referring to our friend Roger Atkins, Laurent said “Shanghai Auto Show”. Oooops its was Beijing Auto China from which he brings back wondrous stories, including a meeting with the legend Robin Zheng, CATL founder.  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59663804Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:20:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe hear conflicting messages regarding the status of the EV market. On the bright side, IEA predicts 17mEV to be sold this year, EV and Hybrids reach 50% market share in China for Q1, more than 500 EV models are currently on the market. On the dark...
Has Tesla lost its mojo or will Elon refocus and reboot. Lots of announcements, but also a 10% cut in the workforce, and a depressed share price. Meanwhile the “Oil Street Journal” and other publications have been repeating ad nauseum (but falsely) that the EV Story is over.

In fact, EV sales in Q1 2024 were 21% higher than Q1 2023. China led the way with at 31% growth with the US and Canada at 13%, and EU and EFTA trailing behind at a 7%. Removal of the BEV subsidies in Germany showing their full impact there.

There are also a lot of questions about protectionism, as Elon Musk just declared that “Chinese automakers would "demolish" most of the world's other car companies if there were no trade barriers. Our observation is generally that the Chinese car companies are the most competitive car companies in the world,"

To discuss this and the future of the EV market, Laurent brought James Carter. James is a friend of the show and one of the top Auto experts in the world based in Toronto, Canada.

And Gerard will be back with us next week. He was simply too busy successfully selling our German Rooftop Solar company Febesol to Thermondo. But that is a story for another day.

The pod has just been named number 1 Energy Transition show. Thank you, guys. We love you all.

--------

PS: when referring to our friend Roger Atkins, Laurent said “Shanghai Auto Show”. Oooops its was Beijing Auto China from which he brings back wondrous stories, including a meeting with the legend Robin Zheng, CATL founder.  ]]>693carbon,energytransition,evs,teslafalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comRecord production of this, record production of that, overcapacity everywhere…
We babble a lot, rant a bit, and conclude that we need to invite a real expert on the show.  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59552603Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:35:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLaurent and Gerard have a rapid overview of what’s going on regarding the Energy Transition in China and its political implication in the West. Record production of this, record production of that, overcapacity everywhere… We babble a lot, rant a bit,...Record production of this, record production of that, overcapacity everywhere…
We babble a lot, rant a bit, and conclude that we need to invite a real expert on the show.  ]]>570batteries,china,renewables,solar,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
From an annual basis, we are now moving to an hourly basis, under the thrust of corporate initiatives like the GhGProtocol, RE-100 and EnergyTag. Behind this movement, BigTech such as Microsoft and Google see a need to track those green electrons as their energy consumption is on the way up… and it has to 24/7.

Enter new innovative digital companies that are providing those complex and data-hungry services. Some platforms go even further, proposing to trade the green attributes of electrons. Renewabl is one of them.

Lead by the charismatic JP Cerda, Renewabl is one of the most advanced of those startups. The company is the recent winner of the "2024 Energy Tech Challengers Award" in the FinTech category

JP Cerda has a long history of trading green commodities, first at Shell and Orsted. Then a few years ago he managed to create Zeigo, the premier PPA auction platforms which he then successfully sold in 2022 to Schneider Electric. JP and his team really know what they are doing when it comes to designing and developing leading edge digital market places in the green sector.  

We thank Amundi for supporting our show 

Disclosure: Laurent is an investor in Renewabl  

A good article on the GoO market
 https://auroraer.com/media/guarantees-of-origin-market-set-for-growth-trajectory-projected-to-reach-3-7-bn-e-by-2030/  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59351486Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhat is the value of green electrons? Hard to say. Depends where, depends when. What is sure is that, in view of recent regulations and corporate commitments, they must be tracked. From an annual basis, we are now moving to an hourly basis, under the...
From an annual basis, we are now moving to an hourly basis, under the thrust of corporate initiatives like the GhGProtocol, RE-100 and EnergyTag. Behind this movement, BigTech such as Microsoft and Google see a need to track those green electrons as their energy consumption is on the way up… and it has to 24/7.

Enter new innovative digital companies that are providing those complex and data-hungry services. Some platforms go even further, proposing to trade the green attributes of electrons. Renewabl is one of them.

Lead by the charismatic JP Cerda, Renewabl is one of the most advanced of those startups. The company is the recent winner of the "2024 Energy Tech Challengers Award" in the FinTech category

JP Cerda has a long history of trading green commodities, first at Shell and Orsted. Then a few years ago he managed to create Zeigo, the premier PPA auction platforms which he then successfully sold in 2022 to Schneider Electric. JP and his team really know what they are doing when it comes to designing and developing leading edge digital market places in the green sector.  

We thank Amundi for supporting our show 

Disclosure: Laurent is an investor in Renewabl  

A good article on the GoO market
 https://auroraer.com/media/guarantees-of-origin-market-set-for-growth-trajectory-projected-to-reach-3-7-bn-e-by-2030/  ]]>1890energytransition,renewables,tradingfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comhttps://api.spreaker.com/episode/59263367Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:25:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis week, Gerard and Laurent have been invited to a private event organized by Aquila Capital in March 2024, during the Global Infrastructure Conference, where they debate with Markus Wandt, CIO Aquila if “Renewables are still an Infrastructure play?”1314infrastructure,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comGrid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) are hardware and software solutions that are deployed within the existing transmission system, helping increase the capacity, flexibility, and efficiency of the current grid. They can perform functions such as rerouting power flows to avoid congested lines and providing data on real-time conditions that could enable more power to flow through a line when conditions allow — thus increasing our ability to best utilize the transmission infrastructure we already have.
But beyond a better digital management, new technologies of cables are emerging, incorporating the best Material Science has to offer.  New conductor technologies could triple grid capacity with structures in the existing rights of way, while also reducing line loss by half.
To talk about GETs and new conductors, we bring in Jason Huang, Co-founder and CEO of TS Conductor Corporation. Jason is PHD in material science and started his career in the aviation industry, working on civilian and military programs such as A350 and F35. TSConductor, supported by Breakthrough Ventures, NextEra and UK National Grid, is now rolling out a revolutionary new technology that will debottleneck the Grid and speed up the Energy Transition.  
We thank our new partner AMUNDI, largest European Asset Manager and really committed to the Energy Transition   
PS: 2nd minute - Laurent got “TO” wrong: it’s Topography Optimisation, not Technology Optimisation
The RMI report is here:
https://rmi.org/insight/analyzing-gets-as-a-tool-for-increasing-interconnection-throughput-from-pjms-queue/
The story about Amazon and AI is here
 https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/03/08/amazon-says-us-utility-can-complete-power-flow-studies-in-hours-not-months/      ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59181700Mon, 01 Apr 2024 23:45:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe main hindrance to the development of renewables is the connection queue. Basically, grid operators tell developers “Sorry guys, we’re full”. A recent study by RMI has proven that this is simply not true. Grid operators are either too conservative...Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) are hardware and software solutions that are deployed within the existing transmission system, helping increase the capacity, flexibility, and efficiency of the current grid. They can perform functions such as rerouting power flows to avoid congested lines and providing data on real-time conditions that could enable more power to flow through a line when conditions allow — thus increasing our ability to best utilize the transmission infrastructure we already have.
But beyond a better digital management, new technologies of cables are emerging, incorporating the best Material Science has to offer.  New conductor technologies could triple grid capacity with structures in the existing rights of way, while also reducing line loss by half.
To talk about GETs and new conductors, we bring in Jason Huang, Co-founder and CEO of TS Conductor Corporation. Jason is PHD in material science and started his career in the aviation industry, working on civilian and military programs such as A350 and F35. TSConductor, supported by Breakthrough Ventures, NextEra and UK National Grid, is now rolling out a revolutionary new technology that will debottleneck the Grid and speed up the Energy Transition.  
We thank our new partner AMUNDI, largest European Asset Manager and really committed to the Energy Transition   
PS: 2nd minute - Laurent got “TO” wrong: it’s Topography Optimisation, not Technology Optimisation
The RMI report is here:
https://rmi.org/insight/analyzing-gets-as-a-tool-for-increasing-interconnection-throughput-from-pjms-queue/
The story about Amazon and AI is here
 https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/03/08/amazon-says-us-utility-can-complete-power-flow-studies-in-hours-not-months/      ]]>1854energyefficiency,energytransition,grid,reconductoringfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comIn a simple sentence à la John Wick “Yes, I think I’m back”  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59138309Mon, 25 Mar 2024 01:20:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis week, Gerard and Laurent talk about the 3 big energy gatherings that happened this week. Houston (CERAweek), Bilbao (WindEurope) and Berlin (Global Infrastructure Summit). Laurent and Gerard were in Berlin and report what they saw and heard. In a...In a simple sentence à la John Wick “Yes, I think I’m back”  ]]>661ceraweek,enerytransition,iigsummit,renewables,windeurope2024falsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
How robust is a business model based on a protected internal market with high margins and limited competition allowing Japan Inc. to expand abroad at super competitive prices, but stifling innovation and diversification? Japan is “Prisoner of its geography” (to quote Tim Marshall); thankfully its answer has been a world class level of engineering allowing to partially overcome its shortcomings.

And Gerard, during his recent trip to Japan, has witnessed some extraordinary achievements in the energy transition in the downstream sector, with extreme energy efficiency, retail innovations, and digital developments.

We have the pleasure to welcome Shuichiro Kawamura, who heads one of the rare investments’ funds focusing on the Energy Transition. Established in 2006, Energy & Environment Investment (EEI) is Japan's first VC firm solely dedicated to the energy and environment sectors. They support startups with innovative technologies and services in this space, aiming to drive sustainable growth and positive global impact. As of Q1_24, the AUM of EEI is around US$500MM, with more than 130 portfolio companies. There is no easy formula in Japan. Only the smarts will survive.

We thank our friends and partners AQUILA CAPITAL for supporting our show.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59059772Mon, 18 Mar 2024 01:15:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid“It’s hard to play a good game when you have been served weak cards”. This is the perennial challenge of Japan when it comes to the Energy Transition. And the game is getting harder when your two main choices, nuclear and hydrogen, are proving...
How robust is a business model based on a protected internal market with high margins and limited competition allowing Japan Inc. to expand abroad at super competitive prices, but stifling innovation and diversification? Japan is “Prisoner of its geography” (to quote Tim Marshall); thankfully its answer has been a world class level of engineering allowing to partially overcome its shortcomings.

And Gerard, during his recent trip to Japan, has witnessed some extraordinary achievements in the energy transition in the downstream sector, with extreme energy efficiency, retail innovations, and digital developments.

We have the pleasure to welcome Shuichiro Kawamura, who heads one of the rare investments’ funds focusing on the Energy Transition. Established in 2006, Energy & Environment Investment (EEI) is Japan's first VC firm solely dedicated to the energy and environment sectors. They support startups with innovative technologies and services in this space, aiming to drive sustainable growth and positive global impact. As of Q1_24, the AUM of EEI is around US$500MM, with more than 130 portfolio companies. There is no easy formula in Japan. Only the smarts will survive.

We thank our friends and partners AQUILA CAPITAL for supporting our show.]]>1785energyefficiency,energytransition,nuclear,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
And they act as mirror opposites: "back in business" in Germany while the storage in London realises that the Champagne year of 2022 cannot easily be repeated. The storage industry nevertheless rejoices at the fall in price of batteries while the classic Utilities are being challenged by new innovations such as “balcony solar”]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58908369Mon, 11 Mar 2024 01:05:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis week, Gerard and Laurent talk about Conferences / Exhibition that they recently attended and what they have learned there. Gerard was in Germany’s E-World while Laurent was in London’s Energy Storage Summit. And they act as mirror opposites:...
And they act as mirror opposites: "back in business" in Germany while the storage in London realises that the Champagne year of 2022 cannot easily be repeated. The storage industry nevertheless rejoices at the fall in price of batteries while the classic Utilities are being challenged by new innovations such as “balcony solar”]]>567batteries,eworld,solar,utilitiesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comYou would believe that such an opportunity would be grasped by Utilities. Surprise! They didn’t move. Oil companies have started investing, but at their slow pace. In the Automotive sector, only Tesla has seized on the challenge, and how brilliantly! So, the passivity of incumbents has created an overture for talented and dynamic entrepreneurs. We have decided to invite one of them.
Our guest is Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, a leading UK charging network. Gerard, Laurent and Toddington discuss all recent developments in EV charging from technology to software to interoperability. We are going to talk about Electric Super Hubs, Electric Retail Hubs and the industry-leading Electric Forecourts®.
In the coming years, the whole EV charging landscape will totally change and petrol stations will be looked at like we look at CDs and Cassette Tapes. At the heart of the revolution, focus on a consumer-centric approach and a new way of thinking holistically called “sun-to-wheel”. Charging is not a commodity, it’s a service, and only the best service providers will emerge as winners.

We thank AQUILA CAPITAL for supporting the show.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58878157Mon, 04 Mar 2024 01:10:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe two limiting factors for a faster deployment of EVs are the price of vehicles and “range anxiety”. While the former is being addressed by an ever-growing number of cheaper models available on the market, the latter is also experiencing a...You would believe that such an opportunity would be grasped by Utilities. Surprise! They didn’t move. Oil companies have started investing, but at their slow pace. In the Automotive sector, only Tesla has seized on the challenge, and how brilliantly! So, the passivity of incumbents has created an overture for talented and dynamic entrepreneurs. We have decided to invite one of them.
Our guest is Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, a leading UK charging network. Gerard, Laurent and Toddington discuss all recent developments in EV charging from technology to software to interoperability. We are going to talk about Electric Super Hubs, Electric Retail Hubs and the industry-leading Electric Forecourts®.
In the coming years, the whole EV charging landscape will totally change and petrol stations will be looked at like we look at CDs and Cassette Tapes. At the heart of the revolution, focus on a consumer-centric approach and a new way of thinking holistically called “sun-to-wheel”. Charging is not a commodity, it’s a service, and only the best service providers will emerge as winners.

We thank AQUILA CAPITAL for supporting the show.]]>1820energytransition,evcharging,evsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com

1. We are here saluting Ember and their power/emission statistics – European Electricity review https://ember-climate.org/ https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/european-electricity-review-2024/
2. Then the new bible, from Nat Bullard, available here. Everything Climate and the Energy Transition in 200 slides. https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations
3. And for the battery buffs, the encyclopaedia in everything batteries, which comes from the Volta Foundation https://www.volta.foundation/annual-battery-report

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58797279Mon, 26 Feb 2024 01:45:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis week, Gerard and Laurent talk about three great reports that have recently been published and deliver some world-class data about past achievements, current status and the direction of travel. As a sign of things to come, European Carbon has lost...

1. We are here saluting Ember and their power/emission statistics – European Electricity review https://ember-climate.org/ https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/european-electricity-review-2024/
2. Then the new bible, from Nat Bullard, available here. Everything Climate and the Energy Transition in 200 slides. https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations
3. And for the battery buffs, the encyclopaedia in everything batteries, which comes from the Volta Foundation https://www.volta.foundation/annual-battery-report

]]>576batteries,carbon,energytransition,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWith Luca, we have an extensive conversation about the recent evolutions in the PPA market. Trends, duration, size, shapes, types of contracts, risk-sharing arrangements... We try to lay out how the market prices the following risks: capture risks, cannibalization risks, curtailment risks, settlement risks, credit risks…
Then the discussion moves to the Tech titans and their unquenchable thirst for green power are reshaping the market for green electrons. How new innovations like hourly Green Certificates (GoOs, REGOS) are appearing and adding some transparency in the price discovery process?
We finally debate about those soviet-era industrial policies in term of fuel choices (nuclear, hydrogen) that seem to ignore the permanent technological innovations (batteries), the need for flex, and the power of the market signals.
A lot of those themes are also detailed in Pexapark annual PPA report available below

We thank our friends and partners of Aquila Capital for supporting the show.

Link to Pexapark 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐏𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 2024 Report
https://pexapark.com/european-ppa-market/

In this report you’ll find:

💡 A 360° 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐏𝐀 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 in 2023: Top PPA countries, buyers & sellers, and more thought-provoking data-driven insights
💡 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 on the rising: Hybrid PPAs, 24/7 green procurement, PPAs for Green H2 Production, Multi-buyer PPAs
💡 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 setting the rhythm: PPA pricing, market fundamentals and risks, regulatory environment, CfDs vs PPAs
💡 Distilment of our 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2024]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58648181Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:45:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidTo discuss everything that’s going on in the PPA market (and a lot of things are happening), Gerard and Laurent bring back the excellent Luca Pedretti, CEO and co-founder Pexapark. Pexapark is the leading swiss-based intelligence platform on PPA in...With Luca, we have an extensive conversation about the recent evolutions in the PPA market. Trends, duration, size, shapes, types of contracts, risk-sharing arrangements... We try to lay out how the market prices the following risks: capture risks, cannibalization risks, curtailment risks, settlement risks, credit risks…
Then the discussion moves to the Tech titans and their unquenchable thirst for green power are reshaping the market for green electrons. How new innovations like hourly Green Certificates (GoOs, REGOS) are appearing and adding some transparency in the price discovery process?
We finally debate about those soviet-era industrial policies in term of fuel choices (nuclear, hydrogen) that seem to ignore the permanent technological innovations (batteries), the need for flex, and the power of the market signals.
A lot of those themes are also detailed in Pexapark annual PPA report available below

We thank our friends and partners of Aquila Capital for supporting the show.

Link to Pexapark 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐏𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 2024 Report
https://pexapark.com/european-ppa-market/

In this report you’ll find:

💡 A 360° 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐏𝐀 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 in 2023: Top PPA countries, buyers & sellers, and more thought-provoking data-driven insights
💡 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 on the rising: Hybrid PPAs, 24/7 green procurement, PPAs for Green H2 Production, Multi-buyer PPAs
💡 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 setting the rhythm: PPA pricing, market fundamentals and risks, regulatory environment, CfDs vs PPAs
💡 Distilment of our 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2024]]>1875greenpower,ppas,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comOn the menu this week, an overview of the decarbonisation of shipping.
What will be electrified? What role for Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Methanol and Biodiesel? And the answers are hybrid and multi-fuels.

Links to Michael’s articles on the subject in Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/05/how-will-climate-action-change-the-face-of-global-shipping/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/29/hydrogen-half-truths-keep-shipping-fuel-hopes-afloat/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/11/different-segments-of-the-shipping-market-have-different-climate-fixes/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/17/how-much-shipping-can-just-use-batteries-for-energy/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/20/shipping-still-has-efficiency-levers-to-pull-for-climate-action/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/27/what-energy-will-ships-that-cant-electrify-use-including-wind/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2024/01/05/2023-was-year-of-methanol-for-shipping-but-that-likely-wont-last/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58415040Mon, 12 Feb 2024 01:15:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis week, Gerard is out, so Laurent does the Minutes with Michael Barnard, host of our sister show Redefining Energy – Tech. On the menu this week, an overview of the decarbonisation of shipping. What will be electrified? What role for Hydrogen,...On the menu this week, an overview of the decarbonisation of shipping.
What will be electrified? What role for Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Methanol and Biodiesel? And the answers are hybrid and multi-fuels.

Links to Michael’s articles on the subject in Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/05/how-will-climate-action-change-the-face-of-global-shipping/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/29/hydrogen-half-truths-keep-shipping-fuel-hopes-afloat/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/11/different-segments-of-the-shipping-market-have-different-climate-fixes/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/17/how-much-shipping-can-just-use-batteries-for-energy/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/20/shipping-still-has-efficiency-levers-to-pull-for-climate-action/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2023/12/27/what-energy-will-ships-that-cant-electrify-use-including-wind/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbarnard/2024/01/05/2023-was-year-of-methanol-for-shipping-but-that-likely-wont-last/]]>628energytransition,shippingfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
So, Laurent and Gerard thought that is was time. There are very few specialist of Energy Efficiency like Jonathan Maxwell.

Not only has he authored an extraordinary book called the EDGE, but he also manages Sustainable Development Capital SDCL, a multibillion Energy Efficiency fund. Efficient and decentralised generation of energy (or ‘EDGE’) solutions represent the largest, fastest, cheapest, and cleanest source of greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy security.

Datacenters, Lighting, Building, Heating, that’s the unknown world we are going to dive into. And it is a fast growing sector. Persistent tails winds such as energy security, decarbonisation and costs are powerful drivers for a continuous expansion of that sector.

We thank Aquila Capital for supporting our show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58458311Mon, 05 Feb 2024 01:15:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAt COP28 was endorsed the concept of “tripling renewables” – all good, but a lot of people forgot to mention the rest of the sentence which is “and doubling of Energy Efficiency”. In the latest IEA report, there is a 400bnUSD Energy Efficiency pie,...
So, Laurent and Gerard thought that is was time. There are very few specialist of Energy Efficiency like Jonathan Maxwell.

Not only has he authored an extraordinary book called the EDGE, but he also manages Sustainable Development Capital SDCL, a multibillion Energy Efficiency fund. Efficient and decentralised generation of energy (or ‘EDGE’) solutions represent the largest, fastest, cheapest, and cleanest source of greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy security.

Datacenters, Lighting, Building, Heating, that’s the unknown world we are going to dive into. And it is a fast growing sector. Persistent tails winds such as energy security, decarbonisation and costs are powerful drivers for a continuous expansion of that sector.

We thank Aquila Capital for supporting our show]]>1653datacenters,energyefficiency,energysecurity,energytransition,heatpumpsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comAt the same time, we have seen numerous acquisitions of mid size infrastructure specialists by larger global asset managers, case in point the very spectacular purchase of Global Infrastructure Partners by Blackrock (or is it a reverse take over?).
Where is the infrastructure investing going? That’s what on the menu of this week’s Minutes

Join Laurent and Gerard in Berlin – 20/21 March 2024 – Global Infrastructure Summit https://www.peievents.com/en/event/infrastructure-investor-global-summit/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58415013Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:10:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhy has the fund raised by infrastructure fund drastically collapsed in 2023. Is it linked to lackluster returns in a high interest rate environment? At the same time, we have seen numerous acquisitions of mid size infrastructure specialists by larger...At the same time, we have seen numerous acquisitions of mid size infrastructure specialists by larger global asset managers, case in point the very spectacular purchase of Global Infrastructure Partners by Blackrock (or is it a reverse take over?).
Where is the infrastructure investing going? That’s what on the menu of this week’s Minutes

Join Laurent and Gerard in Berlin – 20/21 March 2024 – Global Infrastructure Summit https://www.peievents.com/en/event/infrastructure-investor-global-summit/]]>662energytransition,infrastructurefalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
On the menu this week, Gerard and Laurent are reviewing the Cleantech 100 report (15th edition). The overall ecosystem is down 40% yoy, but it has also cleaned the foam and is now revealing the future.

We discuss the 5 sub-sectors (agriculture, transportation, materials, resources, and energy) Our conclusion is that the sector has digested its excesses and is on a path to a new start.

Link to the report https://www.cleantech.com/the-global-cleantech-100/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58364987Mon, 22 Jan 2024 01:35:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAfter two years of irrational exuberance, we are back to earth when it comes to Cleantech investment. On the menu this week, Gerard and Laurent are reviewing the Cleantech 100 report (15th edition). The overall ecosystem is down 40% yoy, but it has...
On the menu this week, Gerard and Laurent are reviewing the Cleantech 100 report (15th edition). The overall ecosystem is down 40% yoy, but it has also cleaned the foam and is now revealing the future.

We discuss the 5 sub-sectors (agriculture, transportation, materials, resources, and energy) Our conclusion is that the sector has digested its excesses and is on a path to a new start.

Link to the report https://www.cleantech.com/the-global-cleantech-100/]]>734cleantech,energytransitionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comTo explain what are listed Infrastructure funds, we bring in Colette Ord, Director, Investment Companies Research Property & Infrastructure at DBNumis. Deutsche Numis is a leading UK-focused investment bank leader in the UK market, the adviser of choice for listed companies, including one-fifth of the FTSE 350 index, with an average market capitalisation of £1bn, and has acted on the most UK IPOs over the past decade.
Colette Ord has analysed the listed infrastructure and renewables investment company segment of the London market since the launch of the first fund in 2006, so we dig into what was the thesis behind their launch 10 years ago.
We investigate how they delivered in terms of performance. We then dig deep into the key metrics of NAV (Net Asset Value). What is NAV, how it is calculated, how is it consistent. Then we analyse the interaction between free-risk interest rates and valuation of Yieldcos.
We conclude on their future, especially how they are progressively morphing into IPP (independent Power Producers)

An Episode powered by AXPO

Link to Bruce Huber’s paper on Yieldcos. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/yieldco-fallout-bargain-zombie-category-bruce-huber-jnbie/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58273120Mon, 15 Jan 2024 01:25:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLong term renewables assets portfolios provide stable returns. In most of the world, they are held by pension funds, insurance companies or big infrastructure funds. We have the exception of the UK with listed Infrastructure funds, also known as...To explain what are listed Infrastructure funds, we bring in Colette Ord, Director, Investment Companies Research Property & Infrastructure at DBNumis. Deutsche Numis is a leading UK-focused investment bank leader in the UK market, the adviser of choice for listed companies, including one-fifth of the FTSE 350 index, with an average market capitalisation of £1bn, and has acted on the most UK IPOs over the past decade.
Colette Ord has analysed the listed infrastructure and renewables investment company segment of the London market since the launch of the first fund in 2006, so we dig into what was the thesis behind their launch 10 years ago.
We investigate how they delivered in terms of performance. We then dig deep into the key metrics of NAV (Net Asset Value). What is NAV, how it is calculated, how is it consistent. Then we analyse the interaction between free-risk interest rates and valuation of Yieldcos.
We conclude on their future, especially how they are progressively morphing into IPP (independent Power Producers)

An Episode powered by AXPO

Link to Bruce Huber’s paper on Yieldcos. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/yieldco-fallout-bargain-zombie-category-bruce-huber-jnbie/]]>1898energytransition,infrastructure,renewables,yieldcosfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
On the menu this week, an update of nuclear and offshore wind, two important (but minor) sources of carbon-free energy.

And some news on the scandal at Cummins, and their pollution cheating device, costing them 1.6bnUSD.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/cummins-take-about-204-bln-charge-fourth-quarter-2023-12-22/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58199511Mon, 08 Jan 2024 01:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFirst Episode on the Redefining Energy MINUTES on the main channel. On the menu this week, an update of nuclear and offshore wind, two important (but minor) sources of carbon-free energy. And some news on the scandal at Cummins, and their pollution...
On the menu this week, an update of nuclear and offshore wind, two important (but minor) sources of carbon-free energy.

And some news on the scandal at Cummins, and their pollution cheating device, costing them 1.6bnUSD.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/cummins-take-about-204-bln-charge-fourth-quarter-2023-12-22/]]>819cummins,nuclear,offshorewindfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
It has become a tradition for the first episode of the year: Gerard and Laurent present their 2024 Predictions in the Energy Transition. And we brought in our friend (and co-host of our sister show RE TECH) to spice up the conversation: Michael Barnard. Michael also acts as referee to score the predictions that were made a year ago.

1. Record installation of everything Energy Transition: Solar, Batteries, Heat Pumps, EV (Gerard)
2. Massive consolidation in the EV sector – Toyota will buy Panasonic (Laurent)
3. Volatility in the Energy market is here to stay (Gerard)
4. New alternatives to Li-Ion in Stationary Storage (Laurent)
5. The Energy Transition has no plan, it just goes (Gerard)
6. Nuclear: Westinghouse takes over Europe (Laurent)

Well, the result was that Gerard won (but Laurent is considering filing a reclamation)

Now, to 2024. Our 6 predictions are:

1. Stellantis will outsource its EV production in China
2. Politics: Elections in 2024 could derail the Energy Transition
3. Oversupply of everything energy related – Prices are going down
4. Stronger top-down governance of Transmission and Interconnection
5. The return of Clean Energy shares
6. China will gain massive international market in Wind and EVs

We thank our partner AXPO for supporting the show.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58057421Tue, 02 Jan 2024 01:30:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHappy new year to all our listeners. It has become a tradition for the first episode of the year: Gerard and Laurent present their 2024 Predictions in the Energy Transition. And we brought in our friend (and co-host of our sister show RE TECH) to...
It has become a tradition for the first episode of the year: Gerard and Laurent present their 2024 Predictions in the Energy Transition. And we brought in our friend (and co-host of our sister show RE TECH) to spice up the conversation: Michael Barnard. Michael also acts as referee to score the predictions that were made a year ago.

1. Record installation of everything Energy Transition: Solar, Batteries, Heat Pumps, EV (Gerard)
2. Massive consolidation in the EV sector – Toyota will buy Panasonic (Laurent)
3. Volatility in the Energy market is here to stay (Gerard)
4. New alternatives to Li-Ion in Stationary Storage (Laurent)
5. The Energy Transition has no plan, it just goes (Gerard)
6. Nuclear: Westinghouse takes over Europe (Laurent)

Well, the result was that Gerard won (but Laurent is considering filing a reclamation)

Now, to 2024. Our 6 predictions are:

1. Stellantis will outsource its EV production in China
2. Politics: Elections in 2024 could derail the Energy Transition
3. Oversupply of everything energy related – Prices are going down
4. Stronger top-down governance of Transmission and Interconnection
5. The return of Clean Energy shares
6. China will gain massive international market in Wind and EVs

We thank our partner AXPO for supporting the show.
]]>1727batteries,climate,renewables,solar,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Here are the Redefining Energy Awards for 2023:

• Company of the Year - BYD
• Start Up of the Year - PV Case
• Deal of the Year – Tesla and NACS
• Trade of the Year – Short Gas TTF
• Scandal of the Year – Venture Global and the 200 LNG cargoes heist
• Person of the Year – Jigar Shah
• Stupidest Quote of the Year - Kim Kardashian
• LINK TO THAT COMMERCIAL https://youtu.be/9EASYmElZuU?si=ygpWeT5FeUsQ0e26
• Book of the Year: How Big things get done – Bent Flyvbjerg & Dan Gardner

Happy New Year to all our Listeners.
Thank you for your unwavering confidence!
And we will see you again on the 2nd of January 2024 for our famous Predictions 2024!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58097635Tue, 26 Dec 2023 01:00:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFinal Episode of 2023 (and last one for the MINUTES on their own channel). All episodes will be on this channel going forward. Here are the Redefining Energy Awards for 2023: - Company of the Year - BYD - Start Up of the Year - PV Case - Deal of the...
Here are the Redefining Energy Awards for 2023:

• Company of the Year - BYD
• Start Up of the Year - PV Case
• Deal of the Year – Tesla and NACS
• Trade of the Year – Short Gas TTF
• Scandal of the Year – Venture Global and the 200 LNG cargoes heist
• Person of the Year – Jigar Shah
• Stupidest Quote of the Year - Kim Kardashian
• LINK TO THAT COMMERCIAL https://youtu.be/9EASYmElZuU?si=ygpWeT5FeUsQ0e26
• Book of the Year: How Big things get done – Bent Flyvbjerg & Dan Gardner

Happy New Year to all our Listeners.
Thank you for your unwavering confidence!
And we will see you again on the 2nd of January 2024 for our famous Predictions 2024!]]>808awards,energymarkets,energytransitionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Gerard and Laurent saw the Weaponisation of Energy coming: two years ago in Oct 2021, we did Episode 60 called “the Natgaspocalypse”. That was 5 months before the invasion of Ukraine.

Two years into weaponizing energy, it is time to look back and assess. What were the immediate impacts of that crisis. How to evaluate the short-term responses (market, supply chain, government, behaviour, fuel choice). Did the Energy system show resilience, or have we just been lucky?

To make sense of all of this, we brought Andy Sommer on the show. Andy is head of Fundamental Analysis, Modelling & Meteorology at Axpo, a major Renewable Energy Producer and Trader. Andy is responsible for Axpo’s short and mid-term analysis of all global energy markets, from oil to gas and coal, all the way to European power and emission markets.

With Andy, we debate how did that shock impact the eternal debate Climate vs Security of Supply vs Affordability. And beyond the short-term consequences, what are the long-term impacts and the change of mindset that will give more emphasis on Energy Security.

Gerard (the Dove) and Laurent (the Hawk) come with different conclusions, but nevertheless agree on the path forward where Energy Security aligns with the Energy Transition.
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting our show. They have been great partners since inception.
Announcement:
Big changes coming in 2024. We go weekly.
In fact, we are merging the main show, this show, with our second show called Minutes. We created the sister-show Minutes two years ago as a separate experiment, and we have been pleased by its progression, so it is time to go mainstream.
So, in 2024, we will have our main show, not the first and 15 of each month, but the first and third Monday of each month. And then we will have a new revamped minutes (less than 10mns) where we will freewheeling discuss about a topic making the news or important to us. That will be on the second and fourth Monday of each month (and fifth if there is a fifth Monday, which apparently is quite rare). See how it goes. Your comments are welcome.

Which means, friends of Minutes, that the Minutes channel will cease to exist. Stay on the Main show for your Minutes.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57975169Fri, 15 Dec 2023 01:55:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLast episode of the Year. And what a year. We passed 1m downloads since inception. In 2023, we will have 470k downloads up 34% compared to 2022. Gerard and Laurent saw the Weaponisation of Energy coming: two years ago in Oct 2021, we did Episode...
Gerard and Laurent saw the Weaponisation of Energy coming: two years ago in Oct 2021, we did Episode 60 called “the Natgaspocalypse”. That was 5 months before the invasion of Ukraine.

Two years into weaponizing energy, it is time to look back and assess. What were the immediate impacts of that crisis. How to evaluate the short-term responses (market, supply chain, government, behaviour, fuel choice). Did the Energy system show resilience, or have we just been lucky?

To make sense of all of this, we brought Andy Sommer on the show. Andy is head of Fundamental Analysis, Modelling & Meteorology at Axpo, a major Renewable Energy Producer and Trader. Andy is responsible for Axpo’s short and mid-term analysis of all global energy markets, from oil to gas and coal, all the way to European power and emission markets.

With Andy, we debate how did that shock impact the eternal debate Climate vs Security of Supply vs Affordability. And beyond the short-term consequences, what are the long-term impacts and the change of mindset that will give more emphasis on Energy Security.

Gerard (the Dove) and Laurent (the Hawk) come with different conclusions, but nevertheless agree on the path forward where Energy Security aligns with the Energy Transition.
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting our show. They have been great partners since inception.
Announcement:
Big changes coming in 2024. We go weekly.
In fact, we are merging the main show, this show, with our second show called Minutes. We created the sister-show Minutes two years ago as a separate experiment, and we have been pleased by its progression, so it is time to go mainstream.
So, in 2024, we will have our main show, not the first and 15 of each month, but the first and third Monday of each month. And then we will have a new revamped minutes (less than 10mns) where we will freewheeling discuss about a topic making the news or important to us. That will be on the second and fourth Monday of each month (and fifth if there is a fifth Monday, which apparently is quite rare). See how it goes. Your comments are welcome.

Which means, friends of Minutes, that the Minutes channel will cease to exist. Stay on the Main show for your Minutes.]]>2033energycrisis,energysecurity,energytransitionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/111a-special-episode-live-from-cop28-in-dubai-with-bruce-douglas-ceo-global-renewable-alliance-on-3xrenewables--57950369
Our special guest is Bruce Douglas, CEO Global Renewable Alliance, who is spearheading the effort around the key message “Double down, Triple Up” or how we will decarbonise by tripling renewables by the end of the decade.

Bruce tells us how it is on the ground, how he is having the busiest week of his life, and how the positive message is now being relayed by hundreds of Heads of State and key business decision makers.

"COP28 text finally agreed - this is HUGE! Massive gratitude to everyone who made this possible 🙏 - proudest moment of my career so far... 😍
“The inclusion of tripling renewables in the final COP28 text is unprecedented and signals the start of a massive clean energy revolution. It is the first time all nations have recognised renewable energy as the main solution to the climate crisis, representing a paradigm shift in the energy transition."]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57950369Sun, 10 Dec 2023 00:15:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis Sunday, a Special Episode. We are going live to COP28 in Dubai. Our special guest is Bruce Douglas, CEO Global Renewable Alliance, who is spearheading the effort around the key message “Double down, Triple Up” or how we will decarbonise by...
Our special guest is Bruce Douglas, CEO Global Renewable Alliance, who is spearheading the effort around the key message “Double down, Triple Up” or how we will decarbonise by tripling renewables by the end of the decade.

Bruce tells us how it is on the ground, how he is having the busiest week of his life, and how the positive message is now being relayed by hundreds of Heads of State and key business decision makers.

"COP28 text finally agreed - this is HUGE! Massive gratitude to everyone who made this possible 🙏 - proudest moment of my career so far... 😍
“The inclusion of tripling renewables in the final COP28 text is unprecedented and signals the start of a massive clean energy revolution. It is the first time all nations have recognised renewable energy as the main solution to the climate crisis, representing a paradigm shift in the energy transition."]]>6673xrenewables,climate,cop28,solar,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comEnergy Storage (ESS) on numerous Grids. Those markets, whether in Europe (10GW) or in the USA (16GW), have been created by the magic formula where entrepreneurship blended with new technology.

For Laurent and Gerard, there is not better guest to discuss the phenomenal growth of the ESS than Dr Alex O’Cinneide. Alex is the Founder and CEO of Gore Street Capital, a London based fund which now manages a portfolio of 1.2GW of batteries in GB, Ireland, Germany, Texas and California. Seven years ago, he was working out of a telephone booth with his laptop on his knees.
Alex explains the value of a geographical portfolio approach, how tech is evolving, how supply chains are reacting, what is similar and what is different in all those markets. An energy transition story which is also a personal journey of a very talented entrepreneur whose success has been recognised by the Industry as Alex has been recently received the prestigious “Man of the Year” award by Solar Media.

Alex describes the investment in batteries (compared to wind or solar) as the most challenging, but also the most important and rewarding.

And as we say on the show, it is all about harnessing “space and time” or in a more market angle “Long Flex – Short Vol”

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This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future.

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This podcast is done in partnership with the Energy Storage Summit 2024

The Energy Storage Summit (20-21 February, London) is the biggest, busiest, and most innovative networking event for energy storage, uniting stakeholders to exchange knowledge, learn and establish crucial industry connections. Taking place at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith, the Summit has become Europe’s annual must-attend energy storage event for the entire value chain.

You don’t want to miss this one – book your ticket using code RE15 for a 15% discount. Following two sold out editions, we expect the same again in 2024.
Don't miss your chance to hear directly from innovators spearheading change and make your mark on the rapidly evolving energy storage industry. https://storagesummit.solarenergyevents.com/tickets/

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More on Alex and Gore Street Capital

Alex O’Cinneide is CEO and Chair of the Investment Committee of Gore Street Capital, which he founded in 2015 as a global platform to facilitate the deployment of renewable energy solutions. His career has included senior roles at KPMG, Quorum European Partners, Kleinwort Benson, Paladin Capital Group and utility-scale renewables developer Masdar Capital, where he served as Head of Investments and General Manager for six years. Alex also holds academic qualifications from Trinity College Dublin, the London Business School and the London School of Economics and Political Science, culminating in a PhD that analysed the effectiveness of renewable energy policy in the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
Gore Street Capital was formed in 2015 as a global platform to acquire and manage renewable energy solutions, supporting robust businesses and high-performing assets that contribute towards the transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2018, Gore Street Capital created the UK energy storage investment class by listing Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LSE: GSF) on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange, and has since played a material role in the growth of GSF from £30m at IPO to a market cap of over £451m as of 30 June 2023. The company comprises a team of almost 45 energy professionals in GB, Ireland and the US working across finance, construction, engineering, legal and more as it continually brings roles in-house to support the fund.

A note from GSF Compliance Department:

• GSF is among the largest energy storage owners, including utilities, when judged on geographic spread – GB, Ireland, Germany, Texas and California.
• Around 3% of GSF’s Irish revenue is accrued by trading 5 MW from a 50 MW project.
• Gore Street Capital has 45 employees, plus contractors.
• GSF does not yet have operational assets in Scotland and future performance is yet to be determined.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57689653Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidIn the past 5 years, we have seen an incredible rise of Energy Storage (ESS) on numerous Grids. Those markets, whether in Europe (10GW) or in the USA (16GW), have been created by the magic formula where entrepreneurship blended with new technology....Energy Storage (ESS) on numerous Grids. Those markets, whether in Europe (10GW) or in the USA (16GW), have been created by the magic formula where entrepreneurship blended with new technology.

For Laurent and Gerard, there is not better guest to discuss the phenomenal growth of the ESS than Dr Alex O’Cinneide. Alex is the Founder and CEO of Gore Street Capital, a London based fund which now manages a portfolio of 1.2GW of batteries in GB, Ireland, Germany, Texas and California. Seven years ago, he was working out of a telephone booth with his laptop on his knees.
Alex explains the value of a geographical portfolio approach, how tech is evolving, how supply chains are reacting, what is similar and what is different in all those markets. An energy transition story which is also a personal journey of a very talented entrepreneur whose success has been recognised by the Industry as Alex has been recently received the prestigious “Man of the Year” award by Solar Media.

Alex describes the investment in batteries (compared to wind or solar) as the most challenging, but also the most important and rewarding.

And as we say on the show, it is all about harnessing “space and time” or in a more market angle “Long Flex – Short Vol”

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This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future.

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This podcast is done in partnership with the Energy Storage Summit 2024

The Energy Storage Summit (20-21 February, London) is the biggest, busiest, and most innovative networking event for energy storage, uniting stakeholders to exchange knowledge, learn and establish crucial industry connections. Taking place at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith, the Summit has become Europe’s annual must-attend energy storage event for the entire value chain.

You don’t want to miss this one – book your ticket using code RE15 for a 15% discount. Following two sold out editions, we expect the same again in 2024.
Don't miss your chance to hear directly from innovators spearheading change and make your mark on the rapidly evolving energy storage industry. https://storagesummit.solarenergyevents.com/tickets/

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More on Alex and Gore Street Capital

Alex O’Cinneide is CEO and Chair of the Investment Committee of Gore Street Capital, which he founded in 2015 as a global platform to facilitate the deployment of renewable energy solutions. His career has included senior roles at KPMG, Quorum European Partners, Kleinwort Benson, Paladin Capital Group and utility-scale renewables developer Masdar Capital, where he served as Head of Investments and General Manager for six years. Alex also holds academic qualifications from Trinity College Dublin, the London Business School and the London School of Economics and Political Science, culminating in a PhD that analysed the effectiveness of renewable energy policy in the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
Gore Street Capital was formed in 2015 as a global platform to acquire and manage renewable energy solutions, supporting robust businesses and high-performing assets that contribute towards the transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2018, Gore Street Capital created the UK energy storage investment class by listing Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LSE: GSF) on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange, and has since played a material role in the growth of GSF from £30m at IPO to a market cap of over £451m as of 30 June 2023. The company comprises a team of almost 45 energy professionals in GB, Ireland and the US working...]]>1803battery,climate,energystorage,lithium,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWith 60GW and 56 reactors, the French nuclear fleet is critical to the very existence of a European Power market as it represents 10%-15% of the electricity consumed on the continent and much larger share if you only account for zero carbon sources.
And its “health” is a key component of Europe’s Security of Supply and Energy price levels. Furthermore, beyond Europe, a well-functioning French nuclear fleet reduces the need for LNG imports.
20 years ago, EDF was the most powerful utility in the world, producing 420TWh of carbon free power and about to be privatised to reach a 200bnEUR valuation. 20 years later, plagued by debt, major outages, financial losses, and poorly timed government interventions, EDF had to re-nationalised.
Rather than relitigate the past or engage into sterile discussions about whether nuclear is THE solution, A solution or NOT A solution, we have to live with simple facts: a) for the past 30 years, French nuke has been the backbone of the whole European Energy system b) it almost imploded in 2022 (half of the fleet down at some point) as the worst possible moment: when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Going forward, can Europe still rely on the French nuke fleet for Security of Supply? Can nuclear continue to provide cheap power or will it become uncompetitive? How does nuclear cope with an increasingly volatile power markets where the key word is now “Flexibility”?
We bring in a Breton sailor, Emeric de Vigan. Emeric is a former trader at EDF Energy where he oversaw the short-term power trading of the entire nuclear fleet. He is now head of Kpler Energy, a leading subscription-based data and analytics platform delivering real-time market intelligence for diverse commodities and their transportation.
In summary, Emeric really knows what he is talking about.
With Gerard and Laurent, Emeric delivers a dispassionate, clinical, and sometimes technical conversation about the future of the French nuclear fleet.

PS: after the recording of this episode, EDF and the French government found an agreement on the price of power for the current nuclear fleet: 70EUR/MWh (vs 42EUR/MWh under ARENH) More here: https://www.ft.com/content/e2fc3abf-4803-4561-8ef2-0c77fd2d07a8

----
If you want to know more about the current political and economic conundrum about French nuclear, please read this excellent presentation by Yves Marignac, Institut Negawatt https://seafile.institut-negawatt.com/f/a565a5e04bcc4615b301/


This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57561858Wed, 15 Nov 2023 01:30:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhy should the 97% of non-French listeners of the podcast be interested in the fate of the French nuclear fleet? With 60GW and 56 reactors, the French nuclear fleet is critical to the very existence of a European Power market as it represents 10%-15%...With 60GW and 56 reactors, the French nuclear fleet is critical to the very existence of a European Power market as it represents 10%-15% of the electricity consumed on the continent and much larger share if you only account for zero carbon sources.
And its “health” is a key component of Europe’s Security of Supply and Energy price levels. Furthermore, beyond Europe, a well-functioning French nuclear fleet reduces the need for LNG imports.
20 years ago, EDF was the most powerful utility in the world, producing 420TWh of carbon free power and about to be privatised to reach a 200bnEUR valuation. 20 years later, plagued by debt, major outages, financial losses, and poorly timed government interventions, EDF had to re-nationalised.
Rather than relitigate the past or engage into sterile discussions about whether nuclear is THE solution, A solution or NOT A solution, we have to live with simple facts: a) for the past 30 years, French nuke has been the backbone of the whole European Energy system b) it almost imploded in 2022 (half of the fleet down at some point) as the worst possible moment: when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Going forward, can Europe still rely on the French nuke fleet for Security of Supply? Can nuclear continue to provide cheap power or will it become uncompetitive? How does nuclear cope with an increasingly volatile power markets where the key word is now “Flexibility”?
We bring in a Breton sailor, Emeric de Vigan. Emeric is a former trader at EDF Energy where he oversaw the short-term power trading of the entire nuclear fleet. He is now head of Kpler Energy, a leading subscription-based data and analytics platform delivering real-time market intelligence for diverse commodities and their transportation.
In summary, Emeric really knows what he is talking about.
With Gerard and Laurent, Emeric delivers a dispassionate, clinical, and sometimes technical conversation about the future of the French nuclear fleet.

PS: after the recording of this episode, EDF and the French government found an agreement on the price of power for the current nuclear fleet: 70EUR/MWh (vs 42EUR/MWh under ARENH) More here: https://www.ft.com/content/e2fc3abf-4803-4561-8ef2-0c77fd2d07a8

----
If you want to know more about the current political and economic conundrum about French nuclear, please read this excellent presentation by Yves Marignac, Institut Negawatt https://seafile.institut-negawatt.com/f/a565a5e04bcc4615b301/


This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future.]]>1887climate,energysecurity,europe,lng,nuclearfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
What are the trends? Where to invest? What strategy?

There is no better guest than Dr. Carolin Funk, Partner at Blue Bear Capital, to provide an exceptional vision of the current Climate Tech environment.

Blue Bear is a Silicon Valley- based venture capital and early growth equity firm driving the expansion of digital technologies into multibillion-dollar verticals across the energy, infrastructure, and climate industries. Blue Bear's portfolio covers operational AI, IoT, and cybersecurity technologies, all deployed with enterprise customers to drive connectivity and efficiency across the world's most critical industries.

We deep dive into Blue Bear’s investments thesis, how they analyse hundreds of opportunities per year to select only 4-6 investments. What quality are they looking for in terms of TAM, teams and what exits are possible. Blue Bear is not your regular VC fund which strategy is sometimes described as “spraying and praying”. Their investments are highly concentrated and the added value to management is second to none. Blue Bear is royalty when it comes to Climate Tech. Having Blue Bear at your cap table gives you an additional aura when you’re an entrepreneur.
We thank our most faithfull partner Aquila Capital, one of the most successful infrastructure fund in Europe

-----
Finally, we have put an intro music (The Persuaders - 1971)
Tell us if you like it or not. We love all our listeners.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57420219Wed, 01 Nov 2023 01:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe hear a lot about Climate Tech, and the VC investments about to revolutionize and accelerate the Energy Transition. Gerard and Laurent wanted to know more. And there is no better place than Silicon Valley to hear it directly from the source. What...
What are the trends? Where to invest? What strategy?

There is no better guest than Dr. Carolin Funk, Partner at Blue Bear Capital, to provide an exceptional vision of the current Climate Tech environment.

Blue Bear is a Silicon Valley- based venture capital and early growth equity firm driving the expansion of digital technologies into multibillion-dollar verticals across the energy, infrastructure, and climate industries. Blue Bear's portfolio covers operational AI, IoT, and cybersecurity technologies, all deployed with enterprise customers to drive connectivity and efficiency across the world's most critical industries.

We deep dive into Blue Bear’s investments thesis, how they analyse hundreds of opportunities per year to select only 4-6 investments. What quality are they looking for in terms of TAM, teams and what exits are possible. Blue Bear is not your regular VC fund which strategy is sometimes described as “spraying and praying”. Their investments are highly concentrated and the added value to management is second to none. Blue Bear is royalty when it comes to Climate Tech. Having Blue Bear at your cap table gives you an additional aura when you’re an entrepreneur.
We thank our most faithfull partner Aquila Capital, one of the most successful infrastructure fund in Europe

-----
Finally, we have put an intro music (The Persuaders - 1971)
Tell us if you like it or not. We love all our listeners.
]]>1601climatetech,digital,vcfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
Still, after a great decade, the Wind industry is facing serious head winds. After 2020 and 2021: record years – almost 100GW (incl 10% - 20% offshore), 2022 saw the market shrink down to 77GW. Dominated by China, US, EU, Brazil. Wind is now four times smaller than solar.

Struggling OEMs, social licenses, slow grid connections, supply chain inflation, botched auctions, write downs, rising interest rates, local content requirements… the list goes on and on.

Wind trends seem to have massively decoupled from the thriving duo Solar + Battery. How deep is the Wind Energy crisis? 1TW has been reached and there are massive plans that don’t seem to correspond to the current health of the supply chain. Have we reached peak wind?

We bring on our friend Rosie Barnes, one of the top wind observers in the world, and we try to categorize each issue, analising which are cyclical and which are structural. Can we endlessly grow the size of the Turbines? Not only from a technical point of view, but also from a logistical aspect and a financial perspective. Is there a real Chinese challenge?

We tackle all those points in a heated conversation where opinions are hard to reconcile. We agree only on a few things: the race towards bigger sizes must stop. OEMs must regroup and accept to pause any innovation, deliver longer series, and reconstitute their profitability. The wind industry needs to have a hard look at itself so as to re-emerge stronger in the coming years, as it will transform itself from a growth industry to a value industry

---
An episode done in partnership with Wind Europe.
WindEurope is an association promoting the use of wind power in Europe. Based in Brussels it has over 600 members, which are active in over 50 countries.

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This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future. In the Nordics, Axpo has been a pioneer within Trading and Origination services for the last 20 years.

----
Links to Rosie on Social Media
- Engineering with Rosie: https://www.youtube.com/@EngineeringwithRosie
- Uptime podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uptime-wind-energy-podcast/id1504249857]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57116566Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:50:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHonestly, we have struggled to find a suitable title for this Episode. We thought of and then abandoned catchier titles such as “Withering Wind”, “Have we reached peak wind?” and even “Wind – WTF”. Finally, we settled for a more optimistic headline....
Still, after a great decade, the Wind industry is facing serious head winds. After 2020 and 2021: record years – almost 100GW (incl 10% - 20% offshore), 2022 saw the market shrink down to 77GW. Dominated by China, US, EU, Brazil. Wind is now four times smaller than solar.

Struggling OEMs, social licenses, slow grid connections, supply chain inflation, botched auctions, write downs, rising interest rates, local content requirements… the list goes on and on.

Wind trends seem to have massively decoupled from the thriving duo Solar + Battery. How deep is the Wind Energy crisis? 1TW has been reached and there are massive plans that don’t seem to correspond to the current health of the supply chain. Have we reached peak wind?

We bring on our friend Rosie Barnes, one of the top wind observers in the world, and we try to categorize each issue, analising which are cyclical and which are structural. Can we endlessly grow the size of the Turbines? Not only from a technical point of view, but also from a logistical aspect and a financial perspective. Is there a real Chinese challenge?

We tackle all those points in a heated conversation where opinions are hard to reconcile. We agree only on a few things: the race towards bigger sizes must stop. OEMs must regroup and accept to pause any innovation, deliver longer series, and reconstitute their profitability. The wind industry needs to have a hard look at itself so as to re-emerge stronger in the coming years, as it will transform itself from a growth industry to a value industry

---
An episode done in partnership with Wind Europe.
WindEurope is an association promoting the use of wind power in Europe. Based in Brussels it has over 600 members, which are active in over 50 countries.

----
This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future. In the Nordics, Axpo has been a pioneer within Trading and Origination services for the last 20 years.

----
Links to Rosie on Social Media
- Engineering with Rosie: https://www.youtube.com/@EngineeringwithRosie
- Uptime podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uptime-wind-energy-podcast/id1504249857]]>1880blades,orsted,renewables,siemensenergy,vestas,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comThe good news is that there is a new generation of Utility managers which has started to tackle the problem. Of course, results are unperfect, as for one Hawaii there is one Puerto Rico. It is not just about money; it is about changing the culture and the rapid adoption of new technologies.
To illustrate what can be done at reasonable budgets, we have invited Steve Berberich, CEO of Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS). After running the California ISO for a decade, he has opted for a new challenge rather than enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Jamaica’s energy system is highly dependent on high cost imported fossil fuels; petroleum imports account for over 80 percent of electricity production. Furthermore, electricity theft is a massive problem. Finally, Jamaica is always at the mercy of a devastating hurricanes.
Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) is a privately held integrated electric utility company and the sole distributor of electricity in Jamaica. The Company is engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, and also purchases power from a number of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The change of attitude is to present this stable island of 3m as a perfect testing ground for all possible technological innovations. JPS invites all innovations to be rolled out in Jamaica, which then can leapfrog some legacy part of the industry.
------
This Episode partners with Bruce Douglas’ Global Renewables Alliance Let’s triple renewables in the next ten years.
https://globalrenewablesalliance.org/
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The Episode is sponsored by PV CASE. PV CASE is the ultimate design software for solar PV developers from the earliest stages of planning all the way to the procurement phase. https://pvcase.com/RedefiningEnergy
*************
Finally, Laurent and Gerard would like to thank all our listeners as we have reached 1,000,000 downloads across all our shows. The main show will likely pass that bar in November. We will celebrate big time.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56959493Mon, 02 Oct 2023 00:25:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe smaller the grid, the higher the price. Islands have been plagued forever by a higher price of power. This is an inherent consequence of their small scale. Add on the top some natural catastrophes, and you end up with a poor and costly service for...The good news is that there is a new generation of Utility managers which has started to tackle the problem. Of course, results are unperfect, as for one Hawaii there is one Puerto Rico. It is not just about money; it is about changing the culture and the rapid adoption of new technologies.
To illustrate what can be done at reasonable budgets, we have invited Steve Berberich, CEO of Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS). After running the California ISO for a decade, he has opted for a new challenge rather than enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Jamaica’s energy system is highly dependent on high cost imported fossil fuels; petroleum imports account for over 80 percent of electricity production. Furthermore, electricity theft is a massive problem. Finally, Jamaica is always at the mercy of a devastating hurricanes.
Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) is a privately held integrated electric utility company and the sole distributor of electricity in Jamaica. The Company is engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, and also purchases power from a number of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The change of attitude is to present this stable island of 3m as a perfect testing ground for all possible technological innovations. JPS invites all innovations to be rolled out in Jamaica, which then can leapfrog some legacy part of the industry.
------
This Episode partners with Bruce Douglas’ Global Renewables Alliance Let’s triple renewables in the next ten years.
https://globalrenewablesalliance.org/
-----
The Episode is sponsored by PV CASE. PV CASE is the ultimate design software for solar PV developers from the earliest stages of planning all the way to the procurement phase. https://pvcase.com/RedefiningEnergy
*************
Finally, Laurent and Gerard would like to thank all our listeners as we have reached 1,000,000 downloads across all our shows. The main show will likely pass that bar in November. We will celebrate big time.]]>1819cleantech,electrification,energytransition,jamaicafalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
First came satellites, that provided a regional assessment of the problem. But they only solved a fraction of the equation. In order to get more granular and be able to precisely identify methane leaks and attribute them, new technologies had to be applied. Sensors are now carried by planes, drones or are stationary. And their constant monitoring finally allows the methane to be tracked at a micro level. The combination of those different technologies has revolutionised the tracking of methane leaks and help fix them.

We have the pleasure of welcoming an old friend of the show, Gregg Rotenberg, a 20-year clean tech veteran and CEO Kairos Aerospace. Kairos is the global leader in mitigating methane emissions. Kairos and alongside others like MIQ, is firmly leading the methane chase.
And it’s just the beginning, because, if the US is starting to fix the problem, other countries like Venezuela, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Iraq or Libya couldn’t care less and are totally irresponsible when it comes to methane. Certainly, a good subject of discussion for COP28.
----
Useful links;
https://kairosaerospace.com/
https://www.basinwide.org/


----
The Episode is delivered in partnership with the Energy Institute. www.energyinst.org
A supporter of the Methane Guiding Principles and Aiming for Zero initiatives, the Energy Institute and its industry partners are working to make energy lower carbon, safer and more efficient.

------
The Episode is sponsored by PV CASE. PV CASE is the ultimate design software for solar PV developers from the earliest stages of planning all the way to the procurement phase.
https://pvcase.com/RedefiningEnergy]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56760348Fri, 15 Sep 2023 01:15:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAt Cop26 was launched the Global Methane Pledge to catalyse action to reduce methane. The problem is that no one really knew how much methane leaked nor who emitted what. Even the emitters didn’t have a clear view of the problem. First came...
First came satellites, that provided a regional assessment of the problem. But they only solved a fraction of the equation. In order to get more granular and be able to precisely identify methane leaks and attribute them, new technologies had to be applied. Sensors are now carried by planes, drones or are stationary. And their constant monitoring finally allows the methane to be tracked at a micro level. The combination of those different technologies has revolutionised the tracking of methane leaks and help fix them.

We have the pleasure of welcoming an old friend of the show, Gregg Rotenberg, a 20-year clean tech veteran and CEO Kairos Aerospace. Kairos is the global leader in mitigating methane emissions. Kairos and alongside others like MIQ, is firmly leading the methane chase.
And it’s just the beginning, because, if the US is starting to fix the problem, other countries like Venezuela, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Iraq or Libya couldn’t care less and are totally irresponsible when it comes to methane. Certainly, a good subject of discussion for COP28.
----
Useful links;
https://kairosaerospace.com/
https://www.basinwide.org/


----
The Episode is delivered in partnership with the Energy Institute. www.energyinst.org
A supporter of the Methane Guiding Principles and Aiming for Zero initiatives, the Energy Institute and its industry partners are working to make energy lower carbon, safer and more efficient.

------
The Episode is sponsored by PV CASE. PV CASE is the ultimate design software for solar PV developers from the earliest stages of planning all the way to the procurement phase.
https://pvcase.com/RedefiningEnergy]]>1852cop28,energytransition,methanefalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWe believe the whole sector is on the cusp of an exponential growth, as new drilling techniques are now arriving at maturity. “Advanced geothermal”, based on the Oil & Gas expertise in fracking and horizontal drilling can be installed pretty much everywhere. It aims to provide much-needed 24/7 clean electricity and heat at competitive costs and small footprint. The recent successes of a start up called Fervo Energy have been very publicized.
There are also space-age new technologies like plasma and loop. Such a great universe of possibility.

Our guest, Cindy Taff is a seasoned geothermal developer who leads a startup called Sage Geosystems. Sage is a Houston-based technology company focused on energy storage and geothermal solutions for a sustainable energy future. Their long-duration energy storage solutions are ready to scale now at a cost that beats pumped hydropower storage and lithium-ion batteries. Prior Sage, Cindy had a 35-year career in the O&G industry, most recently as VP of Shell's global Unconventional Wells operations where she led a team of over 350 Shell staff and 1,200 contractors across five countries.

Alongside Wind and Solar, Geothermal was the missing piece to recreate Earth, Wind and Fire, the holy trinity of renewables. But it’s all going to change from now on.

----------

The podcast is powered by Axpo. We feel better with Axpo.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56580248Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGeothermal has been around for decades and always considered part of the Energy Transition. Unfortunately, its development has been limited to very specific geographical location (US West Coast, Iceland, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia), basically the...We believe the whole sector is on the cusp of an exponential growth, as new drilling techniques are now arriving at maturity. “Advanced geothermal”, based on the Oil & Gas expertise in fracking and horizontal drilling can be installed pretty much everywhere. It aims to provide much-needed 24/7 clean electricity and heat at competitive costs and small footprint. The recent successes of a start up called Fervo Energy have been very publicized.
There are also space-age new technologies like plasma and loop. Such a great universe of possibility.

Our guest, Cindy Taff is a seasoned geothermal developer who leads a startup called Sage Geosystems. Sage is a Houston-based technology company focused on energy storage and geothermal solutions for a sustainable energy future. Their long-duration energy storage solutions are ready to scale now at a cost that beats pumped hydropower storage and lithium-ion batteries. Prior Sage, Cindy had a 35-year career in the O&G industry, most recently as VP of Shell's global Unconventional Wells operations where she led a team of over 350 Shell staff and 1,200 contractors across five countries.

Alongside Wind and Solar, Geothermal was the missing piece to recreate Earth, Wind and Fire, the holy trinity of renewables. But it’s all going to change from now on.

----------

The podcast is powered by Axpo. We feel better with Axpo.
]]>1800energy,energytransition,geothermal,heatfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comSounds familiar? Is carbon the new crypto? Are bad credits a bug or a feature of the system? Why do Companies think that carbon credits could be a solution on their net-zero journey?
There are very heated debates around Carbon Credits/Carbon Offsets. They are loathed by very opiniated experts following spectacular failures or blatant frauds. On the other hand, some reasonable people are trying to sort out the mess while establishing, in the absence of any national or international regulations, what could differentiate a “good credit” from a “bad credit”.
We bring in one the savviest expert of the voluntary carbon markets, Guy Turner, who will lay out the controversies and explain what a good credit is. Guy Turner, one of the original members of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, owns and runs Trove Research. Trove Research is the most respected and comprehensive source of information on the Carbon Market.
With Guy we go from detailed concepts to the big picture and try to avoid the alphabet soup which has plagued the industry. A great conversation to set things in perspective.
Useful links

• Who do define good credits: www.icvcm.org
• How to REALLY become carbon neutral https://vcmintegrity.org/
• Guy Turner’s company: https://trove-research.com/

The show is powered by AXPO, green electricity provider for decades.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56370020Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:25:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAfter a decade in obscurity, carbon offsets have resurrected in recent years as more companies are targeting net zero. Volumes and prices have picked up in 2021-22 to create a 2bn USD market that some institutions predict could rise to 50bnUSD by the...Sounds familiar? Is carbon the new crypto? Are bad credits a bug or a feature of the system? Why do Companies think that carbon credits could be a solution on their net-zero journey?
There are very heated debates around Carbon Credits/Carbon Offsets. They are loathed by very opiniated experts following spectacular failures or blatant frauds. On the other hand, some reasonable people are trying to sort out the mess while establishing, in the absence of any national or international regulations, what could differentiate a “good credit” from a “bad credit”.
We bring in one the savviest expert of the voluntary carbon markets, Guy Turner, who will lay out the controversies and explain what a good credit is. Guy Turner, one of the original members of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, owns and runs Trove Research. Trove Research is the most respected and comprehensive source of information on the Carbon Market.
With Guy we go from detailed concepts to the big picture and try to avoid the alphabet soup which has plagued the industry. A great conversation to set things in perspective.
Useful links

• Who do define good credits: www.icvcm.org
• How to REALLY become carbon neutral https://vcmintegrity.org/
• Guy Turner’s company: https://trove-research.com/

The show is powered by AXPO, green electricity provider for decades.]]>1785carbon,climatechange,cop28falsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comIn 2023, China dominates the Li_Ion battery market and its main companies, BYD and CATL are – alongside Tesla – blazing the trail of new technologies and performances. Are there options beyond Lithium? How much progress have the battery technologies recently made? Where is the path forward for all the announced chemistries? Is vertical integration a real trend? Can the US and EU catch up?

We discuss with Cormac O’Laoire, Managing Director at Electrios Energy, a Hong-Kong based expert; it becomes obvious that China and the rest of the world are on the cusp on diverging, adopting different technological pathways in term of Battery Chemistry. We talk about LFP/LMFP – Lithium Ferro Phosphate / Lithium Manganese Ferro Phosphate vs NMC – Nickel Manganese Cobalt. We talk about Sodium-Ion, Solid State… We talk prices. We try to foresee what will stay and what will go.

A fascinating deep dive with one of the world’s most recognised expert on battery supply chain. Who will win, who will catch-up, who will lose. We see clearer after this thorough conversation with Cormac.

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We thank our long tem partner Aquila Capital whithout whom this show wouldn't probably exist.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56245755Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:20:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs the growth of the EV market and Energy Storage continues unabated, we wanted to know what the current State of Play in the Battery industry is. In 2023, China dominates the Li_Ion battery market and its main companies, BYD and CATL are – alongside...In 2023, China dominates the Li_Ion battery market and its main companies, BYD and CATL are – alongside Tesla – blazing the trail of new technologies and performances. Are there options beyond Lithium? How much progress have the battery technologies recently made? Where is the path forward for all the announced chemistries? Is vertical integration a real trend? Can the US and EU catch up?

We discuss with Cormac O’Laoire, Managing Director at Electrios Energy, a Hong-Kong based expert; it becomes obvious that China and the rest of the world are on the cusp on diverging, adopting different technological pathways in term of Battery Chemistry. We talk about LFP/LMFP – Lithium Ferro Phosphate / Lithium Manganese Ferro Phosphate vs NMC – Nickel Manganese Cobalt. We talk about Sodium-Ion, Solid State… We talk prices. We try to foresee what will stay and what will go.

A fascinating deep dive with one of the world’s most recognised expert on battery supply chain. Who will win, who will catch-up, who will lose. We see clearer after this thorough conversation with Cormac.

----
We thank our long tem partner Aquila Capital whithout whom this show wouldn't probably exist.]]>1870battery,byd,catl,cobalt,ev,lithium,nickel,teslafalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comLeonard Birnbaum is the CEO of the giant German Utility E.ON and also president of Eurelectric, the sector association which represents the common interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level.
We have a very lively debate about how E.ON survived the energy crisis. What changes he had to be undertaken, how luck played its part, but also the “need for speed”.
Other key lessons were the end of tolerance for weaknesses, the acceleration of digitisation and total engagement with their customers. We then moved the conversation to the proposed reform of the Energy Market that regulators are keen to put in place. Is it too little too late or, on the opposite, a solution in search of a problem.
In its manifesto, Eurelectric wants to focus in the coming years on three priorities:

• Security of supply
• Stronger & more digitised infrastructure
• Fairness of the distribution of risks & benefits between the stakeholders

Leo advocates for flexibility mechanisms rather than capacity mechanisms and support full traceability via 24/7 green certificates.
Finally, when you add the electrification of transport, the key word is Flexibility, as the electrification can either be fast or global, but cannot be both at the same time. Compromises will have to be made.
A great thanks to Kristian Ruby, Bruce Douglas and Emily O'Leary for making this moment possible.

---
This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future. In the Nordics, Axpo has been a pioneer within Trading and Origination services for the last 20 years.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56070944Sat, 15 Jul 2023 00:30:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidLive from Brussels, on the 20th of June 2023, we were invited to interview Leonard Birnbaum. Since he came last on the show (Ep50), the whole Energy Sector has been through hell with Russia invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent near-death experience...Leonard Birnbaum is the CEO of the giant German Utility E.ON and also president of Eurelectric, the sector association which represents the common interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level.
We have a very lively debate about how E.ON survived the energy crisis. What changes he had to be undertaken, how luck played its part, but also the “need for speed”.
Other key lessons were the end of tolerance for weaknesses, the acceleration of digitisation and total engagement with their customers. We then moved the conversation to the proposed reform of the Energy Market that regulators are keen to put in place. Is it too little too late or, on the opposite, a solution in search of a problem.
In its manifesto, Eurelectric wants to focus in the coming years on three priorities:

• Security of supply
• Stronger & more digitised infrastructure
• Fairness of the distribution of risks & benefits between the stakeholders

Leo advocates for flexibility mechanisms rather than capacity mechanisms and support full traceability via 24/7 green certificates.
Finally, when you add the electrification of transport, the key word is Flexibility, as the electrification can either be fast or global, but cannot be both at the same time. Compromises will have to be made.
A great thanks to Kristian Ruby, Bruce Douglas and Emily O'Leary for making this moment possible.

---
This podcast is powered by Axpo an international leader in providing sustainable energy solutions for the future. In the Nordics, Axpo has been a pioneer within Trading and Origination services for the last 20 years.]]>1716carbon,climate,digitisation,energycrisis,eurelectric,europe,germany,renewables,ukrainecrisisfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comArcelorMittal (the world biggest steel company outside China) is in the thick of it. It is not just writing reports but investing through its own VC fund called XCarb Innovation Fund. Through XCarb ArcelorMittal invests tens of millions of dollars in three major routes: Clean Electrification, new DRI (Direct Reduction of Iron), and Smart Carbon.
So, we are going to talk about all future technologies that will help decarbonise the Steel sector: Advanced Nuclear, Long Duration Storage, Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Utilisation as well as a lot of other innovations in the making. Our guest is the very talented Irina Gorbounova, VP M&A at ArcelorMittal, and head of the XCarb fund. It is key to have an investor with a dual background, both VC and industrial, at the time of VC funding in down 75% yoy.
Can we decarbonise Steel, with what technology? At what costs? On which horizons? Irina tackles with scientific precision all those questions. The word “hard to abate” might soon be a thing of the past for the Steel Industry. Maybe, we will just have to say: “takes time and resources to abate… but we’ve got this”.


-------- Erratum
When we discussed Form Energy, we meant to say storage of 100 hours plus which is 10 times cheaper than lithium based one.
Thank you for your understanding.

-------

Thanks to our partner for the Episode: Pexapark

And get our new media pack by emailing at info@redefining-energy.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/55284899Sat, 01 Jul 2023 01:35:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSteel is essential for the equipment of the Energy Transition (Wind, EVs) but at the same time bears a very significant carbon footprint: 1.8tCO2/t steel. Pushed and/or incentivised by policies in the US and EU, the Steel industry must innovate to...ArcelorMittal (the world biggest steel company outside China) is in the thick of it. It is not just writing reports but investing through its own VC fund called XCarb Innovation Fund. Through XCarb ArcelorMittal invests tens of millions of dollars in three major routes: Clean Electrification, new DRI (Direct Reduction of Iron), and Smart Carbon.
So, we are going to talk about all future technologies that will help decarbonise the Steel sector: Advanced Nuclear, Long Duration Storage, Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Utilisation as well as a lot of other innovations in the making. Our guest is the very talented Irina Gorbounova, VP M&A at ArcelorMittal, and head of the XCarb fund. It is key to have an investor with a dual background, both VC and industrial, at the time of VC funding in down 75% yoy.
Can we decarbonise Steel, with what technology? At what costs? On which horizons? Irina tackles with scientific precision all those questions. The word “hard to abate” might soon be a thing of the past for the Steel Industry. Maybe, we will just have to say: “takes time and resources to abate… but we’ve got this”.


-------- Erratum
When we discussed Form Energy, we meant to say storage of 100 hours plus which is 10 times cheaper than lithium based one.
Thank you for your understanding.

-------

Thanks to our partner for the Episode: Pexapark

And get our new media pack by emailing at info@redefining-energy.com]]>1792carbon,ccus,climate,hydrogen,nuclear,steel,syntheticfuelsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comThe wit of Katherine Hamilton and the laugh of Jigar Shah were our inspiration 5 years ago when we got drunk at the Red Lion pub near Piccadilly to launch our show. The “ambitious” business plan was to create a tiny European copycat of the Gang. 900k downloads later, this is where we are.
Katherine Hamilton is Chair at 38 North Solutions, a public policy firm focused on clean energy and innovation, and one the main artisan of the Inflation Reduction Act; Jigar Shah is Director at the Loan Program Office at the US Department of Energy, managing hundreds of billions USD to finance the Energy Transition.
The topic of this special show is the following: Let’s assume we are in 2030, Elon Musk is on Mars, did the energy transition work? Our conversation encompasses the decarbonisation of the grid, the future of Nuclear and Geothermal, the electrification of transport, Hydrogen, and many other topics.
In the end, we deliver a positive message: “We are succeeding the Energy Transition thanks to the thrust and imagination of the new generation.”]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54098144Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:35:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhat a pleasure, what an honor to have the original Energy Gang on our show to celebrate our 100th Episode. The wit of Katherine Hamilton and the laugh of Jigar Shah were our inspiration 5 years ago when we got drunk at the Red Lion pub near...The wit of Katherine Hamilton and the laugh of Jigar Shah were our inspiration 5 years ago when we got drunk at the Red Lion pub near Piccadilly to launch our show. The “ambitious” business plan was to create a tiny European copycat of the Gang. 900k downloads later, this is where we are.
Katherine Hamilton is Chair at 38 North Solutions, a public policy firm focused on clean energy and innovation, and one the main artisan of the Inflation Reduction Act; Jigar Shah is Director at the Loan Program Office at the US Department of Energy, managing hundreds of billions USD to finance the Energy Transition.
The topic of this special show is the following: Let’s assume we are in 2030, Elon Musk is on Mars, did the energy transition work? Our conversation encompasses the decarbonisation of the grid, the future of Nuclear and Geothermal, the electrification of transport, Hydrogen, and many other topics.
In the end, we deliver a positive message: “We are succeeding the Energy Transition thanks to the thrust and imagination of the new generation.”]]>1818carbon,energytransition,evs,hydrogen,nuclear,renewables,transmissionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comOperating the grid 365/24/7 is not a simple task, as the primary objective of any electricity network is reliability; any structural change is like trying to change the engines of the plane while it is flying.
How can the network evolve to answer the challenges of the energy transition? How fast does it evolves? How can new transmissions be developed? How are the issues identified and what does the future looks like? How do network managers around the world collaborate and share best practises?

To answer those questions, we’ve had a fascinating conversation with Fintan Slye, Executive Director of National Grid ESO, the Electricity System Operator for Great Britain’s national electricity network. Fintan has been Executive Director of UK National Grid ESO since 2018. Prior to this he was CEO of the EirGrid Group, the electricity system and market operator in Ireland and Northern Ireland. He has previously worked for McKinsey & Company and ESB Group.

This is Episode 99 and we promise you a big surprise for our Episode 100. Don’t forget our sister shows: the weekly fast Redefining Energy Minutes and the deep-dive Redefining Energy Tech with Michael Barnard.
Once again, we thank Aquila Capital for their continuous support.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53970148Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe electricity network is the bloodline of the economy. It is a very complex system, built over decades, with layers of technologies and it has to be reliable 24/7. We hardly talked about this network of wires and cables a few years back but now, in...Operating the grid 365/24/7 is not a simple task, as the primary objective of any electricity network is reliability; any structural change is like trying to change the engines of the plane while it is flying.
How can the network evolve to answer the challenges of the energy transition? How fast does it evolves? How can new transmissions be developed? How are the issues identified and what does the future looks like? How do network managers around the world collaborate and share best practises?

To answer those questions, we’ve had a fascinating conversation with Fintan Slye, Executive Director of National Grid ESO, the Electricity System Operator for Great Britain’s national electricity network. Fintan has been Executive Director of UK National Grid ESO since 2018. Prior to this he was CEO of the EirGrid Group, the electricity system and market operator in Ireland and Northern Ireland. He has previously worked for McKinsey & Company and ESB Group.

This is Episode 99 and we promise you a big surprise for our Episode 100. Don’t forget our sister shows: the weekly fast Redefining Energy Minutes and the deep-dive Redefining Energy Tech with Michael Barnard.
Once again, we thank Aquila Capital for their continuous support.]]>1641batteries,carbon,energytransition,grid,interconnectorsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comHow to manage this complexity, what lessons can be learned from one territory to another? How are the teams trained? What is the impact of digital to optimise the economic performance?
We have the pleasure of welcoming Adele Ara, Head of Global Business Operations at Lightsource bp, where she has worked for nine years.
Lightsource bp is a global leader in utility-scale solar development and management. A 50:50 JV between the Energy Giant BP and the founding team, Lightsource bp is the largest solar developer in Europe and the third largest in the world outside of China. They operate more than 300 installations (from 5GW to 500GW) in 19 countries, a portfolio of 8.8GW of solar today with the aim of reaching 25GW in 2025.
Adele shares with us her vision of excellence, and… there is definitely a secret sauce.
Hint (in that famous quote from Peter Drucker): “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

Our partner for the episode
FEBESOL is one of the fastest growing solar companies in Germany. FEBESOL delivers residential PV systems with outstanding quality, and also installs batteries, EV chargers and heat pumps.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53753380Mon, 15 May 2023 00:15:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHow to optimise a fleet of hundreds of solar parks? And the work needs to start once the asset has been energised...and continue for decades. Plus, as with an iceberg, most of the work is below the surface. How to manage this complexity, what lessons...How to manage this complexity, what lessons can be learned from one territory to another? How are the teams trained? What is the impact of digital to optimise the economic performance?
We have the pleasure of welcoming Adele Ara, Head of Global Business Operations at Lightsource bp, where she has worked for nine years.
Lightsource bp is a global leader in utility-scale solar development and management. A 50:50 JV between the Energy Giant BP and the founding team, Lightsource bp is the largest solar developer in Europe and the third largest in the world outside of China. They operate more than 300 installations (from 5GW to 500GW) in 19 countries, a portfolio of 8.8GW of solar today with the aim of reaching 25GW in 2025.
Adele shares with us her vision of excellence, and… there is definitely a secret sauce.
Hint (in that famous quote from Peter Drucker): “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

Our partner for the episode
FEBESOL is one of the fastest growing solar companies in Germany. FEBESOL delivers residential PV systems with outstanding quality, and also installs batteries, EV chargers and heat pumps.]]>1773digital,hr,optimisation,solarfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comMeanwhile, we see the development of renewables that increase the volatility and remove the traditional reference to marginal pricing linked to fossil fuels. How to characterise the problems?
Do power markets need a reform or a revolution? How can flexibility be bolstered? Can a fossil-fuel free system still deliver a marginal price? Are governments too heavy handed?
All those questions are put together and debated with our guest Stephen Woodhouse, Director, AFRY Management Consulting. Stephen has 25 years’ experience in the electricity business and has headed AFRY’s global work on energy market design for many years and is internationally recognised as an expert in energy market reform and the energy transition. AFRY Management Consulting is a leading advisor for the transitions of the energy, bioindustry, infrastructure, industrial and future mobility sectors.
Conclusion: let’s only touch the power markets with “fear and trembling”

We thank our partners from Aquila Capital for supporting out show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53652345Mon, 01 May 2023 01:35:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe Power Markets have been created thirty years ago to respond to the Energy Deregulation drive. They have recently faced crisis, such as the Ukraine Russia war or storm Yuri in Texas, with power prices going crazy and creating a lot of financial...Meanwhile, we see the development of renewables that increase the volatility and remove the traditional reference to marginal pricing linked to fossil fuels. How to characterise the problems?
Do power markets need a reform or a revolution? How can flexibility be bolstered? Can a fossil-fuel free system still deliver a marginal price? Are governments too heavy handed?
All those questions are put together and debated with our guest Stephen Woodhouse, Director, AFRY Management Consulting. Stephen has 25 years’ experience in the electricity business and has headed AFRY’s global work on energy market design for many years and is internationally recognised as an expert in energy market reform and the energy transition. AFRY Management Consulting is a leading advisor for the transitions of the energy, bioindustry, infrastructure, industrial and future mobility sectors.
Conclusion: let’s only touch the power markets with “fear and trembling”

We thank our partners from Aquila Capital for supporting out show]]>1883carbon,climate,energycrisis,energymarketsfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comAs more and more infrastructure investors are either considering investing in Batteries, or have already started, we wanted to make a deep dive on how to monetise that new asset class. Because revenues from batteries quite differ from wind and solar. It’s all about flexibility and optionality with a strong layer of digital.
To get a better understanding of this new landscape, we have brought our friend Quentin Draper-Scrimshire to the show. Quentin is a very talented young entrepreneur, fellow podcaster, and the CEO of Modo Energy, the leading data analytics firm focussed on the commercialisation of battery energy storage. Modo Energy's customers include funds, asset owners, utilities, traders, and optimisers in Great Britain. Who will win in the race for maximum returns? Data scientists turned traders or traders turned data scientists.
A wonderful look into the future, which is happening now, pedal to the metal!
https://modo.energy/

And we thank Aquila Capital for their continuous support.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53511620Sat, 15 Apr 2023 01:20:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe Energy Storage Market, namely large-scale batteries, is the fastest growing segment of the Energy transition. Texas, UK, California, and Australia are witnessing phenomenal deployment rates. We are talking about annual growth of 30%-40%. As more...As more and more infrastructure investors are either considering investing in Batteries, or have already started, we wanted to make a deep dive on how to monetise that new asset class. Because revenues from batteries quite differ from wind and solar. It’s all about flexibility and optionality with a strong layer of digital.
To get a better understanding of this new landscape, we have brought our friend Quentin Draper-Scrimshire to the show. Quentin is a very talented young entrepreneur, fellow podcaster, and the CEO of Modo Energy, the leading data analytics firm focussed on the commercialisation of battery energy storage. Modo Energy's customers include funds, asset owners, utilities, traders, and optimisers in Great Britain. Who will win in the race for maximum returns? Data scientists turned traders or traders turned data scientists.
A wonderful look into the future, which is happening now, pedal to the metal!
https://modo.energy/

And we thank Aquila Capital for their continuous support.]]>1731batteries,energymarkets,energystorage,lithium,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWhat will it take to go net Zero? Are we too dependent on weather and unreliable energy sources? Two visions are clashing: it is Elon Musk’s Master Plan 3 vs Bill Gates/Vaclav Smil “We don’t have the tech” or it is just a question of generation: 51 years old vs 67 and 79 years old?
We present a very tough but necessary debate with Doug Houseman, Principal Consultant at 1898 Burns McDonnell (a US Engineering giant), and a keen observer of the Energy Transition. Doug has a plan, and he also comments on the alternative which would be Greta’s plan (That’s where we start to differ). But as Mike Tyson used to say, “Everybody has a plan until he gets punched in the face”.

Are our choices that binary? Doug advocates a nuclear renaissance, massive seawater pumped hydro systems and new transmissions. No mention of decentralized power, exponential deployment of batteries and solar, nor digital.

In a simple summary: are we complexifying a simple model or are we simplifying a complex model? Blue Pill or Red Pill?]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53352758Sat, 01 Apr 2023 02:30:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidCan we really go to Net Zero and keep energy secure and affordable with current policies, or do we need to make hard choices that politicians might not be willing to sustain over the long term? Are the new technologies going to save us or will have to...What will it take to go net Zero? Are we too dependent on weather and unreliable energy sources? Two visions are clashing: it is Elon Musk’s Master Plan 3 vs Bill Gates/Vaclav Smil “We don’t have the tech” or it is just a question of generation: 51 years old vs 67 and 79 years old?
We present a very tough but necessary debate with Doug Houseman, Principal Consultant at 1898 Burns McDonnell (a US Engineering giant), and a keen observer of the Energy Transition. Doug has a plan, and he also comments on the alternative which would be Greta’s plan (That’s where we start to differ). But as Mike Tyson used to say, “Everybody has a plan until he gets punched in the face”.

Are our choices that binary? Doug advocates a nuclear renaissance, massive seawater pumped hydro systems and new transmissions. No mention of decentralized power, exponential deployment of batteries and solar, nor digital.

In a simple summary: are we complexifying a simple model or are we simplifying a complex model? Blue Pill or Red Pill?]]>1896carbon,energystorage,netzero,nuclear,pumpedhydro,transmissionfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comAs the deployment of heat pumps has reached an inflection point in 2022, we wanted to dig deep into the decarbonisation of heating. We wanted to talk about new technologies, economics and government interventions which are sometimes good (ban of new oil and gas boilers, subsidies) sometimes bad (electrons are more taxed than molecules).
This silent revolution needed a voice, and that’s our friend Jan Rosenow. Jan is the European Director of the Regulatory Assistance Project, a global energy think tank working on clean energy. He is also an Honorary Fellow at Oxford University. Jan Rosenow is a global heat pump expert and has tracked heat pump markets around the world. He works with policy makers all over Europe to craft and implement more effective policies to drive the transition.
And of course, we talk about Hydrogen (spoiler alert, not in great terms)
References https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3jIRRzF6d0
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-022-01104-8
https://www.raponline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/RAP_Heat_Pump_Toolkit.pdf


CarbonBrief:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-the-energy-crisis-is-boosting-heat-pumps-in-europe/

debunking myths
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/debunking-heat-pump-myths-dr-jan-rosenow?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via

We thank our friends and partners Aquila Capital, for supporting the show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53148619Wed, 15 Mar 2023 02:10:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid3 million heat pumps were installed in Europe in 2022 (up 38% year on year) with some markets going crazy (Poland went up 120%). The movement is not limited to Europe, as US annual sales rose above 4 million units for the first time in 2022 (more than...As the deployment of heat pumps has reached an inflection point in 2022, we wanted to dig deep into the decarbonisation of heating. We wanted to talk about new technologies, economics and government interventions which are sometimes good (ban of new oil and gas boilers, subsidies) sometimes bad (electrons are more taxed than molecules).
This silent revolution needed a voice, and that’s our friend Jan Rosenow. Jan is the European Director of the Regulatory Assistance Project, a global energy think tank working on clean energy. He is also an Honorary Fellow at Oxford University. Jan Rosenow is a global heat pump expert and has tracked heat pump markets around the world. He works with policy makers all over Europe to craft and implement more effective policies to drive the transition.
And of course, we talk about Hydrogen (spoiler alert, not in great terms)
References https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3jIRRzF6d0
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-022-01104-8
https://www.raponline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/RAP_Heat_Pump_Toolkit.pdf


CarbonBrief:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-the-energy-crisis-is-boosting-heat-pumps-in-europe/

debunking myths
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/debunking-heat-pump-myths-dr-jan-rosenow?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via

We thank our friends and partners Aquila Capital, for supporting the show]]>1896carbon,energytransition,heatpumps,netzerofalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
We needed to bring a real professional on the show, and that’s Özer Ergül. Özer is Group Head of Procurement with Aquila Capital. Prior to joining Aquila Capital, he was Group CPO for Lightsource BP, and started his career at Toyota and then HitachiABB. Özer is also Chair of Supply Chain Sustainably workstream with Solar Power Europe. Last year, Özer supervised a CAPEX of 4bnEUR for a 3.3GW deployment of new renewable capacity in Europe and AsiaPac.

Özer delivers the four golden rules to fix the supply chains problems. More perspiration than inspiration. Very technical but eye opening.

We thank our partner for the episode, Conquest Group, a Paris/Dublin-based alternative asset management firm investing in and operating long-life, high-quality assets in tomorrow’s critical infrastructure for the energy transition on behalf of his clients]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52827899Wed, 01 Mar 2023 03:30:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe supply chains in renewables are a total mess. Security of Supply, Price fluctuations, Technological changes, ESG… Acquiring equipment on time and on budget is becoming a harder challenge by the day. How to fix the supply chain for renewables? We...
We needed to bring a real professional on the show, and that’s Özer Ergül. Özer is Group Head of Procurement with Aquila Capital. Prior to joining Aquila Capital, he was Group CPO for Lightsource BP, and started his career at Toyota and then HitachiABB. Özer is also Chair of Supply Chain Sustainably workstream with Solar Power Europe. Last year, Özer supervised a CAPEX of 4bnEUR for a 3.3GW deployment of new renewable capacity in Europe and AsiaPac.

Özer delivers the four golden rules to fix the supply chains problems. More perspiration than inspiration. Very technical but eye opening.

We thank our partner for the episode, Conquest Group, a Paris/Dublin-based alternative asset management firm investing in and operating long-life, high-quality assets in tomorrow’s critical infrastructure for the energy transition on behalf of his clients]]>1860battery,inflation,solar,supplychain,windfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWith Simon, we analyse the whole supply chain of batteries, from mining (lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite) to refining, down to the Gigafactories.
The battery industry has managed to scale x10 in the past six years and is expected to x8-x10 (depending on who you listen to) in the current decade. That would allow the electrification of the whole transportation sector!
Is there enough raw materials in the ground, are we going to go from one dependency to another? Can lithium be replaced? How is the state of the Nickel market after the 2022 meltdown? Can we create supply chains outside China? What is the impact of the IRA in the US? Will automakers get more involved in mining (we just witnessed the spectacular investment of GM in Thacker Pass)? Is there a new battery technology that would dent the domination of the Li-Ion batteries?
All those questions are so much more in a very lively discussion with Simon.
(We refer to Joe Lowry, that we respect and salute)


---------------
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is an independent price reporting agency (PRA), data and supply chain intelligence provider for the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle industry. We offer subscriptions and strategic advisory services to those in or looking to enter the active lithium-ion battery ecosystem.

---------------
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv0PHIo1zzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW45rCuhIg8&t=17s
https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/
https://events.benchmarkminerals.com/event/da3e1b1f-7c83-4a16-a34d-6b020d09070a/summary
And also, very useful report on the State of Play in the Battery Industry https://www.volta.foundation/annual-battery-report

And don’t forget our “Book of the Year 2022” “Volt Rush” on that topic.---------------
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting the show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52530076Wed, 15 Feb 2023 03:55:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWe discovered Simon Moores, CEO of Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, on YouTube, during a legendary testimony during the US Senate in 2019. Simon just blew our mind, so it had been an ambition for this show to bring him on. And we did. With Simon, we...With Simon, we analyse the whole supply chain of batteries, from mining (lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite) to refining, down to the Gigafactories.
The battery industry has managed to scale x10 in the past six years and is expected to x8-x10 (depending on who you listen to) in the current decade. That would allow the electrification of the whole transportation sector!
Is there enough raw materials in the ground, are we going to go from one dependency to another? Can lithium be replaced? How is the state of the Nickel market after the 2022 meltdown? Can we create supply chains outside China? What is the impact of the IRA in the US? Will automakers get more involved in mining (we just witnessed the spectacular investment of GM in Thacker Pass)? Is there a new battery technology that would dent the domination of the Li-Ion batteries?
All those questions are so much more in a very lively discussion with Simon.
(We refer to Joe Lowry, that we respect and salute)


---------------
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is an independent price reporting agency (PRA), data and supply chain intelligence provider for the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle industry. We offer subscriptions and strategic advisory services to those in or looking to enter the active lithium-ion battery ecosystem.

---------------
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv0PHIo1zzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW45rCuhIg8&t=17s
https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/
https://events.benchmarkminerals.com/event/da3e1b1f-7c83-4a16-a34d-6b020d09070a/summary
And also, very useful report on the State of Play in the Battery Industry https://www.volta.foundation/annual-battery-report

And don’t forget our “Book of the Year 2022” “Volt Rush” on that topic.---------------
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting the show]]>1929battery,cobalt,energystorage,evs,inflationreductionact,lithium,nickel,teslafalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comWhat were the consequences of that turmoil on the PPA markets in terms of prices, tenures, counterparties? Did PPA provide good hedges to sellers and buyers?
We have brought in Luca Pedretti, the COO & Co-Founder of Pexapark to dive into the intricacies of the PPA market. Pexapark is the leading analytic platform of PPAs.
How has the market evolved in recent months and where is it heading? What new thinking and innovative approaches in terms of risk management are bringing solutions and give rise to new opportunities? We also talk about the detrimental haphazard proposals of market reforms by regulators, their lack of trust in the private sector, and their itching attempts to over-regulate with top down one-size-fits-all decisions, soviet style.
But hope is around the corner, and the PPA market will evolve and thrive, but it will be a different market, more on a portfolio basis than on an asset basis, with different tenures and risk management systems.
---------------------------------
Pexapark is a 5-year young, rapidly growing company of 100 enthusiasts providing renewable energy management software and PPA transaction services to investors so that they can independently price, analyse, manage, and transact their production on power markets. Pexapark enabled so far +20 GW of PPAs and its software is run for 1’000s of assets.

Also, if you like more audio content on commodities and energy, check the HC Insider Podcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcgroup-global/

Finally, we thank our partner Aquila Capital, who make this show possible!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52517625Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:50:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidPower Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are private contracts between a producer of renewable energy and consumers. The PPA was developing consistently, mainly driven by Utilities. Then 2022 arrived and we witnessed an unprecedented volatility in PPA markets...What were the consequences of that turmoil on the PPA markets in terms of prices, tenures, counterparties? Did PPA provide good hedges to sellers and buyers?
We have brought in Luca Pedretti, the COO & Co-Founder of Pexapark to dive into the intricacies of the PPA market. Pexapark is the leading analytic platform of PPAs.
How has the market evolved in recent months and where is it heading? What new thinking and innovative approaches in terms of risk management are bringing solutions and give rise to new opportunities? We also talk about the detrimental haphazard proposals of market reforms by regulators, their lack of trust in the private sector, and their itching attempts to over-regulate with top down one-size-fits-all decisions, soviet style.
But hope is around the corner, and the PPA market will evolve and thrive, but it will be a different market, more on a portfolio basis than on an asset basis, with different tenures and risk management systems.
---------------------------------
Pexapark is a 5-year young, rapidly growing company of 100 enthusiasts providing renewable energy management software and PPA transaction services to investors so that they can independently price, analyse, manage, and transact their production on power markets. Pexapark enabled so far +20 GW of PPAs and its software is run for 1’000s of assets.

Also, if you like more audio content on commodities and energy, check the HC Insider Podcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcgroup-global/

Finally, we thank our partner Aquila Capital, who make this show possible!]]>1658energymarkets,ppas,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.comAt the same time, last century thinking has gripped regulators with frantic proposals of price caps and tentative market reforms around nodal pricing. This flurry of activity has only added confusion in the mind of renewables developers, and hence has been stifling investment.
The real solution to a correct pricing of green electrons comes from several forward-thinking energy consumers such as Google and Microsoft who have now decided to target an hourly match of Green Electricity. In order to solve the issue of monitoring space and time, blockchain has come to the rescue under the form of an EnergyTag.
We have brought Simone Accornero, CEO FlexiDAO, a European Start Up in charge of tracking and monitoring those Green Electrons by the hour. FlexiDAO works closely with critical stakeholders to co-create the international standard around energy-related emission compliance.
Thanks to their end-to-end 24/7 Carbon-free Energy platform, companies can quantify and confidently showcase their contribution to society's decarbonization.
Tracking those Green Certificates will allow to price them properly, so renewable developers will know where and when it is valuable to add green electrons on the grid, boosting the incentives to invest in storage (time) and transmission (space).
The Energy timestamps are a genuine innovation in the development of the Energy Transition.

Please check EnergyTag, with our friend Toby Ferenczi. (https://energytag.org/)

Also, as promised, the link to the 8th Energy Storage Summit – London 22 - 23 February 2023 https://storagesummit.solarenergyevents.com/

And we thank Aquila Capital for their support!

MESSAGE FROM FLEXIDAO
“During this interview, Simone Accornero made the statement that international certificates from LATAM were being used on another continent and for the creation of renewable-generated steel. This statement is incorrect and was used to represent a possible future situation if market boundaries are not well defined, not a statement of fact.”]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52425195Mon, 16 Jan 2023 01:55:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidEverybody wants to buy 24/7 green electrons, but until recently, it has proven quite difficult. Most buyers of Green Energy are currently purchasing their electrons on a yearly basis, and furthermore with little regard for the location. At the same...At the same time, last century thinking has gripped regulators with frantic proposals of price caps and tentative market reforms around nodal pricing. This flurry of activity has only added confusion in the mind of renewables developers, and hence has been stifling investment.
The real solution to a correct pricing of green electrons comes from several forward-thinking energy consumers such as Google and Microsoft who have now decided to target an hourly match of Green Electricity. In order to solve the issue of monitoring space and time, blockchain has come to the rescue under the form of an EnergyTag.
We have brought Simone Accornero, CEO FlexiDAO, a European Start Up in charge of tracking and monitoring those Green Electrons by the hour. FlexiDAO works closely with critical stakeholders to co-create the international standard around energy-related emission compliance.
Thanks to their end-to-end 24/7 Carbon-free Energy platform, companies can quantify and confidently showcase their contribution to society's decarbonization.
Tracking those Green Certificates will allow to price them properly, so renewable developers will know where and when it is valuable to add green electrons on the grid, boosting the incentives to invest in storage (time) and transmission (space).
The Energy timestamps are a genuine innovation in the development of the Energy Transition.

Please check EnergyTag, with our friend Toby Ferenczi. (https://energytag.org/)

Also, as promised, the link to the 8th Energy Storage Summit – London 22 - 23 February 2023 https://storagesummit.solarenergyevents.com/

And we thank Aquila Capital for their support!

MESSAGE FROM FLEXIDAO
“During this interview, Simone Accornero made the statement that international certificates from LATAM were being used on another continent and for the creation of renewable-generated steel. This statement is incorrect and was used to represent a possible future situation if market boundaries are not well defined, not a statement of fact.”]]>1835carbon,energytransition,greenpower,netzerofalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
How accurate were our two co-hosts’ predictions for 2022?
1) The Energy Transition is not going to be a smooth ride
2) The Hydro and water crisis
3) The decade of geothermal
4) High Energy Prices
5) Elon Musk out of Tesla
6) Power Market Structure Reform.

Overall, it seems to be another draw. You’ll be the judge.

And here are our new Predictions for 2023
1) Record installation of everything Energy Transition: Solar, Batteries, Heat Pumps, EV
2) Massive consolidation in the EV sector – Toyota will buy Panasonic
3) Volatility in the Energy market is here to stay
4) New alternatives to Li-Ion in Stationary Storage
5) The Energy Transition has no plan, it just goes
6) Nuclear: Westinghouse takes over Europe

We thank our partner Aquila Capital for their continuous support and wish all our listeners a Happy New Year 2023.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52298629Mon, 02 Jan 2023 01:35:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHappy new year 2023 to all our listeners. In this Episode, it is Nostradamus vs. Cassandra all over again: Laurent and Gerard review their 2022 predictions (Episode 65) and look forward to the future. How accurate were our two co-hosts’ predictions...
How accurate were our two co-hosts’ predictions for 2022?
1) The Energy Transition is not going to be a smooth ride
2) The Hydro and water crisis
3) The decade of geothermal
4) High Energy Prices
5) Elon Musk out of Tesla
6) Power Market Structure Reform.

Overall, it seems to be another draw. You’ll be the judge.

And here are our new Predictions for 2023
1) Record installation of everything Energy Transition: Solar, Batteries, Heat Pumps, EV
2) Massive consolidation in the EV sector – Toyota will buy Panasonic
3) Volatility in the Energy market is here to stay
4) New alternatives to Li-Ion in Stationary Storage
5) The Energy Transition has no plan, it just goes
6) Nuclear: Westinghouse takes over Europe

We thank our partner Aquila Capital for their continuous support and wish all our listeners a Happy New Year 2023.]]>18342023,batteries,carbon,climate,energytransition,evs,renewablesfalsefullhttp://www.redefining-energy.com
So many questions for this booming industry and it is just starting: Solar PV capacity is expected to almost treble over the 2022-2027 period, growing by 1.5TW and surpassing coal as the largest source of power capacity worldwide, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). In its “Renewables 2022” report, the IEA expects renewables to grow by 2.4TW over the next five-year period, with an acceleration of installations in the residential and commercial rooftop market globally to help reduce energy bills.

We needed answers; that’s why we brought Finlay Colville on the show. Finlay is Head of Research PV-Tech and Solar Media and the most widely admired expert around the world for his insights. (Especially now that we are wondering about the fate of our Queen of Solar, Jenny Chase, who gave up the Head of Solar at BNEF. Jenny told me she is still active. We send her our love and respect).

Finlay strongly believes that the Solar industry will reach a 1TW capacity in this very decade, which is a total gamechanger than the incumbents are totally oblivious to.

Gerard and Laurent agree 100%. “The incumbent energy industry has literally no idea what’s coming for them”

-------
Find more of Finlay Colville analysis here
https://www.pv-tech.org/
https://www.solarmedia.co.uk/

--------

A warm salute to our friends of Solar Power Europe.
https://www.solarpowereurope.org/

-------

We thank the Green Recruitment Company for supporting the show. The Green Recruitment Company is the leading renewable energy and sustainability staffing company in the world.
With recruiters in Europe, America, China, Australia & Africa, The Green Recruitment Company offers bespoke staffing solutions across solar, wind, green hydrogen, carbon capture, storage, investment & finance, and much more.
https://www.greenrecruitmentcompany.com/

--------------------
Don't forget our excellent weekly sister show: Redefining Energy MINUTES
Applepodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/redefining-energy-minutes/id1605111087
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mx29RlfrabGS6QErA8UD8


-------------------------------------------------------
Merry Christmas to all our listeners. See you on the 2nd January 2023 for our traditional previsions. (Gerard thinks he has won)]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52132117Thu, 15 Dec 2022 03:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAnother year of explosive growth for the Solar Industry: production above 300GW, +45% yoy. What’s behind this staggering growth? How are the supply chain evolving? What are the “Fab four” and what new technology are they pursuing? Why are the prices...
So many questions for this booming industry and it is just starting: Solar PV capacity is expected to almost treble over the 2022-2027 period, growing by 1.5TW and surpassing coal as the largest source of power capacity worldwide, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). In its “Renewables 2022” report, the IEA expects renewables to grow by 2.4TW over the next five-year period, with an acceleration of installations in the residential and commercial rooftop market globally to help reduce energy bills.

We needed answers; that’s why we brought Finlay Colville on the show. Finlay is Head of Research PV-Tech and Solar Media and the most widely admired expert around the world for his insights. (Especially now that we are wondering about the fate of our Queen of Solar, Jenny Chase, who gave up the Head of Solar at BNEF. Jenny told me she is still active. We send her our love and respect).

Finlay strongly believes that the Solar industry will reach a 1TW capacity in this very decade, which is a total gamechanger than the incumbents are totally oblivious to.

Gerard and Laurent agree 100%. “The incumbent energy industry has literally no idea what’s coming for them”

-------
Find more of Finlay Colville analysis here
https://www.pv-tech.org/
https://www.solarmedia.co.uk/

--------

A warm salute to our friends of Solar Power Europe.
https://www.solarpowereurope.org/

-------

We thank the Green Recruitment Company for supporting the show. The Green Recruitment Company is the leading renewable energy and sustainability staffing company in the world.
With recruiters in Europe, America, China, Australia & Africa, The Green Recruitment Company offers bespoke staffing solutions across solar, wind, green hydrogen, carbon capture, storage, investment & finance, and much more.
https://www.greenrecruitmentcompany.com/

--------------------
Don't forget our excellent weekly sister show: Redefining Energy MINUTES
Applepodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/redefining-energy-minutes/id1605111087
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mx29RlfrabGS6QErA8UD8


-------------------------------------------------------
Merry Christmas to all our listeners. See you on the 2nd January 2023 for our traditional previsions. (Gerard thinks he has won)]]>1877carbon,energytransition,esg,solarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/87-inflection-point-for-biogas-biomethane-dec22--51927381
Biogas can basically be made from any organic material, so the three big sectors are: 1) agricultural wastes (manures and slurries, crop residues) 2) food waste (from the processed food industry or food manufacturing, but also from supermarkets and households) 3) waste water. Biogas only contains 50%-60% methane; it can be upgraded to produce “biomethane” by removing the CO2 and other impurities.

Recent massive deals have made the headlines (BP acquisition of Archaea, Shell of Nature Energy, Macquarie of BayWa biogas, Nextera of Energy Power Partners) and more big players are committing capital to this industry: (TotalEnergies, Marubeni). Overall, the industry could x10 this decade.

To discuss the future of biogas/biomethane, we bring on Chris Huhne, UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary from 2010 to 2012, one of the founding fathers of CFDs in the Renewable Energy Industry and currently Chair of ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association).

We review the challenge of technological standardisation, government incentives, and feedstock supply chains.

Will biogas solve the energy transition on its own? Certainly not. Will it be an important part of the solution? Definitely.

We thank our long-time partners Aquila Capital]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51927381Thu, 01 Dec 2022 03:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe biogas/biomethane industry is now one of the promising segments of the Energy Transition: security of supply, renewables sources, local jobs, round the clock dispatchability; the industry ticks all boxes. Biogas can basically be made from any...
Biogas can basically be made from any organic material, so the three big sectors are: 1) agricultural wastes (manures and slurries, crop residues) 2) food waste (from the processed food industry or food manufacturing, but also from supermarkets and households) 3) waste water. Biogas only contains 50%-60% methane; it can be upgraded to produce “biomethane” by removing the CO2 and other impurities.

Recent massive deals have made the headlines (BP acquisition of Archaea, Shell of Nature Energy, Macquarie of BayWa biogas, Nextera of Energy Power Partners) and more big players are committing capital to this industry: (TotalEnergies, Marubeni). Overall, the industry could x10 this decade.

To discuss the future of biogas/biomethane, we bring on Chris Huhne, UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary from 2010 to 2012, one of the founding fathers of CFDs in the Renewable Energy Industry and currently Chair of ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association).

We review the challenge of technological standardisation, government incentives, and feedstock supply chains.

Will biogas solve the energy transition on its own? Certainly not. Will it be an important part of the solution? Definitely.

We thank our long-time partners Aquila Capital]]>1856biogas,biomethane,carbon,energytransition,renewablesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/86-the-politics-of-energy-infrastructure-nov22--51862202
Politics are always in the background, and the recent US Midterms elections have signaled the end of a full Democrat Congress which has been very active in financing infrastructures and the energy transition.

To discuss Energy infrastructure in the context of divisive national politics and tense geopolitics, we have invited one of the savviest US Energy regulators of recent years: Neil Chatterjee. Neil is an American lawyer, political advisor, and government official who was Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from 2017 until he was removed from the position by President Donald Trump in November 2020 for his “pro-climate” positions.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the United States federal agency that regulates the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce and regulates the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce. FERC also reviews proposals to build interstate natural gas pipelines, natural gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, in addition to licensing non-federal hydropower projects.

At FERC, Neil approved several key infrastructures such as Liquified Natural Gas Export terminals, and passed the landmark Order 2222, unlocking the development of Distributed Energy Resources (mini grids, VPP, batteries).

With Neil, we discuss the US investments prospects in the wake of the US Midterms, the Inflation Reduction Act, the conundrum of Permitting and more generally how Energy flows are constantly being restructured.

We thank our new sponsor, The Green Recruitment Company, the leading renewable energy and sustainability staffing company in the world.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51862202Tue, 15 Nov 2022 03:20:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGeopolitics and Climate disasters have shown how fragile Energy flows and infrastructures have become. Moving electrons or molecules is becoming an ever-greater challenge in the drive to decarbonisation, affordability, and security of supply....
Politics are always in the background, and the recent US Midterms elections have signaled the end of a full Democrat Congress which has been very active in financing infrastructures and the energy transition.

To discuss Energy infrastructure in the context of divisive national politics and tense geopolitics, we have invited one of the savviest US Energy regulators of recent years: Neil Chatterjee. Neil is an American lawyer, political advisor, and government official who was Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from 2017 until he was removed from the position by President Donald Trump in November 2020 for his “pro-climate” positions.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the United States federal agency that regulates the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce and regulates the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce. FERC also reviews proposals to build interstate natural gas pipelines, natural gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, in addition to licensing non-federal hydropower projects.

At FERC, Neil approved several key infrastructures such as Liquified Natural Gas Export terminals, and passed the landmark Order 2222, unlocking the development of Distributed Energy Resources (mini grids, VPP, batteries).

With Neil, we discuss the US investments prospects in the wake of the US Midterms, the Inflation Reduction Act, the conundrum of Permitting and more generally how Energy flows are constantly being restructured.

We thank our new sponsor, The Green Recruitment Company, the leading renewable energy and sustainability staffing company in the world.]]>1771carbon,climate,energy,ferc,inflationreductionact,infrastructurefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/85-energy-trading-the-lehman-moment-nov22--51691472
How did we get there? Are the Energy markets the culprits or just the symptoms? Are they beyond repairs or can they be reformed? Do they even need to be reformed? As Regulators are coming up with new ideas every week, we bring on the show the legendary Energy Trader Pierre Andurand.

From Goldman Sachs whizz kid to now managing one of the best performing Energy funds on the planet, Pierre Andurand is one of the most successful Energy Trader since the retirement of John Arnold in 2012. Pierre shares with us a clear vision backed by stellar financial returns (consistently above 50% per annum the past 3 years, and above 30% over his 20-year career).

Pierre delivers a masterclass in Energy switching (Oil, Gas, Renewables, Nuclear), talk about elasticity of demand and the impacts of volatility on the transition; for Gerard and Laurent, it is equivalent of having a private tennis lesson with Roger Federer.

Did we have Lehman moments? definitely. Is the worse behind us? quite likely. And how do we see the future? Pretty rosy.

We thank Aquila Capital for their support]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51691472Tue, 01 Nov 2022 02:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe war in Ukraine has triggered a dislocation of Energy markets, especially in Europe. This has led to a point a few months ago when governments had to bail out all Utilities which were caught on the wrong side of Energy Trades. Trillions of...
How did we get there? Are the Energy markets the culprits or just the symptoms? Are they beyond repairs or can they be reformed? Do they even need to be reformed? As Regulators are coming up with new ideas every week, we bring on the show the legendary Energy Trader Pierre Andurand.

From Goldman Sachs whizz kid to now managing one of the best performing Energy funds on the planet, Pierre Andurand is one of the most successful Energy Trader since the retirement of John Arnold in 2012. Pierre shares with us a clear vision backed by stellar financial returns (consistently above 50% per annum the past 3 years, and above 30% over his 20-year career).

Pierre delivers a masterclass in Energy switching (Oil, Gas, Renewables, Nuclear), talk about elasticity of demand and the impacts of volatility on the transition; for Gerard and Laurent, it is equivalent of having a private tennis lesson with Roger Federer.

Did we have Lehman moments? definitely. Is the worse behind us? quite likely. And how do we see the future? Pretty rosy.

We thank Aquila Capital for their support]]>1919climate,energy,energymarkets,energytransitionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/84-floating-offshore-wind-oct22--51521450
Offshore Wind is now a technology considered all around the world. However, there is a little problem: the fixed bottom Offshore Industry has benefited from a unique feature of the North Sea, i.e. shallow waters (less than 70m). And if you find great wind resources offshore in a lot of places, the seabed is generally much deeper, in fact too deep for fixed bottom.

Hence, some of the North Sea pioneers have been trying to crack the code of floating offshore wind. A milestone was hit when, in March 2022, Scotland awarded 15GW of seabed for floating. No more experimentation, the race is on.

To talk about this new technology, its promises as well as its challenges, we have invited Stephen Bull, EVP Renewables at Aker Solutions, the Norwegian Engineering giant. Within its offshore wind division, Aker has developed a specific competence relating to foundations, transmission, marine operations, dynamic cable, mooring systems, and subsea power solutions.

Stephen Bull is also Chair of Renewable UK and one the founding father of the offshore wind industry in the UK when he was at Equinor leading the development of Dogger Bank, the largest offshore wind park in the world.

With plans to multiply offshore wind by a factor 10 in the coming decades, and floating being a key technology, Gerard and Laurent are having a great conversation on how to unlock the floating potential, and also discover how “concrete is the unsung hero of floating OSW”.

This episode is produced in partnership with WindEurope
https://windeurope.org/


We thank our partner Aquila Capital
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51521450Sat, 15 Oct 2022 01:55:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidOffshore Wind was one of the great development successes of the past decade, growing in 10 years from a few pilot projects to a real industry. Two zones have been at the fore front: the North Sea (with 30GW as of 2021) and China (with +20GW). Better...
Offshore Wind is now a technology considered all around the world. However, there is a little problem: the fixed bottom Offshore Industry has benefited from a unique feature of the North Sea, i.e. shallow waters (less than 70m). And if you find great wind resources offshore in a lot of places, the seabed is generally much deeper, in fact too deep for fixed bottom.

Hence, some of the North Sea pioneers have been trying to crack the code of floating offshore wind. A milestone was hit when, in March 2022, Scotland awarded 15GW of seabed for floating. No more experimentation, the race is on.

To talk about this new technology, its promises as well as its challenges, we have invited Stephen Bull, EVP Renewables at Aker Solutions, the Norwegian Engineering giant. Within its offshore wind division, Aker has developed a specific competence relating to foundations, transmission, marine operations, dynamic cable, mooring systems, and subsea power solutions.

Stephen Bull is also Chair of Renewable UK and one the founding father of the offshore wind industry in the UK when he was at Equinor leading the development of Dogger Bank, the largest offshore wind park in the world.

With plans to multiply offshore wind by a factor 10 in the coming decades, and floating being a key technology, Gerard and Laurent are having a great conversation on how to unlock the floating potential, and also discover how “concrete is the unsung hero of floating OSW”.

This episode is produced in partnership with WindEurope
https://windeurope.org/


We thank our partner Aquila Capital
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1811climate,energytransition,offshorewind,renewables,windfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/83-the-rising-tide-of-electric-shipping-oct22--51356264
While a lot of talks are centered around hydrogen or ammonia, it is once again the batteries that are making the difference. Namely, advances in batteries and the genuine advantages of electric propulsion vs fuel propulsion are now creating a perfect technical and economic launchpad for a massive decarbonisation of shipping.

Of course, we will start with short distance trips, like for ferries, tugboats, fishing, but the technology has developed so fast in recent years that the possibilities seem much wider. UC Berkeley models that – by the end of the decade – 40% of routes could be electrified without subsidies, not even taking into accounts environmental benefits.
To discuss the electrification of shipping, we have invited Geir Bjørkeli, CEO Corvus Energy to have a conversation about the technical options around the electrification of shipping. Corvus Energy is the leading provider of zero-emission solutions for the ocean space. Corvus Energy’s full product portfolio covers batteries for all types of vessels: Lightweight batteries for tourist and fast passenger crafts, large battery systems for cruise and ro-pax and batteries with high cycling capability for ferries and offshore. Corvus Energy has unsurpassed experience from 600 projects, totaling over 500 MWh and more than 4 million operating hours.
Gerard and Laurent’s big surprise is that we are not talking about massive government subsidies, the economics of expensive fuel and maintenance costs are doing the heavy lifting. Great story!

We thank our partner AQUILA CAPITAL

Reference: UC Berkeley study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-022-01065-y]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51356264Sat, 01 Oct 2022 03:50:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidDecarbonising the shipping industry seemed very aspirational until recently. Lofty goals are out there: “The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set an ambition to reduce the carbon intensity of emissions from shipping by at least 40% by...
While a lot of talks are centered around hydrogen or ammonia, it is once again the batteries that are making the difference. Namely, advances in batteries and the genuine advantages of electric propulsion vs fuel propulsion are now creating a perfect technical and economic launchpad for a massive decarbonisation of shipping.

Of course, we will start with short distance trips, like for ferries, tugboats, fishing, but the technology has developed so fast in recent years that the possibilities seem much wider. UC Berkeley models that – by the end of the decade – 40% of routes could be electrified without subsidies, not even taking into accounts environmental benefits.
To discuss the electrification of shipping, we have invited Geir Bjørkeli, CEO Corvus Energy to have a conversation about the technical options around the electrification of shipping. Corvus Energy is the leading provider of zero-emission solutions for the ocean space. Corvus Energy’s full product portfolio covers batteries for all types of vessels: Lightweight batteries for tourist and fast passenger crafts, large battery systems for cruise and ro-pax and batteries with high cycling capability for ferries and offshore. Corvus Energy has unsurpassed experience from 600 projects, totaling over 500 MWh and more than 4 million operating hours.
Gerard and Laurent’s big surprise is that we are not talking about massive government subsidies, the economics of expensive fuel and maintenance costs are doing the heavy lifting. Great story!

We thank our partner AQUILA CAPITAL

Reference: UC Berkeley study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-022-01065-y]]>1620batteries,climate,decarbonisation,electricshipping,marinefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/82-the-new-carbon-markets-sep22--51170284Some markets are of a “compliance” type - like in Europe - heavily regulated but limited in geography and scope; but there is limited prospect for an overall Cap & Trade worldwide as carbon markets were ignored in the US IRA - the largest Climate bill ever.
So, what happens when a sector or a company is not covered by those compliance markets but still have pledged a net-zero or carbon-neutrality (whatever that means)? Well, that’s where the “voluntary market” steps in.
Re-born on the ashes of the Kyoto Protocol, projects such as forestry, carbon avoidance and removal are developed and get rewarded for their environmental benefits. That’s not THE solution to climate change, but that could be one of several.
The current voluntary market has quadrupled its size in the last 3 years to 2bnUSD and is expected to reach 50bnUSD by the end of the decade. Still small, compared to a 10bnUSD/day on the oil market… but we need all the help available on our road to a +1.5C world.
Unfortunately, we have immediately witnessed a lot of gaming and greenwashing around the issue of carbon credits. Only horror stories make it to the media, not the great projects (and there are a lot); the former must be banned, the latter promoted and rewarded.
Around Mark Carney, former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, a group of scientists, NGOs, Industries have coalesced into the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Market to create a quality benchmark, and make sure that the carbon credits proposed to corporations on their way to net-zero are sound.
We bring Annette Nazareth, chair of the Integrity Council to discuss about the goal, talk about horror stories and how the ICVCM, in full openness, is establishing rules for a robust market.
(we’re sorry if sometimes the sound quality is not perfect)
-------------------
References:
https://icvcm.org/public-consultation/
https://vcmintegrity.org/
https://trove-research.com/
Alessandro Vitelli
Mark Lewis
https://www.ieta.org/
https://verra.org/
---------------------

We thank Aquila Capital for their continuous support]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51170284Thu, 15 Sep 2022 02:50:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidIn the past two years, we’ve seen a remarkable renaissance of the carbon markets. Some markets are of a “compliance” type - like in Europe - heavily regulated but limited in geography and scope; but there is limited prospect for an overall Cap &...Some markets are of a “compliance” type - like in Europe - heavily regulated but limited in geography and scope; but there is limited prospect for an overall Cap & Trade worldwide as carbon markets were ignored in the US IRA - the largest Climate bill ever.
So, what happens when a sector or a company is not covered by those compliance markets but still have pledged a net-zero or carbon-neutrality (whatever that means)? Well, that’s where the “voluntary market” steps in.
Re-born on the ashes of the Kyoto Protocol, projects such as forestry, carbon avoidance and removal are developed and get rewarded for their environmental benefits. That’s not THE solution to climate change, but that could be one of several.
The current voluntary market has quadrupled its size in the last 3 years to 2bnUSD and is expected to reach 50bnUSD by the end of the decade. Still small, compared to a 10bnUSD/day on the oil market… but we need all the help available on our road to a +1.5C world.
Unfortunately, we have immediately witnessed a lot of gaming and greenwashing around the issue of carbon credits. Only horror stories make it to the media, not the great projects (and there are a lot); the former must be banned, the latter promoted and rewarded.
Around Mark Carney, former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, a group of scientists, NGOs, Industries have coalesced into the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Market to create a quality benchmark, and make sure that the carbon credits proposed to corporations on their way to net-zero are sound.
We bring Annette Nazareth, chair of the Integrity Council to discuss about the goal, talk about horror stories and how the ICVCM, in full openness, is establishing rules for a robust market.
(we’re sorry if sometimes the sound quality is not perfect)
-------------------
References:
https://icvcm.org/public-consultation/
https://vcmintegrity.org/
https://trove-research.com/
Alessandro Vitelli
Mark Lewis
https://www.ieta.org/
https://verra.org/
---------------------

We thank Aquila Capital for their continuous support]]>1839carbon,climate,cop27,crypto,energytransitionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/81-nuclear-industry-at-the-crossroads-sep22--50960654Nevertheless, when the current nuclear fleet is either forcefully closed (like in Germany) or becomes unreliable (like in France or Japan) or uneconomic (like in the USA), we see emissions going up, the restart of old coal plants, and a reduction of energy security at enormous cost (If EDF was producing as much as 12 years ago, Europe would yearly get 150TWh of carbon free power, equivalent to 250TWh of natural gas, or more than 50bnEUR ANNUALLY at current price level).
Despite all the flaws of the nuclear industry, the opinion seems to be shifting in its favour; not because of “net zero”, but because of security of supply and crazy fossil fuel prices. The best example of this is the recent U-turn of Japan and South Korea towards Nuclear.

The nuclear industry is at the crossroads between oblivion and reboot.
We wanted to go beyond that “There is no alternative” message and dig deep into the industry’s challenges, pipe dreams but also real and exciting prospects, such as SMR (Small Modular Reactors) and other innovations. We also wanted to talk geopolitics and the role of Russia in the supply chain.
And there is no better guest than Boris Schucht, CEO of Urenco, to have an open debate on the pod. The Urenco Group is a British-German-Dutch nuclear fuel consortium operating several uranium enrichment-plants in Germany, the Netherlands, United States, and United Kingdom. It supplies nuclear power stations in about 15 countries, and has a 29% share of the global market for enrichment services in 2011
Albert Einstein said that the definition of stupidity is doing the same mistakes all over again while expecting a different outcome. We all would wish that nuclear plays a bigger role, from a climate and security of supply perspectives, but the industry needs to put its act together and deliver results rather than false promises.

Link to Michael Barnard's piece on SMR
https://illuminem.com/energyvoices/c1f245f8-d201-498e-9e85-8592095ae2ac

We thank our partner Aquila Capital for their support]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50960654Thu, 01 Sep 2022 02:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidTalking about nuclear is tough. In the left corner, a besieged and opaque industry only delivering carefully crafted talking points; and in the right corner, most of the energy economists and financiers that are ignoring promises never met. One can’t...Nevertheless, when the current nuclear fleet is either forcefully closed (like in Germany) or becomes unreliable (like in France or Japan) or uneconomic (like in the USA), we see emissions going up, the restart of old coal plants, and a reduction of energy security at enormous cost (If EDF was producing as much as 12 years ago, Europe would yearly get 150TWh of carbon free power, equivalent to 250TWh of natural gas, or more than 50bnEUR ANNUALLY at current price level).
Despite all the flaws of the nuclear industry, the opinion seems to be shifting in its favour; not because of “net zero”, but because of security of supply and crazy fossil fuel prices. The best example of this is the recent U-turn of Japan and South Korea towards Nuclear.

The nuclear industry is at the crossroads between oblivion and reboot.
We wanted to go beyond that “There is no alternative” message and dig deep into the industry’s challenges, pipe dreams but also real and exciting prospects, such as SMR (Small Modular Reactors) and other innovations. We also wanted to talk geopolitics and the role of Russia in the supply chain.
And there is no better guest than Boris Schucht, CEO of Urenco, to have an open debate on the pod. The Urenco Group is a British-German-Dutch nuclear fuel consortium operating several uranium enrichment-plants in Germany, the Netherlands, United States, and United Kingdom. It supplies nuclear power stations in about 15 countries, and has a 29% share of the global market for enrichment services in 2011
Albert Einstein said that the definition of stupidity is doing the same mistakes all over again while expecting a different outcome. We all would wish that nuclear plays a bigger role, from a climate and security of supply perspectives, but the industry needs to put its act together and deliver results rather than false promises.

Link to Michael Barnard's piece on SMR
https://illuminem.com/energyvoices/c1f245f8-d201-498e-9e85-8592095ae2ac

We thank our partner Aquila Capital for their support]]>1977carbon,climate,energytransition,nuclearfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/80-solar-rooftop-the-foot-soldiers-of-the-energy-transition-aug22--50813284
There is a lot of media around Utility solar, but the real solar revolution is happening one rooftop at the time. In China, the EU and Australia, Rooftop and C&I account for more than 60% of all solar installations (In the US, it’s only 30%). No need to restructure the Distribution network: it’s energy at the point of need.

So, we wanted to do an episode on Rooftop solar, because on one hand, very intelligent people in think-tanks and governments write reports after white papers about decarbonisation, on the other hand, entrepreneurs and industrialists are every day executing the energy transition by installing on-site solar power.

These are the foot soldiers of the energy transition, and they deserve their place in the sun (so to speak).

Hence, we have invited Thomas Kercher the CEO of Febesol, a fast-growing German rooftop solar installer to discuss the nitty-gritty of residential solar.
What are the motivations of his clients? How are the technologies evolving? What does the software look like? How easy it is to get permitting? and most important, what is the Human Resources aspect?
We also discuss the integration of solar into smart home, EV Charger, Batteries, Heat pumps as citizens are looking for lower costs, autonomy, and a new meaning of freedom from bureaucratic and unreliable global systems.

We salute OTOVO, great platform, for providing excellent data.

Great thanks to our partner DLA Piper.

The energy transition is coming; it is not a top-down, it’s a bottom-up.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50813284Tue, 16 Aug 2022 02:55:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThis episode is done in partnership with SolarPower Europe. There is a lot of media around Utility solar, but the real solar revolution is happening one rooftop at the time. In China, the EU and Australia, Rooftop and C&I account for more than 60%...
There is a lot of media around Utility solar, but the real solar revolution is happening one rooftop at the time. In China, the EU and Australia, Rooftop and C&I account for more than 60% of all solar installations (In the US, it’s only 30%). No need to restructure the Distribution network: it’s energy at the point of need.

So, we wanted to do an episode on Rooftop solar, because on one hand, very intelligent people in think-tanks and governments write reports after white papers about decarbonisation, on the other hand, entrepreneurs and industrialists are every day executing the energy transition by installing on-site solar power.

These are the foot soldiers of the energy transition, and they deserve their place in the sun (so to speak).

Hence, we have invited Thomas Kercher the CEO of Febesol, a fast-growing German rooftop solar installer to discuss the nitty-gritty of residential solar.
What are the motivations of his clients? How are the technologies evolving? What does the software look like? How easy it is to get permitting? and most important, what is the Human Resources aspect?
We also discuss the integration of solar into smart home, EV Charger, Batteries, Heat pumps as citizens are looking for lower costs, autonomy, and a new meaning of freedom from bureaucratic and unreliable global systems.

We salute OTOVO, great platform, for providing excellent data.

Great thanks to our partner DLA Piper.

The energy transition is coming; it is not a top-down, it’s a bottom-up.]]>1564energytransition,solarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/79-the-best-kept-secret-not-for-long-energy-efficiency-aug22--50279349But the whole sector is undertaking a quiet revolution: with the price explosion of retail energy, efficiency is now on everyone’s desk.
In the US, Sunrun has managed to securitise portfolios of rooftop solar using techniques of the mortgage industry. The same techniques are now arriving in Europe, even if it’s more complex because Europe doesn’t have the equivalent of the American FICO score which was introduced 35 years ago and has proven so seminal in the growth of personal lending.
Nevertheless, pioneer utility and distributors like Octopus in the UK or Thermondo in Germany are integrating supply chains and providing financing for a seamless service.
We have the pleasure to receive Alex Betts, fund manager Energy Efficiency at Aquila Capital. We like Aquila because they have a robust methodical approach of EE. We discuss the challenges but also the prospects of EE investment.

We thank our partner DLA Piper for supporting our show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50279349Mon, 01 Aug 2022 03:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidEnergy Efficiency is not sexy, it’s under the radar, hard to invest in. We are talking about small unit amounts, with aggregation problems, credit problems, standardisation problems. But the whole sector is undertaking a quiet revolution: with the...But the whole sector is undertaking a quiet revolution: with the price explosion of retail energy, efficiency is now on everyone’s desk.
In the US, Sunrun has managed to securitise portfolios of rooftop solar using techniques of the mortgage industry. The same techniques are now arriving in Europe, even if it’s more complex because Europe doesn’t have the equivalent of the American FICO score which was introduced 35 years ago and has proven so seminal in the growth of personal lending.
Nevertheless, pioneer utility and distributors like Octopus in the UK or Thermondo in Germany are integrating supply chains and providing financing for a seamless service.
We have the pleasure to receive Alex Betts, fund manager Energy Efficiency at Aquila Capital. We like Aquila because they have a robust methodical approach of EE. We discuss the challenges but also the prospects of EE investment.

We thank our partner DLA Piper for supporting our show]]>1423carbon,climate,energyefficency,energytransition,heatingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/78-batterytech-vcs-spacs-there-will-be-blood-jul22--50506889
Where are the successes and where are the pitfalls? You need to be a great financier but also a fantastic scientist to figure out which will be the winning opportunities in the maze of projects floating around.

That’s why we have invited Jeff Chamberlain, CEO of Volta Energy Technologies (a 400mUSD Venture Capital fund) to discuss all the new innovations out there, including solid-state batteries. Jeff Chamberlain launched Volta Energy Technologies (https://volta.vc/ ) from Argonne National Laboratory in 2016. Volta’s investment scope includes batteries, storage, and all the associated technology required to reduce cost and integrate batteries into vehicles and the grid across a spectrum of innovation that includes materials production, batteries, fast-charge tech, power electronics, management software, and recycling. Jeff and his team leverage all their knowledge and experience not only in batteries but also more generally in technology commercialization, physics, engineering, and investing to source, diligence, underwrite, and manage their investments.

We talk about the difficulties of scaling and the need to integrate innovations into the current industrial infrastructure and supply chains, not try to compete against them. The debate doesn’t not avoid “controversial” companies such as Quantum Scape and Energy Vault.

In conclusion, Batterytech is a fantastic field of investing, but there are Zombies out there, not only in VCs but also in public markets under the form of SPACs.
There will be blood.

A great thanks to our partner Aquila Capital]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50506889Fri, 15 Jul 2022 03:50:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe future of storage is so bright that investing in in the vertical and its adjacencies is the opportunity of a lifetime. At the same time, buyer beware - there are many Theranos-like investment opportunities lurking out there in our vertical....
Where are the successes and where are the pitfalls? You need to be a great financier but also a fantastic scientist to figure out which will be the winning opportunities in the maze of projects floating around.

That’s why we have invited Jeff Chamberlain, CEO of Volta Energy Technologies (a 400mUSD Venture Capital fund) to discuss all the new innovations out there, including solid-state batteries. Jeff Chamberlain launched Volta Energy Technologies (https://volta.vc/ ) from Argonne National Laboratory in 2016. Volta’s investment scope includes batteries, storage, and all the associated technology required to reduce cost and integrate batteries into vehicles and the grid across a spectrum of innovation that includes materials production, batteries, fast-charge tech, power electronics, management software, and recycling. Jeff and his team leverage all their knowledge and experience not only in batteries but also more generally in technology commercialization, physics, engineering, and investing to source, diligence, underwrite, and manage their investments.

We talk about the difficulties of scaling and the need to integrate innovations into the current industrial infrastructure and supply chains, not try to compete against them. The debate doesn’t not avoid “controversial” companies such as Quantum Scape and Energy Vault.

In conclusion, Batterytech is a fantastic field of investing, but there are Zombies out there, not only in VCs but also in public markets under the form of SPACs.
There will be blood.

A great thanks to our partner Aquila Capital]]>1641batteries,energystorage,energytransition,spacs,venturecapitalfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/77-subsea-interconnectors-jul22--50279164
How are those projects being developed? What are their revenue models? What are the technical options? What does the future look like as pharaonic projects liking continents are now being considered? Gerard and Laurent provide an in-depth view into the beauty and sophistication of those projects with the “captain Nemo” of interconnectors, Simon Ludlam.

Simon, a former investment banker, is the founding partner of Etchea Energy which currently provides the Management Team to the Irish MaresConnect interconnector project. Etchea Energy previously provided Project Director services to the €500m Greenlink Interconnector where it was successful in introducing Cap & Floor regulation in Ireland, securing PCI status for the project, and raising equity finance for the construction phase. Prior to Greenlink, Simon originated and led the development of the €600m ElecLink interconnector project through the Channel Tunnel.

We thank our friend and partner Aquila Capital for supporting the show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50279164Fri, 01 Jul 2022 04:40:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSubsea interconnectors are a very discreet sector, it entails decade-long developments…but are developing fast and have become critical to increasing renewables penetration and enhancing energy security. They were originally developed around the North...
How are those projects being developed? What are their revenue models? What are the technical options? What does the future look like as pharaonic projects liking continents are now being considered? Gerard and Laurent provide an in-depth view into the beauty and sophistication of those projects with the “captain Nemo” of interconnectors, Simon Ludlam.

Simon, a former investment banker, is the founding partner of Etchea Energy which currently provides the Management Team to the Irish MaresConnect interconnector project. Etchea Energy previously provided Project Director services to the €500m Greenlink Interconnector where it was successful in introducing Cap & Floor regulation in Ireland, securing PCI status for the project, and raising equity finance for the construction phase. Prior to Greenlink, Simon originated and led the development of the €600m ElecLink interconnector project through the Channel Tunnel.

We thank our friend and partner Aquila Capital for supporting the show]]>1809carbon,climate,energytransition,hvdc,powernetworks,renewables,transmissionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/76-battery-swapping-for-two-wheelers-gogoro-jun22--50023585Execution has been performed the “hard way”, as the initial digital platform has morphed into a hardware company, designing batteries, manufacturing electric scooters, and operating swapping stations.
Fast forward ten years, Gogoro has built the world’s leading battery swapping network and best-in-class electric two-wheelers, and is now listed on the NASDAQ with a market cap above 1bnUSD.
We have the pleasure of welcoming Horace Luke to discuss the challenges and opportunities of battery swapping for two-wheelers. And learn the benefits of the “hard way”.

We thank our partner DLA Piper]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50023585Wed, 15 Jun 2022 03:05:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAfter the fiasco of “Better place” in 2013, a much-hyped Israeli start up that proposed battery swapping for cars, everybody thought that the concept of battery swapping was dead. Against all odds, an exceptional Hong Kong Chinese American...Execution has been performed the “hard way”, as the initial digital platform has morphed into a hardware company, designing batteries, manufacturing electric scooters, and operating swapping stations.
Fast forward ten years, Gogoro has built the world’s leading battery swapping network and best-in-class electric two-wheelers, and is now listed on the NASDAQ with a market cap above 1bnUSD.
We have the pleasure of welcoming Horace Luke to discuss the challenges and opportunities of battery swapping for two-wheelers. And learn the benefits of the “hard way”.

We thank our partner DLA Piper]]>1750batteries,e-mobiliy,energystorage,energytransition,evs,gogorofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/75-lithium-white-gold-rush-or-the-limiting-factor-jun22--49878462
The supply has significantly gone up multiple fold in the past seven years, up to 500,000t/y in 2022; still, demand is expected – according to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence – to grow another four to five-fold this decade.

The shortage of Lithium – whether real or perceived -, has triggered a spectacular rise in the price of materials over the past two years. Spot prices of Lithium have gone up six-fold since 2020. And Lithium is not alone: Nickel, Cobalt, Graphite, every battery material has gone up. Basically, in 2020 you had 2,000USD of material in a Tesla battery, now it is closer to 6,000USD.
Are we going to run out of Lithium? Are they new places to mine, new players, new technologies which could come to the rescue?
We have invited Alex Grant, Principal at Jade Cove Partners, to assess all those challenges.
We call Alex the “Indiana Jones of Lithium and Battery materials”. Forbes 30 under 30, research affiliate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alex has an M.S. from Northwestern University in Chemical Engineering and tracks 70 different Lithium Extraction Technologies. Finally, he has a cool Twitter handle: @big_lithium. So, he is the man to interview!
We also have inserted an excerpt from Elon Musk conversation in the FT “Future of cars” that was held in May 2022 where Tesla’s CEO shares his views on the Lithium supply chain.

A salute to our main sources of knowledge in Lithium: Simon Moores at Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, and of course Joe Lowry aka “Mr Lithium”. Check them on LinkedIn

And thanks again and again to our partner Aquila Capital]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49878462Wed, 01 Jun 2022 03:05:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidElon Musk calls Lithium supply the “limiting factor” for electric vehicle adoption globally. Lithium is the key material for the Energy Transition and is currently enjoying a “white gold” rush. The supply has significantly gone up multiple fold in...
The supply has significantly gone up multiple fold in the past seven years, up to 500,000t/y in 2022; still, demand is expected – according to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence – to grow another four to five-fold this decade.

The shortage of Lithium – whether real or perceived -, has triggered a spectacular rise in the price of materials over the past two years. Spot prices of Lithium have gone up six-fold since 2020. And Lithium is not alone: Nickel, Cobalt, Graphite, every battery material has gone up. Basically, in 2020 you had 2,000USD of material in a Tesla battery, now it is closer to 6,000USD.
Are we going to run out of Lithium? Are they new places to mine, new players, new technologies which could come to the rescue?
We have invited Alex Grant, Principal at Jade Cove Partners, to assess all those challenges.
We call Alex the “Indiana Jones of Lithium and Battery materials”. Forbes 30 under 30, research affiliate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alex has an M.S. from Northwestern University in Chemical Engineering and tracks 70 different Lithium Extraction Technologies. Finally, he has a cool Twitter handle: @big_lithium. So, he is the man to interview!
We also have inserted an excerpt from Elon Musk conversation in the FT “Future of cars” that was held in May 2022 where Tesla’s CEO shares his views on the Lithium supply chain.

A salute to our main sources of knowledge in Lithium: Simon Moores at Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, and of course Joe Lowry aka “Mr Lithium”. Check them on LinkedIn

And thanks again and again to our partner Aquila Capital]]>1828battery,elonmusk,evs,lithium,minerals,mining,teslafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/74-the-new-profile-of-energy-transition-funds-may22--49777662
Today, we attempt to lift the veil on those VC (Venture Capital), PE (Private Equity), Infrastructure funds which all working to finance the Energy Transition. Who invest in those funds, how they are managed, how do they evolve, what is the “special relationship” between GPs (General Partners) and LPs (Limited Partners)? What will be the performance of the new “Climate tech” and “Decarbonisation” funds that have recently been launched.

We also try to decrypt an increasingly complex regulatory environment where green labels are getting harder to get. Are new regulations a solution to greenwashing or just more bureaucracy?

So, what the new profile of Energy Transition funds?
We have invited Tiffany Howard, Principal at Capstone Partners (a Mizuho Company) to discuss the state of play. Capstone is one of the most active placing agents of the industry. Tiffany discusses with Gerard and Laurent the latest evolutions of the private markets financing the Energy Transition.

We thank our partner DLA Piper for supporting the show]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49777662Mon, 16 May 2022 03:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThere is not a single day when we don’t hear about new funds being raised to finance the Energy Transition. As very few funds are listed on Exchanges, and it is estimated that more than 2/3 of the Energy Transition is currently financed on private...
Today, we attempt to lift the veil on those VC (Venture Capital), PE (Private Equity), Infrastructure funds which all working to finance the Energy Transition. Who invest in those funds, how they are managed, how do they evolve, what is the “special relationship” between GPs (General Partners) and LPs (Limited Partners)? What will be the performance of the new “Climate tech” and “Decarbonisation” funds that have recently been launched.

We also try to decrypt an increasingly complex regulatory environment where green labels are getting harder to get. Are new regulations a solution to greenwashing or just more bureaucracy?

So, what the new profile of Energy Transition funds?
We have invited Tiffany Howard, Principal at Capstone Partners (a Mizuho Company) to discuss the state of play. Capstone is one of the most active placing agents of the industry. Tiffany discusses with Gerard and Laurent the latest evolutions of the private markets financing the Energy Transition.

We thank our partner DLA Piper for supporting the show]]>1553carbon,climate,climatefinance,climatetech,decarbonisation,energytransition,funds,infrastructure,privateequity,renewables,venturecapitalfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/73-high-energy-prices-vs-the-energy-transition-may22--49547491
Of course, we now are seeing the fossil fuels lobbyists making victory laps, telling “we told you so”, “forget about net-zero” “This is La-la land”, “That’s the consequence of ESG”. In our opinion, that is just grand standing.

To try to understand where the Energy Transition is heading, we have invited one the wisest observer of the Energy Landscape, Jules Kortenhorst. Jules, after a distinguished career in the Energy Industry, is now CEO of RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute). RMI is a 40-year-old independent nonprofit organization of experts working across disciplines to accelerate the clean energy transition to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.
With Jules, Gerard and Laurent assess the near term and long-term impacts of the current energy markets turmoil. They confront their visions of how policies, technologies, investments, and individual behaviors will influence the future of the Energy Transition.

We thank Aquila Capital for their support

Contact RMI
@JulesKortenhors
@RockyMtnInst
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocky-mountain-institute/
https://rmi.org/

There is also an excellent report by Alexa Capital on the same subject here
https://www.alexa-capital.com/news-insights/how-europe-s-pearl-harbour-moment-is-affecting-the-transatlantic-energy-transition-outlook/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49547491Sun, 01 May 2022 03:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidOver the past few months, energy prices have gone through the roof, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put energy security on the front burner. We can legitimately ask ourselves: Are high energy prices and the need for energy security tanking or...
Of course, we now are seeing the fossil fuels lobbyists making victory laps, telling “we told you so”, “forget about net-zero” “This is La-la land”, “That’s the consequence of ESG”. In our opinion, that is just grand standing.

To try to understand where the Energy Transition is heading, we have invited one the wisest observer of the Energy Landscape, Jules Kortenhorst. Jules, after a distinguished career in the Energy Industry, is now CEO of RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute). RMI is a 40-year-old independent nonprofit organization of experts working across disciplines to accelerate the clean energy transition to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.
With Jules, Gerard and Laurent assess the near term and long-term impacts of the current energy markets turmoil. They confront their visions of how policies, technologies, investments, and individual behaviors will influence the future of the Energy Transition.

We thank Aquila Capital for their support

Contact RMI
@JulesKortenhors
@RockyMtnInst
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocky-mountain-institute/
https://rmi.org/

There is also an excellent report by Alexa Capital on the same subject here
https://www.alexa-capital.com/news-insights/how-europe-s-pearl-harbour-moment-is-affecting-the-transatlantic-energy-transition-outlook/]]>1659carbon,climate,cop26,decarbonisation,energycrisis,energytransition,evs,heatpumps,nuclear,renewables,russiaukrainewarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/72-a-ukrainian-utility-at-war-a-story-of-resistance-resilience-and-hope-apr22--49377858
Thanks to Eurelectric which organised the introduction, we have the honour of welcoming a hero of the Energy world: Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, one of the top integrated Utility in Ukraine.
During an intense conversation we talk about war, destruction, and sufferings, but also about resistance and resilience. Maxim praises its workforce as it tries to reestablish power and heat in liberated towns.
Beyond the horror and the drama, there is hope for the post war situation, the optimism of a stronger European integration that will help our continent wean itself of Russian dependence while creating opportunities for Ukraine’s resources.

We thank again Maxim for making the time. Slava Ukraini

Maxim will join European Power Summit in June
https://powersummit2022.eurelectric.org/

Thanks to our forever friends and partner Aquila Capital]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49377858Fri, 15 Apr 2022 02:10:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHow to survive a war when you are a Utility in Ukraine? Thanks to Eurelectric which organised the introduction, we have the honour of welcoming a hero of the Energy world: Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, one of the top integrated Utility in Ukraine....
Thanks to Eurelectric which organised the introduction, we have the honour of welcoming a hero of the Energy world: Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, one of the top integrated Utility in Ukraine.
During an intense conversation we talk about war, destruction, and sufferings, but also about resistance and resilience. Maxim praises its workforce as it tries to reestablish power and heat in liberated towns.
Beyond the horror and the drama, there is hope for the post war situation, the optimism of a stronger European integration that will help our continent wean itself of Russian dependence while creating opportunities for Ukraine’s resources.

We thank again Maxim for making the time. Slava Ukraini

Maxim will join European Power Summit in June
https://powersummit2022.eurelectric.org/

Thanks to our forever friends and partner Aquila Capital]]>1133energycrisis,europe,resistance,ukrainefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/71-ventures-and-breakthroughs-to-decarbonise-heat-apr22--49199259
Several start-ups on the US West Coast are tackling the challenge, with the support of powerful Venture Capital funds such as Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

To understand how those groundbreaking applications looks, we have invited a young prodigy on the show. Tony Pan, CEO and Co-founder of Modern Electron, explains his approach to Ultra Energy-Efficiency in Heat. Once scaled, Modern Electron’s innovations will significantly enhance the climate performances of heating.

We thank our partner DLA Piper for its support]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49199259Fri, 01 Apr 2022 03:15:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidDecarbonising Heat is a significant challenge on the road to Net-Zero, Climate Resilience and Energy Security. It is also a very complex problem as there are several categories of heat that require different technical solutions. While Heat Pumps can...
Several start-ups on the US West Coast are tackling the challenge, with the support of powerful Venture Capital funds such as Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

To understand how those groundbreaking applications looks, we have invited a young prodigy on the show. Tony Pan, CEO and Co-founder of Modern Electron, explains his approach to Ultra Energy-Efficiency in Heat. Once scaled, Modern Electron’s innovations will significantly enhance the climate performances of heating.

We thank our partner DLA Piper for its support]]>1517billgates,carbon,climate,energyefficiency,energytransition,venturecapitalfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/70-why-digital-management-of-batteries-matters-mar22--48853904The battery management software must adapt to those different revenue stacks. So, how are the software developed, managed? How do they evolve?
We have the pleasure of welcoming Seyed Madaeni, Chief Digital Officer at Fluence, to discuss those fascinating subjects.
Finally, we do a deep dive into the economics of Fluence and have a go at the newly listed (and supposedly competitor) Energy Vault.
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting the show.

If you want more from Gerard and Laurent, check our sister podcast: Redefining Energy MINUTES, available on all main podcasts platforms.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48853904Wed, 16 Mar 2022 04:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe deployment of Li-Ion batteries has exploded in recent years and is expected to enjoy a 30% annual growth until 2030. But those very critical pieces of hardware need a brain to fully function, and that is where software kicks in. In fact, they...The battery management software must adapt to those different revenue stacks. So, how are the software developed, managed? How do they evolve?
We have the pleasure of welcoming Seyed Madaeni, Chief Digital Officer at Fluence, to discuss those fascinating subjects.
Finally, we do a deep dive into the economics of Fluence and have a go at the newly listed (and supposedly competitor) Energy Vault.
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting the show.

If you want more from Gerard and Laurent, check our sister podcast: Redefining Energy MINUTES, available on all main podcasts platforms.]]>1694batteries,digital,energystorage,energytransition,teslafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/69-escape-from-russia-rewiring-europe-mar22--48897574As Energy Security becomes front and center, Gerard and Laurent try to understand the short-term implications on the Energy landscape.
Are we moving away from the energy transition or are we going to align energy security with the energy transition?
Politicians have a chance to rise and make radical decisions. We have the human and financial capital; we have the technologies. We can implement a deep decarbonization than will also benefit Energy Security.

It is about Rewiring Europe, electrifying heating and transports, building networks faster, full digitization, higher level of resilience. Rewiring Europe will require significant changes in mindset, thinking, regulation, and in investments. Rewiring Europe will bring bold ideas to fruition and require bravery in implementation. But let’s be clear, Rewiring Europe must be done in an economic environment where financial institutions want to invest, as the sole burden of the transition cannot be borne solely by the ratepayers or the taxpayers.
If we wean ourselves off oil and gas, we will be free!
-------------
Proposals:
Short term
1. Reduce demand for natural gas – Practically, Germany and Belgium may both have to delay closures of nuclear plants and the same may need to happen for coal plants across the continent.
2. Move any energy purchases away from Russia – Practically, we may need to rethink the closure of North Sea and NL gas wells but also be prepared to import energy at higher prices from other parts of the world.
3. Fill up storage tanks – Europe needs to buy as much as it can in terms of uranium and fossil fuels to ensure we have enough energy to keep the lights on and our economies working.
4. Help energy sensitive customers – Practically, governments will need to help people and companies through these difficult times.

Medium term
1. Deeply electrify the energy system – The quickest way to decarbonise is to electrify as much as possible of the energy system. To that we need radical regulatory change to ensure a speedy and low cost transition. This starts with improving planning laws to allow quick build out of renewables and the necessary grid infrastructure.
2. Enable low cost electricity – In many European countries, electricity is the most expensive way to power your car and heat your home. The recent surges in natural gas prices have now indirectly made electricity even more expensive. There is a whole pile of measures than can be put in place, such as a) grid regulatory reforms which force competition and b) cost efficiency improvements to wholesale power market reforms which move away from the marginal cost pricing. In addition, taxes and other charges should be removed to ensure that electricity becomes the cheapest form of energy.
3. Invest in clean energy and storage – self explanatory
4. Embrace energy efficiency – self explanatory
5. Cut demand for fossil fuels – Heat pumps and EVs. In addition, it may well be that Europe needs to bring in a border carbon adjustment tax to ensure that European jobs and emissions are simply exported to another part of the world.
6. Change how Europe does innovation – stop sprinkling funds around to please lobbyists and PR firms, focus research funding on zero-carbon and storage
7. Bring together national security, decarbonization and industrial interests - self explanatory

As Winston Churchill was working on the establishment of the United Nations after WW2, he famously said "Never let a good crisis go to waste." Let’s focus on Rewiring Europe.
Check Gerard’s blog on the Rewiring Europe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-we-need-rewire-europe-learn-from-past-energy-policy-gerard-reid/?trackingId=bYeoeBKtMTQf0jPS65bLAA%3D%3D]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48897574Tue, 01 Mar 2022 04:00:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe war in Ukraine is a total gamechanger. Beyond the personal drama and misery inflicted on millions of human beings, it triggers a tremor in the world of Energy of a magnitude not seen since the Oil shocks of the 70’s. As Energy Security becomes...As Energy Security becomes front and center, Gerard and Laurent try to understand the short-term implications on the Energy landscape.
Are we moving away from the energy transition or are we going to align energy security with the energy transition?
Politicians have a chance to rise and make radical decisions. We have the human and financial capital; we have the technologies. We can implement a deep decarbonization than will also benefit Energy Security.

It is about Rewiring Europe, electrifying heating and transports, building networks faster, full digitization, higher level of resilience. Rewiring Europe will require significant changes in mindset, thinking, regulation, and in investments. Rewiring Europe will bring bold ideas to fruition and require bravery in implementation. But let’s be clear, Rewiring Europe must be done in an economic environment where financial institutions want to invest, as the sole burden of the transition cannot be borne solely by the ratepayers or the taxpayers.
If we wean ourselves off oil and gas, we will be free!
-------------
Proposals:
Short term
1. Reduce demand for natural gas – Practically, Germany and Belgium may both have to delay closures of nuclear plants and the same may need to happen for coal plants across the continent.
2. Move any energy purchases away from Russia – Practically, we may need to rethink the closure of North Sea and NL gas wells but also be prepared to import energy at higher prices from other parts of the world.
3. Fill up storage tanks – Europe needs to buy as much as it can in terms of uranium and fossil fuels to ensure we have enough energy to keep the lights on and our economies working.
4. Help energy sensitive customers – Practically, governments will need to help people and companies through these difficult times.

Medium term
1. Deeply electrify the energy system – The quickest way to decarbonise is to electrify as much as possible of the energy system. To that we need radical regulatory change to ensure a speedy and low cost transition. This starts with improving planning laws to allow quick build out of renewables and the necessary grid infrastructure.
2. Enable low cost electricity – In many European countries, electricity is the most expensive way to power your car and heat your home. The recent surges in natural gas prices have now indirectly made electricity even more expensive. There is a whole pile of measures than can be put in place, such as a) grid regulatory reforms which force competition and b) cost efficiency improvements to wholesale power market reforms which move away from the marginal cost pricing. In addition, taxes and other charges should be removed to ensure that electricity becomes the cheapest form of energy.
3. Invest in clean energy and storage – self explanatory
4. Embrace energy efficiency – self explanatory
5. Cut demand for fossil fuels – Heat pumps and EVs. In addition, it may well be that Europe needs to bring in a border carbon adjustment tax to ensure that European jobs and emissions are simply exported to another part of the world.
6. Change how Europe does innovation – stop sprinkling funds around to please lobbyists and PR firms, focus research funding on zero-carbon and storage
7. Bring together national security, decarbonization and industrial interests - self explanatory

As Winston Churchill was working on the establishment of the United Nations after WW2, he famously said "Never let a good crisis go to waste." Let’s focus on Rewiring Europe.
Check Gerard’s blog on the Rewiring Europe
1407batteries,climate,decarbonisation,energy,energysecurity,geopolitics,renewables,russia,ukrainewarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/68-green-hydrogen-miracle-or-mirage-feb22--48661397Beyond bombastic claims such as “History will look back at 2022 as the year that hydrogen started to reshape the world”, we have decided to dig deep into the technology and prospect of Electrolysers.
And there is no better guest to talk about electrolysers than Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power. ITM Power is one of the largest electrolyser manufacturers in the world, and has deep pockets to pursue a very aggressive expansion. What is true now, and how does the horizon looks like for green hydrogen?
In other words, is Green Hydrogen a miracle or a mirage?

Anything you want to know about Hydrogen, go to our friend Paul Martin and his Hydrogen Science Coalition.
https://h2sciencecoalition.com/

Link to the Irena Report: Geopolitics of Green Hydrogen
https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/Jan/Geopolitics-of-the-Energy-Transformation-Hydrogen

A nice video of Electrolysers in action (Humberside Project – UK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lA75HocBw

And we thank again our partner DLA PIPER]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48661397Tue, 15 Feb 2022 04:20:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the seminal book by Jeremy Rifkin “The Hydrogen Economy” and the astronomical amount of non-sense it contained, we wanted to have a real look at the prospect of Green Hydrogen. Beyond bombastic claims...Beyond bombastic claims such as “History will look back at 2022 as the year that hydrogen started to reshape the world”, we have decided to dig deep into the technology and prospect of Electrolysers.
And there is no better guest to talk about electrolysers than Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power. ITM Power is one of the largest electrolyser manufacturers in the world, and has deep pockets to pursue a very aggressive expansion. What is true now, and how does the horizon looks like for green hydrogen?
In other words, is Green Hydrogen a miracle or a mirage?

Anything you want to know about Hydrogen, go to our friend Paul Martin and his Hydrogen Science Coalition.
https://h2sciencecoalition.com/

Link to the Irena Report: Geopolitics of Green Hydrogen
https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/Jan/Geopolitics-of-the-Energy-Transformation-Hydrogen

A nice video of Electrolysers in action (Humberside Project – UK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lA75HocBw

And we thank again our partner DLA PIPER]]>1755carbon,energytransition,hydrogen,renewablesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/67-from-powerpoint-to-gigafactory-feb22--48374613The answer might be in Norway, so let’s go to Norway.
We are very happy to be joined by Tom Jensen. Tom is CEO of FREYR battery, a Norwegian Gigafactory start-up. In 2021, FREYR raised 600mUSD on the NYSE to make his vision of Speed, Scale and Sustainability come true.
We discuss the strategic positioning, the inherent advantages of Norway which go beyond cheap clean power, we talk about industrialisation, technology, chemistry, supply chain and competition.
Tom is a great admirer of the Swedish neighbour Northvolt, but he plans to catch up fast. With such a great leadership, FREYR will soon be a force to reckon with in the Battery industry.

Thanks to our great partner Aquila Capital]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48374613Tue, 01 Feb 2022 05:30:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGigafactory: a term first coined by Elon Musk in 2013 when announcing the Tesla+Panasonic giant battery plant in Nevada. There are currently more than 260 Gigafactories planned around the world, but lots of them remain “PowerPoint factories”. So, how...The answer might be in Norway, so let’s go to Norway.
We are very happy to be joined by Tom Jensen. Tom is CEO of FREYR battery, a Norwegian Gigafactory start-up. In 2021, FREYR raised 600mUSD on the NYSE to make his vision of Speed, Scale and Sustainability come true.
We discuss the strategic positioning, the inherent advantages of Norway which go beyond cheap clean power, we talk about industrialisation, technology, chemistry, supply chain and competition.
Tom is a great admirer of the Swedish neighbour Northvolt, but he plans to catch up fast. With such a great leadership, FREYR will soon be a force to reckon with in the Battery industry.

Thanks to our great partner Aquila Capital]]>1819batteries,carbon,climate,elonmusk,energystorage,evs,gigafactoryfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/66-the-missing-hours-in-search-of-24-7-carbon-free-power-jan22--48239508
We have the privilege of welcoming David Scaysbrook, co-founder and managing partner of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. We discuss his vision and execution of infrastructure capable of delivering 24/7 carbon free power. Our conversation covers all type of renewables: wind, solar, hydro, biomass, methane recovery and battery storage. We also talk about the growing importance of digital and ESG.

Reference to two great podcasts:
-Jigar Shah, head of Loans Office Program DOE, on Experts Only https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/experts-only-podcast-104-with-commercial-financing/id1277844958?i=1000545651034
-Elon Musk on the Lex Fridman Show
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/252-elon-musk-spacex-mars-tesla-autopilot-self-driving/id1434243584?i=1000546357873

Thank you to our new partner DLA Piper.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48239508Sun, 16 Jan 2022 04:15:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidDelivering 24/7 carbon free power is the holy grail for infrastructure funds. Such progress requires a new approach to investing. New technologies need to be harnessed: Hybridization, storage, and data science. The ESG component is also getting...
We have the privilege of welcoming David Scaysbrook, co-founder and managing partner of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. We discuss his vision and execution of infrastructure capable of delivering 24/7 carbon free power. Our conversation covers all type of renewables: wind, solar, hydro, biomass, methane recovery and battery storage. We also talk about the growing importance of digital and ESG.

Reference to two great podcasts:
-Jigar Shah, head of Loans Office Program DOE, on Experts Only https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/experts-only-podcast-104-with-commercial-financing/id1277844958?i=1000545651034
-Elon Musk on the Lex Fridman Show
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/252-elon-musk-spacex-mars-tesla-autopilot-self-driving/id1434243584?i=1000546357873

Thank you to our new partner DLA Piper.]]>1648cleanpower,elonmusk,energystorage,esg,infrastructure,renewablesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/65-our-predictions-for-2022-jan22--47933557In this Episode, its Nostradamus vs. Cassandra all over again: Laurent and Gerard review their 2021 predictions (Episode 42) and look forward to the future. How accurate were our two co-hosts’ predictions for 2021?
1) “The Empire strikes back”, legacy players in the Energy and Automotive sectors will bounce back
2) The unstoppable development of renewables
3) The SPACs* valuation hang-over, most of them imploding after reaching unjustifiable valuations
4) The tipping point in EVs production and adoption
5) The renaissance of the Carbon markets
6) The growing leadership of China in the Energy Transition…
Get the results and see how was the more accurate

And now our six predictions for 2022:
1)The Energy Transition is not going to be a smooth ride
2)The Hydro and water crisis
3)The decade of geothermal
4)Energy High Prices
5)Elon Musk (Time’s “Person of the Year”) out of Tesla
6)Power Market Structure Reform

We thank again Aquila Capital for continuing to support the show in 2022, and we have lined up very exciting contents for you all in the coming months. Happy new Year!

*SPAC: Special Purpose Acquisition Company]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47933557Sun, 02 Jan 2022 03:20:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidHappy new year 2022 to all our listeners. In this Episode, its Nostradamus vs. Cassandra all over again: Laurent and Gerard review their 2021 predictions (Episode 42) and look forward to the future. How accurate were our two co-hosts’ predictions for...In this Episode, its Nostradamus vs. Cassandra all over again: Laurent and Gerard review their 2021 predictions (Episode 42) and look forward to the future. How accurate were our two co-hosts’ predictions for 2021?
1) “The Empire strikes back”, legacy players in the Energy and Automotive sectors will bounce back
2) The unstoppable development of renewables
3) The SPACs* valuation hang-over, most of them imploding after reaching unjustifiable valuations
4) The tipping point in EVs production and adoption
5) The renaissance of the Carbon markets
6) The growing leadership of China in the Energy Transition…
Get the results and see how was the more accurate

And now our six predictions for 2022:
1)The Energy Transition is not going to be a smooth ride
2)The Hydro and water crisis
3)The decade of geothermal
4)Energy High Prices
5)Elon Musk (Time’s “Person of the Year”) out of Tesla
6)Power Market Structure Reform

We thank again Aquila Capital for continuing to support the show in 2022, and we have lined up very exciting contents for you all in the coming months. Happy new Year!

*SPAC: Special Purpose Acquisition Company]]>1817carbon,climate,elonmusk,energytransition,evs,renewablesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/64-unstoppable-solar-dec21--47851160
We bring the best analyst of the industry, Jenny Chase, Head of Solar at Bloomberg NEF to go through the trends, in volume, prices, technologies, supply and demand. We discuss why solar resists all threats and establish itself, despite recent price rises, as the cheapest source of electricity worldwide.
And to finish the year on a high note, this marvelous quote from our eternal hero (and TIME’s Person of the Year) Elon Musk: “The sun is absurdly, overwhelmingly the source of energy in our solar system. Doesn’t even need maintenance – just works!”

We also want to congratulate Patrick Graichen (Ep52) for becoming new Germany’s Secretary of State for Energy and Climate; Michael Barnard (Ep59) second most downloaded episode; and finally, the king, our friend and mentor, Paul Martin (Ep44) for the most downloaded episode of the year (and ever!).

Paul just co-created the Hydrogen Science Coalition (https://h2sciencecoalition.com/), a group of independent academics, scientists and engineers who are working to bring an evidence-based viewpoint to the heart of the hydrogen discussion. We fully endorse that initiative. Go Paul, Tom, Bernard, David and Jochen.

And as we close the year, we thank again our long-term partner Aquila Capital, who has decided to continue next year. Yeah!

Merry Christmas to all our great listeners (before the EU Commission bans it as “too offensive”) and talk to you all in 2022.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47851160Wed, 15 Dec 2021 03:45:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid2021 looked like an “annus horribilis” for the solar industry. Price increases, supply chain problems, threat of taxes on importations. Is the solar industry at the end of 2021 just doom and gloom? Absolutely not. The solar industry has grown an...
We bring the best analyst of the industry, Jenny Chase, Head of Solar at Bloomberg NEF to go through the trends, in volume, prices, technologies, supply and demand. We discuss why solar resists all threats and establish itself, despite recent price rises, as the cheapest source of electricity worldwide.
And to finish the year on a high note, this marvelous quote from our eternal hero (and TIME’s Person of the Year) Elon Musk: “The sun is absurdly, overwhelmingly the source of energy in our solar system. Doesn’t even need maintenance – just works!”

We also want to congratulate Patrick Graichen (Ep52) for becoming new Germany’s Secretary of State for Energy and Climate; Michael Barnard (Ep59) second most downloaded episode; and finally, the king, our friend and mentor, Paul Martin (Ep44) for the most downloaded episode of the year (and ever!).

Paul just co-created the Hydrogen Science Coalition (https://h2sciencecoalition.com/), a group of independent academics, scientists and engineers who are working to bring an evidence-based viewpoint to the heart of the hydrogen discussion. We fully endorse that initiative. Go Paul, Tom, Bernard, David and Jochen.

And as we close the year, we thank again our long-term partner Aquila Capital, who has decided to continue next year. Yeah!

Merry Christmas to all our great listeners (before the EU Commission bans it as “too offensive”) and talk to you all in 2022.]]>1415batteries,bnef,carbon,cleanenergy,climate,energystorage,energytransition,renewables,solarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/63-ultra-fast-ev-charging-and-mini-grids-dec21--47558968
But ultra-fast charging comes with technical challenges as the impact on the local electricity networks are tremendous. On the one hand, large EV charging networks are being deployed with a commoditised approach and questionable business models; on the other hand, new turn-key sophisticated solutions start to emerge, such as integrating batteries and EV charging, creating micro-grids at retailers’ premises.

We invite Arcady Sosinov, CEO FreeWire Technologies, a Californian Start-Up that has raised more than 100mUSD from leading investors (Riverstone, BP, BlueBear), to discuss the future of Ultra-fast EV charging.

And it is not going to be necessarily what people currently think.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47558968Wed, 01 Dec 2021 02:15:01 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidEV charging is developing exponentially. It is now a 30bnUSD market per year, growing at a astonishing pace of 20%. More than 1.5m EV charging stations are now operational in the world, 50% in China, 30% in Europe. The US will catch up soon thank to...
But ultra-fast charging comes with technical challenges as the impact on the local electricity networks are tremendous. On the one hand, large EV charging networks are being deployed with a commoditised approach and questionable business models; on the other hand, new turn-key sophisticated solutions start to emerge, such as integrating batteries and EV charging, creating micro-grids at retailers’ premises.

We invite Arcady Sosinov, CEO FreeWire Technologies, a Californian Start-Up that has raised more than 100mUSD from leading investors (Riverstone, BP, BlueBear), to discuss the future of Ultra-fast EV charging.

And it is not going to be necessarily what people currently think.]]>1707carbon,climate,electrification,energytransition,evcharging,evs,mini-grids,powernetworks,tesla,vwfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/62-esg-investing-a-force-for-good-or-blah-blah-blah-nov21--47371487ESG investing has grown exponentially since the famous 2015 Marc Carney’s speech "Breaking the Tragedy of the Horizon" and the 2020 Blackrock letter “Because capital markets pull future risk forward, we will see changes in capital allocation more quickly than we see changes to the climate itself”. Numbers are dizzying. ESG investment has almost trebled over the last five years, reaching $50 trillion in assets in 2021.

At the same time, ESG investing seems to be victim of its own success with inflated claims not met by facts. With more than 600 ratings and 5,000 metrics, ESG has become a maze where investors are drowned in an “alphabet soup” of standards while some financial institutions seem to be more focused on fees than purpose. At last, the regulators - whether the EU Commission or the SEC - are starting to intervene to create standards.

To try to understand the dynamics of ESG investing, its challenges, effectiveness, and possible solutions, we have invited Catherine Howarth, CEO of Shareaction. Shareaction is a NGO working to assess the quality of sustainability practice of the world’s largest institutional investors, and to hold investors accountable on the gap between their sustainability claims and actions.
We exchange candidly with Catherine on ESG ratings, shareholders’ activism, the divestment movement, and the role of regulators.


References

Shareaction: https://shareaction.org/

Quilter on ESG: https://media.quilter.com/search/greenwashing-tops-investors-concerns-around-esg-products-new-research-finds/
Talking Responsibly: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-responsibly/id1547007524
DivestInvest: https://www.divestinvest.org/
“Doing Good or Feeling Good” by EDHEC: https://energycentral.com/c/ec/doing-good-or-feeling-good-detecting-greenwashing-climate-investing-edhec
EU Taxonomy: https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/banking-and-finance/sustainable-finance/eu-taxonomy-sustainable-activities_en
DWS (Deutsche Bank) rocked by $1trillion SEC greenwashing probe: https://www.internationalinvestment.net/news/4036306/dws-rocked-usd1trillion-sec-greenwashing-probe-reports
Bank of International Settlements: “A taxonomy of taxonomies” https://www.bis.org/publ/bppdf/bispap118.pdf]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47371487Mon, 15 Nov 2021 03:20:12 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAs COP26 comes to a close, there has been a flurry of commitments to invest trillions of dollars in green technologies and carbon neutral projects. That is the core of ESG investing (or is it?). ESG investing has grown exponentially since the famous...ESG investing has grown exponentially since the famous 2015 Marc Carney’s speech "Breaking the Tragedy of the Horizon" and the 2020 Blackrock letter “Because capital markets pull future risk forward, we will see changes in capital allocation more quickly than we see changes to the climate itself”. Numbers are dizzying. ESG investment has almost trebled over the last five years, reaching $50 trillion in assets in 2021.

At the same time, ESG investing seems to be victim of its own success with inflated claims not met by facts. With more than 600 ratings and 5,000 metrics, ESG has become a maze where investors are drowned in an “alphabet soup” of standards while some financial institutions seem to be more focused on fees than purpose. At last, the regulators - whether the EU Commission or the SEC - are starting to intervene to create standards.

To try to understand the dynamics of ESG investing, its challenges, effectiveness, and possible solutions, we have invited Catherine Howarth, CEO of Shareaction. Shareaction is a NGO working to assess the quality of sustainability practice of the world’s largest institutional investors, and to hold investors accountable on the gap between their sustainability claims and actions.
We exchange candidly with Catherine on ESG ratings, shareholders’ activism, the divestment movement, and the role of regulators.


References

Shareaction: https://shareaction.org/

Quilter on ESG: https://media.quilter.com/search/greenwashing-tops-investors-concerns-around-esg-products-new-research-finds/
Talking Responsibly: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-responsibly/id1547007524
DivestInvest: https://www.divestinvest.org/
“Doing Good or Feeling Good” by EDHEC: https://energycentral.com/c/ec/doing-good-or-feeling-good-detecting-greenwashing-climate-investing-edhec
EU Taxonomy: https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/banking-and-finance/sustainable-finance/eu-taxonomy-sustainable-activities_en
DWS (Deutsche Bank) rocked by $1trillion SEC greenwashing probe: https://www.internationalinvestment.net/news/4036306/dws-rocked-usd1trillion-sec-greenwashing-probe-reports
Bank of International Settlements: “A taxonomy of taxonomies” https://www.bis.org/publ/bppdf/bispap118.pdf]]>1921blackrock,carbon,carbonfinance,climate,climateneutral,cop26,energy,energytransition,esg,esginvesting,renewables,shareholderactivism,teslafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/61-the-future-of-power-distribution-networks-with-enel-nov21--47027103What needs to change, what type of investment are necessary, not just from a deployment perspective but also in terms of efficiency, costs, and regulation.
We have the privilege of inviting Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Global Infrastructure & Networks at the giant Italian Utility ENEL. ENEL operates distribution networks in eight countries on two continents. Antonio provides us with a ground-breaking vision of tomorrow’s green grid, digital and adaptable. He also unveils breakthrough management techniques such as quantum computing and cyber-security.
Distribution networks should definitely not be underhyped.

Thank you to Aquila Capital for supporting the show

If you want to help increase our audience, a 5* ratings and a kind review really help!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47027103Mon, 01 Nov 2021 03:45:11 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidRenewables are developing very fast, but without a proper distribution system, the energy transition will soon stall. So, what does tomorrow’s green grid looks like? It seems like a dull subject, but the grid modernisation is the necessary condition...What needs to change, what type of investment are necessary, not just from a deployment perspective but also in terms of efficiency, costs, and regulation.
We have the privilege of inviting Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Global Infrastructure & Networks at the giant Italian Utility ENEL. ENEL operates distribution networks in eight countries on two continents. Antonio provides us with a ground-breaking vision of tomorrow’s green grid, digital and adaptable. He also unveils breakthrough management techniques such as quantum computing and cyber-security.
Distribution networks should definitely not be underhyped.

Thank you to Aquila Capital for supporting the show

If you want to help increase our audience, a 5* ratings and a kind review really help!]]>1450climatechange,cop26,digital,energytransition,powergrid,powernetworks,quantumcomputing,renewables,smartmetersfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/60-from-energy-transition-to-energy-crunch-the-natgaspocalypse-oct21--46868202As of 6 October 2021, TTF (the Dutch gas hub) front month prices briefly touched 160EUR/MWh, 8 times higher than where they were at beginning of the year, and equivalent to a staggering 56USD/mmbtu or 350USD/bbl of Oil.

In this episode, that we record almost live, Gerard and Laurent try to analyse the causes, the impacts, and the long-term consequences of what we dub “The Natgaspocalypse”. We might as well have called the episode “From Russia with love” as we are discussing, amongst other factors, the role of Russia in the current energy crunch.

But a lot of other long-term and short-term factors have come together to create the perfect storm. So, if supply is being analysed, there is also a lot to discuss about demand.

How those crazy energy prices are fed to the final consumers is creating havoc within the Energy supply chain and triggers heavy-handed, hastily designed, government interventions. Such crises certainly distract the decision makers from their lofty “Net Zero by 2050” goals.

Even when the market ends up rebalancing, as commodities market always do, the suddenness of the shock and its magnitude will generate significant consequences that will go beyond price controls and geopolitics. Governments will need to be more hands-on, whether through a faster decarbonisation or simply doubling down on gas.

The Energy Transition will not be a smooth journey.

We thank Aquila Capital for their support
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46868202Fri, 15 Oct 2021 02:40:18 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidFor the past decade, Natural Gas has been promoted as the “Clean, Reliable and Cheap” fuel to assist the Energy Transition. Well that cosy theory, heavily promoted by the fossil fuel companies, is collapsing in front of our eyes with the Gas crunch...As of 6 October 2021, TTF (the Dutch gas hub) front month prices briefly touched 160EUR/MWh, 8 times higher than where they were at beginning of the year, and equivalent to a staggering 56USD/mmbtu or 350USD/bbl of Oil.

In this episode, that we record almost live, Gerard and Laurent try to analyse the causes, the impacts, and the long-term consequences of what we dub “The Natgaspocalypse”. We might as well have called the episode “From Russia with love” as we are discussing, amongst other factors, the role of Russia in the current energy crunch.

But a lot of other long-term and short-term factors have come together to create the perfect storm. So, if supply is being analysed, there is also a lot to discuss about demand.

How those crazy energy prices are fed to the final consumers is creating havoc within the Energy supply chain and triggers heavy-handed, hastily designed, government interventions. Such crises certainly distract the decision makers from their lofty “Net Zero by 2050” goals.

Even when the market ends up rebalancing, as commodities market always do, the suddenness of the shock and its magnitude will generate significant consequences that will go beyond price controls and geopolitics. Governments will need to be more hands-on, whether through a faster decarbonisation or simply doubling down on gas.

The Energy Transition will not be a smooth journey.

We thank Aquila Capital for their support
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1350carbon,cop26,energy,energycrisis,energymarkets,energytransition,naturalgas,renewables,russiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/59-long-duration-energy-storage-the-final-frontier-oct21--46636760Gerard and Laurent have invited Michael Barnard, an internationally recognised technology cleantech consultant, with world-class expertise on grid storage technology, electrification, and hydrogen.
Together we review and analyse the various options: how far can Li-Ion batteries get us to? How to maximise the value of pumped hydro storage? How to scale flow batteries? Can we even rely of more breakthrough technologies?
It will take time, will need government intervention, energy market reforms, but the solutions are there. Long Duration Energy Storage is definitely the “Final Frontier”.

References
Disclaimer: Michael works as adviser for Agora Energy Technologies - https://agoraenergy.ca/
Prices of batteries: https://about.bnef.com/blog/battery-pack-prices-cited-below-100-kwh-for-the-first-time-in-2020-while-market-average-sits-at-137-kwh/
MIT research:
https://news.mit.edu/2021/powering-energy-transition-better-storage-0329
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-021-00796-8]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46636760Fri, 01 Oct 2021 03:15:04 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhat are the technological options to compensate for – as the German say - the “Dunkelflaute” (dark doldrums), those winter weeks of low winds and low solar? That’s the code that will have to be cracked by Long Duration Energy Storage (above 8 hours...Gerard and Laurent have invited Michael Barnard, an internationally recognised technology cleantech consultant, with world-class expertise on grid storage technology, electrification, and hydrogen.
Together we review and analyse the various options: how far can Li-Ion batteries get us to? How to maximise the value of pumped hydro storage? How to scale flow batteries? Can we even rely of more breakthrough technologies?
It will take time, will need government intervention, energy market reforms, but the solutions are there. Long Duration Energy Storage is definitely the “Final Frontier”.

References
Disclaimer: Michael works as adviser for Agora Energy Technologies - https://agoraenergy.ca/
Prices of batteries: https://about.bnef.com/blog/battery-pack-prices-cited-below-100-kwh-for-the-first-time-in-2020-while-market-average-sits-at-137-kwh/
MIT research:
https://news.mit.edu/2021/powering-energy-transition-better-storage-0329
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-021-00796-8]]>1989batteries,carbon,climate,energy,energymarkets,energystorage,energytransition,hydropowerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/58-fuel-switch-or-fuel-fix-for-steel-and-cement-sep21--46396367
We brought Dolf Gielen, Director Innovation and Technology at IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) into the conversation to try to understand why those industries are so hard to decarbonise. And we are focusing the debate on a very simple choice: do you fix the fuel (with CCS – Carbon Capture and Storage of CO2) or do you switch the fuel (with – for example Hydrogen or Biomass)?

There are a lot of hurdles to overcome, such as: bad economics, international competition (especially for steel, not so for cement), and regulators who don’t seem to be very interested.

Some promising options are now on the table, but they will require massive governments interventions.

References:
Engineering with Rosie (Youtube) on CCS technologies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC388uNJhUY

An excellent blog on cement emissions:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/co2-emission-from-cement-industry-whats-best-estimate-claude-lorea/

McKinsey on decarbonizing Steel:
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/decarbonization-challenge-for-steel

Dolf Gielen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dolf-gielen-852ab514/

And, last but not least, a hilarious video explaining really how CCS/CCUS works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZgoFyuHC8

Many Thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46396367Wed, 15 Sep 2021 03:25:07 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidSteel and cement with their 2,000 mills and 3,000 kilns, together currently emit 15% of the world’s CO2. So far, they’ve been exempted from carbon trading or carbon pricing, which means no significant reductions have been implemented. But in a...
We brought Dolf Gielen, Director Innovation and Technology at IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) into the conversation to try to understand why those industries are so hard to decarbonise. And we are focusing the debate on a very simple choice: do you fix the fuel (with CCS – Carbon Capture and Storage of CO2) or do you switch the fuel (with – for example Hydrogen or Biomass)?

There are a lot of hurdles to overcome, such as: bad economics, international competition (especially for steel, not so for cement), and regulators who don’t seem to be very interested.

Some promising options are now on the table, but they will require massive governments interventions.

References:
Engineering with Rosie (Youtube) on CCS technologies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC388uNJhUY

An excellent blog on cement emissions:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/co2-emission-from-cement-industry-whats-best-estimate-claude-lorea/

McKinsey on decarbonizing Steel:
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/decarbonization-challenge-for-steel

Dolf Gielen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dolf-gielen-852ab514/

And, last but not least, a hilarious video explaining really how CCS/CCUS works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZgoFyuHC8

Many Thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1678carbon,ccs,ccus,cement,climate,energytransition,hydrogen,industrial,indutrialemissions,renewables,steelfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/57-methane-the-invisible-elephant-in-the-room-sep21--46112089Thankfully, the landscape is starting to evolve; and it’s about time, as methane emissions represent 8x those of the much-publicised aviation sector.
Behind this major improvement is the non-for-profit MIQ, co-piloted by the prestigious RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute). MIQ had devised a ranking system for all Oil and Gas provenance, assessing and grading the content of venting, leaking, and flaring. The MIQ system leads to third party certification, a major milestone in the fight against Climate Change.
Gerard and Laurent seat with Georges Tijbosch, senior advisor at MIQ, who is deploying those major advancements, which might have significant geopolitical implications.
Finally, Gerard debunks Laurent’s wild conspiracy theories around Russian gas.

References:
MIQ: https://miq.org/
Capterio: https://capterio.com/flareintel
Kayrros: https://www.kayrros.com/methane-watch/

A great thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46112089Wed, 01 Sep 2021 03:40:14 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidMethane is the largest source of greenhouse gas after CO2. The latest IPCC report has flagged the issue as “Code Red”. Until recently, Methane Emissions had not been universally monitored nor managed. Hence, how can Natural Gas legitimately claim that...Thankfully, the landscape is starting to evolve; and it’s about time, as methane emissions represent 8x those of the much-publicised aviation sector.
Behind this major improvement is the non-for-profit MIQ, co-piloted by the prestigious RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute). MIQ had devised a ranking system for all Oil and Gas provenance, assessing and grading the content of venting, leaking, and flaring. The MIQ system leads to third party certification, a major milestone in the fight against Climate Change.
Gerard and Laurent seat with Georges Tijbosch, senior advisor at MIQ, who is deploying those major advancements, which might have significant geopolitical implications.
Finally, Gerard debunks Laurent’s wild conspiracy theories around Russian gas.

References:
MIQ: https://miq.org/
Capterio: https://capterio.com/flareintel
Kayrros: https://www.kayrros.com/methane-watch/

A great thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>2066carbon,climate,cop26,emissions,energy,energytransition,esg,gas,lng,methane,oilfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/56-how-to-decarbonise-aviation-aug21--45772160How much of the aviation can be electrified? Will innovation come from start-ups teaming up with VCs or large OEMs? What new systems will have to be designed and certified? Is Hydrogen a solution or a fantasy? What role will biofuels and e-fuels play?
To enrich the debate, Gerard and Laurent have invited Toby McCann to assess the various routes. Toby McCann is an Aviator and an Aircraft Engineering manager at Thales, veteran of the Fleet Air Arm with over 25 years' operating around the globe. He is also one of the top experts in Sustainable Aviation.

Toby McCann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobymccann/
List of all new Electric planes starts ups: https://aamrealityindex.com/
Look at this beauty: https://www.faradair.com/

A great thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45772160Sun, 15 Aug 2021 04:00:17 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe future of Sustainable Aviation is a very hot topic, but there are currently more questions than answers: How much of the aviation can be electrified? Will innovation come from start-ups teaming up with VCs or large OEMs? What new systems will...How much of the aviation can be electrified? Will innovation come from start-ups teaming up with VCs or large OEMs? What new systems will have to be designed and certified? Is Hydrogen a solution or a fantasy? What role will biofuels and e-fuels play?
To enrich the debate, Gerard and Laurent have invited Toby McCann to assess the various routes. Toby McCann is an Aviator and an Aircraft Engineering manager at Thales, veteran of the Fleet Air Arm with over 25 years' operating around the globe. He is also one of the top experts in Sustainable Aviation.

Toby McCann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobymccann/
List of all new Electric planes starts ups: https://aamrealityindex.com/
Look at this beauty: https://www.faradair.com/

A great thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1796airbus,aviation,biofuels,boeing,carbon,climate,e-fuels,electricplanes,hydrogen,sustainabilityfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/55-evs-tesla-against-the-world-aug21--45771165
What’s the current state of play in the EV market? Among the OEMs, which are the Tesla challengers, and which are the laggards? Do the SPACs have any future? What are the Chinese up to? What to think about innovative outsiders such as Rivian and Rimac? What about vertical integration, software developments, autonomy, and new services?

A refreshing open conversation with our friend James Carter, a 25-year veteran of the Automotive industry and recognized sharpest mind on the future of mobility.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescartertoronto/

Check our friends:
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence: https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/
Rho Motion: https://rhomotion.com/

A great thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45771165Sun, 01 Aug 2021 04:20:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid2020 has proven a turning point in the EV market, and the trend is accelerating in 2021: more models, stronger public policies, mass roll-out of charging infrastructure, and a 300bnUSD race to catch up on Tesla. What’s the current state of play in...
What’s the current state of play in the EV market? Among the OEMs, which are the Tesla challengers, and which are the laggards? Do the SPACs have any future? What are the Chinese up to? What to think about innovative outsiders such as Rivian and Rimac? What about vertical integration, software developments, autonomy, and new services?

A refreshing open conversation with our friend James Carter, a 25-year veteran of the Automotive industry and recognized sharpest mind on the future of mobility.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescartertoronto/

Check our friends:
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence: https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/
Rho Motion: https://rhomotion.com/

A great thanks to Aquila Capital for supporting the show: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>2028batteries,carbon,climate,electriccars,energytransition,evs,lithium,tesla,vwfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/54-energy-trading-it-is-now-man-vs-machine-jul21--45440077To discuss those changes, we are invited Peter Bance, CEO of Origami. Origami’s patented technology enables energy companies to seamlessly bring together real-time data from physical assets, financial markets, and existing customer systems to optimise power trading.
Peter offers us a view into a new type of Energy Trading where the Grid is dominated by Renewables.

Thanks again to our partner, Aquila Capital
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45440077Thu, 15 Jul 2021 03:00:12 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe development of renewables has made power markets much more volatile, hence “volatility is the new gold”. Harnessing that volatility requires skills much beyond the traditional Energy Trader’s capabilities: welcome to the new digital energy trading...To discuss those changes, we are invited Peter Bance, CEO of Origami. Origami’s patented technology enables energy companies to seamlessly bring together real-time data from physical assets, financial markets, and existing customer systems to optimise power trading.
Peter offers us a view into a new type of Energy Trading where the Grid is dominated by Renewables.

Thanks again to our partner, Aquila Capital
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1668batteries,carbon,climate,digital,energy,energytrading,energytransition,powertrading,ppas,renewablesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/53-oil-majors-the-journey-from-molecules-to-electrons-jul21--45384959A trading company by DNA, Shell has decided to mostly focus its strengths on the mid-stream and downstream segments. New businesses are being launched or acquired, centred around digital, trading, Virtual Power Plants (VPP) and EV charging.
It is still early days to conclude if Shell will be able to ride the Energy Transition, but some green shoots, under the leadership of our guest, Ulrika Wising, Global VP Customer Solutions at Shell Renewables & Energy Solutions, are certainly promising.
Will Oil Majors turn into Energy Majors? For once Gerard and Laurent disagree on pretty much everything!
-----
Thank you to our partner Aquila Capital
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45384959Thu, 01 Jul 2021 03:20:08 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidNavigating the Energy Transition for an Oil Major is not that simple. Decades-old simple centralised molecules energy systems are making way to decentralised electrons models. Some Oil Majors have simply decided to ignore the Energy transition, others...A trading company by DNA, Shell has decided to mostly focus its strengths on the mid-stream and downstream segments. New businesses are being launched or acquired, centred around digital, trading, Virtual Power Plants (VPP) and EV charging.
It is still early days to conclude if Shell will be able to ride the Energy Transition, but some green shoots, under the leadership of our guest, Ulrika Wising, Global VP Customer Solutions at Shell Renewables & Energy Solutions, are certainly promising.
Will Oil Majors turn into Energy Majors? For once Gerard and Laurent disagree on pretty much everything!
-----
Thank you to our partner Aquila Capital
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>2129carbon,climate,energy,energymarkets,energystorage,energytransition,evcharging,oil,trading,vppfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/52-the-german-energiewende-jun21--45199715But the cost to consumers has been significant. German Energy policy is very political and there is a lot of money flowing around without much consideration for economic realities.
As the German Green party is expected to become an ever-dominant political actor, especially in view of the Autumn 2021 elections, we wanted to have a conversation with one of its most prominent inspirers: Patrick Graichen, who – after a long career in the German Ministry of Energy and Environment – leads the Agora Energiewende think tank.
Where is the Energiewende today? What lessons can we learn from the past? How would a green-inspired Energy Transition continue to evolve both for Germany and Europe? Patrick delivers a unique insight into the future of the Energiewende.

Agora-Energiewende: https://www.agora-energiewende.de/en/

Thanks to our partner - Aquila Capital: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45199715Tue, 15 Jun 2021 02:55:02 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidGermany is rightly portrayed as a pioneer in the development of wind and solar. For the past two decades, the German government has granted a) a very stable framework b) very generous terms to renewables. And the “Energiewende” (the Energy Transition)...But the cost to consumers has been significant. German Energy policy is very political and there is a lot of money flowing around without much consideration for economic realities.
As the German Green party is expected to become an ever-dominant political actor, especially in view of the Autumn 2021 elections, we wanted to have a conversation with one of its most prominent inspirers: Patrick Graichen, who – after a long career in the German Ministry of Energy and Environment – leads the Agora Energiewende think tank.
Where is the Energiewende today? What lessons can we learn from the past? How would a green-inspired Energy Transition continue to evolve both for Germany and Europe? Patrick delivers a unique insight into the future of the Energiewende.

Agora-Energiewende: https://www.agora-energiewende.de/en/

Thanks to our partner - Aquila Capital: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1863carbon,climate,energiewende,energytransition,evs,germany,heatpumps,renewables,tesla,vwfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/51-is-there-a-future-for-coal-in-asia-jun21--45008380There is no better expert on the subject that Tim Buckley, Director of Energy Finance Studies at IEEFA (The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis), a thinktank examining issues related to energy markets, trends, and policies.
With Tim, we discover that the debate is much more than about pure climate change: it is about growth, jobs, energy security and technology. We end up with a positive message: it is really the beginning of the end for coal in Asia.

Thank you to Aquila Capital for supporting the show
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/

Links to IEEFA
Tim Buckley https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-buckley-0a654313/
IEEFA https://ieefa.org/

Ember Climate
https://ember-climate.org/

And finally, our hero from down under
Pablo Brait https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-brait-37a716117/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45008380Tue, 01 Jun 2021 02:05:14 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhile coal is being phased out in Europe and America, it is still the dominant source of energy in Asia. Why is that? And how will the situation evolve? Is there any teeth behind the net zero pledges for the second part of the century? In other words,...There is no better expert on the subject that Tim Buckley, Director of Energy Finance Studies at IEEFA (The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis), a thinktank examining issues related to energy markets, trends, and policies.
With Tim, we discover that the debate is much more than about pure climate change: it is about growth, jobs, energy security and technology. We end up with a positive message: it is really the beginning of the end for coal in Asia.

Thank you to Aquila Capital for supporting the show
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/

Links to IEEFA
Tim Buckley https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-buckley-0a654313/
IEEFA https://ieefa.org/

Ember Climate
https://ember-climate.org/

And finally, our hero from down under
Pablo Brait https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-brait-37a716117/]]>1880carbon,china,climate,coal,energy,energytransition,india,renewables,solar,windfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/50-redefining-utilities-strategies-in-the-electric-decade-with-e-on-at-eurelectric-power-summit-21-may21--44620217E.ON is a massive German Utility that has spent the last decade (aka “the lost decade”) selling its coal plants, exiting from nuclear and swapping assets with ex rival RWE. After this reinvention, E.ON can now face the 2020’s with a strong balance sheet and a clear strategy. How to make the most of its two main businesses, retail and networks? What is the impact of digitisation (EV charging, smart meters) on its revenue model? Will it have to adopt a more aggressive strategy than just deleveraging and distributing dividends? To summarise: is E.ON going to be a prey or a predator?
Dr Leonhard Birnbaum faces all our questions with humour, humility, and comes up with a clear vision for his company.
We would like to thank Kristian Ruby and the talented team of Eurelectric for organising the debate. https://www.eurelectric.org/
We thank our partner Aquila Capital for supporting the show - https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/
————-
Follow the show on Twitter
@Redef_Energy]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/44620217Sat, 15 May 2021 03:40:04 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid“Sorry, I’m getting emotional when it comes to smart meters”. Part of Eurelectric’ s Power Summit 2021, we have had a great conversation with Dr Leonhard Birnbaum, the new CEO of E.ON. E.ON is a massive German Utility that has spent the last decade...E.ON is a massive German Utility that has spent the last decade (aka “the lost decade”) selling its coal plants, exiting from nuclear and swapping assets with ex rival RWE. After this reinvention, E.ON can now face the 2020’s with a strong balance sheet and a clear strategy. How to make the most of its two main businesses, retail and networks? What is the impact of digitisation (EV charging, smart meters) on its revenue model? Will it have to adopt a more aggressive strategy than just deleveraging and distributing dividends? To summarise: is E.ON going to be a prey or a predator?
Dr Leonhard Birnbaum faces all our questions with humour, humility, and comes up with a clear vision for his company.
We would like to thank Kristian Ruby and the talented team of Eurelectric for organising the debate. https://www.eurelectric.org/
We thank our partner Aquila Capital for supporting the show - https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/
————-
Follow the show on Twitter
@Redef_Energy]]>1745batteries,carbon,climate,coal,digitisation,energytrading,energytransition,evs,nuclear,renewables,utilitiesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/49-the-stratospheric-rise-of-octopus-energy-may21--44394520Beyond the digital supremacy, disruptors bring a new approach to consumers' needs, much closer to Amazon than a Utility. We have invited one of the leading new entrants, Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, to discuss innovations, new pricings systems, and its tech, called “Kraken”. Greg explains how to overcome regulatory hurdles which are benefiting the established companies and shares with us how he is on the cusp of conquering the world from its base of 20m clients.

-------------------

We thank our partner Aquila Capital for supporting the show - https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/
10GW portfolio! Fantastic.

-------------------
Finally, thanks to Rosie Barnes, you can also see us on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=6B65dYBxIgU]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/44394520Sat, 01 May 2021 03:15:03 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe energy retail sector is also experiencing its version of the energy transition, where incumbents with legacy systems are challenged by new entrants rolling out ground-breaking digital platforms. Beyond the digital supremacy, disruptors bring a new...Beyond the digital supremacy, disruptors bring a new approach to consumers' needs, much closer to Amazon than a Utility. We have invited one of the leading new entrants, Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, to discuss innovations, new pricings systems, and its tech, called “Kraken”. Greg explains how to overcome regulatory hurdles which are benefiting the established companies and shares with us how he is on the cusp of conquering the world from its base of 20m clients.

-------------------

We thank our partner Aquila Capital for supporting the show - https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/
10GW portfolio! Fantastic.

-------------------
Finally, thanks to Rosie Barnes, you can also see us on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=6B65dYBxIgU]]>1834carbon,climatechange,digital,energytransition,evs,octopusenergy,renewables,solar,tesla,windfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/48-solar-batteries-can-china-s-dominance-be-challenged-apr21--44203389There is no better source of knowledge on the subject of Solar and Batteries that someone based in China and whose teams are inspecting hundreds of factories. This is for real; and, as usual in China, dynamics are complex… but the results are staggering.
Andy Klump, CEO of CEA (Clean Energy Associates) share with Gerard and Laurent his world-class expertise of what’s happening in the solar and battery industries. The conversation also delves into ESG, carbon content and traceability questions. Ever declining costs are a very positive message for the Energy Transition.
Thank you to Aquila Capital (https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/) for supporting the show.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/44203389Thu, 15 Apr 2021 03:45:10 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidChina manufactures 2/3 of the world’s solar panels and 2/3 of the world’s batteries. How does it look on the ground? What technological advances do Chinese companies have and what does it means for the future? There is no better source of knowledge...There is no better source of knowledge on the subject of Solar and Batteries that someone based in China and whose teams are inspecting hundreds of factories. This is for real; and, as usual in China, dynamics are complex… but the results are staggering.
Andy Klump, CEO of CEA (Clean Energy Associates) share with Gerard and Laurent his world-class expertise of what’s happening in the solar and battery industries. The conversation also delves into ESG, carbon content and traceability questions. Ever declining costs are a very positive message for the Energy Transition.
Thank you to Aquila Capital (https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/) for supporting the show.]]>1601batteries,carbon,china,energy,energystorage,energytransition,esg,renewables,solarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/47-batteries-a-new-asset-class-in-infrastructure-investing-apr21--43998459We wanted to discuss the various aspects of investing in Batteries with Ben Guest, Managing Director at Gresham House, a very talented and innovative Infrastructure Asset Manager. What are the opportunities and the challenges to invest in Batteries from a technical, digital and equity points of view? What are the revenues and how will they evolve? Where is the technology leading us? And so much more is the truly enlightening episode
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting the show!
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/43998459Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:15:18 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidIn Episode 47, we dive into the exponential development of batteries into the Grid: the Energy Storage industry is doubling size every year. One of the key market is the UK, where the market is expected to x10 this decade because of the rise of...We wanted to discuss the various aspects of investing in Batteries with Ben Guest, Managing Director at Gresham House, a very talented and innovative Infrastructure Asset Manager. What are the opportunities and the challenges to invest in Batteries from a technical, digital and equity points of view? What are the revenues and how will they evolve? Where is the technology leading us? And so much more is the truly enlightening episode
We thank Aquila Capital for supporting the show!
https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1668batteries,carbon,climate,energystorage,energytrading,energytransition,grid,renewables,resiliencyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/46-flexible-resilient-sustainable-the-making-of-the-xxist-century-supergrid-mar21--43790984Gerhard Salge, CTO Hitachi ABB Power Grids provides solutions for a modernised XXIst Century super-grid. The super-grid will be strengthen through interconnectors and AI, but also integrate new usages such as emobility, heating, and industrial uses like steel and mining. This is a journey where digisation, virtual inertia, mini-hubs are the new tool to build, manage and strengthen the XXist century supergrid. Massive investments and new mindsets will be key to a cleaner and more resilient electrical world.
Thank you to our partner - Aquila Capital - for supporting the show.
Visit Aquila Capital: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/43790984Mon, 15 Mar 2021 04:00:22 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidAfter several black outs in the past months, the irresistible growing trend towards electrification and the relentless rise of renewables, the grid has become the indispensable nervous system of the energy transition. How can the grid manage more...Gerhard Salge, CTO Hitachi ABB Power Grids provides solutions for a modernised XXIst Century super-grid. The super-grid will be strengthen through interconnectors and AI, but also integrate new usages such as emobility, heating, and industrial uses like steel and mining. This is a journey where digisation, virtual inertia, mini-hubs are the new tool to build, manage and strengthen the XXist century supergrid. Massive investments and new mindsets will be key to a cleaner and more resilient electrical world.
Thank you to our partner - Aquila Capital - for supporting the show.
Visit Aquila Capital: https://www.aquila-capital.de/en/]]>1637blackouts,carbonmarket,climatechange,energystorage,energytransition,energytransmission,grid,interconnectors,renewables,solar,windfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/45-the-green-industrial-revolution-mar21--43619622Beyond climate change, it is about innovation, new opportunities and massive jobs creation. We have invited two young engineers working on those gigantic projects Ajai Ahluwalia of Equinor and Virginia Ruiz of ScottishPower-Iberdrola. On the top of their daily jobs, they have both volunteered to work in the shadow board of RenewableUK (the trade association representing the renewable energy sector) and they are actively preparing COP26.
It is great to have young, diverse guests on the show, not just old grumpy white dudes. The passion and dedication of Millennials is definitely powering the Green Industrial Revolution.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/43619622Mon, 01 Mar 2021 04:15:15 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidThe UK Green Industrial Revolution was introduced by Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, in 2020. It is a holistic approach to decarbonisation, but we wanted to focus on one of its key aspects: the development of the largest offshore wind farms in the...Beyond climate change, it is about innovation, new opportunities and massive jobs creation. We have invited two young engineers working on those gigantic projects Ajai Ahluwalia of Equinor and Virginia Ruiz of ScottishPower-Iberdrola. On the top of their daily jobs, they have both volunteered to work in the shadow board of RenewableUK (the trade association representing the renewable energy sector) and they are actively preparing COP26.
It is great to have young, diverse guests on the show, not just old grumpy white dudes. The passion and dedication of Millennials is definitely powering the Green Industrial Revolution.]]>1552carbon,climatechange,cop26,energytransition,greenindustrialrevolution,offshorewind,renewables,solar,windenergyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/44-hydrogen-it-s-complicated-feb21--43386013Is Hydrogen a problem, with its hundreds of millions tonnes of CO2 emissions per year or a “Swiss Army Knife” solution that will help decarbonise Mobility, Heating and God knows what?
Should decarbonising the current Hydrogen production be the initial goal? Carbon Capture, Electrolysers: do those technologies make sense from an economic perspective, are there technology breakthroughs ahead or does someone will have to foot the bill?
Rather than trying to fix the fuel, should we not instead switch the fuel and electrify everything?
Those are all the subjects that are covered in this long Episode, and answers are… complicated.
Fortunately, we have our friend Paul Martin on the show, to try to make sense of all those options, and dissociate the Hope from the Hype.

References:
•Electrification: Mark Jacobson
•Mobility: James Carter (and check Auke Hoestra on twitter)
•Aviation: Toby McCann
•Lobbying: THE HYDROGEN HYPE https://corporateeurope.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/hydrogen-report-web-final_3.pdf
•Finally, a lot of good material from our friends John Poljack and Alex Grant]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/43386013Mon, 15 Feb 2021 05:00:15 +0000Laurent Segalen and Gerard ReidWhy are engineers, politicians and financiers talking about Hydrogen all the time? And why are they throwing billions of subsidies or investment in companies in that sector? Is Hydrogen a problem, with its hundreds of millions tonnes of CO2 emissions...Is Hydrogen a problem, with its hundreds of millions tonnes of CO2 emissions per year or a “Swiss Army Knife” solution that will help decarbonise Mobility, Heating and God knows what?
Should decarbonising the current Hydrogen production be the initial goal? Carbon Capture, Electrolysers: do those technologies make sense from an economic perspective, are there technology breakthroughs ahead or does someone will have to foot the bill?
Rather than trying to fix the fuel, should we not instead switch the fuel and electrify everything?
Those are all the subjects that are covered in this long Episode, and answers are… complicated.
Fortunately, we have our friend Paul Martin on the show, to try to make sense of all those options, and dissociate the Hope from the Hype.

References:
•Electrification: Mark Jacobson
•Mobility: James Carter (and check Auke Hoestra on twitter)
•Aviation: Toby McCann
•Lobbying: THE HYDROGEN HYPE https://corporateeurope.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/hydrogen-report-web-final_3.pdf
•Finally, a lot of good material from our friends John Poljack and Alex Grant]]>2239batteries,carbon,climatechange,climatepolicy,decarbonisation,elonmusk,energytransition,evs,fuels,hydrogen,renewables,solar,tesla,windfalsefull