Energy Transition Now

In the final episode of the CCUS mini-series, we look at the role that carbon capture can play in a large scale and ‘so called' hard to abate industry. David Linden spoke with Pavan Chilukuri, Group Head of CCUS Strategy at Holcim - a global leader in building solutions – who view CCUS as a key lever to accelerating its decarbonization journey. David and Pavan discuss the significance of CCUS to Holcim, the commitments the business is making (where and why), as well as what the key success factors are for a project. 

In this episode we shift our focus from the transport and storage of carbon to the capture side of the value chain. David Linden spoke with Mike Maudsely, the CEO of enfinium, a leading UK Energy from Waste (EfW) operator on the decarbonisation vision for enfinium and the EfW sector, and the central role that CCS plays in this. David and Mike discuss the technical and commercial balancing act that needs to be struck to achieve the breath of benefits available in decarbonising EfW facilities.

The third of our CCUS mini-series continues its focus on the United Kingdom through the lens of the energy company ENI. David Linden spoke with Martin Currie, Energy Transition Manager, ENI UK, on the importance of CCUS in ENI's and the economy's transition, the strength of the UK approach to developing CCUS, and the role that ENI is playing in the sector – both as an operator and developer of transportation and storage of CO₂ as well as an orchestrator of CCUS projects.

In the second episode of our CCUS mini-series, we turn our focus to the United Kingdom – a country with plans to be a global leader in CCUS. Olivia Powis, UK Director for the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, spoke with David Linden to explain the specific role that the technology plays in the UK, and why – after past failed attempts – the industry can now achieve its ambitious targets. David and Olivia also discuss both the opportunity and risks facing the industry, as well as what the longer-term vision is.   

According to most IPCC climate mitigation pathways, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is essential to achieving a net-zero economy. The technology's potential has been championed for years, but its development has lagged ambition. However, there now appears to be new momentum - is this the CCUS moment we have been waiting for?

National Gas currently operates the UK's 7500km national transmission system – the backbone that is responsible for keeping the lights on, business running and warming homes in the winter. Jake Tudge, Corporate Affairs Director, explains why the company believes hydrogen has a critical part to play in its future transmission network and discusses some of the initiatives it is currently undertaking to transition to hydrogen.

Given hydrogen's nascency, there are specific hurdles that need to be overcome to win investors' confidence and support the scale-up of technologies that are critical to the hydrogen economy. Michelle Robson, Senior Investment Manager at AP Ventures, shares her views on what criteria is important to consider from a venture capitalist's perspective.

Closing out our first Energy Transition Now podcast mini-series, in this special Offshore Wind Series Review, Gareth Hector sits down with David Linden to discuss the rationale behind the series. Gareth and David and listen back over selected clips and discuss the key highlights and themes that have come out of this podcast series.

The offshore wind industry has a key role to play in creating a more sustainable energy system. A fundamental question the industry needs to ask itself really is how to scale while also maintaining its sustainability credentials? David spoke with Maximilian Schnippering, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Gamesa, to explore the current footprint of the industry, drivers and opportunities for sustainability, the barriers to change, as well as when we will see a fully carbon neutral, circular Offshore Wind industry.

in this episode of the Offshore Wind Energy Transition Now mini-series, David spoke with Justine Burg, VP of Business Development, Europe Offshore Wind at Equinor, to discuss "Delivering Europe's Offshore Wind Ambitions”Ambition is not something the Offshore Wind industry is lacking. The question is whether it can deliver on the targets being set.New and emerging markets are often singled out for discussion, but the theme of deliverability is just as important – if not more so – in Europe, the birthplace of the industry.David and Justine explored Europe's Offshore Wind ambitions, the challenges that the region faces, and what potential changes are needed for the industry to deliver.

For a technology that is essentially still in a pre-commercial phase, the expectation is high for floating wind to be the future of the offshore wind industry. But the technology landscape that is going to help floating scale is far from settled. With vertical axis wind turbines having been around for just as long as horizontal axis ones, floating also presents an opportunity for vertical turbines to play a bigger part. To discuss how the floating offshore wind sector has evolved, and the role that vertical axis turbines can have in the growth of this market, David spoke with Johan Sandberg, CEO of SeaTwirl.

In this episode David Linden speaks with Liming Qiao, the Head of Asia from GWEC on unlocking the offshore wind potential of Southeast Asia. This is the time where the route to market for offshore wind is being developed in the region, setting it up for significant growth in the next decade. David and Liming explore the drivers for offshore wind investment, why Taiwan offers a template for the region, how the Philippines is now outpacing Vietnam as the future growth market, as well as how Korea is creating the right conditions for delivering its 14 GW target.  

Kicking off our Offshore Wind Energy Transition Now mini-series, David spoke with Mark Leybourne, the Offshore Wind Program Lead for the World Bank, to discuss emerging Offshore Wind markets.The conversation explores the unique important and role of the World bank in expanding and supporting offshore wind globally, the opportunities and challenges governments with an emerging market face, as well as what action is needed for those markets to take off.

 The oil and gas supply chain plays a key role in producers achieving both efficient operations and their net zero targets. David - and co-host Teresa Wilkie - spoke with Lola Caballero, Head of the Decarbonisation Task Force at Maersk Drilling to understand the opportunities and challenges faced by drillers - and Maersk specifically - as the industry transitions. 

Offshore wind is a renewable energy source that is set for dramatic growth. WGEG forecast that today we have just over 50 gigawatts of global installed capacity, which is set to increase to almost 350 gigawatts by the end of this decade. The question on everyone's lips though is how are we going to deliver all of this capacity? To give us their perspective on things, David Linden from WGEG speaks to Tim Pick, Offshore Wind Champion for the UK.

In this episode David spoke with Thomas Boermans, Head of Foresight at E.ON on the relatively new discipline of strategic foresight.They consider the role foresight can play in organisations, and how E.ON embeds it into it's strategic thinking and business planning. David and Thomas then focus their discussion on the E.ON Trend Radar; an initiative that looks at the themes and topics shaping the future of energy.

In this episode of Energy Transition Now David Linden speaks with Zeke Hausfather, the climate research lead at Stripe, to discuss the role of climate science amidst the real-world action on climate change. Hausfather is a climate scientist whose research focuses on observational temperature records, climate models, carbon removal, and mitigation technologies.

We kickstart Series Four of the Energy Transition Now podcast, just as RenewableUK begins first day of the Global Offshore Wind 2022 conference and exhibition in Manchester, UK.To keep on topic, this week we're delighted to be discussing the opportunities and challenges of floating offshore wind with Alex Gauntt, Supply Chain Director of Cierco Energy.

This week in the final episode of Series Three of Energy Transition Now , David Linden speaks with Libbe Skovgaard-Petersen, Vice President at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, CIP, a renewable energy investment fund. Libbe speaks to CIP's goal of being a €100 billion fund by 2030 and the importance and focus on P2X - Power to X - particularly in reaching hard to abate sectors.

This week in Energy Transition Now we were joined by Tara Schmidt, Sustainability & ESG Finance Director, Lloyds Banking Group for a discussion on ‘Financing the Energy Transition'.Tara and host David Linden, discuss the role that Lloyds is and can play in the UK around funding the energy transition, a critical part of ‘getting us where we need to be'. Tara goes on to speak about how Lloyds is doubling its sustainable finance funding for for corporate banking and how it wants to see ‘financed emissions' aligned with the UK net zero target.Discussing three key aspects of how Lloyds is supporting clients on their energy transition journeys; people, insights and collaboration and tools, Tara also speaks to a just and fair transition and and the social implications that come with that.

This week in Energy Transition Now David Linden speaks with Amy Bowe, VP of ESG Africa Oil Corp on the energy transition in Africa. A lot of air time is given to the energy transition in Europe, Asia and North America, places where in theory the majority of today's GDP and emission sit. However, Africa clearly has its very own dynamics with 17% of the worlds population, but just 6% of global energy demand and with more than half the population lacking access to electricity.

In this episode of Energy Transition Now we speak with David Hughes, CEO of New Normal and a 35 year veteran of the global petrochemicals (petchems) industry, on why petchems won't be saving oil demand. The discussion includes a run through of the history and scale of the industry and why it has been a leading indicator for the economy, before exploring how the industry is changing within the context of the energy transition and broader sustainability agenda, and what the implications are for for the petchems value chain.

Recorded on Thursday 17th February, in this episode of Energy Transition Now David Linden speaks with Sally Walker, Consultant at Clarity Leadership and Founding Partner of Human Digital Thinking, on the topic of "The implications of an increasing dependency on data and technology." The discussion covers Sally's background in cyber, the trust in technology and the opportunity that technology offers, and how future crisis and opportunity is being thought about by the energy industry as part of critical national infrastructure.Sally, who according to the Sunday Times at one point was the best cyber spy in the country, now has a portfolio of ‘interesting stuff', with people at the core of all her work. She has two main passions. One is the need for a ‘human in the loop' as we exploit the potential of data, technology and artificial intelligence, whether in government, business or education. The other is leaving a better world for the next generation - and the imperative to convert the climate crisis into genuine change management, with traction from the smallest of local actions to the most global of international interests.

Episode 15 and the return of the  Energy Transition Now podcast for Series Three!During this series we speak to a range of experts every two weeks, to continue exploring the key questions around the Energy Transition.In this episode David Linden speaks with Professor Martin Siegert, Co-Director of the Grantham Institute  on "What Antarctica tells us about climate change."

Episode 15 and the return of the  Energy Transition Now podcast for Series Three!During this series we speak to a range of experts every two weeks, to continue exploring the key questions around the Energy Transition.In this episode David Linden speaks with Professor Martin Siegert, Co-Director of the Grantham Institute  on "What Antarctica tells us about climate change."

This week in Episode 14 we turn the tables and have Gareth Hector – Westwood's Head of Marketing – speaks with David Linden. Gareth and David listen back over selected clips from previous episodes, as David explains what he thinks have been the key highlights and themes that have come out of Series One and Two of the Energy Transition Now podcast.

Episode 13 of Energy Transition Now is now live with David Linden in discussion with Marek Kubik of energy storage company Fluence – which recently floated on the NASDAQ – shares his insights into ‘electron time machines', or batteries, within the broader context of energy storage.https://www.westwoodenergy.com/news/video-podcasts/energy-transition-now-podcast-episode-13-with-marek-kubik

Episode 12 of Energy Transition Now is now live with David Linden in discussion with Jamie Beard of the Geothermal Entrepreneurship Organisation (GEO) - a passionate advocate for geothermal energy as the baseload-capable clean energy of the future.David and Jamie explore the huge potential that geothermal energy has in decarbonising both heath and electricity, and why geothermal is now gaining traction again after an initial lukewarm start. They discuss the opportunities and challenges to scaling the sector, as well as where more time and money needs to be spent to launching geothermal on the ‘curve of the shale boom'. Crucially, Jamie explains the role of the oil and gas sector in achieving this success and how geothermal energy should be seen as the future of oil and gas industry.

Episode 11 of Energy Transition Now is now live with David Linden in discussion with Kentaro Hosomi of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).One of the key technologies that could play a vital – if not essential – role in making net-zero emissions by mid-century possible is carbon capture utilisation and storage; CCUS. This week, Kentaro Hosomi of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) joins the podcast for Episode 11 and speaks to the importance of technology and innovation in decarbonising our economies and the potential for CCUS.

Next up in Series Two of Energy Transition Now David Linden speaks with Siobhan Clarke of bp Launchpad.David and Siobhan discuss how to accelerate innovation to achieve a net-zero world, and how software, hardware and digital assets can be brought into the energy industry to enable that. They explore bp Launchpad's high conviction investment model, whose goal it is to scale businesses by taking a majority stake, and bringing in the right people, skills, governance and flexibility.

In this first episode of Series Two of Energy Transition Now David Linden speaks with Duncan McLachlan and Safina Jivraj of io consulting.The discussion walks through how to design or adapt projects to make them compatible with a lower carbon future, as well as the options and limitations for greenfield and brownfield projects in targeting net-zero – including having the right mindset in your approach.Duncan and Safina also delve into practical examples in the hydrocarbon and hard-to-abate sectors, explaining why taking a system thinking approach is so critical for success and in managing the complexity, while avoiding unintended consequences.

In this trailer for the final episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now  series one podcasts, David Linden speaks with Dominic Emery, Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, at bp.For more, listen to the full episode.

In this final episode of this first series Energy Transition Now , Dominic Emery, Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, bp, discusses the key themes from bp's recently published Statistical Review, as well as the company's own net-zero scenario compares to that of the IEA – with the lesson this provides for rapid decarbonisation of the supply side. Dominic walks us through the evolution of bp's strategy, which includes understanding the deep challenges, taking an optimistic disposition towards the opportunity, and defining the purpose of business. David and Dominic the discuss the rationale for the 40% reduction ion hydrocarbon production by 2030, the approach and ambitions regarding emissions reductions, the changing nature of returns vs cash flow, and then opportunities for integration across the value chain. Dominic also highlights the importance supporting ‘greening companies' if we are to achieve the Paris goals.

This week with  Energy Transition Now  , Emeliana Rice-Oxley, Vice President, Exploration in Upstream Business PETRONAS joins the podcast.Graeme Bagley, Westwood's Global Head of Exploration & Appraisal also joins this episode, as the discussion with Emeliana leads through the future of oil and gas exploration in the light of the Energy Transition, and role of National Oil Companies (NOCs) within this. Emeliana walks us through Petronas' three-pronged strategy of maximising cash generators, expanding its core business and stepping out (into new energies). The conversation moves onto the implications this has for the exploration community, with a continued focus on value, lower cost and faster pace, but also the emphasis on a lower carbon footprint. Emeliana then addresses the broader role of the exploration function in areas such as CCS and Geothermal and speaks to the challenge of retaining and attracting the necessary talent.https://www.westwoodenergy.com/news/video-podcasts/energy-transition-now-podcast-episode-7-with-emeliana-rice-oxley 

In this trailer for the sixth episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now  podcasts, David Linden speaks with Clara Altobell, VP ESG and Business Innovation, Serica Energy.For more, listen to the full episode.

In the sixth episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now  podcasts, David Linden speaks with Clara Altobell, VP ESG and Business Innovation, Serica Energy.During the discussion, Clara explains the importance in having an Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) lens to understand a company's place in the Energy Transition, and the practical implications this has on corporate strategy, investment and everyday decision making. Clara also discusses some of the key issues facing Serica and oil and gas companies, including how to manage the UK's twin goals of maximising economic recovery and achieving net-zero, and the role that carbon pricing mechanisms such as the EU / UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) play in bringing about change in the sector. She also talks about her own ESG journey and the lessons learnt along the way.More information at:https://www.westwoodenergy.com/news/video-podcasts/energy-transition-now-podcast-episode-6-with-clara-altobell

In the fifth episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Grete Tveit, SVP Low Carbon Solutions, Equinor.In the aftermath of the recent Capital Markets Day, Grete discusses the step change in Equnior's energy transition ambitions and how it will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 for scope 1, 2 and 3. Grete speaks about the importance of CCS and Clean Hydrogen (blue but also green) to Equnior's strategy – both for Equnior's own emissions and in the decarbonisation of our economies. She explains why the oil and gas industry is particularly well placed to lead in CCS and Hydrogen, as well as the wide range of projects that Equinor is pursuing with its partners in the UK and Norway. Grete and David also discuss the barriers to deploying these technologies at scale.

In the fourth episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts1, David Linden speaks with Jo Coleman, UK Energy Transition Manager, Shell.During the episode, Jo provides an overview of how Shell is ‘Powering Progress' through its energy transition strategy, including how the company is now aligned to the 1.5 degree (rather than 2 degree) target of the Paris Agreement. Jo speaks about the need to change in step with society, and the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieving this. The conversation also turns to the nuances of the energy transition in the UK, and the activities Shell is pursuing in support of this – including the need to reduce its own emissions, as well as those of its customers through e-mobility, integrated green power, CCS and Hydrogen.

In this episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Julien Perez, VP Strategy & Policy from the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI).In this episode, Julien addresses the risk of not including the oil and gas industry in the energy transition. The discussion covers a wide range of topics that the industry need to consider, including what it means to be Paris aligned, the range of options it has, as well as what the most efficient and cost-effective ways are to achieve carbon reduction (removal and mitigation). Julien also speaks about the practical actions that OGCI and its members are taking, including the targets, collaboration initiatives, and investments it is making.

In the second episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden, Head of Energy Transition at Westwood,  speaks with Iman Hill, Executive Director, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP).During this episode, Iman raises the current misconception around the oil and gas industry, and how both sides of the story need to be told in the face of a changing energy industry. David and Iman discuss the role the IOGP and it's members have in helping move the energy transition forward, but also the challenges and the risks the industry faces – including on greenwashing and stranded assets – especially following the publication of the IEA's latest Net-Zero scenario.

In the second episode of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden, Head of Energy Transition at Westwood,  speaks with Iman Hill, Executive Director, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP).During this episode, Iman raises the current misconception around the oil and gas industry, and how both sides of the story need to be told in the face of a changing energy industry. David and Iman discuss the role the IOGP and it's members have in helping move the energy transition forward, but also the challenges and the risks the industry faces – including on greenwashing and stranded assets – especially following the publication of the IEA's latest Net-Zero scenario.

In the first of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Sustainability Consultant, William Day.During this episode, David and Will explore what sustainability, the energy transition and achieving ‘net zero' really means; both for our economies as a whole and the use of fossil fuels. They then turn to what the oil and gas industry should do now to succeed in an evolving environment, and what potential legal and financial risks the industry faces if it does not act in line with the climate science and Paris agreement.

In the first of Westwood's Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden, Head of Energy Transition at Westwood, speaks with Sustainability Consultant, William Day.During this episode, David and Will explore what sustainability, the energy transition and achieving ‘net zero' really means; both for our economies as a whole and the use of fossil fuels.  Visit the Westwood site for full bios.