The Interchange

Follow The Interchange
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The energy system is changing fast. Come explore the future with journalist Stephen Lacey and venture capitalist Shayle Kann. Each week, they'll take you on a tour of the global energy transformation, providing provide insight into technology trends, markets, and companies -- making for wonky and entertaining listening.

Greentech Media


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 42m AVG DURATION
    • 318 EPISODES

    4.8 from 485 ratings Listeners of The Interchange that love the show mention: renewables, cleantech, renewable energy, energy gang, energy transition, energy podcast, stephen lacey, clean tech, clean energy, energy industry, gtm, interchange, climate crisis, solar, sector, copy, global, policy, trends, green.


    Ivy Insights

    The Interchange podcast, hosted by Stephen and Shayle, is a must-listen for anyone interested in technology trends, markets, and companies. This podcast covers all aspects of the industry and offers insightful advice and information to its listeners. Whether you are new to the industry or deep into it, The Interchange has something for everyone. The hosts bring on expert guests and provide a unique investor perspective that sets this podcast apart from others in the field. They also discuss various topics with a high level of knowledge while remaining practical and unpreachy.

    One of the best aspects of The Interchange podcast is its ability to cater to listeners with different levels of knowledge and experience in the industry. It is approachable for newcomers, but also provides valuable insights for those already familiar with the sector. The hosts do an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in an understandable way and keep the discussions engaging and entertaining. The range of topics covered is impressive, ensuring that there is always something new to learn about green energy and tech.

    While The Interchange podcast has many strengths, one potential drawback is that it may not dive deep enough into certain specific topics. Given the vastness of the energy transition field, it can be challenging to cover every aspect comprehensively within each episode. However, this could also be seen as a positive aspect as it allows for a broader exploration of various subjects within the industry.

    In conclusion, The Interchange podcast is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to stay informed about energy transition and climate crisis-related topics. Its informative nature coupled with the hosts' personalities makes it an enjoyable listen for both newcomers and experts in the field. With its wide range of topics, insightful discussions, and great guests, this podcast should definitely be on your radar if you are interested in renewable energy and clean tech.



    Search for episodes from The Interchange with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Interchange

    It's turbulent times for the wind sector in the US, but the outlook is better across the pond. What can the US learn from Europe?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 41:49


    Nearly 150 days into President Trump's second term, the outlook for wind energy in the United States - particularly offshore wind - is increasingly bleak. Trump had pledged to end offshore wind development, and now the House Ways and Means Committee is proposing a phase-out of tax credits for renewables by 2031 - a move that would severely impact an already struggling wind sector (over on our sister podcast Energy Gang, we discuss the bill and what it means for renewables – check out that episode once you're finished here).Only three offshore wind projects have come online in US waters, with 4 GW currently under construction. In 2024, total wind installations reached a ten-year low at just 5.2 GW. By contrast, Europe has surged ahead, having built 35 GW of offshore wind capacity - ten times the US total – emphasising the stark differences in policy and financing frameworks.Still, there are glimmers of hope: President Trump recently lifted a stop-work order on a $5 billion offshore wind farm off the coast of New York, following lobbying from Governor Kathy Hochul. The project, led by Norwegian company Equinor, is expected to power 500,000 homes by 2027. However, with developer confidence sinking, experts warn that the stop-start nature of US policy continues to undermine long-term momentum in the sector. To forecast the next few years for wind in the US, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez – principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie – is joined by analyst Stephen Maldonado. They explore the policy and technology that's holding back deployment of offshore wind in the US.Plus, looking across the Atlantic to Europe, Sylvia talks to WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson, about the financing frameworks for wind in Europe.Sylvia, Stephen and Giles talk through the lessons for developers and financers: with uncertainty around tax credits and shifting policies, there may be a shift in resources to more advanced projects, putting early-stage ones on hold. Repowering old wind turbines is an option too; Giles explains how. And making use of domestic supply chain strengths is key – compared to solar, wind has more domestic supply chain support.Follow the show wherever you're listening to it now, and tell us what you think, we're on X and Bluesky @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    $8 billion in clean energy projects were cancelled this year. Can the US clean energy market survive tariff uncertainty?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 43:59


    The US is risking ceding global market share of clean energy to China, permanently.New tariffs, put in place one day then removed the next. Rising costs for everything along the supply chain. The US clean energy sector is navigating one of its most unpredictable phases yet. From solar to storage, how are developers and policymakers reacting to renewed trade tensions and their impact on the energy transition? “This isn't just about clean energy deployment. It's about whether the US will have a seat at the table in the future global energy economy,” says Leslie Abrahams, Deputy Director of the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at CSIS – the Center for Strategic & International Studies. She joins host Sylvia Leyva Martinez, a principal analyst covering global energy markets at Wood Mackenzie, to find out what the outlook is for US energy innovation. Escalating tariff policy is shaking investor confidence, altering supply chains, and putting the power firmly with China.Plus, in the second half of the show, Sylvia gets the developer perspective, from Joao Barreto, who is CEO of EDP Renewables' distributed generation business in North America. He explains how one of the world's largest clean energy developers is mitigating risk, adjusting their strategy, and building trust with manufacturers and offtakers amid unprecedented uncertainty.Sylvia, Leslie and Joao discuss:Why US$8 billion in clean energy projects were cancelled in Q1 2025, and what that signals to the marketHow US tariffs on Chinese batteries are backfiring on domestic manufacturingThe challenge of accelerating R&D while shutting out foreign investmentHow storage and solar developers are hedging their betsWhether the US risks ceding global market share to China permanentlyPower Play was developed by ExxonMobil to shine a light on the accomplishments of remarkable women and the men who uphold the importance of empowering others in the LNG and decarbonization industries. Nominations for the seventh annual Power Play Awards are now open, with four categories available: The Rising Star, The Pioneer, The Ambassador, and The Low Carbon Accelerator. Nominate a deserving candidate today! Nominations close May 30th. Find out more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What's the biggest mistake clean energy developers make when chasing tax equity? | Sponsored content from Foss and Company

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 30:40


    Tax equity plays a significant role in clean energy finance, but are developers using it effectively, or are they stumbling over complexities and recent changes? Sylvia Leyva Martinez is joined by Bryen Alperin, Partner and Managing Director at Foss and Company, a leading firm in renewable energy investment, to debate it. They explore how tax credits and incentives are reshaping clean energy's financial framework. Tax structures have changed significantly in the past few years, and there's new changes happening every day. Bryen talks about the challenges developers face, including policy changes under the Trump administration, and how these could affect project economics. It's everything you need to know about how to make tax structures work for you. This episode is brought to you by Foss & Company—a leader in tax equity investing. At the forefront of clean energy finance, Foss helps developers and investors unlock capital for solar and energy storage projects across the U.S. If you're navigating the tax credit landscape or looking to maximize project returns, partner with the experts. Visit fossandco.comto learn more. Foss & Company—investing in tomorrow, today. https://fossandco.com/contact-us/"Power Play was developed by ExxonMobil to shine a light on the accomplishments of remarkable women and the men who uphold the importance of empowering others in the LNG and decarbonization industries. Nominations for the seventh annual Power Play Awards are now open, with four categories available: The Rising Star, The Pioneer, The Ambassador, and The Low Carbon Accelerator. Nominate a deserving candidate today! Nominations close May 30th. Find out more."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    An energy podcast crossover: Energy Gang and Interchange Recharged join forces to discuss flexibility on the power grid: why it is so important, and how to create it

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 39:29


    They called the film Avengers: Infinity War the most ambitious crossover event in history. We can't quite make the same claim, but at Wood Mackenzie's 2025 Solar and Energy Storage Summit, we did record a crossover episode. Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Wood Mackenz's principal analyst for solar power and host of Interchange Recharged, is joined by Ed Crooks, host of Energy Gang, to discuss the future of energy, and of the electricity grid in particular.They are joined by Rob Chapman, Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions at the non-profit research group EPRI, the Electric Power Research Institute, which aims to help power society toward a reliable, affordable, and resilient energy future. Rob talks about a key theme in his work: the importance of flexibility on the electricity grid. Increased reliance on solar and wind power has created challenges in keeping the grid balanced and the lights on. Surging demand for electricity for new data centres to train and run AI models is giving rise to a whole new set of issues. More flexible demand and supply on the grid is increasingly valuable. But where can it come from?Data centres don't usually offer a lot of flexibility in their operations. People want to use ChatGPT and watch Netflix even at night and when the wind is low. So what can the hyperscalers do to create flexibility? Are virtual power plants an effective option? And how can the energy industry improve collaboration to find solutions that promote the clean energy transition while keeping prices down?You can find Energy Gang wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Interchange Recharged with Sylvia Leyva Martinez for deep dives into the innovations that are accelerating the energy transition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    In uncertain times, is a greater reliance on battery storage what's needed? And how can developers better prepare for it? | Recorded live at Wood Mackenzie's Solar & Energy Storage Summit

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 36:44


    Wood Mackenzie's 18th Solar and Energy Storage summit is back, in Denver this week. If you can't make it, don't worry – we have all the debate and key insight you need to know here on the podcast. Recorded live on day 2 of the summit, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez talks to key industry leaders in solar and storage to answer these questions:What's best practice for battery asset management? To answer this Sylvia is joined by Jenny Fink, Director of Asset Management at KeyCapture Energy. They discuss the need to synchronise market operations, analytics and site management. What's the biggest challenge involved in maintaining safe and efficient battery operations? How can developers and investors deal with market volatility? Petter Skantze is VP of Infrastructure Development at Nextera Energy. He talks to Sylvia about challenging load demands; stakes are higher now as project delays are a block to economic growth. Compared to legacy fossil fuels, solar and storage development lead times are many times faster – so why aren't we seeing accelerated deployment?Finally, Sylvia talks with Jeff Cramer about the benefits of community solar. Jeff is President and CEO of the Coalition for Community Solar Access, and he explains how community solar has grown from a niche offering to a key benefit to consumers. New York and California are leading the charge with programs that incentivise community solar with distributed energy sources. This episode is brought to you by Foss & Company - a leader in tax equity investing. At the forefront of clean energy finance, Foss helps developers and investors unlock capital for solar and energy storage projects across the U.S. If you're navigating the tax credit landscape or looking to maximize project returns, partner with the experts. Visit fossandco.com to learn more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Solar and energy storage experts debate the current market: what have we seen in the first quarter of 2025?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 50:04


    Wood Mackenzie's 18th Solar and Energy Storage summit is back, in Denver this week. If you can't make it, don't worry – we have all the debate and key insight you need to know here on the podcast.Recorded live on day 1 of the summit, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez talks to four industry leaders in solar and storage to answer these questions:Can the U.S. solar industry keep up with demand amid trade wars and policy chaos? Discussing this is David Carroll, ENGIE's Chief Renewables Officer. He warns that policy uncertainty and tariff whiplash are stalling U.S. solar investment. Sylvia and David look at sodium-ion batteries; are they a safer option? Plus, more domestic energy storage is needed amid growing calls for stable tax credit policy to meet growing electricity demand. A must-hear for developers navigating today's volatile energy landscape.What about VPPS? Can they scale fast enough to provide a real alternative? Answering this is Sarah Noll, She shares insights on regulatory challenges, customer trust, and tech adoption, showing how the Arizona Public Service is turning grid flexibility into a real growth strategy.Are storage operators leaving millions on the table because they don't understand their own batteries? That's the big question Shyam Srinivasan, CEO of Zitara, answers with Sylvia. He reveals how poor software integration is holding back storage performance. As storage scales rapidly, Shyam stresses the need for better diagnostics and real-time decision tools to optimise revenue, reliability, and resilience - especially in merchant markets.Finally, Samantha Frisk from Pivot energy sits down with Sylvia to look at models for community solar development. Sam explains how early engagement, local benefits like agrivoltaics, and trusted partnerships can turn sceptical communities into solar advocates - proving clean energy can uplift as well as decarbonise.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    It's uncertain times in solar and storage. How can we use smarter grid optimisation to give developers some assurance? | Recorded live at SESS 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 28:27


    Over the past couple of years unprecedented low prices for solar panels have spurred incredible growth. But there's a big shift underway. In this special episode of the show, recorded live from the stage at Wood Mackenzie's Solar & Energy Storage Summit 2025, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, sits down with Ben Sigrin, Senior Product Manager at GridBeyond, to make sense of the turbulent market. With nearly 44 gigawatts of new solar expected this year, developers are under pressure to make faster, smarter decisions. GridBeyond helps solar and storage players optimise in real time, turning market volatility into opportunity. How do they do it? Are there other ways for off takers to get some certainty? Smart site selection is one of them, but what informs those decisions? Plus, hear the lessons from global solar markets that developers are bringing to the US. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Are current legal frameworks too restrictive for CCUS projects? What permitting and tax credit reform needs to happen to make things easier?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 46:38


    “If you don't think in 15 years that we're going to value decarbonisation, or if you're worried about the 45Q, it's pretty tough to write that multi-billion dollar cheque,” says Peter Findlay, Director of CCUS Economics at Wood Mackenzie. In this week's Interchange Recharged, Peter sits down again with host Sylvia Leyva Martinez to look at the challenges for new CCUS projects. It's tough, as Peter says, because of the regulatory frameworks, financial mechanisms and incentives that currently exist in the US. To look at these and go deep on the legal barriers for CCUS deployment, Peter and Sylvia are also joined by Liz McGinley, partner at Bracewell Law Firm. Liz leads the firm's tax practice and the energy transition team, and is renowned for her expertise in carbon capture and IRA tax credits. Liz discusses the intricate details of tax credits and regulatory updates while Peter reflects on the financial challenges of decarbonisation projects. In this episode:What will future legislative shifts mean for the industry's growth? How might regulatory shifts under the Trump administration impact clean energy and CCUS projects, including potential changes to clean hydrogen, fuels, and power regulations?How do the costs and complexities of pre-combustion and post-combustion CCUS projects differ, and how are financial incentives structured for each?For more detailed analyis, check out the Lens reports from Wood Mac. Lens is a data analytics platform with sector-specific insights to help you power your Business Intelligence tools. Find it at woodmac.com/lensSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Uncertainty isn't good for domestic solar manufacturing. How are suppliers and utilities managing it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 21:47


    The US is projected to add an additional 26 GW of solar capacity in 2025. Solar has been one of the energy transition's biggest success stories, but there are dark clouds gathering. Uncertainty is the biggest barrier to deployment at the moment: there's potential changes coming with federal tax credits and trade policies (some of which are already having an impact), and the perceived risks are high for investors of solar projects. To find out how developers and manufacturers are mitigating these risks, Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst covering solar markets at Wood Mackenzie, is joined by Mike Hall, CEO of Anza Renewables. Mike talks through the data he's analysing; Anza is seeing supply chains diversify and financial incentives like the ITC Adder helping developers. Despite efforts to bolster domestic manufacturing, China continues to dominate the global solar market. What are the impacts of Trump's tariffs on domestic manufacturing? With a quarter of the year already gone, what have we seen in solar investment? How can long-term planning be done when so much is up in the air?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Is the world giving up on green hydrogen? | Hydrogen energy is having an identity crisis but who's to blame?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 32:21


    In 2025, the US will consolidate its position as a blue-focused hydrogen market, driven by policy developments under a second Trump administration. A surge in blue hydrogen investment – with at least three large-scale blue hydrogen projects reaching FID – will see the US emerge as the world's leading blue hydrogen producer. So what about the much-hyped green hydrogen? Has the industry given up on it? To find out, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, is joined by hydrogen analyst Bridget Van Dorsten. Bridget explains why, despite massive project announcements, only a fraction of hydrogen projects have actually moved forward. What are the biggest roadblocks to deployment? Already in 2025 we're seeing financing hurdles, off-take uncertainty, and the challenges of scaling both green and blue hydrogen. To unpack the financial hurdles, Carl Cho - Director of Clean Energy Finance at Citibank – also joins the show. He breaks down the "hype cycle" surrounding hydrogen and why investors are hesitant to commit to long-term deals. Plus, Bridget and Carl look at the economics of hydrogen production, the learning curve of building large-scale infrastructure, and whether small, localised projects could be a better approach. They also debate economies of scale vs. economies of production and how hydrogen might fit into the future of energy. Sylvia thinks it could be better suited to a localised role in microgrids, industrial hubs, but what about data center energy demands? For more on this, check out the Lens Hydrogen report from Wood Mac. Lens is a data analytics platform with sector-specific insights to help you power your Business Intelligence tools. Find it at woodmac.com/lensFollow the podcast wherever your listening so you don't miss our next episode – out every second Tuesday from 7am ET.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The US needs nuclear energy now, more than ever | Are permitting and regulations set up for rapid deployment?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 40:12


    Former President Biden's final days in office involved signing an US$840 million energy contract with Constellation - a statement of intent for the US's largest nuclear supplier. Since then, what's changed with nuclear policy? To find out, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez – a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie – welcomes Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute to the show. Maria says that despite uncertainties, there's no reason large reactors couldn't achieve costs as low as US$60 to US$80 per megawatt-hour. Utilities are eyeing an additional 100GW of nuclear power by 2050 – driven in large part by demand from data centers and the tech giants. So how is the industry going to meet this demand? New technology? More permitting reform? More investment? Join us as Maria reveals the industry's strategic momentum and the pivotal role nuclear plays in providing round-the-clock, highly reliable and cleaner energy. Engagement with both state and tech sectors could shift nuclear from perceived outsider to mainstream option. Expect in-depth analysis on how the US is positioning itself to meet skyrocketing energy demands, especially from the ever-expanding tech sector.Follow the show wherever you get podcasts, and we'll be back in two weeks time, Tuesday at 7am.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What needs to happen to strengthen climate resilience in the US? | Balancing climate mitigation with adaptation is getting harder and harder

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 42:33


    The fires in Los Angeles of January 2025 were devastating. They were also made about 35% more likely due to climate change.This is true all over the world; a recent study authored by Research Fellow Pierre Masselot at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that rising temperatures could kill an extra 2.3 million people in Europe by the end of the century. Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie and host of Interchange Recharged, talks to Pierre at the start of the show about the study, and the implications of a rapidly heating environment for US energy. Those implications were made clear in January – and it emphasised the need for increased climate resilience: it's a dynamic process rather than a static outcome and involves both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (adjusting to the impacts already in motion). In short, communities and economies need more robust frameworks to deal with climate change. Nuin-Tara Key is Executive Director of Programs at California Forward. California Forward builds strategies for businesses and governments in the region to improve climate resilience.How do they do it? How can climate resilience be strengthened in uncertain economic and political times? How can we balance mitigation with adaptation? Sylvia and Nuin-Tara talk it through.Join the conversation with us - we're on most social platforms at @interchangeshow. We'd love to get your feedback.If you haven't heard it already, check out our sister podcast Energy Gang. We had Kate Gordon, CEO at California Forward, on a special episode recorded at New York Climate Week, which explored many of the themes we talked about today and plenty more.'See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Meeting energy demand requires long-term solutions. What do they look like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 40:05


    How a major US utility plans for sustainable growth.The US is on track to see over 25% growth in annual clean energy installations this year, despite uncertainty around permitting and grid connections. The new Trump administration threatens much clean energy legislation, so how can the industry plan ahead? Annual clean energy installations are set to average 102 GW over the next 11 years, quadruple the 26 GW averaged over the past decade. The narrative around energy demand must acknowledge long-term trends, not just recent spikes.Utilities recognise the need for increased transmission investment. Sylvia Leyva Martinez is joined by Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO at one such utility - EDP Renewables North America. Together they try and find the certainty in the uncertainty that lies ahead. The IRA is, as Sandhya says, a beautiful canvas. Is it about to torn down? They discuss the growing demand for renewable energy, and the challenges faced by the grid. Are the economics of PPAs aligning to perhaps provide a path forward? Power purchase agreements are becoming more critical as companies lock in prices. Energy security is still top of mind, as is the need for a balanced energy mix to meet demand. Plus, Sylvia and Sandhya debate the significance of domestic manufacturing, the role of off-takers and the need to get communities onside when planning large energy projects.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The energy analysts' view on what's ahead in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 51:35


    The trends, challenges and breakthroughs.Clean energy in 2025 will face challenges from rising electricity demand, inflation-driven costs, and political pressures. How can these challenges be solved? And what else lies ahead this year?To find out, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, sits down with fellow analysts Chris Seiple (Vice Chairman of Wood Mackenzie's Power & Renewables group) and Jonny Sultoon (Head of Markets & Transitions, Energy Transition Practice at Wood Mac). It's not all doom and gloom - the good news is the continued growth of solar; it's leading carbon-free power additions despite a global slowdown in renewables. Will this trend continue? Plus, a look at what could change with utility tariffs, and advancements in energy technology.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Is US solar growth truly unstoppable?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 34:20


    In conversation with Abigail Hopper Policy changes which will impact US solar – both manufacturing and demand - are on the horizon. To discuss the current state of the solar industry in the wake of the US election, the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), potential changes to tax credits, and the impact of tariffs and energy demand on the industry, Sylvia Leyva Martinez is joined by Abigail Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. What policy change will we see with a new administration next year? Things are a bit uncertain, which isn't ideal for developers or investors, so there's a need for strategic planning. Abby and Sylvia discuss the evolving priorities in the renewable energy sector, in particular the need to focus industry leaders on business certainty and energy security. How can more certainty be injected into the market? How does community engagement come into it, and what about the interconnection challenge that looms large over the energy transition? All this and more on the last Interchange: Recharged of the year. Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmac.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What does a second Trump term mean for US solar?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 32:50


    Could the potential repealing of the IRA halt the progress of solar manufacturing?A second Donald Trump presidency will have a big impact on the energy transition. The Biden administration's landmark climate bill the Inflation Reduction Act had incentives for domestic solar manufacturing and installations. Tearing up the act could slow down the exponential growth in the sector.Sylvia Martinez is a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie. She's joined by Martin Pochtaruk, CEO at Heliene (a US solar manufacturer) to debate the outlook for solar over the next four years. Policy shifts have occurred in the past but, as Martin says, progress in clean energy has been unstoppable. That's not to say there's not implications for the industry with a change in government; tariffs and trade policy could create big challenges. Plus, there are labour challenges in the solar sector – there's a big need for specialised training. Advancements in solar technology have significantly boosted efficiency and output but there's a skills gap in installation and engineering. What are the broader implications of reshoring solar manufacturing for the US economy? How can the US solar industry remain competitive globally? Sylvia and Martin discuss it.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Can CCUS help achieve net zero?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 41:01


    The future of carbon captureWith global emissions on the rise, the pressure to decarbonise is driving interest in CCUS (carbon capture, utilisations and storage) … but is CCUS a viable path to net zero, a temporary solution or a high-cost gamble that may simply just perpetuate the use of fossil fuels? Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, sits down to talk with fellow Wood Mackenzie team members, Mhairidh Evans, VP, head of CCUS research and co-head of carbon management and Peter Findlay, director of CCUS economics, about the complex nuances of CCUS. The trio discusses policy support differences between North America and Europe, the impact of government incentives like the U.S. 45Q tax credit, and the need for community buy-in for infrastructure projects. They also explore potential pathways for CCUS growth, address obstacles and opportunities for technology advancement and speculate on whether a consistent global carbon price could be a game-changer. With insights into real-world CCUS projects and the market conditions influencing investment, the conversation highlights the factors that could determine CCUS's role in the energy transition. ——————————————————— Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow. The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    How can we ease stress on the grid?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 44:20


    Strategic solar for a stronger gridThe solar industry is at a turning point, shifting from niche investments to a cornerstone of America's clean energy future. With renewable energy investment soaring and energy needs intensifying, solar's role has never been more crucial.Sylvia Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, and David Banmiller sit down with Gregg Felton, CEO of Altus Power, to explore how commercial and community solar are driving the U.S. toward its decarbonisation goals. Gregg shares his journey from investment management to leading a renewable energy powerhouse, detailing how solar has evolved into a viable asset class due to falling costs and rising electricity prices.The pair discuss Altus Power's strategy of building solar arrays near consumption hubs to ease grid stress and meet rising energy demand. Gregg emphasises the role of state support, partnerships, and incentives in driving growth, as well as the need for stakeholder education for broader solar adoption.———————————————————Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmac.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    How are tariffs and trade policies impacting green energy growth in the US?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 30:27


    Global investment in renewables is projected to surpass US$2 trillion by 2030, with wind, solar and storage projects leading the way. Syliva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, and David Banmiller are joined by Ray Long, President and CEO at ACORE (American Council On Renewable Energy), to look at how the energy transition is creating jobs, lowering costs and making the U.S. more competitive in the global market. American families are expected to save between US$27 and US$38 billion over the next eight years thanks to clean energy initiatives. However, there are still bottlenecks holding back progress, like transmission gridlock and permitting delays. With bipartisan efforts underway, such as the Manchin-Barrasso permitting bill, Ray explores the impact they're having, and how the industry is moving toward overcoming the challenges.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    How the energy industry is solving issues with battery safety – part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 41:53


    Part two of our analysis of safety developments for energy storage and batteries.Guest host Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, joins David Banmiller to explore the challenges and solutions to lithium-ion battery safety. In part one of our two part series, thermal runaway events (which can lead to fires) were a key issue. What are the big players in manufacturing doing to address these? Andrew Tattersall is Industrial Vertical Market Lead for batteries at Siemens, and he joins the show to answer the question. With net zero goals fast approaching, how are Siemens working to improve safety? Early detection systems and regulatory frameworks are key to preventing incidents. Additionally, data analytics play a crucial role in predictive safety measures. Dr Kai-Phillip Kairies is Co-Founder of Accure, a battery analytics company working to study battery behaviour to prevent malfunctions before they occur. Key questions you'll get answers to in this episode: what are Siemens' Net Zero plans, and how are they addressing sustainability across their operations and supply chain? Andrew discusses Siemens' 2030 net-zero goals and outlines innovations like electric paint lines, and support for suppliers to achieve net zero by 2050. How are battery safety concerns being addressed, particularly around thermal runaway events? Andrew and KP discuss early detection systems and the role of data analytics in preventing safety incidents. Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out moreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    How can the industry improve battery and storage fire safety?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 49:39


    Exploring fire risk mitigation in the face of lithium-ion challenges.Battery and energy storage-related fires are still relatively rare, but when they do occur, they are challenging to manage due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries. So how is the industry working to mitigate these risks? To find out, David is joined by Kelly Sarber, CEO of Strategic Management and Vice Chair of NY-BEST, a battery industry trade group in New York. Kelly advocates for educating communities with planned energy storage projects, especially around risk management. A recent survey revealed that 42% of these communities expressed safety concerns, primarily due to fears of fires. The conversation emphasises the importance of involving local communities and first responders early in the planning process to build trust and transparency.Lithium-ion battery fires can be particularly difficult to suppress due to the risk of thermal runaway, which can cause the fire to reignite even after being extinguished. Anthony Natale, Director of Risk at the Fire & Risk Alliance, works on identifying and managing risks in utility and battery storage. Anthony and Kelly discuss the complexities of controlling these fires and stress the need for better containment and isolation strategies during incidents. They also explore necessary design changes in battery energy storage systems (BESS), such as direct injection of suppression agents, to improve fire response. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Innovative financing is needed to mobilise clean energy capital in developing countries. What could it look like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 43:24


    Less than 1% of clean energy investments goes to developing countries. Guarantees and partnerships could increase this.The global energy transition effort is all about ‘the new'. New technology, new financing models, new ways of looking at energy systems. The need for ‘the new' is greatest in developing countries. For many of them, the challenge isn't just transitioning to clean energy, it's providing energy access in the first place. By 2030, we could see nearly a billion people left without access to energy, never mind clean energy. So how can we get the investment flowing to where it's desperately needed?Damilola Ogunbiyi is CEO of the organisation Sustainability For All. SE4All works with public and private sector to provide access to reliable, affordable, sustainable and new energy for all by 2030. David sits down with Damilola to discuss her holistic view of the energy transition, the innovative financing models needed to mobilise capital, carbon markets, and how the industry should address the challenge of improving energy access while transitioning to clean sources.Energy access is directly linked to quality of life. This is especially true as the climate crisis worsens. Both public and private sectors need to work together to mobilise capital for the energy transition. So how can we do it?Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow. To keep up to date with everything we talk about on the show, sign up for our weekly Inside Track newsletter. You'll get extra analysis from Wood Mackenzie and be notified when a new episode of the podcast is out. The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Is the industry making the wrong approach to Scope 3 emissions reporting?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 35:31


    How can we reimagine Scope 3 in order to make faster progress?The intention of the original framing of Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions reporting was to support business understanding of their broader impact on the climate, so they would take responsibility for transformation to net zero and the impact of the complete value chain. Scope 3 emissions reporting in particular has become more of a focus of progressive companies that have developed robust plans for - and taken meaningful steps to address - scope 1 and 2 emissions. As they dig into scope 3, they are often overwhelmed by the accounting that's required and struggle to develop strategies to meaningfully address impacts in their value chains, especially in ways they can quantify and count towards targets. So how can the industry streamline this process? To find out David Banmiller is joined by Jenny Ahlen, Managing Director at the We Mean Business Coalition. Jenny directs the strategy, coordination, and execution of their net zero programs and campaigns; these include a focus on improving the way scope 3 emissions are approached. The argument is that the reporting standards have created a huge amount of work for organisations without any real benefit to decarbonisation efforts. Companies need to draw up net zero plans, understand Scope 3, manage their supply chain emissions and so on, but to what goal? So, the key question David and Jenny discuss in this week's episode: is it possible that in focusing so much on the influence big corporations can have on their value chains, we've let many companies and stakeholders in the global north off the hook for proactively reducing emissions without that prompt from customers? Jenny explains to David why the need for new, alternative approaches to reporting is crucial to accelerating the energy transition. Scope 3 is about global climate impacts and getting companies engaged to catalyse the system transformations needed. What would this then need to look like to incentivise that type of action at scale? And how do we create an ecosystem to reward those participating and making meaningful progress? Listen to find out.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.To keep up to date with everything we talk about on the show, sign up for our weekly Inside Track newsletter. You'll get extra analysis from Wood Mackenzie and be notified when a new episode of the podcast is out. The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza's revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out moreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Green hydrogen may be less clean than we think

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 33:21


    The Environmental Defense Fund wants changes made to the way the industry analyses hydrogen emissions data.A recent study from the Environmental Defense Fund asserts the energy industry is miscalculating the true impacts of deploying hydrogen. Hydrogen systems, with new analysis, could prove to be better – or worse – than the fossil fuels they intend to replace.“Clean, green” hydrogen deployment can be considerably better or worse for the climate based on factors typically overlooked in standard assessments. That's the finding of a new study from the EDF. The climate benefits of hydrogen vary depending on factors such as methane emissions, carbon capture, and hydrogen loss. Steve Hamburg is Chief Scientist at the EDF. He joins David to discuss his findings, and to examine the impact on the energy industry of these new analyses, as hydrogen continues to gain traction as a reliable source of clean energy.Improvements are needed for standard hydrogen life cycle analyses as they currently don't account for all climate warming emissions and impacts over time. By including the warming effects of three crucial and frequently overlooked factors in determining the climate impact of hydrogen deployment pathways the results of an assessment can look surprisingly different. Just how different? Listen to find out.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.To keep up to date with everything we talk about on the show, sign up for our weekly Inside Track newsletter. You'll get extra analysis from Wood Mackenzie and be notified when a new episode of the podcast is out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Renewable propane is scaling up, but how far can we take it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 38:36


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

    To strengthen American competitiveness in energy, the DOE's ARPA-E department is focusing on advanced nuclear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 42:43


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

    Out with lithium and nickel, in with salt and bricks?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 58:57


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

    Distributed energy storage is taking off

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 18:35


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

    The evolution of the solar industry in the US since 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 29:29


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

    Demand for solar power and energy storage is only going to increase. What's the plan for meeting it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 59:38


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

    Two years on from the IRA and the impact on solar and storage is clear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 63:54


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

    How to build and optimize the grid of the future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 37:57


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

    Demand for batteries is skyrocketing - we need new ways of extracting lithium

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 36:54


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

    How banks and government are working together to achieve net zero in the UK

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 33:27


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

    What's the energy transition going to cost?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 38:51


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

    Can we rely on nuclear as a source of clean, reliable power?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 34:10


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

    $802 billion on the horizon: the current state of the EV market

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 29:43


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

    A ground-breaking new method of sustainable aviation fuel production

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 36:46


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

    How to create the skilled workforce of 2030

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 33:58


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

    Cutting the red tape around geothermal energy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 34:51


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

    Transforming EV battery development through the power of AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 39:57


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

    Checking in on the hydrogen sector

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 37:57


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

    AI is transforming demand-side management

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 30:14


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

    Carbon capture technology leads the charge for a sustainable future

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 44:56


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

    Textile recycling is helping create a circular economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 37:48


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

    What does the world need from COP28?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 37:59


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

    Creating a circular economy through plastics recycling

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 28:51


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

    How new climate modeling can shape the renewable energy landscape

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 32:29


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

    The Interchange: Recharged - Live at Wood Mackenzie's CCUS Conference - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 38:17


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

    Electricity 4.0: A Sustainable, Resilient, and Efficient Future [Sponsored Content]

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 41:34


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

    The Interchange: Recharged - Live at Wood Mackenzie's CCUS Conference - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 55:40


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

    Claim The Interchange

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel