Podcast appearances and mentions of ed crooks

The world is experiencing a new reality: infrastructure, agriculture, and supply chains were built for a historical climate that no longer exists. Last year the average global surface temperature was about 1.47° C warmer than in the late 19th century, according to NASA. On current trends we are on course for perhaps 2.7° C of warming by the end of the current century: far in excess of the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5° C.As it becomes increasingly likely that the world is not going to cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to meet that Paris goal, it becomes more and more important for us to learn how to adapt and become more resilient in a warming world.It's an issue that has been a focus for Dr Sarah Kapnick, the Global Head of Climate Advisory at the bank JP Morgan. She is a former Chief Scientist at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and she knows the worlds of climate science and climate finance inside out.She returns to the show to talk to host Ed Crooks and regular Amy Myers-Jaffe about what the world's failure to get on track for meeting the Paris goals means for finance, investment and our futures. Together they unpack what global warming means for economies, energy systems and vulnerable communities. One critical point where climate damages and risks are emerging as an urgent issue is in insurance costs. Some areas are becoming uninsurable as threats of flooding or wildfires mount. The impacts are worst for low-income communities and countries. Without support to adapt and build resilience, many nations could face a climate-induced debt spiral. So what can we do to be prepared for a warming world? How are energy companies investing to stay ahead of the risks? And can there be a profitable business in climate adaptation? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the third and final special episode recorded live from the ACORE Finance Forum, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk to industry leaders to explore some key issues in renewable energy technology and finance.Amy starts the episode by speaking with David Ulrey, CFO of Fervo Energy, an innovative geothermal startup. David shares insights into Fervo's projects, including their initial commercial pilot in Nevada and the ambitious 100-megawatt development in Utah. They discuss the challenges and successes of pioneering next-generation geothermal energy, the potential for the technology to offer clean, reliable power across the US, and the evolving landscape of financing structures in the industry.Ed then sits down with Mona Dajani, global co-head of Energy, Infrastructure and Hydrogen at the law firm Baker Botts. Mona provides an expert perspective on the shifting sands of energy dealmaking amidst political and economic uncertainty in the US. She highlights how companies are rapidly pivoting their strategies, shifting from green hydrogen to alternative technologies or repurposing sites for data centres, and discusses why global markets remain committed to clean energy despite changing US policy priorities.Later, Ed and Amy speak with leaders from businesses supported by ACORE's Accelerate programme. Amy talks with Tonya Hicks, founder of Power Solutions Inc, who shares her inspiring journey as a woman entrepreneur in electrical contracting and renewable energy. Tonya stresses the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of policy volatility and argues that the industry's momentum will continue despite political shifts.Ed also speaks with Jennifer Rouda, CEO of 7Skyline, who discusses the unique challenges faced by tribal governments in the US pursuing renewable energy projects. Jennifer highlights the critical role of bridging finance and impact investors as federal funding becomes less predictable.Finally, Ed and Amy wrap up with a comprehensive conversation with Ray Long, President and CEO of ACORE. Ray summarises key themes from the forum, including the industry's concerns about the abrupt potential removal of energy tax credits and the urgent need for viable alternative financing mechanisms. He underscores the economic and environmental impacts of current legislative uncertainty and outlines the future resilience strategies the clean energy industry may adopt. This concludes our three-part series from the ACORE Finance Forum. We'll be back in two weeks, resuming regular coverage of all the latest developments and discussions shaping 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 this episode, hosts Dave and Lysandra are joined by Ed Crooks, Vice Chair America's at Wood Mackenzie and host of the Energy Gang podcast. Ed discusses the evolution of the energy industry, focusing on climate policy, the energy transition, and insights from his extensive experience. Topics include the impact of the Paris Agreement, the Russia-Ukraine war on energy security, the challenges and opportunities in renewable energy, and the rise of China as a low carbon energy superpower. Ed also explores the transformative role of AI in the energy sector and provides guidance for industry newcomers and seasoned professionals. This discussion highlights the dynamic changes and future directions in the global energy landscape.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:54 Ed Crooks' Journey in the Energy Sector02:21 Challenges and Opportunities in Energy Transition06:08 China's Role in Low Carbon Energy13:33 Insights from Industry Experts20:33 The Impact of AI on Energy29:17 Future of Energy in North America33:13 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Legislation with massive implications for clean energy in the US has been making progress in Congress. The Republican party's “big beautiful bill”, introducing sweeping changes to taxes and government spending, would phase out most of the tax credits for low-carbon energy that were created, expanded or extended in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.To unpack the proposals and examine what they might mean for the US and the world, host Ed Crooks is joined by some of the Energy Gang's top policy wonks:Amy Myers-Jaffe, Director of NYU's Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability LabRobbie Orvis, Senior Director for Modelling and Analysis at the thinktank Energy InnovationRay Long, President and Chief Executive of the American Council on Renewable Energy They discuss whether the phaseout of tax credits for wind, solar and storage will deter the development of renewable energy. The credits have created a whole industry to support investment in new renewables projects. What happens if those credits go away?The group also dig into the crucial details of the proposals, including changes to the transferability of tax credits, and more stringent provisions on “foreign entities of concern” or FEOCs. Those rules could affect the majority of clean energy projects in the US. As of Tuesday 20th May, the game is not over. Some Republicans in the House and the Senate senators think the proposals don't fit with the administration's bigger goals, and have been fighting to save at least some of the credits.The gang set out the various options for how the negotiations over the bill could play out, and assess the potential damage.And they ask the question: could clean energy in the US actually be better off without support from tax credits?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the most talked-about academic paper this year in the world of energy. Rethinking Load Growth, co-authored by Tyler Norris of Duke University has caused a stir in energy circles because it offers a new perspective on the hottest issue of the moment: how to provide power for new data centers and other large consumers. With new sources of electricity demand growing rapidly – from data centers for AI to battery factories to EV charging networks – grid planners are scrambling to understand how to integrate large new loads without breaking the system or budgets. That is the question for Rethinking Load Growth, and it delivers a startling insight: The US grid could absorb 98 gigawatts of new load, IF those loads can be sufficiently flexible. They would need to be curtailed for just 0.5% of the year, which is about 42 hours in total – not all in one go, but in blocks averaging a couple of hours at a time.That kind of load flexibility could unlock faster, cheaper grid expansion, with big implications for investors, policymakers, and companies racing to develop new data centers and other facilities.Tyler joins the show with host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe to discuss his research. They debate the questions:Why is his paper is causing so much interest in energy circles, and beyondWhat real-world adoption of flexible load looks like for data centersWhether virtual power plants (VPPs) are the missing pieceAnd how governments and regulators could make or break this opportunitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

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. Ed Crooks, host of Energy Gang, is joined by Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Wood Mackenz's principal analyst for solar power and host of Interchange Recharged, 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.

“With great uncertainty comes great opportunity”, says Abby Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in this special episode of the Energy Gang, recorded live at Wood Mackenzie's Solar & Energy Storage Summit.Is she right? And what are those opportunities? To find out, host Ed Crooks welcomed Abby and Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, for a special discussion on the state of the solar and storage industries today.Uncertainty is the buzzword of the moment: uncertainty over tariffs, over tax credits, over the evolution of AI, and over the economic outlook. The Trump administration's new tariffs are disrupting supply chains and prompting companies to delay investment decisions. At such a volatile time, it's easy to be caught out by a sudden change in policy.Companies have different strategies for coping with all this uncertainty. Some have been stockpiling solar panels; a few have been stockpiling batteries. And all the while, there are some powerful global trends still driving the industry: overproduction in China that is still driving down costs, and the need for new electricity generation of all types to power data centers for AI.Abby, Ed and Shyam debate the uncertain policies and forecasts that are making companies hesitant to invest, and find some pointers to help navigate through the storm. And they lift their eyes from the day-to-day chaos to consider what are the real opportunities for the longer term once the immediate crisis is over.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

These are hard times for investment in low-carbon energy. The lack of progress in international climate negotiations, threats to policy support, and an increased awareness of the challenges of decarbonization, have created some strong headwinds. Everyone agrees that more breakthroughs in innovative emissions-reducing technologies are essential for tackling climate change. So how can innovative energy companies raise the capital they need to scale?Catalytic capital can provide long-term investment in clean energy and accelerate early-stage climate technologies. To find out how it can make a difference, host Ed Crooks welcomes back to the show Amy Duffuor. Amy is the co-founder and general partner at Azolla Ventures, a $300 million VC firm dedicated to having an impact on emissions. They do it through catalytic capital, which is still looking for a return, but can be more patient and flexible than conventional investment.In challenging times for investment in decarbonization, cleantech startups need to be able to explain their broader significance for the energy system and the economy, as well as their impact on emissions. “For climate tech to succeed it's not just about the innovation itself, but about understanding the narrative that surrounds it," Amy says.Also joining the show is Melissa Lott, partner general manager at Microsoft.* Together they look at the geopolitical tensions and US policy frameworks that are influencing investor confidence and support for innovation. And they ask the question: with the world clearly not on track to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C, how can we get investment to flow into adaptation strategies to build long-term resilience. Can it be done? Listen to find out.*Melissa's opinions in this episode are her own and do not reflect the opinions of Microsoft.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chinese car company BYD, the world's top-selling manufacturer of electric vehicles, is launching two models that can charge in five minutes; about the time it takes to fill a tank with gasoline. It's news that looks like a landmark moment in the energy transition, the way that the release of the DeepSeek model was for AI. It's another eye-opening breakthrough out of China that should have the US worried. Or is it?To explain the significance of this latest leap forward in Chinese technology, Ed Crooks is joined by Amy Myers Jaffe, director of the Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab at New York University, and Robbie Orvis, senior director for modelling and analysis at the think-tank Energy Innovation.They debate the question: is the US being outpaced in the global race to innovate in clean energy technology? If the US has lost the automotive innovation race to China, what does that mean for US car companies? Robbie argues that the US auto industry needs solid policy support for domestic battery manufacturing to stay competitive. The Trump administration is relying heavily on tariffs: will that strategy be effective, or might it actually hinder progress in building a modern industrial base in the US?Amy calls for a shift in how US policy approaches innovation in the EV sector, and energy generally. Can the recipe that created the spectacular success of Silicon Valley be recreated in the energy industry? The gang also discuss the problems at Tesla. In the face of challenges in China and Europe, how will the company respond?Tune in for a lively discussion on these critical questions, and more. Join the conversation about the future of energy and innovation. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts, and visit woodmac.com/podcasts for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Charge when it's cheap, when energy is abundant, and discharge when the energy is needed. The role of energy storage will be critical to the transition to low-carbon technologies. It's an exciting time in the industry, with spectacular growth in battery storage markets in the US and around the world, and it's predicted to continue. “We're in the hockey stick growth phase,” says Swetha Sundaram, VP of solar and BESS (battery energy storage systems) at RWE, and a co-author of ‘The BESS Book'. She joins Ed Crooks on the show to look at where that growth is coming from. The systems being built today mostly use lithium-ion technologies to store energy for a few hours. But there are huge opportunities for long-duration energy storage (LDES), too. The LDES Council, an industry group, estimates that the build-out of up to 8 TW of potential power supply from long-duration storage by 2040 represents a $4 trillion investment opportunity. Julia Souder is CEO of the LDES council, and she's also on the show to talk about the next generation of storage. Julia, Swetha and Ed are also joined by Energy Gang regular Melissa Lott, a Partner General Manager at Microsoft. She's a PhD energy systems engineer, and she explains the different roles short and long-duration energy storage will have in the energy transition and the power grid of the future.Follow the show wherever you're listening, and reach out to us with feedback – we're @energygangshow.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NGI's Christopher Lenton, managing editor for Mexico speaks to Wood Mackenzie vice chair for the Americas Ed Crooks on the swirl of executive orders signed by President Trump and how they are impacting natural gas fundamentals. Crooks delves into the outlook for the North American natural gas market and the impacts from tariffs, both those deemed certain and levies yet unknown.    The discussion also covers oncoming LNG supply, and U.S. trade relations with Canada and Mexico, coal-to-gas switching, the recent slowing trend of an energy transition to renewables and how changing rules are being felt in the natural gas market. Crooks explains whether the United States is experiencing an “energy emergency” – or if it is about to be as artificial intelligence comes online.

Finding a role for hydrogen in a low-carbon energy economy. Hydrogen has been called the Swiss Army knife of energy, because it has so many potential applications, from home heating to heavy industry. But so far, deployment around the world has been slow. And in recent months there has been a series of setbacks for plans to use clean hydrogen to decarbonise energy systems. So what's the problem? Is it unsuitable infrastructure, policy uncertainty, or fundamental challenges of physics and economics? Does hydrogen really have a role to play in the low-carbon energy system of the future? And if it does, what does the industry need to get there?To find out, host Ed Crooks is joined by Dr Melissa Lott, Partner General Manager in Energy Technologies at Microsoft, and Austin Knight, Vice President for hydrogen at Chevron New Energies. Hydrogen is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it could help us tackle some of the toughest challenges in decarbonisation. It may be expensive, but in some sectors it looks like a more cost-effective solution for achieving net zero than any other option.For some proposed applications, it looks pretty clear that hydrogen is going to be a non-starter. But Austin says there are some sectors where it still has a viable future. Chevron is investing in hydrogen fuel suppliers and fuelling stations for heavy trucks across California, for example. As Melissa says, the infrastructure just isn't there yet to make hydrogen a viable option today. But is it a case of “if” hydrogen becomes a commercial reality, or “when”? Find out here.We want to hear your thoughts and comments, so get in touch. We're on X, at @theenergygang Or on BlueSky @woodmackenzie.bsky.socialSubscribe to the show so you don't miss episodes, out every second Tuesday at 7am ET. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

China's booming EV industry, AI and clean energy, questions over hydrogen, and the other big stories from 2024.To round off a momentous year for clean energy, Ed Crooks is joined by regulars Melissa Lott and Amy Myers Jaffe to reflect on the highs and lows of 2024. The gang revisit the predictions they made in January, share their highs and lows for the year, and talk about their favourite episodes of 2024. And, as is fast becoming a tradition on the show, we finish the year with some relevant holiday gifts.Some of our predictions for 2024 were spot on, but others were slightly off. The team discuss the continued rise and rise of China's largest electric vehicle company BYD, and look ahead to what 2025 holds for the EV industry. Amy predicted big things for hydrogen this year, as did Melissa for geothermal. Did these fast-moving sectors hit the heights that they expected? And where do they go from here?There were some real lows in 2024, mostly related to international politics and conflict. But there were also some much more positive trends related to the energy transition, including the spread of low-cost solar panels and battery storage around the world. As for The Energy Gang: we had plenty of high points through the year. Amy, Melissa and Ed choose the episodes that they most enjoyed taking part in – and listening to – in 2024. Subscribe to The Energy Gang so you don't miss the first show of 2025, where Ed, Amy and Melissa will look ahead to what promises to be another massive year for clean energy. Listen back to the shows mentioned in the episode:• Is There an Energy Transition? (April)• Cleantech Entrepreneurs at NYU (Climate Week, September)• The Future of AI and the Grid (November)The articles Melissa mentioned: https://www.power-eng.com/renewables/fervo-energy-claims-70-reduction-in-geothermal-drilling-time-2/https://www.eenews.net/articles/blm-approves-massive-geothermal-project-moves-to-ease-permitting/This episode is brought to you by Enbridge. Listen to Enbridge and GZERO's podcast Energized: The Future of Energy at GZEROmedia.com/theenergygangSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More than 100 countries have pledged to cut methane emissions, with not much to show for it so far. What is being done to change that?Methane – the main component of natural gas – is the second most significant greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide. It accounts for about 30% of all the human-induced warming the world has experienced since the 19th century.At COP26 in 2021, many countries got together to launch the Global Methane Pledge, to drive action on reducing emissions. There are now 111 countries, accounting in total for almost half of global methane emissions, that have signed up to that pledge. Their goal is to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030.So how much progress has been made in the past few years? Not a lot, is the answer. Instead of starting to decline to meet that targeted 30% reduction, methane emissions have actually been going up.At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, last month, methane was one of the key items on the agenda. Many people there were talking about ideas for bending the curve, to get methane emissions heading in the right direction at last.While he was at the conference, host Ed Crooks talked to Henrique Bezerra, the regional lead for Latin America for the Global Methane Hub. That's an organization backed by philanthropic money that works on practical projects to cut methane emissions. Henrique discusses the options available to tackle the problem.Ed also talked to a key figure working to change one of the largest sources of methane emissions: the global oil and gas industry. Bjorn Otto Sverdrup is the chair of the executive committee for the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, a group backed by 12 big international oil and gas companies that works on reducing emissions.He's also the head of the secretariat for a larger group that has signed up for the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter. That includes more than 50 big oil and gas groups, including many leading national oil companies from emerging economies, that have pledged to work together to reach net zero emissions from their operations by 2050.What are companies really doing to cut emissions? What strategies and technologies can help detect and prevent leaks of methane? And how can carbon markets play in role in reducing emissions? Ed and his guests discuss those questions, and assess whether their efforts will start to pay off in time to hit the goals that so many countries have set.This episode is brought to you by Enbridge. Listen to Enbridge and GZERO's podcast Energized: The Future of Energy at GZEROmedia.com/theenergygangSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The climate talks agreed a $300 billion finance deal. Not everyone is happy about it.The COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, finally ended around 5.30am on Sunday morning, almost 36 hours after they had been originally scheduled to close. The good news was that the negotiators representing about 200 countries agreed a deal on climate finance: flows of capital from developed countries to low and middle-income countries, to help them cut emissions and adapt to a warming world. The bad news was that many countries felt the amount agreed – $300 billion a year by 2035 – was much too low. India and other developing countries had suggested a sum of $1 trillion or more a year was needed.Ed Crooks, now back home after attending the talks, is joined by Energy Gang regulars Melissa Lott, the partner general manager for energy technologies at Microsoft, and Amy Harder, the executive editor of the energy and climate news service Cipher. They discuss the outcomes from the negotiations: what was agreed and what it means. We also hear from Amy's colleague Anca Gurzu, who was following all the action at the talks in Baku.This conference was billed as “the finance COP”. If it had failed to agree a deal on finance, that would have been disastrous for the international effort to tackle climate change through the UNFCCC. But with a deal offering so much less than the amounts that developing countries had been hoping for, where does COP29 mean for the global energy transition? And as we look ahead to the crucial COP30 in Brazil a year from now, can we expect the countries of the world to commit to more ambitious goals for cutting emissions?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As policy changes course in the US, is energy efficiency the key that can unlock a sustainable future?In our latest episode from the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, host Ed Crooks talks to our guests about the challenges facing the energy transition, including the far-reaching implications of a second Trump administration, as asks whether getting smarter about the ways we use energy can be part of the solution.In the first part of the show, Ed welcomes back Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Global Energy and Climate Innovation Editor at The Economist. He and his team have a couple of big pieces in the latest edition, giving their views on the outlook for the transition in the US and around the world. They are joined by Zach Friedman, Senior Director of Federal Policy at Ceres, which is a US-based group that works with investors and businesses in sustainability issues.The trio discuss how US energy policy is likely to change under the Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress. They debate whether innovative mechanisms such carbon tariff for the US that is like the European carbon border adjustment mechanism could help align the administration's economic objectives with climate goals. They highlight some hopeful signs for clean energy development, including the prospect of permitting reform that could expedite infrastructure projects. And they also explore why energy efficiency—a critical yet often overlooked component of the energy transition—could unlock massive cost and emissions savings while paving the way for renewable energy growth. Later in the episode, Ed speaks with Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI, which describes itself as a “think-tank, a do-tank and a scale-tank”. He makes a compelling case for why energy efficiency is the "first fuel" of the transition: the best fuel of all is the fuel you don't need. He argues for the central role of efficiency in reducing emissions, lowering costs, and supporting renewable energy targets. At COP28 in Dubai a year ago, the world agreed a goal of doubling of global energy efficiency improvement rates by 2030. So far it has not made any progress towards that goal. But with innovative approaches such as modular retrofits for housing, Jon illustrates how leadership and vision can dismantle structural barriers, making energy efficiency a linchpin of the low-carbon transition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The interplay of public and private financing.In another special episode of The Energy Gang from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ed Crooks explores the challenges and opportunities of mobilizing climate finance to support the energy transition in emerging markets. With a focus on bridging the gap between ambition and action, this episode explores the nuances of climate finance, the critical role of project preparation, and the growing need for equity investment to unlock sustainable development.As the "Finance COP", COP29 is under pressure to deliver concrete outcomes on climate finance. This episode highlights the urgent need for innovative funding solutions, greater public-private collaboration, and systemic reforms to ensure that financing reaches the countries and projects that need it most.Raquel Moses of the Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator emphasizes the importance of disaggregating climate finance into grants, equity, concessionary loans, and other forms of capital. She explains why clarity on funding types is critical to addressing bottlenecks in project development, particularly in the Caribbean and other emerging markets.Ben Attia of Allied Climate Partners highlights the shortage of bankable projects in emerging markets and explains how his organization deploys philanthropic capital to de-risk early-stage infrastructure projects. By addressing first-loss capital and preparing projects for commercial investment, ACP helps bridge the gap between available funding and viable projects.Raquel and Ben argue that addressing systemic issues, including the lack of early-stage equity investment, the complexity of aggregating small projects, and the risks associated with currency fluctuations in emerging markets are essential to unlocking the $1 trillion in annual climate finance needed to meet global goals.In the final part of this episode, we talk to Jang Ping Thia of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to discuss how MDBs can support the energy transition in rapidly growing regions like Asia. He emphasizes the importance of pairing climate goals with economic development to align incentives and drive participation from the Global South.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As many nations face challenges in meeting their Paris Agreement goals, some businesses are stepping up to fill the gap. Climate action is not just a responsibility but a lucrative opportunity In this latest episode of The Energy Gang from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ed Crooks explores the critical role of businesses in addressing climate change. He talks to business leaders and experts about the challenges and opportunities facing companies at the forefront of climate action. Ed and his guests explore how industries such as steel, chemicals, and transportation are innovating to transition to low-carbon solutions. Nicolette Bartlett of the CDP, the disclosure platform for carbon and other environmental impacts, says the business opportunities in addressing climate change have soared in recent years. Companies with emissions reduction goals want to drive decarbonization of their supply chains, creating new markets for businesses that can shrink their carbon footprints. Mike Train, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Emerson, one of the world's leading industrial automation groups, says his company is still committed to a roadmap for achieving 100% renewable electricity and net-zero emissions by 2030. Mike explains how transparency, innovation, and employee engagement are key to balancing investment costs with long-term growth. Finally, Ed is joined by the leaders of two groups that work with blue-chip companies including Amazon, Google, Ikea and Netflix. Maria Mendiluce, of the We Mean Business Coalition, and Johan Falk, of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, discuss why businesses are pivotal in shaping global climate policies. From lobbying for ambitious targets to fostering collaboration across value chains, companies are driving progress even amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The episode also explores the connections between government policies and corporate strategies. Businesses need consistent regulations and financial frameworks to unlock investments and accelerate the transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices. As COP29 continues, the focus remains on achieving an ambitious deal on climate finance to support developing countries and emerging economies. The conversations from this episode underscore the need for public and private sector efforts to work together to deliver real change.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A special COP29 episode exploring the power of states, regions, and cities to advance the energy transition amid uncertain national policiesIn this special episode of The Energy Gang from COP29, Ed Crooks brings together a panel of expert guests in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss the global implications of the US election and the growing importance of state-level leadership in climate action. He is joined by Wade Crowfoot, California's Secretary for Natural Resources; Travis Kellerman, Senior Climate Policy Advisor to New Mexico's Governor, and Jessica Trancik, a professor at the Institute for Data, Systems and Society at MIT. Ed and his guests explore the evolving dynamics between US states and federal policy in the face of a second Trump administration's likely withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.The panel discuss the role of US states as climate pioneers, especially as federal support wanes. California and New Mexico, along with other climate-active states, are championing clean energy policies, pushing for renewables and other low-carbon infrastructure, and setting emissions standards that other states and countries will follow. Wade and Travis talk about the differences and similarities between the challenges they face, and their individual and collective responses. Some of their ideas, including permitting reform, may be aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration. Others such as stricter vehicle emissions standards, will not. One area that could offer scope for co-operation between the federal government and climate-forward states is the need to boost electricity supplies for artificial intelligence, which is a priority for national security as well as economic growth. Jessica Trancik explains the potential innovative approaches to power data centers from clean energy sources. Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, also joins the show to share insights from her work, highlighting how states, cities, and regions around the world are forming coalitions that share knowledge and drive ambitious climate commitments. The gang also provide their thoughts on COP29 as a platform for international dialogue and collaboration, and discuss the importance of these gatherings for holding governments accountable and inspiring innovation in climate action.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The role of development banks in climate financeThe COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, have climate finance at the top of the agenda. As global leaders and experts gather to deliberate on pathways to a sustainable future, the focus is on how funding from richer nations might facilitate decarbonization and resilience in poorer and middle-income countries. These discussions are not just about altruism, but recognize the economic interdependence and shared benefits of global climate action. Put simply, poorer countries need financial help to commit to ambitious goals for curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Development banks have emerged as pivotal actors in the climate finance landscape. Defined by their mandate to lend money for social and economic development on a not-for-profit basis, these banks are uniquely positioned to leverage limited resources for maximum impact. For example, with every dollar invested, a development bank can secure an additional seven to nine dollars from capital markets, a feat not readily achievable by direct government funding. Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director for Climate Strategy and Delivery at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change at the Inter-American Development Bank, join our host, Ed Crooks to highlight that development banks are central to the current climate finance discourse. Their ability to mobilize large sums of money and finance long-term, low-cost projects makes them indispensable to the climate goals set at COP 29. Champa Patel, Director for Governments and Policy at the Climate Group, also joins the discussion. She points out that although there is much at stake, the multitude of unresolved issues makes optimism challenging. Even so, the potential benefits of achieving a robust and effective climate finance mechanism justify the effort and dedication of all involved. The goals are ambitious, but the path ahead is fraught with challenges. Key issues include defining what constitutes climate finance, setting a quantitative goal, determining who can access these funds, and on what terms. The lack of consensus on these crucial aspects makes the discussions at COP 29 particularly intricate. Listen to our first in a series of episodes recorded live from COP29 in Baku for all of the key developments, insights and commentary from this important global event.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Electricity grids rely on transformers. Shortages are slowing down the transition to clean energy.Transformers are such commonplace pieces of local infrastructure that most people barely notice them. In America, they include those dustbin-shaped objects on poles for power lines, and in the UK they are those rectangular boxes on the pavement. But transformers have a critical function in making the electricity grid work, and they also play a vital role in the energy transition, too. If you want to add new generation to the grid, or increase local power supplies so people can charge their EVs, very often you are going to need transformers. And right now, getting hold of them is not easy.So why are these crucial pieces of kit in short supply? And how can we get more of them?To discuss this critical question, host Ed Crooks is joined by his Wood Mackenzie colleague Xizhou Zhou, Head of Power and Renewables. Xizhou has a whole lot of data on the scale of the problem, including how long you have to wait to get hold of a transformer, and how much prices have been going up.They are joined by Energy Gang regular Melissa Lott, who until very recently was a professor at Columbia University's climate school. And we also have a newcomer to the show: Travis Edmonds, the Head of Supply Chain Management for North American Transformers at Hitachi Energy. Working out how to get transformers to people who need them is how he spends his days, so there is no-one really better qualified to explain the realities of the shortage and suggest ways to fix it.It's a complicated subject, with many different aspects to it and many different perspectives on the problem. And it is one of the issues that will decide the future of clean energy, in America and around the world. The Energy Gang break it down, make sense of it all, and explain where they think the industry is headed now.Keep listening to the end of the episode to find out about Melissa's new job!For more information on the Wood Mackenzie multi-client study ‘Making the Connection: Meeting the electric T&D supply chain challenge', visit: https://www.woodmac.com/products/supply-chain-intelligence/multi-client-study-meeting-electric-td-industry-challenges/This episode is brought to you by Enbridge. Listen to Enbridge and GZERO's podcast Energized: The Future of Energy at GZEROmedia.com/theenergygangSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To make the leap from niche products to the mass market, electric vehicles need to reassure potential buyers that they have enough range and enough charging options that they won't get stranded by the side of the road with a flat battery. Amy Myers Jaffe, director of the Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab at New York University, has been suffering repeated frustrations in her search for working charging points for her EV. If the charging companies can't get this right, it will be a big problem for expanding the market for EVs, and Amy is looking for answers.In this episode Amy joins host Ed Crooks to discuss EV charging in the US, tacking issues including: Is the industry growing fast enough? Where should new charging stations be built? What technology will they be using?Stepping in to give a perspective from the EV charging industry is Mike Battaglia, COO (and soon-to-be CEO) of Blink, a global leader in electric vehicle charging systems. He dispels some myths about EVs, and shares some of his predictions about the future of the charging industry.Together Ed, Amy and Mike talk about the rise of charging stations, both in the US and around the world. Mike explains Blink's business model, and talks about his plans for the company. They explore the challenges in public EV charging, from software glitches to maintenance issues, and discuss how companies are stepping up to solve them. An EV is just one part of a complex system that includes charging points, power grids and generators, just as a gasoline vehicle is part of a system including filing stations, refineries, pipelines and oilwells. For EVs to succeed, the industry has to persuade customers to switch over to that new and unfamiliar system. Can the charging sector address those significant challenges and ease customers' concerns? To keep up to date with everything we discuss on the show, and more, sign up for the newsletter the Inside Track.Let us know what you think. We're on X, at @theenergygang. Subscribe to the show so you don't miss any of the discussions. Available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.Listen to Enbridge and GZERO's podcast Energized: The Future of Energy at GZEROmedia.com/theenergygangSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As NY Climate Week draws to a close, the Energy Gang wraps up a week of discussions, debates and pledges on the energy transition. As the UN General Assembly got underway across New York, Climate Week brought together leaders from energy and climate to share ideas and push forward real solutions for climate change. Ed Crooks sits down with Climate Group CEO Helen Clarkson to dissect the big stories that emerged from the week. Climate Week has evolved from a business-focused event to a larger platform, engaging diverse sectors in climate action. Helen explains the evolution of the event, which focused initially on answering the question of why companies should act on climate, and now centres around how they can implement solutions. Regulatory changes are one of the biggest barriers, and Helen and Ed discuss how to overcome these to facilitate renewable energy expansion. Initiatives such as RE100 and the 24/7 clean electricity group were key themes throughout the week, stressing the urgency of climate action and how it aligns with energy security.Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, also joins the show to discuss the U.S. government's role in supporting Ukraine's energy security amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, and the importance of building a resilient energy infrastructure. He says one of the key talking points throughout his meetings at Climate Week have been the importance of a critical minerals supply chain, highlighting efforts to reduce dependence on China by creating a sustainable and ethical framework for mineral extraction and processing. Plus, Ed and Ambassador Pyatt debate the role of the U.S. in leading the energy transition globally. Find all our Climate Week reporting on The Energy Gang, wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The transition to a low-carbon energy system will need a lot of people with bright ideas for how to do things differently. It is the greatest business challenge of our time, and also the greatest opportunity.In this latest special edition of the Energy Gang for Climate Week NYC, Ed Crooks and Amy Myers-Jaffe host a live taping of the show in front of an audience of Amy's students at NYU.Joining them on the show are two founders of innovative cleantech companies. Marissa Beatty leads Turnover Labs, which is developing an advanced electrolysis process that can directly convert impure carbon dioxide wastes into valuable chemicals. Apoorv Sinha leads Carbon Upcycling Technologies, which uses industrial carbon dioxide emissions, combined with natural materials or industrial wastes, to create new materials with improved performance and lower emissions. Together they tell their stories of innovation and entrepreneurship, discussing the obstacles they faced, the support that helped them, and the strategies they used on their journeys from laboratory tests to commercial deployment. Also on the show is one of the biggest names in the world of cleantech venture capital investment: Dan Goldman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clean Energy Ventures, which invests in early-stage cleantech companies that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Along with Marissa and Apoorv, he talks about the role of venture capital funding in the transition, and how policy can support innovative new businesses. A consistent policy frameworks is vital to foster long-term growth in the clean energy sector, but is that at risk in the US?The team offer words of wisdom for anyone thinking of trying to launch their own cleantech startup. If you want to help fix the climate problem while making money at the same time, what do you really need to know? Dan, Marissa, Apoorv and Amy have some answers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The US is entering a new era of electricity demand growth, after two decades of flatlining consumption. It is a shift that has huge implications for consumers, the industry and climate goals. Ed Crooks hosts a special live edition of the podcast, recorded at NYU for NY Climate Week, to debate the risks and opportunities in this new world for US power. On the panel:Caroline Golin, Global Head of Energy Market Development and Innovation at GoogleKate Gordon, Chief Executive of California ForwardAmy Myers Jaffe, Director of NYU's Climate and Sustainability LabXizhou Zhou, Head of Power Renewables at Wood MackenzieTogether they discuss the double-edged sword that is AI. It can drive increased efficiency throughout the energy industry, but also creates greatly increased demand electricity. Caroline discusses Google's commitment to achieving 24/7 carbon-free energy for its data centers, and advocates for innovative business models to support clean energy goals. Kate explains how extreme heat, electrification, and the push for decarbonization are reshaping energy needs. Balancing economic growth with climate resilience, job creation, and community engagement is a difficult challenge. How can it be done? Xizhou argues that the US has been unprepared for the recent surge in energy needs. How can the nation build out new infrastructure to alleviate the tensions and bottlenecks that are emerging?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's no transition without transmission, they say. It's a cliché because it's true. The US Department of Energy says that the nation will need to expand transmission capacity by 60% by 2030 to meet growing clean energy demand. A recent study found that delays in transmission development are adding $2.5 billion annually in additional costs to consumers due to the inefficiencies of the current grid. So why is building transmission lines in the U.S. so hard? To find out, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe of NYU are joined by Christina Hayes, Executive Director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. Her organization, which is backed by clean energy and tech companies and environmental groups, works to “expand, integrate, and modernize the North American high-voltage grid.”Christina explains some of the complexities of building new transmission lines in the US, taking us through the regulatory, local, and state barriers that slow down the development of new capacity that is essential for the growth of renewable energy.The Manchin-Barrasso Bill, legislation proposed in the Senate to expedite the construction of new energy infrastructure in the US, has been generating some heated debate. Could the proposals be a game-changer for infrastructure development that will accelerate deployment of clean energy and help cut emissions? Or do they give too much to fossil fuel interests relatives to the potential gains for renewables? The gang debate the pros and cons of the bill, and how much impact federal legislation can have when so many barriers exist at the local level. They also discuss some of the other key issues for the grid. FERC Order 1920 was issued in May: what is it, and why is it so significant for transmission planning? And advanced transmission technologies: how can innovations such as reconductoring and grid-enhancing technologies make the grid stronger and more flexible, and what obstacles are in the way of these investments?To keep up to date with everything we discuss on the show, and more, sign up for the newsletter the Inside Track: www.woodmac.com/nslp/the-inside-track/sign-up/The article Ed mentions early on in the show is here: https://www.cleanenergygrid.org/fewer-new-miles-2024/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The need to meet increased demand while cutting emissions is exposing some fundamental issues in the industry.It's common knowledge that data centers use a lot of energy, and will use even more in the future as AI applications develop. One thing is not clear, though: who will end up paying for all that extra electricity?US utilities typically used to receive perhaps one or two large customer requests – meaning 20 megawatts or more – each year. Now, they may be receiving one or two of those requests every week. The need for increased electricity supply means increased investment in generation, transmission and distribution. And that investment has to be paid for. So who is going to end up picking up the tab?To find out more, Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Dr Melissa Lott, a professor at the climate school at Columbia University, and Brian Janous, co-founder and CEO of Cloverleaf Infrastructure, which develops sites that can support large energy-dense users such as AI data centers and chip manufacturing plants. With 12 years previously leading energy strategy for Microsoft, Brian is well placed to answer the big questions on energy demand, investment and customers' bills. With Melissa and Ed, he explains how the industry can balance the need to increase supply with the need to achieve decarbonization targets. What role does flexibility play in a highly electrified system, and how can it be leveraged to enhance grid reliability and resilience? Can the ambitious sustainability goals of tech companies like Microsoft and Google be achieved in the face of their rapidly growing demand for power, and what compromises might need to be made? And is nuclear power a source of 24/7 clean energy that could plug the demand gap? The gang debate its efficacy as a long-term solution to the energy needs of Big Tech. Meeting the energy demand for AI is a complex topic. The Energy Gang will be exploring it further in a special episode recorded live at New York Climate Week, September 22-29. If you can't make it to New York for what is one of the energy industry's biggest events of the year, subscribe to the show so you don't miss the discussion.Ed and regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe of NYU will be speaking with Caroline Golin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, and Kate Gordon, the CEO of CA FWD, a statewide organization dedicated to building a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy in the state of California.Subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode. Find us on X – we're @theenergygangTo 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.

Proposed permitting reforms could accelerate both renewable energy projects and new fossil fuel infrastructure. Is that a good deal for the climate?The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is seen as the most significant climate legislation ever passed in the US, because of the array of new, expanded and extended tax credits it offers for low-carbon energy. But when it was passed in 2022, the critical vote in the Senate was cast by Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, and he always saw the IRA as just Part One of a two-part strategy. The second part would be to reform the processes for approving new infrastructure projects, to make it quicker and easier to deploy low-carbon energy technologies. The quid pro quo would be that the reform would also expedite the production and processing of fossil fuels.Senator Manchin is co-sponsoring a bill to deliver those reforms with Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, and their proposed legislation has been making progress in the Senate. It has faced criticism from environmental groups, but found support from both the renewables and oil and gas industries: the American Clean Power Association and the American Petroleum Institute. To unpack what the proposal could mean for the future of energy in America, Ed Crooks is joined by Melissa Lott, professor at the Climate School at Columbia University in New York, and Emily Grubert, an Associate Professor at the Keough School of Global Affairs at Notre Dame University. Together they examine the bill and discuss the impact it could have both on wind and solar power, and on gas pipelines and LNG plants.One provision in the bill would end the Biden administration's “pause” on new approvals for LNG exports. Emily has been studying the issue, and shares her views. She wrote recently that the US needs a new “national strategy” for the role of gas in the energy system. What might that strategy look like?Plus, the gang debate what needs to happen for carbon removal to make a real difference to achieving our net zero goals. Emily warns that for-profit carbon dioxide removal “presents fundamental and predictable risks for climate and justice goals”. What are those risks, and – given that carbon removal looks likely to be needed – how can we minimize them?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The (shrewdly named) Inflation Reduction Act has been called the most significant climate legislation ever passed in the US. When it did pass, in 2022, the critical vote was cast by senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia. Now in office as an independent, he and Republican senator John Barrasso from Wyoming came together to put forward a bill which advanced out of the Senate committee stage earlier this month. It's meant to clear away some of the regulatory and legal obstacles that delay and deter infrastructure projects, including renewable energy and power transmission lines. It's faced criticism from environmental groups but support from the American Clean Power Association and the oil and gas industry. To unpack what it means for the rollout of renewables, Ed Crooks is joined by Melissa Lott, professor at The Climate School at Columbia University in New York, and Emily Grubert, an Associate Professor at the Keough School of Global Affairs at Notre Dame University. Together they examine the bill, and discuss the impact it could (if passed) have on production targets for wind and solar on federal lands. In January President Biden paused approvals for pending and future applications to LNG exports. The proposed Manchin/Barrasso bill would end this pause. Emily gives her take on this; she wrote recently that the US needs a ‘a coherent national strategy for the role of natural gas in the US energy system'. What does that strategy look like?Plus, the gang debate what needs to happen for carbon removal to make a real impact on net zero goals. Emily says that ‘market-based, unconstrained, and for-profit CDR presents fundamental and predictable risks for climate and justice goals.'See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the world struggles to co-operate on the energy transition, international trade rules can be a foundation for the new low-carbon economy. Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe, Director of New York University's Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab, and new guest on The Energy Gang: Dan Esty, who is the Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University. Dan goes a long way back in clean energy: he was on the US delegation that negotiated the original Framework Convention on Climate Change back in 1992. And he has recently been working for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, to develop a sustainability strategy for the global trading system.Dan argues that the trade system may be the best way to get everyone in the world, and businesses in particular, to “lock arms and move together” to decarbonize the global economy. The goal is to make sure that “no one's competitively disadvantaged by stepping out in front of the pack when it comes to this movement to a clean energy future."Ed, Amy and Dan explore this concept in this week's show. The trade system provides a structured framework of rules that can enforce environmental standards globally. By integrating these standards into trade policies, countries can be encouraged to adopt low-carbon technologies without fearing competitive disadvantages. Businesses and countries are reluctant to switch to clean energy if they think their competitors won't do the same. Trade rules can make sure everyone plays fair. What's more, a reformed trade system that promotes clean energy technologies can also create economic opportunities around the world. The gang discuss how new rules could help developing countries.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author of ‘The Price Is Wrong', Brett Christophers, joins the show to discuss the theories in his book.On a recent episode of the show, host Ed Crooks was joined by Melissa Lott and Joseph Majkut to discuss two books that were generating a lot of interest in energy circles. One of those, The Price Is Wrong, argues that inadequate profitability is the key reason why the transition to low-carbon energy is not moving fast enough to address the threat of global warming.There are plenty of interesting and provocative points raised in the book, so it made sense to hear them direct from the source. Ed and Melissa are joined by author and academic Brett Christophers to dissect the main points: the challenges and obstacles faced by renewable energy projects in terms of profitability and investment, and the true impact of these on progressing the energy transition.Christophers says that low returns in renewables are a result of competition, volatility in wholesale power markets, and the design of energy markets – ‘returns are lower in renewables because there's too much money chasing too few projects.' Ed and Melissa weigh in with their thoughts on this. Plus, they discuss the importance of market design, the role of power purchase agreements, and the need for stability in renewable energy projects. There's a definite need for more stability-providing sources to make renewable energy projects bankable on a larger scale. Are PPAs the answer? Listen back to the review of The Price Is Wrong with Ed, Melissa and Joseph here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/can-capitalism-save-the-planet/id663379413?i=1000658599656See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two books that are essential reading for energy wonks give contrasting views on how to tackle climate change.The hot book in the energy world right now is Brett Christophers' The Price Is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet. It's a detailed look at the structural issues in electricity markets and the challenges of generating returns on renewable investments, arguing that inadequate profitability is the key reason why the transition to low-carbon energy is not moving fast enough to address the threat of global warming.It's a provocative thesis that has sparked heated debate, on both sides of the debate. If you work in the energy business, you need to get to grips with the argument, even if you ultimately think it's wrong.In this episode, Ed Crooks is joined by Melissa Lott, Professor at Columbia University's Climate School, and Joseph Majkut, director of the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to discuss the question of whether private investment and market forces can bring about the reduction in emissions that the world needs.They also review another important book that has broadly the opposite message: Askhat Rathi's Climate Capitalism – Winning the Global Race to Zero Emissions. That book focuses on the real examples of progress in the energy transition.At a time when the pace of the energy transition globally may be faltering, and the 1.5 degrees limit to global warming is getting further and further out of reach, Climate Capitalism shows just how much change and innovation there is in the industry. Bill Gates says it's an important read for anyone in need of optimism.In spirit, at least, it seems like a very different message from The Price Is Wrong. But are the fundamental conclusions of the two books really so different? Ed, Melissa and Joseph discuss whether there might be some common ground there after all.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Regulators are trying to clear the path to the grid that clean energy needs.To go from an electricity system based on coal and gas to one based on solar and wind, the US needs a very different power grid. On some estimates, annual installations of new transmission capacity need to double. To help build the grid that a new clean electricity system will need, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has been working on regulatory reforms, intended to smooth the path for new investments in transmission lines. Ed Crooks is joined by Amy Myers-Jaffe of New York University and Shanu Mathew of Lazard Asset Management, to unpack the latest orders from FERC. What are the regulators trying to do, and why do some people object to their plans? And what will the proposed reforms mean for the energy transition in the electricity sector in the US? It has been a busy few weeks for big announcements in energy. A new round of tariffs on clean energy products from China was announced this month by President Biden, with rates of 100% on electric vehicles, 50% on solar modules, and 25% on lithium-ion batteries. The goal is to revive clean energy manufacturing in the US, but critics say the tariffs could be counter-productive, because they will drive up the cost of low-carbon technologies for American businesses and consumers.One important gauge of the state of the energy transition is the health of investment in low-carbon stocks. The news on that over the past couple of years has not been great. So what are the markets telling us about the future of clean energy? Shanu gives us his analysis, and joins Amy and Ed to debate investor sentiment and what it means. For more analysis and to keep up-to-date with everything that happens with the Energy Gang, sign up for the newsletter at woodmac.com/the-inside-trackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is driving up demand for electricity. How can we meet that demand with clean energy?It has been a big theme on the Energy Gang this year: the massive additional demand for energy that could be created by data centers for artificial intelligence. It's an emerging issue that threatens to cause new challenges for the world's attempts to achieve net zero goals.So it is a great opportunity for us to have on the show a representative from Google, a company that relies heavily on data centers and is at the forefront of the AI revolution. It also has some ambitious decarbonization goals: the aim is to power the company's operations entirely with clean energy by 2030. Maud Texier is the global director of clean energy and decarbonization development at Google. She joins Ed Crooks and Amy Myers-Jaffe to explain how she sees the path to achieving that goal by 2030. Google's objective of 24/7 clean energy requires sourcing renewable power that aligns with its consumption patterns. That means not just buying enough renewable energy to match its usage over the course of a year: every kilowatt-hour consumed must be carbon-free. It's a challenging goal that it driving Google, like other companies with similar objectives, to explore new ways to generate power, store energy and manage the grid. Google is looking at or already investing in a range of innovative energy technologies, including enhanced geothermal, hydrogen, long-duration storage and advanced nuclear. Big energy users such as Google can do a lot to shape the evolution of the energy industry. But policy support is, as ever, crucial to achieving net zero goals. How is Google engaging with policymakers and regulators to help support the deployment of clean energy? New standards in the European parliament, aimed at improving energy efficiency, include mandates for data centers to report their performance. Are we moving towards an era of more stringent regulation of energy use for data centers and other large loads?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As half the world heads to the polls, how important will the results be for efforts to cut emissions?Over half the world lives in a country that will be holding an election this year. The votes come at a time when resistance to the energy transition is building in many parts of the world, as concerns around energy security grow and some of the challenges of decarbonization come into focus. In the US, a finely-balanced election offers voters two sharply differing visions of the energy future. But there are other places around the world where elections could also shape the direction of energy policy, including the EU, where parties that are skeptical of climate action are on course to win an increased number of seats in the European Parliament.To explore the ramifications of these key elections around the world, host Ed Crooks is joined by Energy Gang regular Amy Myers Jaffe, director of New York University's Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab, and by Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy & climate innovation editor at The Economist. The show is recorded live from NYU, as the gang take part in discussions on the outlook for elections and energy policy in 2024.Together they debate the potential consequences of the US election for issues including permitting reform clean energy tax credits, and look at some other significant votes around the world, in India, Mexico, the European parliament among others.While other countries are arguing over the right course for energy policy, China is betting big on low-carbon technologies, adding a huge amount of manufacturing capacity in solar, EVs and lithium ion batteries. Those are what the Chinese government calls “the new three” sectors, intended to drive export growth, and they are having a far-reaching impacts on energy all around the world.The Biden administration has pinned its climate policy on using support for low-carbon energy to incentivize manufacturing investment and create well-paying jobs. But with China adding so much capacity in key sectors, sending prices for products such as solar panels tumbling, the challenges facing that strategy are growing. That is an issue that will play out in elections in the US and elsewhere this year: what does it mean for clean energy globally if China continues to dominate the competition?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big power users are getting together to accelerate the development of advanced clean energy technologies.The hottest topic in energy right now is the expected surge in demand for electricity. Data centers for AI, new factories, and electric vehicles are driving power consumption higher in the US, after about 15 years of stagnation. Solar and wind power can meet some of that increased demand, but many users, including data centers, want clean electricity round the clock. So there is a new urgency in the need for new clean energy technologies, including advanced nuclear, next-generation geothermal, low-carbon hydrogen, and long duration storage.Unlike wind and solar, these emerging technologies have not yet been deployed at scale, and they are generally have much higher costs. There is a chicken-and-egg problem: costs will only come down as these technologies scale up, but companies are reluctant to deploy them because they are too expensive.Now Google, Microsoft and Nucor have come up with an idea that could be at least part of the solution. They are collaborating on new commercial structures to help new clean energy technologies scale up and reduce the risk for investors.To discuss that plan, host Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Dr Melissa Lott, professor at the climate school at Columbia University, and Michael Webber of the University of Texas at Austin. Michael is also chief technology officer at Energy Impact Partners, which is a $3 billion venture fund that invests in some of these emerging technologies. Together they debate the consequences of that surging demand for electricity, and the role of new technologies in avoiding disastrous outcomes for our international climate goals.They also talk about another promising source of clean energy: natural hydrogen, which is found in geologic reservoirs rather than being made from water or from methane. The US Geological Survey estimates there could be 5 trillion tons of natural hydrogen in rocks around the world; a vast, untapped energy reserve that could significantly contribute to meeting global low carbon hydrogen needs.Given that a world with net zero emissions could use about 500 million tons of low-carbon hydrogen a year, that is a very exciting resource base. But is it really plausible that natural hydrogen could be viable as a significant contribution to clean energy supplies? The energy gang has some answers.There's an urgent need for innovative solutions to tackle rising energy demand. Join the discussion on X – we're @theenergygangSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Data centres centers used to have power demand measured in the tens of megawatts. Now they are in the hundreds of megawatts, and the new ones that are being proposed have demand in the thousands of megawatts: gigawatts. At Distributech in Feburary, Harry Sideris of Duke Energy said it used to be a big deal when they had a customer wanting to add 10MW or 20MW of load. Now they have several planned data centers for AI needing 1000MW each. How is this additional demand being met? According to Duke, with a lot more renewables, more gas, and eventually more nuclear. What does that mean for net zero goals? Despite the growth in renewable energy sources, the anticipated 25% increase in gas-fired generation over the next 15 years in the US raises concerns for achieving net zero, especially when compared to the expected triple-digit growth rates for onshore wind and utility-scale solar. On this episode of Wood Mackenzie's The Energy Gang, Ed Crooks is joined by Amy Myers-Jaffe, Director of NYU's Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, who returns to the show to explore the feasible paths to net zero in light of increased energy demand. Also joining this week is Samantha Gross, Director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at the Brookings Institution. Together they debate the plans for demand management, and stocktake on global warming goals set at the Paris Agreement.Is it time to give up on the 1.5 degree target? The world looks like crossing the threshold set in 2015 at COP21 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, to mitigate and ultimately avoid catastrophic climate breakdown. John Kerry, who just stepped down as President Joe Biden's climate envoy, said recently that the world was on course for more like 2.5 degrees of warming. Many businesses still have alignment with a 1.5 degree scenario as part of their climate goals but we've just experienced a year of temperatures more than 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. And finally, the EV market is – contrary to popular opinion – doing just fine. In China, things are more than fine; prices are falling and sales are skyrocketing. Sales of what China calls “new energy vehicles” – that is, battery electrics, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles – were up 37.5% in the first two months of 2024 compared with the same period of 2023. In that period – January and February of 2024 – those New Energy Vehicles took 33.5% of the car market. The prices are on the way down too. Reuters has calculated that BYD has cut the prices of its EVs by an average of 17%. What does this mean for the US market?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This bonus episode of Wood Mackenzie's The Energy Gang is our third from the Distributech conference in Orlando.Distributech is the leading event for the electricity transmission and distribution industry in North America. It gave our host Ed Crooks a fantastic opportunity to talk to many of the leading figures from the industry, including those who provide technology for moving and managing electricity, and those who use that technology to serve their customers.In this episode, Ed is joined by Ali Ipakchi, Executive VP of Smart Grids and Green Power at OATI, a grid technology company. Ali was at Dtech in 2014, and some of the issues he was talking about then seem familiar still today. So what has really changed in technology for the power industry since then? Ali talks about how ideas and technologies that were cutting-edge and radical a decade ago are now becoming mainstream.Ed also sat down with Don McPhail, who's Business Manager for energy and decarbonisation at Uplight, a software company that serves utilities. They talked about the importance of demand management, the integration of distributed energy resources, and the automation of customer engagement processes as examples of key factors for developing a more flexible and resilient power grid. Finally, Ed talked to two of Wood Mackensie's delegates at Distributech: Fahimeh Kazempour, head of grid modernisation, and Elham Akhavan, senior research analyst specialising in grid edge and microgrids. They share their impressions of the events, highlight some of the ideas and innovations they found most interesting, and explore the implications for the wider questions of the energy transition. They also address a critical question in the hectic, exciting conversation about the power industry: how much of it is hype, and how much reflects real change? Fahimeh asks the question: whatever happened to the Blockchain?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Wood Mackenzie's The Energy Gang: what the history of innovation in solar power and batteries can teach us about the right ways to support clean energy breakthroughs.As the world moves towards a more sustainable energy future, government support is essential for research to develop new technologies, and for investment to deploy them at scale. But policymakers often seem to be blundering in the dark, grasping for policies that they hope will have the outcomes they want. So how do we know which strategies will be most effective for encouraging the progress we need, both to bring down the costs of existing technologies such as solar and wind power, and to create new breakthroughs in areas such as long-duration battery storage and nuclear power.On today's episode, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Melissa Lott are joined by newcomer Jessika Trancik, a professor of energy studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to discuss the progress of clean energy technologies.Jessika explains what we can learn from the success stories of the past half-century, such as solar panels and lithium ion batteries. Her work shows that a combination of government backing for R&D and market incentives for investment has been critical in driving innovation. In industries such as solar panels and batteries, where costs have plummeted, support for research and market signals such as feed-in tariffs have complemented each other, fostering competitive innovation in the private sector and delivering rapid progress in critical technologies.The gang discuss electric vehicles as one example of a technology that is receiving plenty of government support. Melissa discusses some new data on US emissions, showing that while there was a decline overall last year, the transport sector saw an increase. Even so, there are plenty of positive signs for the transition in the data, she says. While the shift to EVs may slow, it is still moving forward. Jessika wrote recently that “switching to an electric vehicle is one of the most impactful changes that an individual can make to reduce their personal contribution to climate change, and she explains that view.The costs of clean energy technologies aren't limited to the price of the hardware. Soft costs, encompassing such items as labour, planning, permitting and logistics, can constitute a significant portion of the total expense. Inefficiencies in regulatory processes and in information-sharing can amplify these costs and contribute to delays in the adoption of new technologies.Jessika has been researching into soft technologies, which can include things like software, process knowledge and project management methods, to see how they can contribute to cost reduction and project acceleration. She talks about her work, which you can find out more about on the MIT website at news.MIT.edu.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When most people drive electric cars, what does that mean for the grid?This bonus episode of Wood Mackenzie's The Energy Gang is our second from the Distributech conference in Orlando. Distributech is the leading event for the electricity transmission and distribution industry in North America. It gave our host Ed Crooks a fantastic opportunity to talk to many of the leading figures from the industry, including those who provide technology for moving and managing electricity, and those who use that technology to serve their customers.In this episode, Ed is joined by Quinn Nakayama, senior director of Grid Research Innovation and Development at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in California, to help us understand the transformative impact of electric vehicles on energy utilities and the grid. Quinn dives deep into the ways that the EV boom is shaking up customer relationships and forcing utility companies to take a fresh look at grid management.California is at the cutting edge of the EV revolution, and Quinn explains how PG&E is tackling issues that many other utilities around the world will have to address, from ensuring grid resilience to maintaining customer trust. He also discusses cutting-edge vehicle-to-grid technology, and outlines the changing relationships between utilities and vehicle manufacturers. And he shines a light on the pivotal role played by regulators in this critical sector for the energy transition.It's an in-depth discussion on how the rise in EVs is forcing utilities to rethink infrastructure, optimise energy use, and plan for a very different future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What AI means for the energy transition in the electricity industryWelcome to a special episode of Wood Mackenzie's The Energy Gang, recorded at the Distributech 2024 conference in Orlando. Distributech is the leading event in North America for the electricity transmission and distribution industry. It provides a fantastic opportunity to talk to the companies that provide technology for moving and managing electricity, and to the utilities and other companies that use that technology.The impact of artificial intelligence is one of the central themes of the conference, and host Ed Crooks has been meeting industry leaders to discuss the implications of AI and other new technologies for the future of electricity. From the need for more power to supply data centers for AI applications, to the potential for AI tools for managing the grid, to the possible breakthroughs in nuclear power that could be discovered using AI, the speakers explore a vast range of possibilities. Hussein Shel, chief technologist for AWS (Amazon Web Services), talks about both the opportunities and the challenges of the new types of AI. Zack Kass, a futurist who was formerly a senior executive at OpenAI, discusses the prospect of an age of “energy abundance” that could be unlocked by sophisticated AI. He argues that abundance, possibly provided by nuclear fusion power, will be the way that the world can meet the increased demand for power created by advanced AI systems. Quinn Nakayama, the senior director of Grid Research Innovation and Development at the California utility PG&E, talks about the practical decisions involved in adopting AI technologies in today's utilities. Tom Deitrich, chief executive of Itron, a supplier of technologies for utilities and cities to manage energy, water and traffic, joins Ed to discuss the increasingly urgent need for more advanced technologies in grid management. And finally, Anthony Allard, the head of Hitachi Energy's North American business, talks about what they have been hearing from their customers in terms of two critical issues in the industry: the progress of digitalization, and shortages of critical equipment in the supply chain.You can find us on most platforms: we're @theenergygang. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss the next one, out every second Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are no two ways around it: 2023 was a difficult year for low-carbon energy investment, and 2024 has so far carried on in very much the same vein.Rising interest rates, fears around future energy policy, cost inflation in some sectors, and perhaps a correction to some earlier over-exuberance, have meant that shares in clean energy companies have generally under-performed the market.To take a couple of high-profile examples, Tesla shares have fallen about 55% from their peak in 2021, while Ørsted shares are down about 75%.Capital flows into climate-focused funds has also fallen sharply. Morningstar data suggested that climate-focused funds attracted about $38 billion of new investor money last year, down about 75% from 2021 levels. In the private markets, on the venture capital side, the flows into clean energy also seem to have fallen, if not quite as sharply.To examine the reasons why low-carbon energy investment is having a rough time of it at the moment, and explore some of the more positive indications in the outlook, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe are joined this week by newcomer Dan Goldman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Clean Energy Ventures. They discuss the huge shortfall in terms of the investment needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and raise some ideas for closing the gap. And on the brighter side, they look at the healthy ecosystem of innovative companies working on new ideas that could solve the toughest problems in energy and climate.Mobilizing capital will be the key to tackling the threat of global warming. How can we make sure the money flows where it is needed? Plus, two specific ideas that could make big contributions to decarbonizing the energy system. Grid-enhancing technologies can help overcome transmission capacity bottlenecks that are obstacles to the deployment of renewable energy. Dan's firm Clean Energy Ventures has invested in a company called LineVision that has provides those technologies, and he and Amy explain why they are important.And finally, as the aviation industry continues to grapple with the best ways to cut emissions, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a popular potential solution. The gang discuss the potential of companies like OXCCU, which is backed by Clean Energy Ventures, and the fundamental scientific challenges inherent to producing e-fuels from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Keep an eye out for an upcoming episode with an in-depth look at SAF and OXCCU, on our sister podcast The Interchange.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The US is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), super-cooled to about -160 °C (or -260 °F) so it can be shipped in tankers. An investment boom means export capacity will soar over the next few years. But last month the Biden administration signaled it was putting the brakes on future growth, announcing a “pause” in new approvals for LNG plants to export to nations that don't have a free trade agreement with the US.This decision is expected to stall future US LNG projects by preventing them accessing key global markets including the EU, China, Japan, and the UK. The pause could be an issue in November's elections: former President Donald Trump has said he would immediately restart approvals if elected.On the show this week, Ed Crooks is joined by Melissa Lott, Director of Research at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, and Emily Grubert, Associate Professor of sustainable energy policy at the University of Notre Dame, to discuss the implications of the pause for both the US and the global energy market.If the US is exporting less gas, what will that mean for buyers around the world? What will be the impact on global greenhouse gas emissions, and living standards in lower-income countries? And what are the Biden administration's motivations in announcing the pause? The gang explore the issues.Also on the show, the fuel that could replace natural gas, at least for some uses: hydrogen. There has been a lot of excitement over hydrogen, especially over green hydrogen made by electrolysing water, which could in principle have zero carbon emissions. But how green is it really?The US Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have had a go at answering that question, setting out practical rules for defining low-carbon hydrogen, so they can decide on eligibility for tax credits under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Melissa, Emily and Ed debate whether these proposed rules make sense, and what they mean for the development of a low-carbon hydrogen industry in the US and around the world.The Energy Gang is partnering with Distributech, the premier annual event for energy transmission and distribution. This year it's in Orlando, Florida, from Februrary 26th. We'll be recording a special episode from the event, which will be out on Thursday the 29th as the event wraps up. Claim 20% off your registration with the code DTPART33. Articles referenced in this episode:www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/consequences-of-the-pause-for-us-lngwww.energypolicy.columbia.edu/publications/advancing-corporate-procurement-zero-carbon-electricity-united-states-moving-re100-zc100/ iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac71ba/meta www.nytimes.com/2023/08/07/opinion/oil-fossil-fuels-clean-energy.htmlSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The World Economic Forum held its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, last week, bringing together leaders from business, finance, politics, academia and culture. Regular Energy Gang guest Dr Melissa Lott was there, talking about one of the meeting's central themes: long-term strategies for the climate, nature and energy. On this week's show, she shares with host Ed Crooks and guest Julio Friedmann – who's chief scientist at the carbon management company Carbon Direct – what she learned there. The role of artificial intelligence was, inevitably, high on the agenda there, with some people arguing that it will turn out to be one of the most transformational innovations in human history. The world of energy is already being changed by AI, and the gang discuss how wide-reaching the effects could be.Julio recently co-authored a report titled the “Artificial Intelligence for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap”, looking at all the different ways that AI could change supply and demand for energy and so have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The gang discussed this issue last year, when Ed took the sceptical view. He suggested the latest iterations of AI such as ChatGPT, known as large language models, could have huge implications for knowledge industries such as journalism or law, but were unlikely to make much difference to energy, which requires working with large volumes of particles, whether molecules or electrons.Julio disagrees, and he explains what he thinks are the important positive impacts that AI could have on energy and the climate, for example in managing complex systems such as road traffic and power grids, and in developing new materials.The gang then discuss some of the other questions that came up at Davos, and ask what these gatherings mean for the rest of the world.And finally, extreme weather in the US has again been in the headlines. Extreme cold gripped much of the country, and snow fell as far south as Mississippi and Louisiana. Has Texas learned the lessons from Winters Storm Uri in 2021, when blackouts lasted for days and hundreds died? How stable is the grid these days? And what are we learning about managing the risks created by climate change?For more information head to woodmac.com/podcasts. You can read Julio Friedmann's report on AI here: https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap/.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Crooks is joined by Amy Myers-Jaffe and Dr Melissa Lott to look ahead to 2024. They explore the people, places, and technologies that could have a big influence on energy this year. Amy kicks things off with a look ahead to the US elections in November. The results of that vote will have big impact on policy in the US, and there are several other elections coming up around the world that could also have significant consequences for energy.COP28 in Dubai may be only just behind us, but the world is already looking ahead to COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan. With Brazil lined up for COP30 next year, that will make three consecutive UNFCCC COPs in large oil-producing countries. The gang discuss how that could shape the energy transition.Then there are the technologies to watch in 2024, including Melissa's choice, enhanced geothermal power. Fervo Energy's Project Red geothermal facility went online in December, marking a major milestone for an energy source with huge potential. As Melissa explains, there are not too many energy sources that can offer “clean firm power”: low-carbon generation that is available 24/7.Finally, the gang talk about their energy-related New Year's resolutions, including one that has already been broken!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As 2023 comes to a close, the Energy Gang reflects on the events and trends of 2023 that provided grounds for optimism about the transition to a lower-carbon world.On this week's show, Ed Crooks is joined by Melissa Lott and Amy Myers-Jaffe as they share their reasons to be cheerful this holiday season. Ed chooses the precipitous drop in the cost of solar modules, making solar power ever more competitive against fossil fuels, and driving the adoption of solar energy on a global scale. Amy's choice is the continued growth of EV sales. Despite all the negative commentary about electric vehicles in recent months, and some genuine setbacks for the industry, the long-term outlook still looks bright. Finally, Melissa chooses another important development in 2023: the start of construction for Form Energy's new factory in West Virginia to make batteries for long-duration energy storage. The batteries use iron-air technology, an example of several advances in battery chemistry that are offering solutions to the problems associated with lithium ion storage. We wrap the show with the gang trying a not-so-secret Secret Santa, exchanging gifts for the festive season. We hope the show will lift your spirits and put you in the frame of mind to enjoy the holidays. Thanks to everyone who listened during the year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2024. As usual we are keen to hear thoughts and comments. You can find us on most platforms – we're @theenergygang.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Further conversations from this year's summit.COP28 was the largest climate talks to date, with global industry leaders, governments,analysts, journalists and climate activists converging on Dubai for the summit.The Energy Gang's schedule was packed, and host Ed Crooks was joined by manyinteresting and influential people from the world of energy across 6 full days. In this episode, we bring you three new conversations that we couldn't fit into the regular schedule.Kevin Kariuki is the Vice President for power, energy, climate and green growth at the African Development Bank. Laetitia De Marez is the Senior Program Director of the Climate Finance Access Network run by the thinktank RMI. Together they discuss ways to increaseinvestment in cutting emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.Also, Ed explores a technology for reducing emissions with Mark Davis, the Chief Executiveof Capterio, which works on solutions to stop gas being wasted by being burned off in flares.For our full COP28 coverage check out our other episodes and find out more atwoodmac.com/podcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gang assess the outcome of the climate talks in Dubai.This year's COP went to overtime, as countries argued over the wording of the concluding statement. They had to carry on the negotiations all through the night to do it, but finally they emerged with what was described as a “historic” agreement. For the first time, the need to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels has been put on the record in a concluding statement from a COP.In our final show on COP28, the Energy Gang look back on the last two weeks of negotiations and debates, and as the dust starts to clear, they assess what it all means. Ed Crooks was present at the talks in Dubai, as were regular guests Dr Melissa Lott of Columbia University and Amy Harder of Cipher, and together they tackle one key question: can we call the conference a success? Some people have been hailing it as a triumph, others say it's a disaster. Does the truth perhaps lie somewhere in the middle? Or is it not that simple?The Global Stocktake of climate action, agreed at COP28, calls for a “just, orderly and equitable” transition, “accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050”. Amy and Melissa explain what that means, and how it could change the world.Find all of our coverage of COP28 at http://www.woodmac.com/podcasts/the-energy-gangSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nuclear energy has been in the headlines more in Dubai, than at any previous COP.Nuclear power has had more prominence at this year's climate talks than at any previous COP. In fact, some people have even been calling it “the nuclear COP”.That's partly because the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, have been a pioneer of nuclear power in the Gulf region, building four reactors to meet 25 per cent of its electricity demand. At this year's COP, 24 governments set a goal to triple worldwide nuclear power generation capacity by 2050. To discuss the implications of this pledge, and analyse the current state of the nuclear industry globally, Ed Crooks is joined by Henri Paillere, who is head of the planning and economic studies section at the International Atomic Agency. He says there is now a much wider appreciation of the central role that nuclear power can play in tackling climate change.Nuclear technology is also seen as offering some big commercial opportunities. The EX-IM Bank, the US export – import bank, recently launched a package of measures intended to support sales of US Small Modular reactors – SMRs. Reta Lewis, chair of the Ex-Im bank came to the COP and spoke to the Energy Gang, to highlight the bank's support for SMR investment around the world.SMRs are expected to play a key role in the future of nuclear energy, as Dr Sama Bilbao y Leon, who is the director-general of the World Nuclear Association, which represents the international nuclear industry, said when she joined Ed in the studio.We'll be following the latest developments from COP28 right to the end of the summit, so subscribe and join the conversation – we're @theenergygang.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.