Energy Unplugged by Aurora

EP.262 Tom Palmer on Powering the Grid: The Growing Role of Large-Scale Battery Storage

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Tom Palmer, Head of Business Development in Zenobē’s Network Infrastructure business. He joins Malvika Gode, Senior Associate at Aurora Energy Research, to explore how large-scale battery storage is transforming grid stability and enabling the transition to a fully renewable power system.
Tom is an economist by background and brings a wealth of experience from across the energy sector, having previously worked at RWE Renewables, Cornwall Insight, Origami Energy, Palantir Solutions, EDF Energy, and Ofgem. At Zenobē, Tom focuses on developing grid-scale battery projects that support transmission and distribution networks as they adapt to increasing renewable penetration.
Main topics include:
How large-scale batteries are stabilising renewable-heavy grids and supporting the energy transition.
Integration with transmission and distribution networks and lessons from pioneering grid-forming projects.
Technical, commercial, and market challenges, including balancing mechanism inefficiencies and evolving regulatory frameworks.
The future of grid-scale storage, from longer-duration projects to new revenue streams and system-wide flexibility.

EP.261 Martin Daronnat on Structuring the Future: How FPAs Are Powering Europe’s Battery Revolution

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Martin Daronnat, Head of Flexibility & Structured Origination at ENGIE . He joins Casimir Lorenz, Aurora’s Managing Director for Central Europe, for a deep dive into the emerging market for flexibility purchase agreements (FPAs) and their role in financing and operating large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Martin has over 10 years of experience in energy, with a strong background in flexibility and renewables structuring and origination. Under his leadership, ENGIE offers flexibility offtake agreements and structured products that make energy assets bankable while optimising risk exposure, including market and credit risk. In 2024, ENGIE closed Germany’s first long-term fixed-price physical FPA, enabling a large-scale BESS project to reach financial close.
Main topics include:
How flexibility purchase agreements (FPAs) support large-scale battery storage projects and make them bankable.
Exploration of the key factors that determine FPA pricing, including technical battery parameters, market and credit risk, and contract terms.
How portfolio effects and strategic positioning influence the value of batteries for traders and asset owners.
Differences between fixed-price, partial, and merchant FPAs across European markets.

EP.260 Lawson Steele on Hydrogen, Storage Solutions and Decarbonising the UK Grid

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re joined by Lawson Steele, CEO of Haldane Energy, to explore the strategic and practical role of hydrogen in long-duration energy storage and the UK’s energy transition. Marten Ford, who leads Aurora’s work in GBN Ireland on low-carbon fuels and hydrogen, guides the conversation through the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s power system over the next decade.
Lawson is responsible for the day-to-day management of Haldane Energy and is a founder and director of the Windward Energy group of companies. He has over a decade of experience in renewables and energy infrastructure, building wind portfolios and independent distribution networks.
Main topics include:
• The strategic rationale for hydrogen long-duration energy storage and its role in replacing aging gas-fired power plants
• How hydrogen provides high energy density and flexible dispatchable power relative to alternatives like batteries or pumped hydro
• Design and operation of closed-loop hydrogen systems, including electrolysers, salt cavern storage, and hydrogen fuel power stations
• Commercial viability and the importance of government schemes to de-risk investment in large-scale hydrogen energy storage

EP.259 Juan Carlos Jobet on Chile’s Energy Transition

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Juan Carlos Jobet, former Chilean Minister of Energy and Mining and now Dean of the Business School at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. He joins José Muñoz, Aurora’s Country Lead for Chile, to discuss Chile’s path to a cleaner, more resilient energy system, from the coal phase-out and renewable growth to the country’s ambitions in green hydrogen and the decarbonisation of mining.
Juan Carlos served as Minister of Energy and Mining from 2019 to 2022, overseeing a period of profound change in Chile’s power sector. With a background spanning public service, investment banking and executive leadership in energy and infrastructure, he brings a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, markets and global energy challenges.
Main topics include:• The policies and partnerships that have enabled Chile’s rapid growth in renewables• The role of large-scale storage and grid infrastructure in supporting the transition• Green hydrogen’s progress and the challenges still to overcome• Mining’s role in the transition and pathways to reduce its emissions

EP.258 Ben Guest on Batteries, Flexibility and the Future of the UK Grid

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Ben Guest, Managing Director and Head of Gresham House Energy Transition, as well as Fund Manager of the Gresham House Energy Storage Fund. He joins Caroline Still, Principal in our Oxford Advisory team, to discuss the role of storage and flexibility in enabling the UK’s energy transition.
Ben has over two decades of experience in the energy sector and leads the UK’s largest utility-scale battery storage fund. He has overseen the deployment of over 800 MW of operational battery projects, with a pipeline of more than 2 GW under development.
Main topics include:
Why storage is central to decarbonisation and balancing renewable intermittency
The role of batteries in addressing grid bottlenecks and deferring costly reinforcements
Long-duration storage, Dunkelflaute, and how policy must evolve to incentivise optimal system performance

EP.257 Karin Burns on Community Choice Aggregators and the Clean Energy Transition in California

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Karin Burns, CEO of San Diego Community Power (SDCP). She joins Oliver Kerr, Aurora’s Managing Director for North America, and Farhad Billimoria, Head of US West Research, to discuss the rise of community choice aggregation (CCA) and its role in accelerating California’s clean energy transition.
Karin has led SDCP since 2022, overseeing its rapid growth into one of the largest CCAs in California, now serving nearly one million customers. With a background spanning international finance, non-profit leadership and sustainability strategy, she brings a unique perspective on how community-led models can deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy.
Main topics include:
What community choice aggregation is and how it is reshaping California’s power market
Balancing decarbonisation with affordability and reliability for customers
The impact of federal policy changes and rapid demand growth from AI and data centres
How distributed resources and virtual power plants can enhance resilience in local energy systems

EP.256 Helen Clarkson on Business and Policy in the Global Climate Transition

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group. She joins Richard Howard, Aurora’s Global Research Director, to discuss the role of business and government in accelerating the transition to net zero.
Helen has led Climate Group since 2017, overseeing initiatives such as RE100, EV100, SteelZero, and the Under2 Coalition, which mobilise companies and governments worldwide to commit to ambitious climate goals. With over two decades of experience in climate and humanitarian work, she brings unique insights into how cross-sector coalitions can drive global action.
Main topics include:
How business and government coalitions are driving faster emissions reductions
The challenges of scaling renewables and integrating them into power systems
The growing importance of 24/7 carbon-free energy and what to expect from Climate Week NYC

EP.255 Philip Hirschhorn and Tim Nelson on the Future of Australia’s Wholesale Market

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Philip Hirschhorn, Ministerial Appointee to the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review Expert Panel, and Tim Nelson, Chair of the independent review of Australia’s NEM. They join Hugo Batten, Aurora’s Managing Director for APAC, and Hana Ramli, Principal in our Australian Advisory team, to discuss the draft recommendations of the Wholesale Market Settings Review and their implications for Australia’s energy transition.
Philip has over two decades of experience advising the energy sector, including 25 years at Boston Consulting Group where he led the Australian Energy practice. He now serves on the Expert Panel shaping reforms to Australia’s derivatives market and contract design. Tim brings extensive leadership experience across Australia’s energy institutions, including Iberdrola, the AEMC, AGL, and government roles, and is currently chairing the independent review of the NEM.
Main topics include:
The scope and goals of the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review and the challenges it seeks to address
Key draft recommendations on the spot market, derivatives, and investment signals
Implications for batteries, coal exits, and state-level renewable targets in Australia’s energy mix
Lessons from overseas markets and what it will take to implement reforms successfully
To delve deeper into the investment landscape in Australia, reach out to our Aurora experts at auroraer.com/global-presence/australia.

EP.254 Heather Reams on Conservative Leadership in US Clean Energy Policy

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Heather Reams, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). She joins Oliver Kerr, Aurora’s Managing Director for North America, to discuss the role of conservative leadership in driving clean energy policy and the prospects for bipartisan cooperation.
Heather has led CRES since 2016, building its role as a leading right-of-centre voice for pragmatic clean energy solutions in the US. With over three decades of experience in public affairs and energy policy, she brings a unique perspective on how conservative leadership can advance the energy transition.
Main topics include:
The state of conservative and Republican support for clean energy in the US
The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) on investment and tax credits
Why streamlining energy project approvals could be a rare opportunity for bipartisan cooperation
The implications of rising energy demand from AI and advanced manufacturing
If you enjoyed listening to this episode, attend the second edition of the Aurora Energy Transition Forum on October 21st, 2025 in New York! The event will bring together senior and influential leaders from the US energy sector - developers, utilities, investors, government, tech, and finance - to address America’s energy transition challenges and solutions. Join a curated group of senior decision-makers in a high-level setting designed to foster meaningful dialogue – more than just your usual networking. Head to Aurora’s website the to find out more and to book your ticket. We look forward to seeing you there!

EP.253 Christoph Bellin on Battery Storage and Pumped Hydro in Europe

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Christoph Bellin, Head of Development & Projects at Alpiq. He joins Claudia Günther, our Research Lead for Northwestern Europe, to explore the evolving roles of flexible assets like battery storage and pumped hydro in Europe’s energy transition.
Christoph is a senior energy executive with over two decades of experience in the European energy market. At Alpiq, he leads the Development & Projects unit, driving the growth of a pan-European Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) portfolio from investment through to commissioning.
Main topics include:
How Alpiq is expanding its flexible assets portfolio across Europe
The key differences in development, financing, and operation of BESS and pumped hydro
Whether batteries and pumped hydro are competitors or complementary technologies in the decarbonised grid