Energy Unplugged by Aurora

EP.23 David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)

In this week’s episode, Aurora’s Principal Ben Collie talks with David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA). IWEA is Ireland's largest renewable energy association and a leader in Ireland’s fight against climate change. Prior to this role, David was an Associate Professor in Energy Planning at Aalborg University in Copenhagen, where his research focussed on the design and assessment of 100% renewable energy systems for electricity, heat and transport. Ben and David discuss: •David’s career path and his focus on smart energy systems •IWEA’s role and the Irish wind sector potential for the future •Decarbonising the Irish energy system, and what a Net Zero 2050 system might look likeSupport the show

EP.22 Ivan Varughese, Head of Green Investment Group, Asia-Pacific at Macquarie Group

In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten is joined by Ivan Varughese, Head of Green Investment Group for Asia-Pacific at Macquarie Group. Ivan has been with Macquarie for more than 14 years as Executive Director and Head of Infrastructure, Utilities and Renewables in Australia & New Zealand, before being appointed to the new role in 2020.Hugo and Ivan discuss: •Green Investment Group’s mission and Ivan’s career •Australia’s energy market and its evolution•Green energy investment and energy storage opportunity in Australia and AsiaSupport the show

EP.21 Tejpreet Chopra, Founder & CEO of Bharat Light & Power

In this episode, Aurora’s Project Leader Thekla von Bülow discusses artificial intelligence in energy with her special guest Tejpreet Chopra, Founder & CEO of Bharat Light & Power (BLP). Tejpreet is the former president and CEO of GE India, and has vast global management and finance experience in France, UK, Hong Kong, India and the US.Listen to the episode to find more about: •BLP and its role in the energy transition•Renewables markets and opportunities for offshore wind in India•Artificial intelligence in energy generation and consumptionSupport the show

EP.20 Rafael Mateo, Energy CEO of ACCIONA

A new podcast episode is ready for you! Aurora’s Project Leader Thekla von Bülow is joined by our first Spanish guest on ‘Energy Unplugged’ - Rafael Mateo, Energy CEO of ACCIONA. ACCIONA is the largest independent renewable developer and operator in the world, and Rafael is a true pioneer of renewable energy, having been in the energy industry for over 35 years. Thekla and Rafael discuss: •ACCIONA’s plans for renewables and the business’ wide geographic coverage •PPAs as a tool for risk mitigation or an enabler of business growth •The big disrupters in terms of innovation for the energy industrySupport the show

EP.19 Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions

In this episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen discusses the energy transition in the US with his special guest Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions. Nora is a former commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) where she was nominated by President George W. Bush, and among many other previous roles she has also served as the Chair of the Board of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Topics covered include: •Women in the energy sector, and ESPY Energy Solutions as a women-owned business •The balance between state and federal responsibility in the US power sector•Upcoming US elections, and how the energy sector will lookSupport the show

EP.18 Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy

This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy, Britain’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity. Appointed as CEO in November 2017, Simone joined EDF in 2004 and had been head of EDF Group's international division since 2015. Listen to the episode to find out more about: •Simone’s professional journey and his clarinet playing skills•The Hinkley Point C project and its implications for the energy transition•EDF’s plan for a green recovery helping Britain achieve Net ZeroSupport the show

EP.17 Thomas Fureder, Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank

In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Thomas Fureder, Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank, in an interesting discussion about the market potential of hydrogen and its role in meeting Net Zero targets. Richard and Thomas discuss: •Hydrogen’s value proposition and investment opportunities •The need for a clear policy framework •Replacing grey hydrogen with blue and green hydrogenSupport the show

EP.16 Audrey Zibelman, CEO and Managing Director of AEMO

This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Audrey Zibelman, currently CEO and Managing Director of the Australian Energy Market Operator - AEMO. This is Audrey’s first public interview since she announced this week that she will leave AEMO to take up a newly-created leadership role at X - the research and development facility for "moonshot" technologies, a subsidiary of Google’s parent entity, Alphabet Inc. Audrey has led AEMO for nearly four years and has more than 30 years’ international experience in the public, private and not-for-profit energy sectors.Listen to the episode to find out more about:•Audrey’s professional journey and the new role at X •AEMO’s role in helping Australians to have access to affordable, secure and reliable energy•Gender balance in the energy sectorSupport the show

EP.15 Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford

In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard spoke with Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford, about Dieter's recent book 'Net Zero: How We Stop Causing Climate Change'. Dieter is also Chair of the Natural Capital Committee and has provided extensive advice to the UK and European governments on many issues, including 'The Cost of Energy Review' for the UK’s government in 2017 and for the European Commission in developing 'The Energy Roadmap 2030'.Dieter and Richard discuss:•Dieter’s motivation for writing his new book •Carbon pricing as a necessary condition for decarbonisation•EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme and Germany’s National Plan for DecarbonisationSupport the show

EP.14 Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, President of Forum Energii

This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe Hanns Koenig is joined by Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, President of Forum Energii, in a great discussion about the power market and energy transition in Poland. Joanna is one of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the Polish energy sector, with a distinguished career for almost 20 years across academia, and both the public and private sectors. Joanna now leads Forum Energii, a think tank focussed on forging the foundation for a clean, innovative, safe and efficient energy sector based on data and analysis.Hanns and Joanna discuss:•The status and future of the Polish power market•Forum Energii’s role in the energy transition •Opportunities for investors in the energy market in PolandSupport the show