Energy Unplugged by Aurora

EP.227 Kelcy Pegler, CEO, FlexGen

This week on Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Kelcy Pegler, CEO of FlexGen. He joins Olivier Beaufils, our Head of US Central, to explore the current landscape and future outlook of the energy storage industry in the U.S.Prior to joining FlexGen, Kelcy founded and chaired several companies in the renewables space, including Sofdesk (solar & storage software company) and Roof Diagnostics Solar (a residential solar installation company). He has been recognised by several business leadership awards, including EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year as a finalist, NJBIZ 40 Under 40, and Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies.Main topics include the following:Today’s grid being shaped by data centre demand growth, and the role batteries play in the equationRole of data analytics in battery deployment for developers and operatorsHow market design is enabling and how it could incentivise more battery deployment in Texas and CaliforniaSupport the show

EP.226 Scott Mercer on Nuclear Fusion

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Scott Mercer, CEO of Focused Energy discussing nuclear fusion with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr and Eva Zimmermann, Senior Associate in our Berlin office. Scott has served as the CEO of Focused Energy since February 2024. Before joining Focused Energy, he founded and led Volta Charging, guiding the company from its inception to a successful initial public offering (IPO). Over the course of his career, Scott has played a key role in more than 1,000 engineering and construction projects across the US and Europe.Main topics include the following:Nuclear fission VS fusion, and the different approaches people are taking to fusionFunding and commercialisation of nuclear fusionThe role of nuclear fusion in the energy transitionSupport the show

EP.225 Andrew Flanagan, CEO, RWE Clean Energy

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are thrilled to welcome Andrew Flanagan, CEO of RWE Clean Energy. He chats with Oliver Kerr, our Managing Director for North America, to discuss the current and future landscape of U.S. power markets.With over 25 years of experience in the US energy sector Andrew has a wealth of expertise. He leads the third-largest renewable energy business in North America and his career spans working with international teams across Europe. Andrew holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.Main topics of discussion include the following:How much of the load growth in the US is real, and how much of its forecasting should be factored in investment decisions?What challenges are interconnection queues in the US creating, and how are markets reacting?What will the results of the US election mean for the energy transition in the country?Support the show

EP.224 Rohan Ma on Battery Market Economics

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we're excited to welcome Rohan Ma, the former Director of Energy Software at Tesla. Rohan joins Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC, and Julia Hoos, our Head of USA East, for an insightful discussion on battery market economics.Rohan's career has focused on the intersection of energy economics and technology. The last 8 years saw him leading the global Energy Software team at Tesla, launching initiatives like Autobidder, Tesla's Virtual Power Plant, and the company’s retail electricity program, Tesla Electric. Before Tesla, Rohan held positions at SolarCity, Pacific Gas and Electric, Clearview Energy Partners, and the Chicago Climate Exchange.Main topics of discussion include the following:How did Autobidder develop within Tesla, and what were the biggest challenges facing scaling and rolling it out internationally?How do new battery markets compare to established ones, and which ones are the best for investment?How will the Trump Administration potentially impact the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?Support the show

EP.223 Tyler Norris on Interconnection Processes in the US Power Markets

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are thrilled to welcome Tyler Norris, James B. Duke Fellow at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Tyler joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, to discuss the interconnection processes within U.S. power markets.Tyler's PhD research at Duke University focuses on electric power systems. His background includes roles as VP of Development at Cypress Creek Renewables, Director at S&P Global Platts, and Special Advisor for Tech-to-Market at the U.S. Department of Energy. Tyler has also served as an expert witness in multiple utility commission proceedings, with his insights featuring in prominent publications such as The New York Times and Foreign Affairs.Key topics in this episode include:What are interconnection processes, and why are these increasingly relevant in the US?“Invest and connect” vs “connect and manage” approaches to interconnectionWhat will the results of the US election mean for the energy transition in the country?Support the show

EP.222 Axel Thiemann, CEO, Sonnedix

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Axel Thiemann, CEO of Sonnedix, to discuss the investment climate for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Europe. Axel joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, recorded live at the Aurora Battery Conference in November 2024.Axel has been with Sonnedix since 2011 and became CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, the company has experienced rapid growth and diversification to more than 3.5GW of operational capacity. Today, he leads a global team of over 500 employees across 10 countries.Main topics include the following:What are the factors and trends shaping the investment climate for BESS in Europe?What are the key risks and uncertainties for BESS investment in Europe, and how can these be managed?Where are the best opportunities and the hottest markets for BESS in Europe?Support the show

EP.221 Benjamin Merle, Chief Product Officer, Enpal

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Benjamin Merle, Chief Product Officer at Enpal, as he joins our Managing Director for Central Europe, Hanns Koenig, to discuss solar energy solutions and their role in the German power market.Since 2020, Benjamin has been responsible for product development and energy market topics at Enpal. Before this, he played a key role in establishing Aurora's German branch and worked as a consultant at McKinsey. He studied International Business Administration at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford.Main topics include the following:The importance of supply chain security in the face of geopolitical tensionsWhat is a virtual power plant, and how does it work within the power market?How can incentive schemes for rooftop solar in Germany be reformed to make them more system-friendly?Support the show

EP.220 Miguel de Jesus on the Philippine Power Market

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Miguel de Jesus, Managing Director for the Philippines at ACEN. He joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and our Market Lead for Wider Asia, Patrick Tan, to discuss the current state of the Philippines' power market.Miguel oversees ACEN's operations in the Philippines and has held key leadership roles within the company. These include leading the company's solar developments in Vietnam, pioneering ACEN’s retail electricity business, and managing the company’s first operating wind assets in the Philippines. Before joining ACEN, Miguel practiced law, with a focus on energy and project finance.Main topics include the following:Philippines’ market design and the debates surrounding itKey barriers to accelerating renewables deployment and other zero-carbon technologies in the PhilippinesMajor challenges faced by international players entering the Philippine marketSupport the show

EP.219 Toby Edmonds on Offshore Wind

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Toby Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Offshore Renewables at Northland Power. Toby joins Marc Hedin, our Head of Research for the UK & Ireland,  for an in-depth discussion on the topic of offshore wind.Toby oversees global operations, delivery, and growth initiatives for offshore renewables at Northland Power. With over 25 years in the energy industry, he previously served as COO at Maple Power and held senior roles at RWE, including Project Director for the Gwynt y Môr and Galloper wind farms, and Director of Asset Management and Operations.Main topics include the following:The most time-consuming stages of offshore wind projects: engineering, planning, permitting, and grid connectionInvesting in offshore wind in a higher rates world: subsidy schemes and PPAsFloating offshore windSupport the show

EP.218 Akshay Kaul on Delivering a Grid for the Energy Transition in GB

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Akshay Kaul, Director General for Infrastructure at Ofgem. Akshay joins Tom Smout, Senior Associate in our GB Research team, for an in-depth discussion on building a grid ready to support the energy transition in Great Britain.Akshay has been with Ofgem since 2017. Before his current role, he served as Director of Networks, overseeing the economic regulation of Great Britain’s energy networks. His responsibilities included developing the next generation of onshore network price controls (known as RIIO2), regulating offshore transmission infrastructure, and advancing an ambitious cross-border interconnection programme through the cap and floor regime.Main topics include the following:What is the current state of the GB grid connection queue, and what led to the queue being so congested?What are the main proposals under consideration for improving the grid connection process, and why?How have things changed with a new UK government? How is Ofgem working with new organisations and ministers to deliver on energy targets?Support the show