Energy Unplugged by Aurora

EP.209 Francisco Muñoz on the Chilean Energy Sector

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Francisco Muñoz, Director of Research at Generadoras de Chile discussing Chile’s energy sector and its journey toward renewable energy integration with our Managing Director for Iberia & LATAM, Ana Barillas.Generadoras de Chile is the trade association representing Chile’s power generation companies. In his role, Francisco leads a team that supports some of the world’s largest power generation companies as they navigate the evolving energy transition. With a career that includes consulting for various international organisations and private firms on market design, regulation, strategy, and planning, Francisco brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation. He also holds a Ph.D. in Energy Economics and Operations Research from Johns Hopkins University.Main topics include the following:An introduction to the Chilean power sector and the factors behind its high renewable energy integrationChallenges in regulation and market designThe future challenges for battery storage in ChileSupport the show

EP.208 Allan Marks on the US’ role in the Global Energy Transition

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Allan Marks, Global Project, Energy & Infrastructure Finance Partner at Milbank, to discuss the United States' role in the global energy transition. Joining him are our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, and our USA West Market Lead, George Prassas.Allan is one of the world's leading project finance lawyers, with over 30 years of expertise across various sectors, including power and renewable energy, water, fuels, and digital infrastructure. He is a Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and has previously taught at the Haas School of Business. Additionally, he is a regular contributor to Forbes, where he covers topics related to energy, infrastructure, and climate.Key topics include:The shift towards domestic manufacturing and labour in the US and its impact on the cost and speed of the energy transitionThe regulatory environment in the US and its regional diversityThe upcoming election and its potential influence of its outcome on the US energy transitionSupport the show

EP.207 Steffen Schülzchen, Founder & CEO, Entrix

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Steffen Schülzchen, Founder & CEO, Entrix, discussing the current state and outlook of batteries in the German electricity market. Joining him are Thaddäus Kreisig, Project Leader from our Berlin Advisory team, and Eva Zimmermann, Associate in our European Research team.Entrix offers an AI-based trading and optimisation solution that helps owners of flexible energy assets to maximise the value of their investments. Before founding Entrix, Steffen was a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company's energy practice.Key topics covered in this episode include:Why are batteries important for the energy transition in Germany and how does battery trading work in the country?How will the various battery revenue streams develop in the future?How is revenue stacking and continuous intraday trading in Germany different from other EU markets, and what are the most interesting future markets?Support the show

EP.206 Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, discussing the Alberta energy and power landscape with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr.Danielle Smith, who was sworn in as the 19th Premier of Alberta in 2022, previously served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood and the leader of the Official Opposition. Before returning to politics, she built a successful career in media and business, most recently as President of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Danielle holds degrees in both Economics and English from the University of Calgary.Main topics include the following:Finding the right balance between decarbonisation, consumer affordability, and system reliabilityThe roles of markets and government in addressing system reliability challengesThe future of renewables in Alberta, with a focus on solar and wind energySupport the show

EP.205 Katan Hirachand, Chief Executive & Chief Country Officer, Société Générale India

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Katan Hirachand, Chief Executive & Chief Country Officer of Société Générale India. Katan will be discussing project finance in India with our Managing Director responsible for our activities in the region, Dan Monzani.Katan oversees Société Générale’s Global Banking and Investor Solutions activities in India. With over two decades of global experience, he has held positions such as Co-head of Advisory and Project Finance for EMEA, and was responsible for the largest-ever project financing in Africa at USD 15.5 billion. Before joining Société Générale, Katan worked in commercial roles with BG Group in Brazil, Tunisia, Iran, and the UK.Main topics include the following:Why do state lenders have a prominent role in India, and what opportunities exist for private lenders?How are projects being influenced by the emergence of commercial and industrial PPAs and the design of round-the-clock renewable electricity auctions?What is the potential of the green hydrogen market in India?Support the show

EP.204 Mateo Jaramillo, Co-founder & CEO, Form Energy

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we're delighted to welcome Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of Form Energy. Mateo joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, and Zachary Edelen, a Senior Associate from our Austin office, to discuss long-duration battery storage.Before co-founding and directing Form Energy, Mateo served as the Vice President of Products and Programs for Tesla's stationary energy storage program. In this role, he was responsible for defining Tesla Energy's product line and business model definition, as well as overseeing global policy and business development. Prior to working at Tesla, Mateo was the Chief Operating Officer and a founding member of Gaia Power Technologies, a pioneering distributed energy storage company. Currently, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Clean Power Association.Main topics include the following:What are iron-air batteries and how do they work?The cost, duration, and efficiency of long-duration storageAre there any potential major competitors or alternatives to long-duration energy storage?Support the show

EP.203 Andrew Waranch, President & CEO, Spearmint Energy

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Waranch, President & CEO of Spearmint Energy, discussing the battery storage market with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr.Andrew brings over 25 years of experience in research, trading, and portfolio management across the electricity power markets. Before founding and leading Spearmint Energy, he worked at several energy trading firms, including Elustria, Elliott Associates, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Constellation Energy. He holds a B.S. in Applied Economics and Business Management from the Dyson School of Business at Cornell University.The main topics include the following:US battery market landscape, including its attractiveness and its designRisk management and offtake structuresThe role of batteries in the energy transitionSupport the show

Australian Graduate Analyst Programme Explained

Thinking of applying to our Australian Graduate Program? Listen in! In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Mechtersheimer and Michael Veld, Graduate Analysts in the 2024 cohort, to hear about their first-hand experience at Aurora. You'll hear about everything from the application process to the day-to-day responsibilities and projects.To learn more visit auroraer.com/grads! Support the show

EP.202 Buddy Rizer on Data Centre Demand and its Impact on Power Systems

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Buddy Rizer, Executive Director for the Department of Economic Development in Loudoun County, Virginia, USA. He discusses data centre demand and its impact on power systems with our Head of USA East, Julia Hoos, and Zachary Edelen, Senior Associate in our Research team.Buddy is largely credited as the architect of "Data Center Alley"—the world’s largest concentration of data centre load. He leads the agency responsible for encouraging growth and developing relationships with Loudoun’s business community. During his tenure, Buddy and his team have attracted more than $60 billion in new commercial investment and over 50,000 new jobs.The main topics include the following:The future of data centre demand in terms of growth and its absorption by the systemIncreases in power prices and their impact on local data centresThe feasibility of serving data centre demand with 100% green power, and the extent to which this is already happeningSupport the show

EP.201 Agnes da Costa, Director, Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Agnes Maria da Costa, Director at the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL). She joins our Managing Director for Iberia & LATAM, Ana Barillas, to discuss policies for the Brazilian electricity market, including capacity reserve auctions. Agnes has been a Director at ANEEL since December 2022. Before this role, she spent almost eighteen years at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, where she held positions such as advisor, special advisor, program director, deputy head, and head of the Special Advisory Board on Economic Affairs. Throughout her career, Agnes has played a significant role in shaping energy policy in Brazil. In this episode, we cover the following main topics:What are the electricity market policies where Brazil has been a global leader?What is the future of electricity sector regulation in Brazil?How do capacity auctions work in Brazil, and why is more flexible and adaptable regulation needed?Support the show