Energy Unplugged by Aurora

EP.195 Prologis on the Sustainability and Decarbonisation Potential of the Logistics Real Estate Sector

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Vibhu Kaushik, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Energy, and Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy & Sustainability Officer, both at Prologis, in conversation with our Global Research Director, Richard Howard. The focus of the discussion is on the sustainability and decarbonisation potential of the logistics real estate sector.Prologis is a global leader in the logistics real estate industry. As the world's largest owner and operator of logistics real estate, with over 1.2 billion square feet of warehouse space under management across 19 countries, it plays a significant role in helping customers decarbonise their operations. Prologis achieves this by providing renewable energy solutions through solar power, energy storage, EV charging infrastructure, and building electrification. In 2022, Prologis ranked #2 in USA for on-site solar power generation.Main topics include the following:What is the sustainability vision for the logistics real estate sector?What is the potential for deploying rooftop solar, and can its business model be enhanced by adding batteries?Which are the most attractive markets for decarbonising buildings, and why?Support the show

EP.193 Keith Anderson, Chief Executive, ScottishPower

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, discussing the deployment of renewables in the UK with our Global Research Director, Richard Howard.As the CEO of ScottishPower, Keith oversees all of the company's activities in the UK. Over the past twelve months, he has been a member of the No10 Business Council, the UK Government’s Investment Trade Advisory Group, and has been a COP26 Business Leader. Before joining ScottishPower, Keith held positions at major financial institutions, including The Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life, and worked as a management consultant with Ernst & Young.Key topics discussed in this episode include:Challenges around grid connections and curtailment in GBLocational pricing: is it helpful to provide this kind of incentive?The UK’s ambitious wind targets: are they deliverable?Support the show

EP.192 Johanna Schiele on the Results of the European Hydrogen Bank Auction

On this Energy Unplugged episode, we are pleased to welcome Johanna Schiele, Policy Officer at the EU Commission, DG CLIMA, discussing the results of the European Hydrogen Bank auction with Hanns Koenig, our Managing Director for Central Europe, and Emma Woodward, our European Hydrogen Market Lead.As a Policy Officer at the EU Commission, DG CLIMA, Johanna works on designing and implementing EU-wide auctions and new funding instruments at the EU Innovation Fund. Prior to joining the Commission, Johanna worked in the power sector and as a researcher on auctions and clean tech funding. She holds a BA from Oxford University and an MPA from Harvard University.Main topics include the following:What is the design of the European Hydrogen Bank’s auctions, and how does it compare to other support auctions across Europe?What are the outcomes of the European Hydrogen Bank auction, and how do they compare to other European auctions’ results?What are the main challenges for bidders when placing their bids in various auctions, and how can they be mitigated?Support the show

2024, Berlin Graduate Analyst Programme Explained

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EP.191 Aurora Experts on Grid Modelling in APAC

On this week’s Energy Unplugged episode, the Aurora team analyses grid modelling in APAC, both from a policy and investment perspective.Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC, welcomes our colleagues Kento Yoshimura, Market Lead, Japan; Rowan von Spreckelsen, Head of New Markets, APAC; and James Ha, Research Lead, Australia to discuss the following:• Policy debates around locational price signals• Modelling debates around locational price signals, including its quality and reliability• Market responses to policy changes and grid issuesSupport the show

EP.190 David Watson on the Future of EVs and Smart Charging

On this Energy Unplugged episode, we are pleased to welcome David Watson, CEO and Co-Founder of Ohme, discussing the future role of electric vehicles (EVs) and smart charging with Salman Khan, Principal at our Oxford Advisory team.David created Ohme with the aim of making it the world’s most trusted smart charging platform. Today, Ohme is the UK’s fastest growing smart charging company and the official charging provider for the Volkswagen Group in the UK and Ireland, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Polestar in the UK. Prior to co-founding Ohme, David also co-founded Temporis Capital.Main topics include the following: • Market signals required for the successful deployment of smart chargers• Smart charging to serve the grid—GB energy market opportunities• Smart charging to serve the end-user—Retail Electricity MarketsSupport the show

EP.189 Charlotte Johnson on Battery Optimisation and Flexibility

On this Energy Unplugged episode we welcome Charlotte Johnson, Global Director of Markets, Kraken discussing flexible assets, their markets and, more specifically, batteries with Evangelos Gazis, our Head of Southeastern Europe.Being part of the Octopus Energy Group, Kraken is a cloud-based technology platform that uses machine learning and AI to control and optimize distributed energy resources such as batteries, EVs and heat pumps in response to real-time fluctuations in demand and supply from intermittent renewable generation. Charlotte is passionate about accelerating the journey to net zero and regularly publishes engaging thought leadership material to a wide range of industry stakeholders.Main topics include the following:Flexible energy assets: what are they and why do we need them?Market design and regulation for storage and batteries, and examples of successful policy supportThe role of software and AI in achieving an optimal dispatchSupport the show

EP.188 Anna von Bremen on Storage Systems and Renewables in Germany

On this Energy Unplugged episode, we welcome Anna von Bremen, Partner and Head of Energy Innovation at Osborne Clarke, discussing the integration of storage systems with renewable energy sources with Thaddäus Kreisig, Project Leader in our Berlin Advisory team.As the Head of Energy Innovation at Osborne Clarke, Anna advises companies in the energy industry on regulatory and energy law issues and aspects of digitalisation in the energy sector. Additionally, she conducts complex regulatory litigation on behalf of her clients which range from energy producers, energy trading houses, industrial companies, and utilities. In 2023, she was included in the renowned JUVE list of "40 under 40", an accolade reserved for 40 leading lawyers across all sectors.Main topics include the following:Economics and policy of battery co-location for renewables projects in GermanyGreen and grey power, and the impact of their definitions on their respective business modelsRegulatory treatment of grid curtailment for co-located projectsSupport the show

EP.187 Ruth Herbert on Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we welcome Ruth Herbert, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), discussing Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) with Caroline Still, Project Leader at our Advisory team in Oxford.Ruth has served as the CEO of the CCSA since 2021, following a two-decade career in the public sector. Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Low Carbon Contracts Company, where she served as Director of Strategy & Development, overseeing the implementation of Contracts for Difference (CfD) and Capacity Market initiatives. Additionally, from 2008 to 2010, Ruth led the UK's negotiations of the EU Directive on CO2 storage and its international Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) policy.Main topics include the following:The role of CCUS in various key sectors, including power and hydrogen CCS-related policy gaps and funding in the power and industrial sectors in the UKGlobally, what are the hot spots for CCUS development and why?Support the show

EP.186 Jeremy Bentham on the role of forecasts in the energy transition

On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we welcome Jeremy Bentham, Former Head of Shell Scenarios and Co-Chair at the World Energy Council, discussing the role of forecasts in the energy transition with our Head of Research for European Hydrogen and Global Energy Markets, Anise Ganbold.With over 40 years of profound experience in the energy industry, Jeremy Bentham holds notable positions including senior advisory roles in various international organisations and serves as a non-executive company director. He has also been a commissioner on the Energy Transitions Commission and the inaugural Chair of the European Commission’s Advisory Council on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. Currently, Jeremy is a Senior Fellow with the Mission Possible Partnership and has recently launched his free fortnightly "Dodo Club Newsletter".Main topics include the following:• The combination of forecasting, with educational and influencing activities• The Two Degrees view• Tips to set successful strategiesSupport the show