Energy Unplugged by Aurora

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

EP.185 Andrew Doyle on Hydrogen Project Financing

On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Doyle, Executive Director, MUFG, discussing hydrogen project financing with our European Hydrogen Market Lead, Emma Woodward.Andrew brings with him over 20 years of project finance experience, having joined MUFG in 2011. His expertise spans a wide range of projects, from large thermal power and renewables ventures across the UK and Europe, and Middle East as well as offshore transmission projects. Additionally, Andrew serves as a member of the Hydrogen Advisory Council and was seconded to the former UK Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2009.Main topics include the following:• Financing for both hydrogen production projects and transport & storage projects• The impact of supply chain constraints and higher cost environments on hydrogen projects• What are the countries at the forefront of hydrogen policy and why?Support the show

EP.184 Dr Sopna Sury provides an outlook of the hydrogen landscape

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss the changes, challenges, and future outlook of the hydrogen landscape. We are pleased to have Dr Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer Hydrogen, RWE Generation SE, join us in conversation with our Lead Expert for Hydrogen, Dilara Caglayan.Sopna is responsible for the group-wide coordination and expansion of RWE's hydrogen activities and, under her leadership, RWE has set a growth target of 2 GW electrolyser capacity by 2030, supported by a 10 GW project pipeline. Prior to RWE, she held positions at McKinsey & Company, E.ON and Uniper. Sopna holds a degree in Business Economics and a Doctorate from the University of Witten/Herdecke.Main topics include the following:• An outlook of the hydrogen space’s situation over recent years• The biggest challenges hindering hydrogen market rollout, from policy, regulation, and public support perspectives• Regional competitiveness within Europe, and the EU's Response to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Support SchemesSupport the show

EP.183 Declan Flanagan on Renewables & Storage Development in the US & Australia

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss renewables and storage development in the US and Australian markets. We are delighted to welcome Declan Flanagan, Founder & CEO of Bluestar Energy Capital, in conversation with our Managing Director for APAC & California, Hugo Batten, and our Research Lead for US West, Kimberly Liu.Prior to founding and directing Bluestar Energy Capital, Declan served as EVP at Ørsted and CEO of Ørsted’s onshore renewables business. He was also the Founder & CEO of Lincoln Clean Energy (acquired by Ørsted in 2018). Declan has led over $10 billion in capital investment in global clean energy and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BSc from the University of Galway.Main topics include the following:• Consequences of rising financing costs and supply chain issues for renewables and storage• Structural opportunities in the WECC region• Grid issues in Australia and potential solutionsSupport the show

EP.182 Robert Todd on Long Duration Energy Storage

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we discuss Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and explore how this space is gathering momentum as its pivotal role in supporting the Energy Transition becomes increasingly recognised. We are pleased to have Robert Todd, Managing Director at CIBC Capital Markets, join us in conversation with our Head of Research for the UK & Ireland, Marc Hedin.Robert joined CIBC three years ago to help expand their advisory platform activities globally, with recent experiences across offshore wind (floating & fixed), onshore wind, solar, energy storage (LDES and battery), hydrogen, and synfuels (e-methanol). Prior to CIBC, he held positions at HSBC and Barclays Capital.Main topics include the following:• LDES technologies and their new applications• The best markets to develop LDES• Financing and bankability of LDES projectsSupport the show