Aurora Energy Research Podcast

This week on Energy Unplugged we welcome Sven Utermöhlen, Chief Executive Officer at RWE Offshore Wind, in a conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory for Central Europe, Casimir Lorenz. RWE is a leading global player in renewables and number two worldwide in offshore wind. Sven joined RWE in 2022 and before he has held various senior executive roles in renewable energy for more than sixteen years, including at innogy SE, and E.ON, where he also led the company’s offshore wind division. He also previously served in management consultancy roles for the Boston Consulting Group. He studied at the Universities of Karlsruhe and Hamburg.Main topics include:•The outlook of the offshore wind supply chain in Europe •The probably of reaching the ambitious offshore wind targets in Europe •The aim of a good market design for renewables and offshore wind in particular •The competition between different markets with regards to their attractivenessSupport the show

This week we have a special episode on Energy Unplugged in which we discuss the Japanese power market with Aurora's leadership team in Tokyo.Our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten is joined by Aurora’s Rowan von Spreckelsen – Head of New Markets, APAC; Hayato Ono – Head of Advisory, Japan; Alex Luta and Zelin Chen – Project Leaders, Japan and Sehun Nakama – Associate, Japan.This episode is being released just as we open our office in Tokyo and deliver our first research projects in Japan.Main topics include:• The current generation mix in Japan and expected changes over the next years• Key elements of the energy transition in Japan• The Japanese electricity market design• Insights from Aurora’s Japan power market modelling workSupport the show

In this week’s podcast we welcome Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, in conversation with Dan Monzani, our Managing Director for UK & Ireland. Over the next 12 years, the energy system is under pressure for transformation to reach the goal of Net Zero. This episode focuses on the necessity for change within the energy system in order to achieve these targets.Jonathan has wide-ranging energy sector experience, having led Electricity Market Reform as the Director for Energy Markets and Networks at DECC. Prior to this, he was Director of the Office of Climate Change, a cross-government strategy unit focussed on climate change and energy issues, where he led the development of the Climate Change Act. Earlier in his career, Jonathan was a senior adviser in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. In 2020, Jonathan became Ofgem's Chief Executive Officer after two years in the role of Executive Director for Systems and Networks.Main topics include:*The current stability of the retail market in the run to Net Zero*

In this episode, we discuss the energy transition as an investment climate for low-carbon infrastructure in Europe and the US. Our Research Director, Richard Howard is joined by Aurora experts: Ryan Alexander, Research Lead for European Power Markets and Julia Hoos, Head of USA East. Main topics include:•The impact of the REPowerEU plan and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US on the energy transition•The status of renewables deployment in Europe vs the US •Green hydrogen as a direct replacement for natural gasSupport the show

In this episode, we welcome Jack Curtis, Chief Commercial Officer at Neara, in a talk with our Managing Director in APAC and California, Hugo Batten, and our Head of Research in APAC, James Ha. Today’s discussion is focused on the challenges the power grid faces through the energy transition.Neara is a physics-enabled platform that builds 3D interactive models of networks and assets, providing the ability to run real-world scenarios, assess current and future risks, and prioritize maintenance and disaster response. In the past, Jack was also Head of APAC for First Solar, and before he was both an investment banker and a lawyer.Main topics include:•The development of renewables over the past 10 years in Australia•The government and the private sector’s roles in achieving the 1.5 degrees goal in Australia’s electricity system •Neara’s platform, its fit with other models, and the challenges of the gridSupport the show

In this episode we welcome Jan Pepper, CEO, Peninsula Clean Energy in a conversation with our Head of Advisory – US West, Felix Chow-Kambitsch and our Head of Research – US West, Kim Liu. The discussion focusses on clean energy in California, as the state transitions towards its commitment of 100% clean electricity by 2045. Jan has been working on renewable energy in California for the last 30 years. She is now CEO of Peninsula Clean Energy, a Community Choice Aggregation agency for San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos. Under Jan’s leadership since its inception in 2016, Peninsula Clean Energy has been leading the industry with its unprecedented goal for a California load-serving entity to procure 100% renewable energy 24/7 by 2025.Main topics include:•The role of CCAs in the energy transition•PCE’s goal to deliver 24/7 renewable power by 2025•Opportunities and challenges as California moves to 100% zero-carbonSupport the show

This week we have a special episode on Energy Unplugged in which we welcome Daniel Breuer, Partner at Osborne Clarke in a conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow. The episode is preparing for our Renewables Summit Berlin 2023 taking place tomorrow, Thursday 11th of May in Berlin, Germany. The topic of the event is ‘Coordinating the German State and Market: Policies and Strategies to Reach 80% Renewables by 2030’ and Daniel is one of our speakers at the event. Daniel will be participating in one of the panel discussions entitled ‘Uncovering Optimal Pricing Mechanisms and Navigating Impacts of Regulatory Interventions on the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) Markets’. Daniel heads Osborne Clarke Germany’s Energy & Utility practice. He advises clients on all energy and regulatory matters with a particular emphasis on renewable energy projects (from greenfield development to repowering), direct marketing and PPA structures (corporate, utility and financial), energy trading co

This week on Energy Unplugged, we discuss about the revolution in retail energy markets in the UK and internationally. We’re delighted to welcome Melissa Gander, Chief Operating Officer at Kaluza in a conversation with our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani. With an extensive career in energy, Melissa was a member of OVO Energy’s launch team in 2009 where she headed up their Customer Services and Operations, as well as their smart metering business. In 2019, Melissa became OVO Group Chief Operating Officer and joined Kaluza in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer helping to spearhead the company's international growth. Before joining OVO Energy, Melissa spent three years at Envoy Asset Management (part of Inexus Group). Melissa graduated in Economics from Sheffield University. Melissa & Dan discuss:•OVO Energy and what drove the growth of the company in the first 5 to 10 years•Kaluza’s business model as a real-time SaaS platform accelerating the shift to a zero carbon world•International

In this episode we’re delighted to welcome Chris Hansen, State Senator for Colorado in a conversation with our Head of USA, Oliver Kerr.Chris entered politics in 2016, he had a long career in the energy sector, both in academia and industry, he’s an energy expert by training, with a master degree from MIT, and a PhD from Oxford University.Oliver and Chris discuss:* The energy transition in Colorado and the role government has to play* The role for markets in the energy transition* The progress of decarbonisation wider in the USSupport the show

Join Hugo Batten, Managing Director in Australia at Aurora, in an exciting episode of the podcast dedicated to the Australian Energy Market. With special guests Skipp Williamson, Managing Director at Partners in Performance, and Brian Innes, Global Technical Director specializing in energy transformation practice, this episode delves into the challenges and opportunities for large energy users in Australia to decarbonize their electricity supply.Skipp Williamson, named by the Australian Financial Review as the 2019 most influential consultant, shares her insights on how she sees decarbonization as an opportunity rather than a challenge for large energy users, which derives significant cost reduction and increased productivity. The discussion also touches upon the importance of hybrid solutions and supply chain optimizations for big industrial users in the global market, including South Africa and Europe.The episode also explores the complex coal closure process in Australia over the last decade and the role o

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Jeanne Soh - Head of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Structured Finance Department Asia Pacific, SMBC, Jason Humphreys - Partner Singapore, Allen Overy and Rowan von Spreckelsen - Principal at Research Analytics, Aurora in a discussion with our Managing Director for Australia Hugo Batten on some of the major challenges and opportunities in Asia Pacific Region for energy project finance. This episode is the third in a series on global project finance, organised in partnership with SMBC Group. With a number of 4 episodes covering Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, this series is hosted by Aurora, with guests from SMBC Group, various law firms and Aurora.The APAC region has varying levels of development when it comes to financing alternative energy solutions, with different markets exhibiting different levels of activity in energy and project finance based on technologies and geographies. Taiwan has shown increased interest in offshore wind, and its regulatory envi

In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Julian Nebreda, CEO & President of Fluence, in a conversation with our Head of USA, Oliver Kerr and our Head of Advisory, US West, Felix Chow-Kambitsch. Julian leads the Fluence team and its efforts to accelerate energy storage adoption globally. Prior to joining Fluence, he had a distinguished career at the AES Corporation serving as President of the South America Strategic Business Unit and other multiple positions. Julian has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry as well as a remarkable expertise as a Fluence board member since September 2021.Main topics include:•The outlook for battery storage globally going forward •The evolution of battery business model and to what extent business ownership models need to change •The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act •How easy it is to scale battery optimisation in-houseSupport the show

This week on Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Daisuke Tsujimoto, co-founder of Renova Inc – a Japanese renewable and storage developer. Joined by our Managing Director of APAC & California, Hugo Batten, and Rowan von Spreckelsen, our Head of New Markets in APAC, this discussion focuses on the trajectory and strategy of Renova, the evolution of Japan’s power markets, and the politics and policies of energy security in Japan.Main topics include:•Market reforms in Japan including switching from Feed-in-Tariffs to Feed-in-Premiums and introduction of 20 yr capacity market•The future of Japan’s nuclear fleet•Network access reform and the challenge of connecting renewables and batteries in parts of Japan•Future demand for hydrogen and ammonia in JapanSupport the show

In this episode we’re delighted to welcome Simon-Erik Ollus, EVP, Generation and Member of the Executive Management at Fortum in a conversation with our Nordics & Baltics Lead, Alexander Esser. Simon-Erik has been with Fortum since 2009 and held various roles in strategy and market intelligence and has been a member of the division’s management team since 2013. He has been appointed Executive Vice President of Fortum’s Generation division and member of Fortum’s Executive Management in March 2021. The Generation division is responsible for Fortum’s Nordic power generation in nuclear, hydro, and wind power plants.Simon-Erik and Alexander discuss:•Fortum’s new strategy after exiting Russia and Uniper•What’s missing in recent reform proposals for electricity market design•The role of nuclear in the NordicsSupport the show

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Kate Tuohy, Director, Energy at MUFG in a conversation with our Co-Head of Advisory in Central Europe, Thekla von Bülow. Kate has over 12 years’ project finance experience focusing on structuring and arranging project financing, financial advisory and restructuring across the infrastructure, power and renewables sectors. Kate joined MUFG in September 2019 from ESB, Ireland’s state electricity utility where she had responsibly for structuring debt and equity funding solutions for new generation projects (thermal, renewable and flexible generation) within ESB’s portfolio. Main topics include:•The renewables landscape in Europe, US & China•The offshore wind and differences in various European markets•The hydrogen investment space If you want to hear more from other global energy leaders, join the Aurora Spring Forum 2023 taking place on 29 March in Oxford, UK. The Forum offers a full day of intellectual engagement and thought-provoking analysis, with the opportuni

This week, on Energy Unplugged, we welcome Keith Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of ScottishPower in a conversation with our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Dan Monzani. Keith is the CEO of ScottishPower since 2018 and prior to being the CEO of ScottishPower, Keith spent 12 years as the CEO of ScottishPower Renewables. As part of Iberdrola, ScottishPower Renewables is one of the leading global wind companies with over 20 GW of installed capacity. Main topics include:•The value ScottishPower sees in maintaining an integrated business model•The level of ambition in grid networks and how do we deliver it to get to NetZero•The UK retail market, vulnerable consumers and how the future is looking for themIf you want to hear more from Keith and other global energy leaders, join the Aurora Spring Forum 2023 taking place on 29 March in Oxford, UK. The Forum offers a full day of intellectual engagement and thought-provoking analysis, with the opportunity to network with hundreds of the most influential player

In this episode, our Co-Head of Advisory for Central Europe, Casmir Lorenz is joined by Deborah Harvey and Hugo Lidbetter, both Partners for Energy at Osborne Clarke. Deborah specialises in energy sector transactions and agreements and advises on a range of commercial and regulatory energy matters across a range of technologies. Hugo has particular expertise in project development work in the energy sector and in construction law in the energy industry, and is interested in all aspects of the Net Zero agenda having recently authored a book called "Decarbonising Energy: The Pathway to Net Zero".The focus of the conversation is on long-term offtake contracts, including: •The shift from subsidy support to revenue support/sharing•The role of shorter-term corporate and virtual Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)•The revenue structuring and optimisation of co-located assets•Contract structuring for newer technologies such as hydrogenSupport the show

In this episode, our Research Lead for European Power Markets, Ryan Alexander is joined by Ben Backwell, CEO of The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Ben is a former journalist and analyst who has covered energy policy and markets in a number of geographies including Europe, the US and Latin America. Before joining GWEC, he worked for the global advisory company FTI Consulting, as a Managing Director in its Clean Energy Practice. Ben and Ryan take a global tour of the offshore wind discussing:•The offshore wind sector in the US and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act •Europe’s challenges of having the largest installed capacity of offshore wind by region •Offshore wind targets in Asia and the massive expansion of renewables in China•Oil & gas majors moving into the offshore wind space and where we see the most promising marketsSupport the show

This week we have a very special episode on Energy Unplugged where we focus the discussion around a book. Our Managing Director in APAC & California, Hugo Batten and Kimberly Liu, our Head of Research in California are delighted to be joined by Katherine Blunt, Energy Reporter at The Wall Street Journal. Katherine is the author of “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric and What it Means for America’s Power Grid”, a history of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), one of California's major utilities. Main topics include:•PG&E and its major challenges were over last 10-15 years•The future of PG&E and how do they resolve their current challenges•Regulation of transmission as one of the central challenges identified in the book •The challenges of regulating the energy transitionSupport the show

In this episode, our Managing Director for Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Nils Aldag, Co-Founder and CEO, Sunfire, a leading manufacturer of electrolysers.Nils spent his entire professional life at Sunfire, company he co-founded in 2009, right after graduating from EBS Business School in Germany. He has been Chief Executive Officer since 2020 and previously he was Chief Commercial Officer and before that Chief Financial Officer of Sunfire. Nils and Hanns discuss:•Sunfire business and the motivation for founding a hydrogen start-up •The interaction between alkaline and solid oxide electrolysers and when solid oxide is expected to enter the market at scale•The European hydrogen space and where is the largest hydrogen demand coming from•Whether we are on track to meet the REPowerEU plan's target to produce 10 million tonnes and import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in the EU by 2023Support the show