Energy Unplugged by Aurora

In this episode our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Greg Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy supplier businesses, and award-winning for its status as a provider of 100% sustainable energy.  Octopus Energy Group recently announced the acquisition of its sister company, Octopus Renewables, bringing the retail and the generation side of energy together under one roof. Greg is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK with a long career leading multiple software ventures among other businesses, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.  John and Greg discuss: •The importance of policy in the current UK energy supply market •Understanding the customer experience and meeting customer’s needs  •Weathering the debris of the Texas storms and cost-pass-through tariffs •The role of prices in power generation and investment Support the show

Our Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Dr. Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power Plc to discuss one of the biggest players to emerge in new energy policies: green hydrogen.  Graham joined ITM Power 12 years ago, previous to which he worked with National Power, and spent 11 years in the power industry developing energy storage and generation technologies. ITM Power is a leading manufacturer of hydrogen electrolysers. From early engagement on some of the UK’s earliest hydrogen mobility projects, it is currently working with the nationally significant HyDeploy energy trial – a crucial factor contributing towards the UK’s Net Zero targets.  Richard and Graham discuss: •Green hydrogen’s role on the road to attaining Net Zero •Typical buyers and business models for electrolysers •Government support requirement for reaching the 40 GW target Support the show

This week on Energy Unplugged we have a special episode on modelling energy markets and the broader complexities of modelling for future scenarios.  Our Head of Digital Solutions Mateusz Wronski chats with Jonathan Black, our Head of Modelling. Jonathan’s role is to set the vision and strategy for our market models and their developments. Besides managing our international team of modellers he has extensive experience in modelling for a breadth of physical systems, with a background as a Research Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory and a PhD in Applied Mathematics.  Mateusz and Jonathan discuss: •Credibility of modelling outside academia •Our motivation for building our own models •Modelling role in decarbonisation of the energy sector Support the show

Our Nordics Lead Alexander Esser speaks with Lisa McDermott - Executive Director Renewable Project Financing at ABN AMRO Bank.  Lisa started her career as a lawyer at Clifford Chance, specialising in tax, M&A and fund structuring. Since 2004 she has held a number of senior origination, structuring and management roles within various structured finance disciplines. ABN AMRO is one of the earliest project financiers for offshore wind and one of the most active debt providers for renewables and sustainable business in Europe.  Alex and Lisa discuss: •ABN AMRO’s role in financing the energy transition •Changing environment for project finance of renewables •Financeability of electrolysers for green hydrogen production Support the show

Our Managing Director in Australia - Hugo Batten is delighted to be joined by Professor Tim Nelson - Executive General Manager, Energy Markets at Infigen.  Tim is an Associate Professor at Griffith University and writes prolifically on Australia’s energy transition. Recently purchased by Iberdrola, Infigen is an Australian wind, gas and battery player, and also a retailer.  Hugo and Tim discuss: •Gentailers and strategic options available to them •Carbon pricing vs industrial policy •Nodal pricing •Perceptions of risk in the NEM •Biden election and other global event impacts on Australia’s energy politics Support the show

Our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Jonathan Maxwell, CEO and founder of Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL).  Jonathan has over 25 years’ experience in international finance, infrastructure and private equity. Since its 2007 establishment, SDCL has launched energy efficiency project investment funds in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and New York.  John and Jonathan discuss: •Jonathan’s motivation for starting a sustainable investment business •The importance of energy security and resilience •ESG investment and achieving high ESG performance Support the show

In this episode, our CEO John Feddersen speaks with Harry Boyd-Carpenter – Director, Head of Energy EMEA at EBRD; and Peter Baum – Project Leader in our Berlin office.  Harry leads the landing and investment team at EBRD where he focuses on deploying capital investments in regions where investment is more challenging (including eastern Europe and northern Africa). Peter focuses on our activities in eastern and south-eastern Europe, and he has previously been an Analyst for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change at EBRD.  Main topics include: •EBRD’s role in driving the energy transition  •Politics and investments decisions •Energy transition in eastern Europe and northern African power markets Support the show

This podcast episode is a special one celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March and discussing hydrogen. We're featuring two female leaders in the energy industry as our Head of Iberia, Ana Barillas is joined by Ana Quelhas, recently appointed as Managing Director for Hydrogen at EDP Group.  Prior to the new role, Ana Quelhas was the Head of Corporate Energy Planning at EDP and previous to that she worked at the Directorate General for Research within the European Commission and for the California Independent System Operator.  Main topics include: •Investment decisions vs. uncertainties coming from public policies •Iberian market as a hub for green hydrogen •Interplay between green hydrogen and batteries Support the show

In this Energy Unplugged episode, Aurora’s Head of Commissioned Projects for Western Europe, Felix Chow-Kambitsch is joined by Mark Futyan, Anesco’s Chief Executive Officer.  Anesco is an energy services company specialising in solar PV, storage and energy efficiency, and playing a key role in the transition to Net Zero. With an impressive career within the energy industry, Mark joined Anesco in February 2020 from Centrica, where he most recently held the position of Distributed Power Systems Director.  Felix and Mark discuss: •Anesco’s role in the energy transition and potential areas of growth •UK’s commitment to Net Zero and how we can get there •Investment opportunities and potential of hydrogen Support the show

In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten, speaks with Tony Wood, the Head of the Energy Program at Grattan Institute and one of Australia’s most prolific energy writers and thinkers.  Tony has had a lengthy career in energy - working for organisations such as Origin Energy, The Clinton Foundation and Incitec Pivot. He also writes in the Australian Financial Review and other Australian publications on energy.  Hugo and Tony discuss: •Australian approach to climate policy and the history of the climate wars in Australia •The role of gas in the energy transition •Proposals to reform the Australian transmission system Support the show