

Energy Unplugged by Aurora
Aurora Energy Research
Welcome to ‘Energy Unplugged by Aurora’, a mix of in-depth conversations with key international industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, sharing their unique perspectives on the global energy transition.
Hosted by various Aurora experts, we explore the hottest topics and trends across the energy landscape. From renewables, battery storage, and grid integration, to hydrogen, commodity markets, and technology innovation, our high-profile guests weigh in with their valuable insights.
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the energy industry, with a new episode released every week!
Hosted by various Aurora experts, we explore the hottest topics and trends across the energy landscape. From renewables, battery storage, and grid integration, to hydrogen, commodity markets, and technology innovation, our high-profile guests weigh in with their valuable insights.
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the energy industry, with a new episode released every week!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 3, 2020 • 40min
EP.25 De-mystifying the hydrogen hype with Aurora experts Alexander Esser & Anise Ganbold
In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard discusses hydrogen’s potential in Europe with two of Aurora’s leading hydrogen experts - Alexander Esser, Senior Commercial Manager and Anise Ganbold, Project Leader.
Alexander has recently led a major hydrogen multiclient study on assessing its role in the energy systems of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands and Anise leads our work on global commodities.
Listen in to find out:
•Hydrogen’s real potential and demand
•Europe’s hottest markets and their policy support
•The investment propositions for industry
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Nov 26, 2020 • 56min
EP.24 Laurie Fitch, Partner in the Strategic Advisory Group at PJT Partners
In this episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Laurie Fitch, Partner in the Strategic Advisory Group at PJT Partners.
Laurie is also a Non-Executive Director of EDP (Energias de Portugal, SA) and prior to joining PJT Partners, she was Co-Head of Morgan Stanley’s Global Industrials Group in Europe.
John and Laurie discuss:
•Laurie’s journey and her roles at PJT Partners and EDP
•Investment banking for women at present
•Net Zero, and big oil’s ability to pivot towards big renewables
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Nov 19, 2020 • 44min
EP.23 David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)
In this week’s episode, Aurora’s Principal Ben Collie talks with David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).
IWEA is Ireland's largest renewable energy association and a leader in Ireland’s fight against climate change. Prior to this role, David was an Associate Professor in Energy Planning at Aalborg University in Copenhagen, where his research focussed on the design and assessment of 100% renewable energy systems for electricity, heat and transport.
Ben and David discuss:
•David’s career path and his focus on smart energy systems
•IWEA’s role and the Irish wind sector potential for the future
•Decarbonising the Irish energy system, and what a Net Zero 2050 system might look like
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Nov 12, 2020 • 42min
EP.22 Ivan Varughese, Head of Green Investment Group, Asia-Pacific at Macquarie Group
In this episode, Aurora’s Managing Director in Australia, Hugo Batten is joined by Ivan Varughese, Head of Green Investment Group for Asia-Pacific at Macquarie Group.
Ivan has been with Macquarie for more than 14 years as Executive Director and Head of Infrastructure, Utilities and Renewables in Australia & New Zealand, before being appointed to the new role in 2020.
Hugo and Ivan discuss:
•Green Investment Group’s mission and Ivan’s career
•Australia’s energy market and its evolution
•Green energy investment and energy storage opportunity in Australia and Asia
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Nov 5, 2020 • 50min
EP.21 Tejpreet Chopra, Founder & CEO of Bharat Light & Power
In this episode, Aurora’s Project Leader Thekla von Bülow discusses artificial intelligence in energy with her special guest Tejpreet Chopra, Founder & CEO of Bharat Light & Power (BLP).
Tejpreet is the former president and CEO of GE India, and has vast global management and finance experience in France, UK, Hong Kong, India and the US.
Listen to the episode to find more about:
•BLP and its role in the energy transition
•Renewables markets and opportunities for offshore wind in India
•Artificial intelligence in energy generation and consumption
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Oct 29, 2020 • 45min
EP.20 Rafael Mateo, Energy CEO of ACCIONA
A new podcast episode is ready for you! Aurora’s Project Leader Thekla von Bülow is joined by our first Spanish guest on ‘Energy Unplugged’ - Rafael Mateo, Energy CEO of ACCIONA.
ACCIONA is the largest independent renewable developer and operator in the world, and Rafael is a true pioneer of renewable energy, having been in the energy industry for over 35 years.
Thekla and Rafael discuss:
•ACCIONA’s plans for renewables and the business’ wide geographic coverage
•PPAs as a tool for risk mitigation or an enabler of business growth
•The big disrupters in terms of innovation for the energy industry
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Oct 22, 2020 • 50min
EP.19 Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions
In this episode, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen discusses the energy transition in the US with his special guest Nora Mead Brownell, Co-Founder of ESPY Energy Solutions.
Nora is a former commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) where she was nominated by President George W. Bush, and among many other previous roles she has also served as the Chair of the Board of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Topics covered include:
•Women in the energy sector, and ESPY Energy Solutions as a women-owned business
•The balance between state and federal responsibility in the US power sector
•Upcoming US elections, and how the energy sector will look
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Oct 15, 2020 • 44min
EP.18 Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy, Britain’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity.
Appointed as CEO in November 2017, Simone joined EDF in 2004 and had been head of EDF Group's international division since 2015.
Listen to the episode to find out more about:
•Simone’s professional journey and his clarinet playing skills
•The Hinkley Point C project and its implications for the energy transition
•EDF’s plan for a green recovery helping Britain achieve Net Zero
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Oct 7, 2020 • 28min
EP.17 Thomas Fureder, Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank
In this episode, Aurora’s Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Thomas Fureder, Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank, in an interesting discussion about the market potential of hydrogen and its role in meeting Net Zero targets.
Richard and Thomas discuss:
•Hydrogen’s value proposition and investment opportunities
•The need for a clear policy framework
•Replacing grey hydrogen with blue and green hydrogen
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Oct 1, 2020 • 52min
EP.16 Audrey Zibelman, CEO and Managing Director of AEMO
This week on ‘Energy Unplugged’, Aurora’s CEO John Feddersen speaks with Audrey Zibelman, currently CEO and Managing Director of the Australian Energy Market Operator - AEMO.
This is Audrey’s first public interview since she announced this week that she will leave AEMO to take up a newly-created leadership role at X - the research and development facility for "moonshot" technologies, a subsidiary of Google’s parent entity, Alphabet Inc. Audrey has led AEMO for nearly four years and has more than 30 years’ international experience in the public, private and not-for-profit energy sectors.
Listen to the episode to find out more about:
•Audrey’s professional journey and the new role at X
•AEMO’s role in helping Australians to have access to affordable, secure and reliable energy
•Gender balance in the energy sector
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