Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Iceland is starting to position itself as a producer and exporter of “green” hydrogen. Listen to a discussion on the potential for the island nation to export the clean fuel, expand wind power and on the difficulties currently faced by large industrial energy users. Host: Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Hordur Arnarson, CEO Landsvirkjun.  

For this week's pod, Montel journalists review the key energy market developments in the first six months of the year, and provide an outlook for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. What will happen to prices, will demand recover and are markets prepared for a second wave? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel, Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel, Andres Cala, Editor Iberia, Montel, Christian Driessen, Editor Germany, Montel. 

Europe’s TSOs will remain vigilant over the months to come in order to keep the lights on and the power system secure amid unprecedented falls in demand as well as growing output from renewables. Listen to a discussion on digitalisation, accelerating the permitting process and the complicated but necessary task of incorporating decentralised, distributed energy. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Pascale  Fonck, Vice Chair of the Board, Entso-E and Chief Officer External Relations, Elia. 

All market participants should work together to ensure the electricity system works efficiently and stays afloat, says Auke Lont. This week’s pod discusses low prices, key interconnectors, bidding zones and the importance of maintaining transparent, liquid wholesale energy markets. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Auke Lont, CEO, Statnett. 

Direct prohibition of the use of fossil fuels will be necessary in order to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement, says Rana Adib of REN 21. This week’s pod discusses how other sectors should emulate the “extraordinary success” of renewable electricity and how short term measures must accompany long term targets for green energy.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Rana Adib, Executive Director, REN 21.

Nordic wholesale power prices are unlikely to return to levels around EUR 40/MWh as delivered last year. This week’s episode welcomes back Marius Holm Rennesund with a discussion on the outlook for prices over the coming months and years, with prices expected to stay low with demand side measures and batteries assuming a greater role. Rennesund also provides his view of the future development for PPAs in the region. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Marius Holm Rennesund, Partner, Thema Consulting, Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel.

The recent EU recovery fund should help to propel the continent into a greener, cleaner post Covid-19 world. This week’s episode welcomes Susanne Nies who discusses the outlook for electricity demand in Europe, the importance of smart networks as well as insights in to the political bubble of Brussels. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Susanne Nies, Country Manager Germany, Smart Wires. 

EDF sent shockwaves through Europe’s power and gas markets when it forecast a 20% drop in nuclear output this year due to the coronavirus pandemic crimping demand. The crisis also forced France’s biggest power utility to overhaul its reactor maintenance schedule. This week’s pod discusses “modulation” outages and a possible shortfall in supply from September. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Emeric de Vigan, CEO and Founder of Core-e,Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel. 

Global gas demand will remain subdued for the remainder of the year amid a continuing supply glut. With much of the continent’s piped gas continuing to flow in large volumes and storage facilities reaching full capacity, LNG will have to take the slack, says Carlos Torres Diaz of Rystad Energy. This week’s episode discusses the options open for LNG players and the outlook for the gas sector in the medium to long-term. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest:Carlos Torres Diaz, Head of Gas and Power Markets Research, Rystad Energy. 

The Nordic region could see the return negative prices amid lingering oversupply, wet weather and delayed snowmelt over the coming weeks. Yet elsewhere in continental Europe will see far lower output from hydropower amid drier conditions. This week’s episode sees the return of Mr Hydrology, aka Eylert Ellefsen, who also discusses how soon we will return to pre-Covid power demand levels. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Eylert Ellefsen, Senior Analyst, Energy Quantified.