Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

Geoff Lynn, a partner in environmental law at Ashurst with 25 years of experience, joins to dissect Labor's proposed environmental reforms. He shares insights on the National Environment Protection Agency and the new standards shaping assessments. Discussion includes challenges in the current approval process and the push for faster decisions. The debate over accreditation and the role of offsets versus local restoration adds depth, alongside criticisms from the Greens about the absence of a climate trigger. It's a critical analysis of legislation impacting environmental decision-making.

Jeremy Cooper, former Deputy Chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, shares insightful commentary on Australia's superannuation system. He highlights the alarming scarcity of clean energy investments from the $4 trillion super fund pool and discusses the structural barriers at play. Cooper proposes a shadow carbon price to encourage responsible investment choices and contrasts Australia’s slow decarbonisation with other regions. He emphasizes the need for better governance and accountability to align superannuation with sustainable outcomes for future generations.

Jan Daniel Kaemmer, Vice President of Sales at Vestas for Australia, dives into the exciting future of wind energy. He highlights key challenges like project delays and rising costs, while comparing Australia's landscape to international markets. Jan expresses optimism about reaching financial investment decisions by 2026, emphasizing the critical role of wind in transitioning away from coal. He also discusses the need for local manufacturing and shares insights into innovative turbine designs, promising a bright outlook for Australia’s wind sector.

Chris Thompson, co-founder of Amber, shares insights on vehicle-to-grid trials and the impact of household battery adoption. Andrew Bray, CEO of the Renewable Energy Alliance, emphasizes the necessity of social licence and community engagement for renewable energy projects. Emily Sims, Senior Strategic Planner, discusses Uralla’s proactive approach to local planning and the benefits of large-scale renewable developments. Together, they explore how regional leadership and transparent communication can drive a successful energy transition.

Pablo Koziner, Chief Commercial Officer at GE Vernova, shares insights into the evolving landscape of energy. He discusses Australia's pivotal role in the global energy transition and explores advancements in wind energy, highlighting the use of AI and robotics to enhance efficiency. Pablo also reveals strategies for managing project demand in gas turbines and details on the development of 300MW small modular reactors in Canada. He further elaborates on how data centers will increasingly rely on a combination of gas, batteries, and SMRs to meet future energy demands.

Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto discusses triumphs and challenges in real zero target, including self-lifting turbines, gravity trains, electric haul trucks and the rest. Plus: Queensland and Origin fossil up.

Powerlink CEO Paul Simshauser on managing the closure of Queensland's biggest coal generator, the role of transmission as prices double, and batteries vs syncons.

Chris Bowen, Australia’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, dives into pressing energy issues. He discusses the accelerated closure of the Gladstone coal station and its impact on renewable investment in Queensland. Bowen explains the Capacity Investment Scheme's role in achieving 82% renewables by 2030 and outlines federal support for decarbonization projects. He also addresses the importance of electric vehicle incentives and international climate politics, highlighting Australia’s ambitions in global discussions.

Anna Skarbek, a decarbonisation policy expert at ClimateWorks Centre, discusses Australia's ambitious 2035 emissions target and the crucial role of various sectors in achieving net-zero. Jane Butler, from AGL, reveals insights into their innovative vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trials and the barriers to scaling this technology. The conversation dives into energy efficiency, the integration of EVs, and the potential for Australia to export green technologies. They also touch on China's new emissions commitments and their global implications.

CCA’s Matt Kean on why target had to be lowered. Plus: Offshore wind pioneer Andy Evans on Victoria’s delayed auction, and a very big battery tender.