Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

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.

Pep Canadell, Chief Research Scientist at CSIRO and executive director of the Global Carbon Project, emphasizes the need for high climate targets by 2035. He discusses how reduced aerosols reveal hidden warming, the weakening of carbon sinks, and the alarming rate of ocean heat uptake. Canadell highlights the critical differences between 1.5°C and 2°C warming, advocates for ambitious decarbonisation strategies, and argues that now is the time to act to manage climate impacts. He also warns against the politicization of climate science.

SAPN boss Andrew Bills on the challenges of managing the local network in the world's most advanced renewable grid, and where half of all homes have rooftop solar.

Damien Nicks, CEO of AGL, discusses the challenges of transitioning from coal to renewables at Australia’s largest coal generator. He outlines AGL's climate strategy and the balancing act of reliability and sustainability. Nicks shares insights on innovative battery technologies, the importance of wind farm financing, and upcoming projects. He also highlights AGL’s investment in electric homes and the necessity for strong policies to support pumped hydro development, as well as the evolving landscape of Australia’s renewable energy sector.

Andrew Walton, a seasoned data centre advisor with expertise in telecom and energy systems, dives into the evolving landscape of data centres. He discusses Australia’s current data centre capacity and compares various setups like co-location and hyperscale. Walton highlights the unique energy needs of AI workloads and the significance of Nvidia technology. The conversation also touches on site selection for training and inference centres, and how regional renewable projects might relieve crowded grids. Expect insights on future AI demand and the implications for the data centre industry!

Hay Shire’s Alison McLean explains how the local community set the rules of engagement to renewable project developers. Plus: Why the big utilities are saying no to wind and solar.

We talk with Tim Nelson and the entire review panel to discuss its recommendations, what comes next and what it does to address market power. Plus: Cheaper batteries!

Nick Carter, CEO of Akaysha Energy, leads large-scale battery storage projects in Australia. He discusses the monumental Waratah Super Battery, detailing the challenges faced in construction, from weather issues to financial hurdles. The conversation delves into the evolving battery technology landscape, highlighting innovations in power transmission and the skills needed for a renewable energy transition. Carter also addresses community dynamics around energy projects and the economic implications of upcoming battery initiatives.