Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
Covering breaking news in clean tech, going deep on global energy policy, and debating the levers that need to move to accelerate the energy transition. Energy Gang is the podcast covering clean energy technology, renewable energy, and the environment. The world of clean energy moves fast, and you need a reliable source to stay on top of the news that matters. You’ll find it on Wood Mackenzie’s Energy Gang.How will changes to the US government affect decarbonisation and energy security? When will hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture deploy at scale? Where’s the money for the energy transition green finance coming from and how much more is needed? What’s the outlook for EVs? What are the energy predictions for solar energy? What's the latest on climate change?Get answers to questions like these, bi-weekly on Tuesdays at 7am ET. Plus, get special live episodes recorded at the biggest climate and energy events throughout the year, like COP30 and Climate Week NYC. Don’t worry if you can’t make it in person, Energy Gang brings you all the updates on energy policy, energy finance and energy innovation you need to hear.Energy Gang is presented by Wood Mackenzie and hosted by Ed Crooks, Vice-Chairman of Energy at Wood Mackenzie and a former Financial Times and BBC News journalist. Regular guests are Amy Myers-Jaffe (Director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab), and Dr Melissa Lott (Partner at Microsoft) – plus a roster of industry leaders and policy influencers, like Jigar Shah (Industry figurehead and former director of the Loan Programs Office in the US Department of Energy), Caroline Golin (Head of North America, Global Energy Market Development and Policy at Google) and Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (Former Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources).If you like The Energy Transition Show, Catalyst with Shayle Kann, The Big Switch from Columbia University, Open Circuit with Stephen Lacey or The Green Blueprint, you’ll enjoy Energy Gang.Want to get involved with the show? Reach out to podcasts@woodmac.com to:Bring Energy Gang to your eventBe a guest on the showSponsor an episodeAsk a question to Ed Crooks or one of our guestsCheck out another leading clean tech global podcast by Wood Mackenzie, Interchange Recharged: https://www.woodmac.com/podcasts/the-interchange-recharged/Wood Mackenzie is the leading global data and analytics solutions provider for renewables, energy and natural resources. Learn more about Wood Mackenzie on the official website: https://www.woodmac.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 25, 2025 • 30min
What do the tariff wars mean for low-carbon energy? | Recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit
“With great uncertainty comes great opportunity”, says Abby Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in this special episode of the Energy Gang, recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit.Is she right? And what are those opportunities? To find out, host Ed Crooks welcomed Abby and Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, for a special discussion on the state of the solar and storage industries today.Uncertainty is the buzzword of the moment: uncertainty over tariffs, over tax credits, over the evolution of AI, and over the economic outlook. The Trump administration’s new tariffs are disrupting supply chains and prompting companies to delay investment decisions. At such a volatile time, it’s easy to be caught out by a sudden change in policy.Companies have different strategies for coping with all this uncertainty. Some have been stockpiling solar panels; a few have been stockpiling batteries. And all the while, there are some powerful global trends still driving the industry: overproduction in China that is still driving down costs, and the need for new electricity generation of all types to power data centers for AI.Abby, Ed and Shyam debate the uncertain policies and forecasts that are making companies hesitant to invest, and find some pointers to help navigate through the storm. And they lift their eyes from the day-to-day chaos to consider what are the real opportunities for the longer term once the immediate crisis is over.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 53min
Keeping cleantech investment alive | With technological, economic and policy challenges mounting, how can we keep energy innovation on track?
Amy Duffuor, co-founder of Azolla Ventures, talks about the crucial role of catalytic capital in boosting clean energy innovations during tough times for investment. She emphasizes that successful climate tech must communicate its broader significance. Melissa Lott from Microsoft discusses the geopolitical factors shaping investor confidence and US policies affecting innovation support. Together, they explore cleantech challenges, the need for strategic planning, and the importance of framing investments to address societal issues in climate action.
10 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 41min
How can the power industry meet the challenge of rising demand? | In a special live episode recorded at the American Clean Power association, we discuss how to meet America’s growing need for electricity
Chris Shelton, Chief Product Officer at AES, discusses the crucial role of batteries in addressing the electricity demands of hyperscalers. Travis Kavulla from NRG Energy sheds light on regulatory policies and the challenges with grid interconnection for data centers. MJ Shiao of the American Clean Power Association highlights the growing electricity needs driven by AI and manufacturing. Together, they explore how renewable energy and efficient gas plants can meet future demands, alongside navigating the evolving political landscape impacting energy infrastructure.
Apr 1, 2025 • 58min
Is the US being left behind in the race to develop new clean energy technologies? BYD is selling EVs that can charge in five minutes | China is streaking ahead of the US in the energy transition race
Amy Myers Jaffe, an expert in energy policy from NYU, and Robbie Orvis, director at Energy Innovation, dive into the electric vehicle revolution sparked by BYD's rapid-charging technology. They discuss how the U.S. might be lagging behind in clean energy advancements and the implications for American automakers. Jaffe advocates for a revamped U.S. policy to encourage innovation, while Orvis highlights the necessity for robust support in domestic battery manufacturing. The conversation also touches on the challenges facing Tesla and evolving perceptions of electric vehicles in surprising places like Texas.
12 snips
Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 14min
What does financial market turmoil mean for low-carbon energy?
Shanu Mathew, Senior VP at Lazard Asset Management, discusses the shift in institutional investment strategies towards energy amid market turmoil. Amy Myers Jaffe, Director at NYU's Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab, shares insights on cleantech and low-carbon investment hurdles. They explore the departure of major oil companies from renewables, the connection between oil prices and cleantech funding, and the growing impact of data centers on energy demand. Their analysis questions whether the clean energy transition is slowing down or simply recalibrating.
29 snips
Mar 4, 2025 • 57min
Flexible, fast-responding and reliable – the growth of energy storage seems unstoppable. What could possibly go wrong?
Swetha Sundaram, VP of Solar and BESS at RWE, and Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, delve into the explosive growth of energy storage technologies. They discuss the transformative role of battery systems in transitioning to low-carbon energy, spotlighting opportunities for long-duration storage that could yield a $4 trillion market by 2040. The conversation also touches on the evolution of storage solutions, regulatory impacts, and how energy storage can address both immediate and seasonal energy demands, especially in high renewables regions.
12 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 1h
What do President Trump’s tariffs mean for energy? | The view from Washington and Canada
Samantha Gross, an energy policy expert at the Brookings Institution, and Joseph Majkut, director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, dive into the implications of President Trump's tariffs on the energy landscape. They discuss how tariffs could reshape U.S.-Canada energy relations and impact energy security and climate goals. The conversation also touches on the complexities of U.S. dependence on Canadian oil and the potential for American innovation in renewable energy technologies to lead the charge against global competition.
46 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
What does DeepSeek AI mean for energy?
Amy Myers Jaffe, Director at NYU’s Energy Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, and Melissa Lott, Partner GM at Microsoft, dive into the transformative impact of DeepSeek AI on the energy sector. They discuss how this innovative model disrupts market dynamics and raises questions about the future of 'baseload' power amidst shifting energy demands. The pair also tackle the implications of recent executive orders under the Trump administration, highlighting a notable shift in prioritizing energy supplies over climate change.
26 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 9min
Does clean hydrogen have a future? Finding a role for hydrogen in a low-carbon energy economy
In this discussion, Melissa Lott from Microsoft, an expert in energy transition, and Austin Knight, Vice President at Chevron New Energies, dive into the future of hydrogen in our energy system. They explore hydrogen's potential as a versatile tool for decarbonization and its application in heavy transport. While acknowledging the current challenges, including infrastructure and cost, they advocate for a balanced approach that combines hydrogen with other technologies to achieve net-zero emissions. The conversation is both optimistic and realistic, highlighting the path forward for clean hydrogen.
32 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 4min
What can we expect from energy in 2025? The people, places and technologies to watch this year
Anticipations for energy in 2025 reveal transformative shifts ahead. Political changes in Washington could alter fossil fuel policies, while California stands as a clean energy leader facing federal challenges. New technologies are emerging, including innovations in energy storage like iron-air batteries and quantum computing. The solar sector may experience slowdown amidst past rapid growth, influenced by global policies. Concerns about extreme weather and pandemic threats highlight the urgent need for resilience and preparedness in energy infrastructure.
