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
Sep 4, 2014 • 50min
How America's Biggest Energy Consumer, the Government, Is Greening Itself
In December of last year, President Obama issued an order requiring the government to get 20 percent of electricity from renewables by 2020 – up from about 7 percent today.
That’s not an easy goal to achieve. The General Services Administration owns or leases more than 354 million square footage of buildings, which is enough space to fill half of Manhattan. It also manages a massive transportation fleet and must adhere to very strict cost requirements.
But the shift is happening. On this week’s show, we’ll talk with Ruth Cox, GSA’s senior sustainability officer, about how renewables and efficiency are greening government buildings while saving taxpayers money.
We’ll also have the latest on Hawaii’s effort to both tame and encourage solar, and look at the viability of Solar Roadways.
This podcast is brought to you by SMA, the world's leading solar inverter manufacturer.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 28, 2014 • 47min
Why Bill Gates Is Wrong About Renewable Energy
Bill Gates is a very influential guy -- not just because he founded Microsoft, but because of his powerful foundation. With $40 billion in trust assets, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is one the biggest charitable organizations in the world focusing on global health, clean water, energy access and financing for entrepreneurs.
So when Gates writes on his blog that developing countries can’t afford renewable energy, that carries weight.
That’s exactly what Gates did last week when he promoted the work of Danish political scientist Bjorn Lomborg, writing that more fossil fuels are the moral choice in the fight against energy poverty.
Finding the right mix of resources for developing countries is a complicated exercise. But the economics of renewables are far better than fossil fuels in many cases. In this week's podcast, we'll talk about why Gates is wrong on the cost of wind, solar and other technologies.
Later in the show, we’ll talk about a very important compromise in Mississippi that will bring lots of new solar projects to the state. And we'll also discuss the latest developments in the battle to stop coal exports in Oregon and Washington State.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 21, 2014 • 53min
Amory Lovins: As Economists Argue, Renewables Keep Getting Cheaper
In the academic world, there’s lots of debate about how expensive or cheap renewables are compared to fossil fuels. But do they actually match what’s happening on the ground?
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk with Amory Lovins, the founder and chief scientist at the Rocky Mountain Institute, about the difference between the market reality of renewables and the economic debate about their cost.
In the second part of the show, we will discuss a very important legal decision upholding FERC’s grid planning rule. We’ll also chat about a booming application in the non-residential solar market: carports.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 14, 2014 • 46min
Nest Thermostats Just Got 'Hacked.' Should You Be Worried?
Last week, hackers at the Black Hat conference showed how to jailbreak a Nest learning thermostat and override the firmware, taking it under their control.
The hack itself cannot be done without physical access to the device, and Nest said no devices have been hacked maliciously. But it’s one of many recent hacks of connected devices in the home.
So are we safe?
In this podcast, we’ll talk about the widespread security implications for consumers, businesses and utilities.
Later in the show, we’ll ask if the Environmental Protection Agency is being transparent enough as it crafts carbon regulations. We’ll also look at the continued struggles for concentrating solar power and ask if there’s a future for the industry.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 7, 2014 • 52min
This Data on Consumer Energy Use May Surprise You
Are your solar panels facing the wrong way? Is your utility focusing on the wrong types of energy efficiency?
These are the questions that Pecan Street Inc. has attempted to answer through its data collection from smart grid projects. The findings may surprise you.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk with Brewster McCracken, the CEO of Pecan Street Inc, about the organization’s most compelling analysis of consumer energy use, utility efficiency programs and electric vehicle charging.
Later in the show, we’ll discuss Arizona Public Service’s new plan to own rooftop solar, and look at the resurgence of property-assessed clean energy programs.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 31, 2014 • 42min
We Argue About the True Cost of Wind and Solar: How Cheap Are They Really?
How do we calculate the true cost of intermittent renewables?
The levelized cost of wind and solar are falling by the day. But how cheap are they really? A recent study from the Brookings Institution concludes that they are higher than presumed when using a cost-benefit calculation.
In this podcast, we'll debate the merits of the Brookings study and ask what assumptions one should make when evaluating the cost of different technologies.
Later in the show, we’ll talk about the debate over the Export-Import Bank Washington, and assess the impact of new tariffs imposed on Chinese solar products coming into the U.S.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 24, 2014 • 44min
We Are at the Start of a Revolution in Clean Energy Finance
The biggest investors in the world are pouring their money into renewable energy projects. Want to join them? Now you can.
Up until recently, it was nearly impossible for most investors to directly support solar, wind and other projects that offer stable returns. But YieldCos are changing that.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll tell you about how publicly traded YieldCos work, why so many companies are forming them, and what they’ll do to support a surge in clean energy development.
Later in the show, we’ll talk about innovative new structures in energy efficiency finance and explore the energy supply implications of California’s historic drought.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 17, 2014 • 48min
As More Nuclear Plants Shut Down, Can Distributed Energy Fill the Gap?
In the last couple of years, five nuclear power plants in the U.S. have been put on the list for closure. These plants are getting challenged from two sides: competitive natural gas and renewables are eroding the economics of merchant projects, while technical challenges associated with age are making the plants more expensive to operate.
Some are cheering the slow, creaky demise of nuclear in the U.S. But others warn that if more plants come off line, U.S. emissions are headed for a steady increase – potentially 4 to 5 percent.
In this week's show, we'll look at whether renewables and efficiency are capable of filling the gap left by retired nuclear plants.
Later in the show, we'll talk about an infrastructure boondoggle in Australia that has raised rates there by up to 60 percent. Then, we'll look at how U.S. regulators are feeling about their role in meeting EPA carbon rules.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 10, 2014 • 43min
What Was He Smoking? How a Solar Pioneer’s Big Dreams Came True
Today, solar’s dominance feels inevitable. But in 1979, when Neville Williams started promoting the industry at the Department of Energy, it felt like a far-off dream.
That didn’t stop the early pioneers from thinking big and pushing the government to invest in the early technology – helping solar module costs fall from $55 per watt in the 1970s to 50 cents per watt today.
In this podcast, we’ll talk with Neville Williams about his new book, “Sun Power,” that features stories from the last four decades in the solar industry. Williams was the founder of off-grid solar companies SELF and SELCO, and also founded the Maryland solar company Standard Solar.
In the second half of the show, we’ll talk about big news in Georgia, Tennessee and Connecticut. We’ll also discuss an example of shareholder activism that turned SunEdison around.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 3, 2014 • 46min
The Climate Bubble: Why Famous Capitalists Are So Focused on Climate Risks
Former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson recently made a bold comparison between the financial risks that led to the 2008 economic collapse and emerging climate risks: "We’re staring down a climate bubble that poses enormous risks to both our environment and economy. The warning signs are clear and growing more urgent as the risks go unchecked."
New data suggests that Paulson is correct. In this week's podcast, we'll discuss a landmark report, called "Risky Business," that assesses the vast economic risks of climate change. Kate Gordon of the Center for the Next Generation joins us to talk about why Republican capitalists like Paulson are sounding the alarm on climate change.
In the second half of the program, we'll talk about a new proposal for utility ownership of solar inverters. We'll also dissect a new GTM Research report on microgrid development in the U.S.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
