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
Jun 18, 2014 • 39min
Is SolarCity's Move Into Manufacturing Smart or Unrealistic?
This week, SolarCity shocked the solar industry by announcing its intentions to acquire Silevo, and move quickly into cell and module manufacturing. America's largest solar installer now wants to be one of the most powerful producers of solar products.
But does the move make sense?
In this week's show, we'll debate the technology risks and cost upsides of SolarCity's manufacturing play.
Then, we'll talk about Elon Musk's decision to open up all Tesla's patents. Finally, we'll ask why oil companies are divesting from renewable energy.
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.
Jun 11, 2014 • 49min
How Much Have Utilities Changed Since Superstorm Sandy?
It’s been a year and a half since Sandy destroyed the East Coast electric grid and left more than 8 million people without power. So has anything materially changed in the utility sector since October of 2012?
In this week’s podcast, we feature a discussion on Greentech Media’s new eBook about the legacy of the storm: “Resiliency: How Superstorm Sandy Changed America’s Grid.” We’ll talk with Gary Rackliffe, VP of ABB’s North American smart grid business, about how power companies are thinking differently about grid modernization and smart technologies.
Then, we’ll look at whether EPA’s new carbon rules are really all that ambitious. Finally, we’ll talk about how 2014 is shaping up for the energy storage 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.
May 30, 2014 • 46min
Are Solar Companies Just as Sexist and Exclusive as Everyone Else?
In theory, solar PV is the ultimate democratized energy technology. But is it living up to its potential?
Historically, solar has been accessible to wealthy environmentalists, utilities and large corporations. But it has been less available to low-income people who most need relief from their rising utility bills. And while the industry fares better than others in diversity, it is still lagging in employment of women. So how can this be changed?
In this week's podcast, we'll talk with Erica Mackie, the CEO of GRID Alternatives, about the need to develop new models for making solar accessible to everyone.
Then, we'll discuss what the recent court ruling against FERC Order 745 will mean for the future of demand response, and we'll debate the impact of a recent slew of Wall Street analysis warning about the decline of utilities.
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.
May 23, 2014 • 41min
Chinese Gov't Hackers Want Your Clean Energy Technologies
This week, the U.S. government indicted five hackers working for the Chinese military who allegedly stole trade secrets from six major energy and industrial companies operating in America. One of those companies was the solar manufacturer SolarWorld.
The case once again raises concerns about the growing problem of corporate espionage in the clean energy industry, where companies are often targeted for their intellectual property. So will the Chinese government's hacking deter cleantech companies from operating in the country?
In this week's podcast, featuring guest co-host Andrew Winston, we'll look at the implications of the Department of Justice case against Chinese hackers. We'll also talk about some big news coming out of conferences in the last two weeks within the efficiency and corporate sustainability sectors.
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.
May 15, 2014 • 36min
The Dirty Politics That Killed the Shaheen-Portman Efficiency Bill
How could a bipartisan energy efficiency bill described as "innocuous" fail so many times in Congress?
Once again, the Senate failed to pass the Shaheen-Portman bill, a piece of legislation that would have created new standards and financing mechanisms for commercial and industrial efficiency. But the failure was less about energy and more about mid-term politics. In this week's podcast, we'll look at the forces behind the death of the bill.
Then, we'll look at the Department of Energy's plans to fund three new demonstration-scale offshore wind projects by 2017, and dissect recent comments about climate change from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
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.
May 9, 2014 • 51min
Are Corporate Sustainability Efforts Working?
Nine years ago, Walmart announced its landmark initiative to reduce waste and cut greenhouse gas emissions. But today its emissions are 14 percent higher.
That sounds like the initiative was a failure, right? Maybe not.
In this week's podcast, the Gang sits down with corporate sustainability expert Andrew Winston to chat about how to judge the success of greening efforts at big companies.
Later in the show, we'll discuss the threat of extreme weather to energy infrastructure, and we'll look at the meaning behind the latest wind construction boom.
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.
May 1, 2014 • 40min
Inside New York’s Historic Move to Remake the Utility Business Model
Earlier this week, New York officials issued a report calling for structural changes to the way utilities are regulated. The proposal would make distribution utilities into Distributed System Platform Providers that get compensated for their ability to integrate clean energy, demand response and efficiency on the grid.
It's a fundamentally new way to think about how power companies should plan for the future.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll look at what this historic proposal from New York’s Public Service Commission will mean for renewables in the Empire State.
We’ll also discuss the regulatory standoff over PSE&G’s $3.9 billion grid hardening plan after Superstorm Sandy, and look at the impact of a new solar tax in Arizona.
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.
Apr 23, 2014 • 52min
Executive Roundtable: Has Solar Reached the Mainstream?
In this week’s podcast, we have a conversation with leading solar executives on whether solar has reached the point of no return. We’ll talk about vertical integration, evolving business models, international markets and the economics of projects.
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.
Apr 11, 2014 • 47min
Solar Plus Storage: Could a 'Utility in a Box' Cause Massive Grid Defection?
Could solar paired with battery storage make utilities obsolete? That's the question analysts are asking as the economics of the technologies improve.
The short answer is "no." Utilities operate an extremely valuable set of infrastructure and still benefit from legacy customer relationships. And the economics of grid defection are usually not favorable.
But it's an important question to ask, says Jon Creyts, managing director of the Rocky Mountain Institute, because it can guide how utilities manage future consumer empowerment.
In this podcast, we'll talk with Creyts about Rocky Mountain Institute's latest report on"grid defection," and examine the different scenarios for solar and storage.
Then, we'll look at Exxon Mobil's response to the latest UN climate report, and talk about possible policy solutions for supporting new financing structures for clean energy projects.
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.
Apr 2, 2014 • 46min
Thinking Big About the Future of Building Design
This week, the Gang is live from the Building Energy Summit in Washington, DC. In this episode, we talk with some of the leading thinkers and practitioners in sustainable design and get their thoughts on how our built environment is evolving.
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.
