Interchange Recharged
Wood Mackenzie
Clean tech, green finance and energy innovation are the three lanes on the road to a successful global energy transition. At the intersection of these lanes is a place where ideas on finance, technology and policy are shared and debated. That intersection is Interchange Recharged. Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, invites visionaries, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and energy analysts to explore the newest developments in renewable technology, explain the ideas on global energy policy that could accelerate the energy transition, and identify new funding and financial models that could solve the biggest challenges we face on the way to net zero. Sylvia and her guests bring you data and forecasts on clean technology, climate science, and offer predictions on the build out of utility-scale projects and the future of green finance. What impacts do the annual UN Conference of the Parties have on decarbonisation goals and climate change? What will COP30 bring? What’s happening in global EV adoption and development? What’s the forecast for solar energy, one of the major success stories of renewable energy in the last ten years? What does the data tell us about the future of hydrogen, of nuclear, or of low-carbon power? These are examples of the insights and detailed analyses you can expect bi-weekly on Tuesdays at 7am ET. If you like The Energy Transition Show, Catalyst with Shayle Kann, The Big Switch from Columbia University, Open Circuit with Jigar Shah or The Green Blueprint, you’ll enjoy Interchange Recharged. Want to get involved with the show? Reach out to podcasts@woodmac.com to: Bring Sylvia and Interchange Recharged to your event Be a guest on the show Sponsor an episode Ask a question to Sylvia or one of our guests Check out another leading clean tech global podcast by Wood Mackenzie, Energy Gang, at woodmac.com/podcasts/the-energy-gang 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
9 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 34min
Is US solar growth truly unstoppable?
Abigail Hopper, the dynamic President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), dives into the electric landscape of the U.S. solar industry amidst political changes. She discusses the influence of the Inflation Reduction Act, the uncertainty surrounding tax credits, and the importance of strategic planning for developers. Hopper emphasizes community engagement in solar adoption and highlights the pressing need for business certainty and energy security, all while navigating the challenges of the energy transition.
Dec 3, 2024 • 33min
What does a second Trump term mean for US solar?
Join Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Heliene, a US solar manufacturer paving the way for domestic production, as he discusses the potential impact of a second Trump term on solar energy. He and Sylvia Martinez delve into how the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act could threaten solar growth. They explore workforce challenges, the skills gap in the industry, and the need for specialized training. Plus, advancements in solar technology promise improved efficiency amid trade policy complexities. Can US solar remain competitive globally? Tune in to find out!
Nov 19, 2024 • 41min
Can CCUS help achieve net zero?
Mhairidh Evans, VP and head of CCUS research at Wood Mackenzie, and Peter Findlay, director of CCUS economics, share their insights on carbon capture technologies. They discuss the viability of CCUS in achieving net zero, emphasizing its critical role in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like cement and steel. The guests explore regional policy differences, the impact of government incentives like the U.S. 45Q tax credit, and the necessity for community support. They also consider the future of carbon pricing and its potential to drive investment in this essential technology.
Nov 5, 2024 • 44min
How can we ease stress on the grid?
Gregg Felton, CEO of Altus Power, shares insights on commercial and community solar's critical role in America's clean energy future. He discusses how strategic solar deployments near consumption hubs can alleviate grid stress. Gregg reflects on his transition from investment banking to renewable energy leadership and highlights the impact of state support and local partnerships. The conversation also touches on the necessity of educating stakeholders to boost solar adoption and the implications of increased energy demand driven by electrification and AI.
Oct 22, 2024 • 30min
How are tariffs and trade policies impacting green energy growth in the US?
Global investment in renewables is projected to surpass US$2 trillion by 2030, with wind, solar and storage projects leading the way. Syliva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie is joined by Ray Long, President and CEO at ACORE (American Council On Renewable Energy), to look at how the energy transition is creating jobs, lowering costs and making the U.S. more competitive in the global market. American families are expected to save between US$27 and US$38 billion over the next eight years thanks to clean energy initiatives. However, there are still bottlenecks holding back progress, like transmission gridlock and permitting delays. With bipartisan efforts underway, such as the Manchin-Barrasso permitting bill, Ray explores the impact they’re having, and how the industry is moving toward overcoming the challenges.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 9, 2024 • 42min
How the energy industry is solving issues with battery safety – part 2
Guest Andrew Tattersall, Industrial Vertical Market Lead for batteries at Siemens, shares insights on enhancing battery safety amidst rising net zero goals. He discusses Siemens' ambitious plans for 2030, emphasizing innovations like electric paint lines and supplier support for sustainability. The conversation highlights the significance of early detection systems and data analytics in preventing thermal runaway events. Additionally, Dr. Kai-Phillip Kairies introduces advancements in battery behavior analysis, showcasing a proactive approach to safety in energy storage.
Sep 23, 2024 • 50min
How can the industry improve battery and storage fire safety? - part 1
Exploring fire risk mitigation in the face of lithium-ion challenges.Battery and energy storage-related fires are still relatively rare, but when they do occur, they are challenging to manage due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries. So how is the industry working to mitigate these risks? To find out, we are joined by Kelly Sarber, CEO of Strategic Management and Vice Chair of NY-BEST, a battery industry trade group in New York. Kelly advocates for educating communities with planned energy storage projects, especially around risk management. A recent survey revealed that 42% of these communities expressed safety concerns, primarily due to fears of fires. The conversation emphasises the importance of involving local communities and first responders early in the planning process to build trust and transparency.Lithium-ion battery fires can be particularly difficult to suppress due to the risk of thermal runaway, which can cause the fire to reignite even after being extinguished. Anthony Natale, Director of Risk at the Fire & Risk Alliance, works on identifying and managing risks in utility and battery storage. Anthony and Kelly discuss the complexities of controlling these fires and stress the need for better containment and isolation strategies during incidents. They also explore necessary design changes in battery energy storage systems (BESS), such as direct injection of suppression agents, to improve fire response.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
19 snips
Sep 10, 2024 • 43min
Innovative financing is needed to mobilise clean energy capital in developing countries. What could it look like?
Investing in clean energy for developing countries is crucial yet currently underfunded, with less than 1% of global investments directed there. Innovative financing mechanisms are essential, including public-private partnerships and local currency investments. The podcast also emphasizes Nigeria's challenging transition from oil dependence to net-zero emissions by 2060. By exploring successful projects in countries like Kenya and Barbados, it highlights the need for localized approaches and collaboration to improve energy access and overall quality of life.
10 snips
Aug 27, 2024 • 36min
Is the industry taking the wrong approach to Scope 3 emissions reporting?
The discussion centers on the challenges of Scope 3 emissions reporting, revealing how excessive documentation hampers genuine decarbonization efforts, particularly for smaller businesses. Strategies from the We Mean Business Coalition are highlighted, aiming to simplify this complex reporting process. Innovative initiatives like the Supplier Cascade seek to boost supplier engagement for meaningful climate action. Emphasizing the need for collaboration and standardized practices, the talk also explores how companies can redefine success in their climate leadership journeys.
Aug 13, 2024 • 33min
Green hydrogen may be less clean than we think
A recent study raises questions about the true climate benefits of hydrogen. The Environmental Defense Fund highlights overlooked factors like methane emissions and hydrogen loss that can skew perceptions. Discussions reveal the complexity of analyzing hydrogen's impact compared to fossil fuels. Emphasis is placed on the necessity for accurate data and transparency in the energy sector to drive effective change. The episode also explores the need for collaboration and better infrastructure to navigate hydrogen's role in the clean energy transition.
