Interchange Recharged
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/
Latest episodes
Jun 14, 2024 • 60min
Demand for solar power and energy storage is only going to increase. What’s the plan for meeting it?
David Banmiller, a journalist covering debates on solar energy, discusses the challenges of electrification in the energy sector. They tackle grid connection issues, high connection charges, and strategies for easing these hurdles. Experts explore the surge in demand for solar energy amid data center growth, EV infrastructure, and electrification. Leuwam Tesfai sheds light on California's plans to secure solar and storage supply chains. Oscar Araujo and Shaun Laughlin delve into mitigating climate risk and clean energy finance. Connection bottlenecks, PPAs, solar technology trends, and funding and finance solutions are also highlighted.
Jun 13, 2024 • 1h 4min
Two years on from the IRA and the impact on solar and storage is clear
Discussion on the impact of the IRA on solar and storage projects. Insight on the challenges of interconnection queues. Analysis of advancements in solar technology and government policy. Exploration of financing opportunities in the solar and storage industry. Focus on dispatchable energy storage and optimization strategies.
5 snips
Jun 4, 2024 • 38min
How to build and optimize the grid of the future
Ben Wilson, Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer at National Grid, discusses the need for upgrading and expanding the grid for achieving net zero by 2050. He highlights the importance of smart technology, policy support, and dynamic line ratings in managing energy demand. The podcast explores National Grid's investments in new infrastructure and innovative tech for a smarter grid.
7 snips
May 21, 2024 • 37min
Demand for batteries is skyrocketing - we need new ways of extracting lithium
Exploring new lithium extraction methods for batteries, reducing costs and emissions. Xerion developing efficient battery technologies. Paul Braun on the importance of sustainable lithium mining. Promising lower CAPEX and emissions for clean energy accessibility. Securing the lithium supply chain for energy transition.
May 7, 2024 • 33min
How banks and government are working together to achieve net zero in the UK
Banks and government in the UK collaborate for net zero; 50 billion pounds annually needed. Bankers For Net Zero aims to align investments with policies. Retrofitting old homes poses a challenge. Importance of Energy Performance Certificates. Financial incentives for clean energy investments. B4NZ working to engage banks, government, and NGOs. Collaboration is crucial for driving towards net zero.
Apr 23, 2024 • 39min
What’s the energy transition going to cost?
Debates over the accurate cost of decarbonizing and the potential trillions of dollars gap in funding. Insights on the investment shortfall in stabilizing global temperatures and challenges facing early-stage climate tech startups. Exploring the financial hurdles, policy changes, and technology adoption strategies in the energy transition.
Apr 9, 2024 • 34min
Can we rely on nuclear as a source of clean, reliable power?
Ted Nordhaus, Executive Director at the Breakthrough Institute, discusses the feasibility of achieving a net-zero emission grid by 2050 with significant nuclear energy. They explore the challenges hindering nuclear adoption, including regulatory hurdles and financial barriers. The conversation also touches on the Build Nuclear Now campaign, aiming to rally public support for nuclear energy.
Mar 26, 2024 • 30min
$802 billion on the horizon: the current state of the EV market
The podcast discusses new battery technology driving EV adoption, challenges in the current EV market, cost reduction in batteries over the years, scaling EV infrastructure, advancements in battery technology like solid-state batteries, and the importance of efficient battery recycling in sustaining green momentum.
Mar 12, 2024 • 37min
A ground-breaking new method of sustainable aviation fuel production
A groundbreaking method of sustainable aviation fuel production is discussed, focusing on the innovation of converting CO2 and hydrogen into hydrocarbons. Challenges in financing, regulatory support, and talent acquisition persist. The industry aims to increase SAF production significantly by 2030. Despite technological advancements, cost parity with Jet A fuel is expected as technology and scale improve. The podcast explores the potential for using hydrocarbons in chemicals and plastics beyond aviation fuel production.
Feb 27, 2024 • 34min
How to create the skilled workforce of 2030
Half of the energy workforce is employed in clean energy technologies. By 2030, over 10 million new jobs will need to be filled as the energy transition continues. China, for example, employs 3 million workers in clean energy manufacturing – accounting for 80% of solar PV and EV battery manufacturing jobs globally. Skill shortages are as significant a bottleneck as lack of investment or supply chain constraints, so how can the industry ensure there’s enough people to build, maintain and design clean energy infrastructure?On the show today, we are joined by Caleigh Andrews, Energy Analyst and Modeller at the International Energy Agency. The IEA emphasises the need for clear policies that drive demand for clean technologies, in order to attract and retain skilled labor. Reskilling and attracting new people to the energy workforce require a combination of market incentives and political will, so what are these incentives? And what can governments do to incentivise reskilling?AI can play a role in easing the skilling burden and establishing standardised credentials, but with manufacturing and maintenance a large part of it, are the use cases for AI limited?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
