
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

Feb 3, 2023 • 44min
All the Best and Unheard Interviews From the Grid Edge Innovation Summit: Addressing Key Issues Affecting the Sector
Back at the start of December, leading industry experts and energy figures converged in Phoenix, Arizona, for the annual Grid Edge Innovation Summit.As we look ahead to this year’s Solar and Energy Storage event on 21-22 June in San Francisco, we thought we'd dip into the archives and release some of the best interviews and unheard content from last year's summit.Hear from Wood Mackenzie’s experts and representatives from the leading distribution utilities, software technology developers, public utility commissions (PUCs), and distributed generation players in North America addressing key issues affecting the sector, including the latest insights on grid modernization, distributed energy resources (DER) aggregation technologies and transportation and building electrification. Featuring on this episode:Aimee Bailey, Director of Innovation and Portfolio Management, National Grid PartnersKathy Knoop, Manager, EV Stakeholder Solutions, General MotorsAnna J Siefken, Commercialization Executive, U.S. Department of EnergyFahimeh Kazempour, Head, Grid Modernization, Wood MackenzieGiri Iyer, Vice President, Business Development, Sentient Energy, a KES CompanyVince Faherty, Head of Energy Marketplace & Implementation Partnerships, GoogleTiya Gordon, Co-Founder, itselectricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 20, 2023 • 48min
Hydrogen Powering Our Future: Would You Bet On It?
The Interchange is back! As we near the end of January, the focus in the energy world is on viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Hydrogen has dominated the conversation in recent months, touted as the ‘silver bullet’ for tackling the climate crisis. But is that the case, or is it just hype? In 2021, hydrogen production that was ‘green’ (produced from renewables) was at 1%. In 2022, that number has barely increased. Most of our current hydrogen production is from fossil fuels and used to produce other chemicals such as ammonia. All the focus in the industry, and the media, is on the green and the blue. These yield 11 million Google results, against 95,000 for grey and 49,000 for brown. Great news – we must be currently produced green hydrogen in the majority. Wrong. Only 0.04% of hydrogen produced is green. 96% is grey, or brown, produced for use in oil refineries and for manufacturing ammonia. On the Interchange this week, we are joined by Luke Johnson, Managing Director and Founder of H2 Green. They’re a UK based company aiming to build green hydrogen production hubs across Europe, to produce and deliver hydrogen where needed. Luke is a serial entrepreneur with experience in energy and technology, across Australian, US, German and UK markets. Wood Mackenzie’s Melany Vargas also joins the show - she’s the Head of Hydrogen Consulting at Wood Mackenzie, and brings experience across the global energy value chain. Together they look at the agenda of governments worldwide to turn this ship around. Do plans even exist to do so? Is the focus on green hydrogen production a distraction from the true industry practices? Can we rely on hydrogen as a viable alternative source of energy and can it be produced sustainably? At the moment, it’s not looking good. Follow the Interchange: Recharged @InterchangeShow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 23, 2022 • 40min
The Interchange: Recharged – 2022 In Review
On this special episode of The Interchange: Recharged, we highlight some of his favorite and most memorable moments on the podcast this year. It was a very eventful year in the world of energy, and we have been lucky enough to sit down with some of the CEOs and sustainability experts around the world who are finding innovative ways to help us reach our net-zero goals. We discussed policies and early-stage investments helping to support the energy transition. We took this podcast on the road and brought you live recaps throughout several days at the Wood Mackenzie’s Solar Energy and Storage Summit in San Diego, and The Grid Edge Innovation Summit in Phoenix. Listen in as we reflect on the year, and feature clips from interviews with Quaise Energy, KMX Technologies, Boom Supersonic, Maersk and more. Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 9, 2022 • 45min
The Interchange Recharged podcast: Live at the Grid Edge Innovation Summit – Recap & Highlights
Wood Mackenzie’s Grid Edge Innovation Summit has wrapped, and we’re bringing you a full recap and some bonus content from the two-day conference. Listen in as we reflects on our time in Phoenix, where he had the pleasure of sitting down with experts and representatives leading the charge in grid data, energy efficiency, and innovative EV charging solutions. This episode includes interviews with: • Fahimeh Kazempour, Head, Grid Modernization, Wood Mackenzie • Giri Iyer, Vice President, Business Development, Sentient Energy, a KES Company • Vince Faherty, Head of Energy Marketplace & Implementation Partnerships, Google • Tiya Gordon, Co-Founder, itselectric • Carter Li, CEO, SWTCH Energy Inc. Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 8, 2022 • 48min
The Interchange Recharged podcast: Live at the Grid Edge Innovation Summit – Day Two
Wood Mackenzie’s Grid Edge Innovation Summit is now on and we’re bringing you all the action from two days of talks right here on The Interchange Recharged. We are live in Phoenix, bringing you highlights from each day of the conference. On the second day, we talk to experts and representatives from the leading distribution utilities, automotive industry experts, software technology developers, public utility commissions and distributed generation players in North America. We are joined by: • Scott Peattie, Director Business Development / Head of Grid Services, Sunrun Inc. • Amaiya Khardenavis, Research Analyst, EV Charging Infrastructure, Wood Mackenzie • Kathy Knoop, Manager, EV Stakeholder Solutions, General Motors • Adam Langton, Energy Services Manager, BMW of North America, LLC • Ken Schisler, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CPower Energy Management • Anna J Siefken, Commercialization Executive, U.S. Department of Energy • Trudie Wang, VP of Product, Heila Technologies Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 7, 2022 • 55min
The Interchange Recharged podcast: Live at the Grid Edge Innovation Summit – Day One
Wood Mackenzie’s Grid Edge Innovation Summit is now on and we’ll be bringing you all the action from the two days of talks right here on The Interchange Recharged. Host David Banmiller is live in Phoenix, bringing you highlights from each day of the conference. Across the next three episodes, David talks to experts and representatives from the leading distribution utilities, software technology developers, public utility commissions and distributed generation players in North America. On day one, David is joined by:Chris Seiple, Vice-Chairman, Energy Transition and Renewables, Wood MackenzieAimee Bailey, Director of Innovation and Portfolio Management, National Grid PartnersMartin Milani, CEO, Sunverge EnergyStephen Hendrickson, US Department of EnergyCrystal Stiles, Florida Power & LightMelissa Chan, Director of Grid Solutions and Strategic Partnerships, Fermata EnergyBen Hertz-Shargel, Global Head of Grid Edge, Wood Mackenzie. Follow us on Twitter @InterchangeShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 25, 2022 • 32min
A New Way of Producing Green Hydrogen
The world is undergoing a slow but much needed transition. The need to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable sources of energy was a major theme at COP27. But with past efforts to reach certain goals falling short, what technologies are being developed to put us back on track?On this episode, we are joined by Fredrik Mowill, CEO at Hystar.Hystar is a high-tech company that specializes in PEM electrolysers to produce green hydrogen from water electrolysis. With their unique and patented technology, they hope to make the production of hydrogen from renewable electricity significantly more affordable and more accessible.Join them as they discuss how this technology works, what makes it unique, and what else can be done to further the energy transition.Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss a single show and let us know your thoughts and comments. The Interchange podcast is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Are you looking for more energy control but worry about the upfront costs of a microgrid and renewables? Schneider Electric have you covered. Schneider Electric offers Energy as a Service for customers like you who spend $40,000 or more each month on energy. With Energy as a Service, you get customized solutions to help you meet goals for sustainability, efficiency, and cost control —including a microgrid and adjacent energy infrastructure. They also handle every step of the process and assume financial and operational risks. Upgraded electrical equipment. Reduced emissions. Predictable long-term pricing. Energy as a Service provides all this, and more. Visit se.com/us/eaas to find out if Energy as a Service is right for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 11, 2022 • 43min
Accelerating the transition to net zero – COP27 and the urgency to act now
As we publish this episode, COP27 is well underway. World leaders and policymakers are gathering in Egypt to formulate plans to tackle the climate crisis. Recent reports, notably a report from the UN in recent weeks, indicate that the current efforts being made by the world are not enough to restrict us to 1.5c of global heating. With the pledges made at COP26 a year ago still not being met, the focus is on the Western world and its responsibility to lead the charge, not least financially. It was proposed that $100b a year would be set aside for spending on climate action, but current figures put the actual amount as being far lower. On today’s episode, we are joined by Rick Saines, Managing Director at Pollination. They are a climate change advisory and investment firm which aims to deliver net zero, focusing on decarbonisation and nature-positive outcomes. They liaise with large NGOs, governments, and investment firms. They have a key focus on investment; advisory insights, as well as understanding trends and analysing the intersection between policy and investment. All of which lead to better decision-making in ESG investing. Transitioning to a zero-carbon economy is imperative. Through the noise of mid-term elections, and a cost of living crisis, the urgency to act on the climate must cut through. What needs to be changed on a global policy level, as time starts to run out? Join them as they take a markets-based look at how companies and governments are working toward net-zero, and what needs to be done to ensure governments are sticking to the promises they make. The Interchange podcast is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Are you looking for more energy control but worry about the upfront costs of a microgrid and renewables? Schneider Electric have you covered. Schneider Electric offers Energy as a Service for customers like you who spend $40,000 or more each month on energy. With Energy as a Service, you get customized solutions to help you meet goals for sustainability, efficiency, and cost control —including a microgrid and adjacent energy infrastructure. They also handle every step of the process and assume financial and operational risks. Upgraded electrical equipment. Reduced emissions. Predictable long-term pricing. Energy as a Service provides all this, and more. Visit se.com/us/eaas to find out if Energy as a Service is right for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 28, 2022 • 43min
Using energy technology to balance the grid
Power grids across the world are under huge strain, as communities and businesses struggle to keep up with costs and the unreliability of an aging infrastructure. We’re seeing it now in the UK as the National Grid warns of planned blackouts throughout the country. While in the US, electricity companies prepare for the winter with an unreliable grid. But how can energy users help restore balance and maintain the grid without breaking the bank? On this episode of The Interchange Recharged, we are joined by the Senior Vice President of GridBeyond, Wayne Muncaster. Companies are always looking for new technologies that will keep their energy costs low, while ensuring they have power when they need it. GridBeyond is doing just that. A leader in intelligent energy technology, they are focused on providing industrial customers with real-time solutions to manage every aspect of the energy transition including resiliency and integration of battery storage. Listen as we discuss the challenges that arise from an aging grid, the uncertainty around energy security and look at how companies can transform energy into opportunity.Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss a single show and let us know your thoughts and comments. The Interchange podcast is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Are you looking for more energy control but worry about the upfront costs of a microgrid and renewables? Schneider Electric have you covered. Schneider Electric offers Energy as a Service for customers like you who spend $40,000 or more each month on energy. With Energy as a Service, you get customized solutions to help you meet goals for sustainability, efficiency, and cost control —including a microgrid and adjacent energy infrastructure. They also handle every step of the process and assume financial and operational risks. Upgraded electrical equipment. Reduced emissions. Predictable long-term pricing. Energy as a Service provides all this, and more. Visit se.com/us/eaas to find out if Energy as a Service is right for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 14, 2022 • 39min
Can Maersk lead the charge to net zero by using methanol as a fuel?
With 90% of the world's trade being transported by sea, the cost to the environment is significant. Following our focus on commercial sea travel in the last episode of The Interchange Recharged podcast, we now step onto the decks of Maersk, who are looking to alternative ways to power their engines. Hydrogen has been seen as the go-to sustainable aviation fuel, but can it power the mammoth ships that transport our freight across the globe? Maersk, one of the largest global shipping companies, doesn’t seem to think so. They want to look elsewhere. Jacob Sterling, head of ocean decarbonization and innovation at Maersk, joins us to discuss how the company is sailing towards climate neutrality by 2040 with a new fleet of vessels that run on green methanol, a low-carbon fuel. Maersk is also focused on helping other companies lower their ocean shipping’s carbon footprint with an ECO Delivery service that uses second generation green biofuels, which reduce CO2 emissions by more than 80%. What led Maersk to choose methanol fuel? How far along are they on the deployment of methanol-powered ships? How much are companies willing to pay to support the global effort for the energy transition? And how realistic are their goals? Tune in as Jacob takes us through the future of shipping fuel. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss a single show, and do let us know your thoughts and comments. View the landing page to hear all episodes of The Interchange Recharged. The Interchange podcast is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Are you looking for more energy control but worry about the upfront costs of a microgrid and renewables? Schneider Electric have you covered. Schneider Electric offers Energy as a Service for customers like you who spend $40,000 or more each month on energy. With Energy as a Service, you get customized solutions to help you meet goals for sustainability, efficiency, and cost control —including a microgrid and adjacent energy infrastructure. They also handle every step of the process and assume financial and operational risks. Upgraded electrical equipment. Reduced emissions. Predictable long-term pricing. Energy as a Service provides all this, and more. Visit se.com/us/eaas to find out if Energy as a Service is right for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.