Switched On

Ethan Zindler, head of country and policy research at BloombergNEF and former climate counselor, joins Derrick Flakoll, senior policy associate, to dissect the consequences of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the U.S. clean energy landscape. They delve into how this legislation stifles solar and wind projects while also affecting electric vehicle growth. The duo discusses the political whiplash impacting future investments and whether the situation could have been even worse for the renewable sector. Engaging insights illuminate the intersection of policy and energy innovation.

Brenna Casey, an associate on BNEF’s sustainable materials team, dives into the pressing world of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. She discusses the staggering costs of carbon removal, currently around $900 per metric ton, posing a major hurdle for broader adoption. The conversation explores the potential for DAC amidst skepticism about net-zero goals and highlights the different technology pathways aiming to lower costs. Brenna also details the advancements in solid sorbent processes and the economic implications of emerging solutions.

In this insightful discussion, Antoine Vagneur-Jones, the head of trade and supply chains at BloombergNEF, and Jennifer Welch, chief analyst of Bloomberg's geoeconomics team, tackle the dramatic shifts caused by 'Liberation Day' tariffs. They dissect how these tariffs are reshaping global supply chains and impacting renewable energy industries. The conversation highlights the challenges of navigating new trade agreements and the strategic moves countries are making to adapt to evolving geopolitical landscapes.

Addison Stark, CEO of Atmos Zero, discusses electrified steam solutions transforming industrial heating. Peter Madurinowski, CEO of Cirque, shares insights into recycling polyester and cotton blends for sustainable fashion. Mark Meldrum from Rondo reveals innovations in thermal energy storage to improve industrial efficiency. Lastly, Philippe Berlan of Everdye highlights breakthroughs in eco-friendly textile dyeing processes that slash energy use and harmful chemicals. Together, they paint a hopeful picture of a greener industrial landscape.

Nikolas Soulopoulos, Head of Commercial Transport at BloombergNEF, and Takehiro Kawahara, Aviation Specialist, dive into the urgent need for sustainable aviation practices. They discuss the high costs of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and explore various decarbonization methods, including hydrogen-powered engines and electric aircraft. The pair address consumer willingness to pay for greener options and the role of policy changes. With air travel demand soaring, they emphasize collaboration across the industry to navigate a sustainable future.

In this engaging conversation with Alexander Liddington, a food and agriculture analyst at BloombergNEF, the decline in agricultural funding takes center stage. Liddington discusses the shocking 76% drop in investments since 2021 and the impact on sustainable farming practices. He explores the intricate dance between agriculture and climate change, as well as consumer shifts towards lower-impact meats. The challenges of vertical farming and the innovation journey of a Thai company provide a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing funding crisis.

Eva Gonzalez Isla, a senior associate from BNEF’s grids team, delves into the shocking Iberian blackout that paralyzed Spain and Portugal. She highlights the conflicting reports from authorities on voltage fluctuations as the main cause and the ensuing chaos. The discussion sheds light on the failures in grid management and the urgent need for improved infrastructure. Eva emphasizes the importance of integrating renewable energy sources and implementing new technologies to ensure a more resilient energy future.

This week, we explore how the legislation’s attack on renewable energy may push up electricity bills and damage US competitiveness in AI. The tax credits in President Joe Biden’s sprawling Inflation Reduction Act were introduced to help the US keep up with rising electricity demand by making clean power sources cheaper. But now the big bill has changed all that, and an executive order issued days after its passage suggests his war on renewables isn’t over yet. Joining host Stephanie Flanders to discuss this dramatic turn of events are guests Ethan Zindler, head of country and policy research at BloombergNEF and previously climate counselor to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Bloomberg lobbying and influence reporter Emily Birnbaum.  For more episodes of Trumponomics, subscribe on Apple or Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just how green are the investment portfolios of credit, equity and multi-asset funds? Building on its existing suite of banking and investment ratios, BloombergNEF has introduced the Energy Supply Fund-Enabled Capex Ratio, which assesses how much a given investment portfolio is contributing to low-carbon capital expenditures for every dollar directed to fossil fuels. Worldwide, low-carbon energy gets just 48 cents for every fossil-fuel dollar, but the regional picture when it comes to funding this new “industrial revolution” is far more complex. On today’s show, Dana Perkins is joined by BNEF finance and investment associate Ryan Loughead to discuss how investors are funding the low-carbon industrial revolution and the inaugural “Energy Supply Fund-Enabled Capex Ratio” report. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Energy Supply Fund Enabled Capex Ratio - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36751See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone is talking about how much energy data centers and artificial intelligence will gobble up in the coming years. Yet AI is just one part of a vast, complex and constantly evolving energy landscape. So how will the AI revolution fit into a world where electric vehicles are displacing liquid road fuels, renewable-power projects are stuck in grid queues and big tech is investing in nuclear? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Ian Berryman, BloombergNEF’s head of energy systems modeling, to discuss findings from this year’s edition of the New Energy Outlook. For the first time ever, BNEF’s flagship report has modeled the impact of data centers on the transition to a low-carbon economy. But how much of the global power supply will AI really require? And will additional clean energy sources be built to meet that added demand, or could the extra grid strain simply extend the lifespan of fossil-fuel generation? Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: New Energy Outlook 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36179 Executive Summary - https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-energy/new-energy-outlook/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.