Switched On

The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act by the Biden administration was partly designed to stimulate US clean-tech energy projects and equipment production. In the nine months since its introduction, has the IRA succeeded in increasing domestic renewables production, and what has been the reaction to it outside the US? On today’s show Antoine Vagneur-Jones, BNEF’s head of trade and supply chains, returns to talk to Dana. Together, they discuss a variety of topics, including the potential fracturing of existing supply chains as countries attempt to onshore their clean-tech production, the policies that other nations and trading blocs have introduced in response to the IRA, and the dangers posed to international net-zero targets by these structural shifts. BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.  Links to research notes from this episode:  Energy Transition's New Industrial Landscape - https://about.bnef.com/blog/energy-transitions-new-industrial-landscape/ Europe's Bid to Reshore Clean Tech Pulls Its Punches - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31053See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than a century, the ESG label has been used to describe investments that take environmental, social and governance concerns into account. Recently, the label has become a political flashpoint,  buffeted between lawsuits from the right and accusations of greenwashing from the left. So where does ESG investing go from here? On today’s show, Dana talks with Maia Godemer, a Senior Associate from BNEF’s Sustainable Finance team. Together they discuss a variety of topics, including how ESG fits into different investment strategies, the greenwashing risks attached to the label, and where ESG sits within the turbulent political landscape in the US.  BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.  Links to research notes from this episode:  Mass ESG Fund Downgrades That Rocked Market May Be Reversed - https://www.bnef.com/news/1131545  Unpacking ESG ETFs' Fall From Grace - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31157  US Lawmakers Hoisted By Own Petard With Anti-ESG Push - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31121  To Stop Greenwashing We First Need to Agree on What It Is - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30359 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having overtaken China as the world’s most populous nation, and with a developing economy that’s rapidly industrializing, India’s energy demand is growing. But as other countries move toward green energy sources and net-zero targets, can India, this year’s G-20 host, find a way to successfully transition away from its coal-dominated energy market? On today’s show, Dana talks with Rohit Gadre, a Senior Associate from BNEF’s New Delhi office. Together they discuss a variety of topics, including the current makeup of India’s energy sector, the IPPs and global companies taking part in India’s energy auctions, and how – and whether – the country can achieve its net-zero goals. BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. BNEF Insight Notes cited in this podcast include, Renewables Meet Peak Power Demand in Latest India Auction and 1H 2023 India Renewables Market Outlook: A Turbulent Time. Information regarding BNEF's New Delhi Summit can be found at https://about.bnef.com/summit/newdelhiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEPSA, the Spanish multinational traditionally known for its oil and gas expertise, is looking toward a greener future with its new Positive Motion strategy. On today's show, Albert Cheung, Deputy CEO at BNEF, speaks with CEPSA CEO Maarten Wetselaar about what it means to rethink the future of a business that has traditionally focused on hydrocarbons. Together they discuss a variety of subjects, including how the implementation of the Positive Motion strategy is successfully transitioning the company across multiple sectors, conflicting approaches between public and private multinational investment in renewables, and recent international competition between nations within the green energy space.Complimentary research from BNEF on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com, or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan spoke to BloombergNEF about his vision for a cleaner future for Indonesia. He shared his views on the country’s 2060 net-zero target, potential funding models for the transition of its domestic energy market, the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid urbanization of Indonesia’s population, and how a targeted buildup of domestic industry could reduce its overall carbon footprint. Baswedan was interviewed by Ben Vickers, chief editor at BNEF. Complementary research on Indonesia’s transition in energy, transport and commodities can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com, or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Fisher, a lead analyst specializing in electric vehicle charging at BloombergNEF, and Jade Patterson, a senior associate focused on renewable fuels, delve into the exciting dynamics between biofuels and electric vehicles. They explore how carbon credit schemes impact these sectors and the profitability of EV charging infrastructure. The conversation covers sustainability challenges, future policy implications, and the competition between biofuels and EVs in achieving decarbonization goals. Their insights highlight a pivotal moment in the transportation landscape.

Renewable energy power purchase agreements have been integral to many companies’ sustainability strategies. Google was early to enter this space and is now thinking about how to take its targets a step further with around-the-clock carbon-free energy. But what differentiates Google's new strategy from others that are predominantly based on power purchase agreements, and how does this impact the broader decarbonization of electricity grids? In today’s show, Caroline Golin, global head of energy market development and policy at Google, shares her views. She is interviewed by Kyle Harrison, head of sustainability research at BloombergNEF.Complementary research from BNEF on corporate sustainability strategies and power purchase agreements can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although the end of winter is approaching, the energy crisis will not end when flowers bloom in the spring. Policymakers around the world are hard at work and considering the actions that will ensure energy security at an affordable price for their country. In this episode of Switched On, Germany’s Dr. Patrick Graichen, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, sits down in conversation with Emma Champion, Head of Regional Energy Transitions at BloombergNEF. They discuss Germany’s approach to the energy crisis and the things we need to watch in the months, seasons and years ahead.Subscribers can read related research on the energy transition at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hydrogen's role in the energy transition is hotly debated. Technology costs, the practicalities of distribution and storage, and potential applications in hard-to-abate industries are just a few of the discussion topics surrounding this little molecule. In today’s show, we consider the future of hydrogen by zooming in on the electrolyzer market. Cumulative electrolyzer installations are expected to grow from 2 gigawatts in 2022 to roughly 240 gigawatts by 2030. Europe and China are already major electrolyzer markets, and with the advent of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the hydrogen market in the United States is likely to grow. Today’s show features BNEF hydrogen analysts Adithya Bashyam and Matthew Bravante, who draw upon insights found in BNEF's Global Electrolyzer Outlook 2030 as they lead us through this fascinating field. Subscribers can read this BNEF research note at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining market share and reducing transportation-related emissions around the world. Facilitating this roll-out are the critical charging networks. When supplied with clean energy, these networks can further decarbonize vehicles, and their expansion can combat range anxiety and facilitate user adoption. On today’s episode of Switched On, Colin McKerracher, Head of Advanced Transport at BloombergNEF, speaks with Melanie Lane, CEO of Shell Recharge Solutions Europe, about the role of charging networks in the broader EV landscape, challenges the industry is currently facing and how EV networks may shape our future. Related research on Advanced Transportation can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com or on our mobile app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.