Switched On cover image

Switched On

Latest episodes

undefined
Feb 11, 2022 • 34min

Natural Gas Is Wishing for a Warm Winter

Recent volatility and high prices in natural gas commodities markets have created a knock-on effect for utilities and consumers. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF's global head of LNG analysis, Fauziah Marzuki, about the once regional but now global natural gas market. She discusses the future of natural gas including when and under what conditions natural gas prices and trade flows might stabilize.This episode is based on a report titled Four Ways to Think About the Future of Natural Gas. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Dec 7, 2021 • 31min

The Future of Geothermal Part 2: The Business Case

In June of this year, the California Public Utilities Commission put out a decision requiring an additional 11,500MW of clean energy capacity to be procured by entities supplying the California grid by 2026. But also stipulated 1,000MW of this has to come from zero-emitting, renewable resources that have at least an 80% capacity factor, or, geothermal. In part 1 of this series we talked about the new technologies enabling geothermal development. In part 2, we'll talk about the business case -- how this regulation has set off a wave of activity in the sector, from incumbent geothermal developers, and those planning to utilize new geothermal generation technologies. Today on the show, we’ve got Paul Thomsen, Vice President of Business Development at Ormat Technologies. He’ll tell us about what’s going on in California and how Ormat and others are responding to this demand.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Dec 3, 2021 • 30min

The Future of Geothermal Part 1: Technology Development

Geothermal is a small industry, with just about 14 gigawatts of capacity online globally. But where it matters, it matters a lot. In pockets around the world, geothermal can be not just the cleanest form of power, but also the cheapest. Still, geothermal development is hard -- drilling wells involves similar risks to oil and gas projects, but offers returns more in line with utilities. That risk profile has stunted the growth of geothermal. There are several companies working hard on technologies to de-risk geothermal development and squeeze additional value out of the hot water coming out of the wells. In some cases, they are throwing out the concept of conventional geothermal and starting afresh. Today, Switched On speaks with Hidda Thorsteinsson, managing director for research and innovation at Reykjavik Energy.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Nov 22, 2021 • 34min

Rio Tinto Turns to Carbfix to Bury CO2

In late October, Rio Tinto announced plans to capture and bury CO2 from its ISAL aluminum smelter outside Reykjavik in the basalt right under its feet. The initiative is part of a $7.5bn effort to reduce firm-wide operational emissions by 50% by 2030. Today, Switched On speaks with Kari Helgason, head of research and innovation at Carbfix, the company that will take Rio's CO2 and inject it underground where it will turn to rock within two years. In our conversation, which takes place on location in Iceland at the site of Carbfix's first CO2 injection project, he tells us how the technology works, and how Carbfix's solution could scale to make a meaningful dent in global emissions.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched on this week is hosted by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Nov 15, 2021 • 23min

Government Net-Zero Strategy Playbook

Hundreds of countries and companies aim to hit net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, or thereabouts. But even after COP26, most have not laid out clear pathways to getting there, and are putting themselves in the position of starting too late to meet the mid-century deadline. This decade is critical to get things going. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF head of energy transition, Luiza Demoro, about the Pathfinders Initiative. Launched on October 18, Pathfinders is a resource from Bloomberg for policymakers to see what has worked around the world and get actionable ideas for policies to meet their net-zero targets.You can find out more about the Pathfinders Initiative at bloomberg.com/netzeropathfinders.Switched on this week is hosted by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Nov 5, 2021 • 29min

Methane's Big Moment

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. When it comes to reducing methane emissions, monitoring technology, economics, and policy all have an important role to play. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF analysts Antoine Vagneur-Jones, who covers EMEA Energy Transitions, and Nakul Nair, who covers U.S. Gas & LNG. They tell us about methane emissions and what can be done.This episode is based on a report titled Global Demethanization Poised to Give U.S. LNG an Edge. You can also find Bloomberg’s coverage of COP26 and the Global Methane Pledge on the Bloomberg COP26 blog.Switched on this week is hosted by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Oct 28, 2021 • 35min

The Final Countdown: Biden's Last Push Before Glasgow

The pressure is on the U.S. to get its climate house in order before it seeks to lead negotiations in Glasgow. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF head of Americas, Ethan Zindler, and BNEF head of global policy, Victoria Cuming. They will walk us through the politics in the U.S. and what to watch out for in Glasgow, whether or not Biden shows up to the conference as a leader, or just an attendee.This episode is based BNEF's ongoing coverage of U.S. and global policy, and special coverage of COP26. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Oct 11, 2021 • 30min

Europe Energy Crunch, Explained

Europe's energy crunch is complex and weeks in, does not yet seems to be resolving, with higher gas prices, gasoline shortages and electricity retailers going out of business. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF head of research for EMEA, David Hostert. He will walk us through the big picture -- why the energy crunch, why now -- and talk us through how gas, coal, carbon and renewables are all tied into this. The podcast also touches on the implications for governments and consumers.This episode is based BNEF's ongoing coverage of European power, gas, and carbon markets. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Oct 5, 2021 • 56min

Hydrogen 101

This podcast episode explores the fundamentals of hydrogen as a clean energy source. It discusses the different ways hydrogen can be produced and used, as well as the challenging economics behind it. The chapter highlights the potential applications of hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors and its history as a fuel source. It also examines the properties and measurement of hydrogen, the economics of renewable hydrogen, and the impact of carbon prices on industries utilizing hydrogen.
undefined
Sep 27, 2021 • 40min

Glencore on Net-Zero Mining

International mining company Glencore has set a net-zero 2050 ambition across its operations for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, meaning not only the mining but the use of its products, like coal. Today, Switched On speaks with Anna Krutikov, head of sustainable development at Glencore. She walks us through the company's targets, opportunities faced by Glencore in the energy transition in areas like battery metals, and some of the ethical considerations associated with decarbonization timelines.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode