Switched On

Mexico became one of the hottest markets for clean energy development. Newly open Mexico attracted billions in investment driven by three highly successful auctions that are tied to more than 8GW of new wind and solar capacity. But policy under president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or AMLO, has taken a U-turn. Since taking office in late 2018, AMLO has cancelled Mexico’s renewable energy auctions and sidelined national clean energy targets. And recent regulation goes further, asserting that renewables threaten Mexico’s power grid, placing at risk over 4.5 gigawatts of wind and solar currently under development.  This episode is based on a report titled No Winners in AMLO's Clean Energy Feud. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lower manufacturing costs, innovative launch vehicles, miniaturized sub-systems and new sensor technologies have resulted in a surge in the number of satellites orbiting earth. The more than 1,300 small satellites orbiting earth means we can now scan any given location on the planet multiple times per day -- and not just with cameras, but with sensors that measure atmospheric pressure, temperature, and more. This week, Switched On speaks with technology analyst Sarrah Raza about the rapid growth in the industries that make these small satellites, send them to space, and analyze the data they send back.This episode is based on a report titled Tiny Satellites – Space’s Next Frontier. BNEF clients can access this series on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Commission on 27 May proposed 1.85 trillion euros in stimulus spending over the next seven years, 25% of which must go to things classified as ‘green’. Notable parts of the proposed spending include building renovations to improve efficiency, a massive roll-out in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and enough spending on hydrogen to make it competitive a lot sooner than it would be otherwise. This week, Switched On speaks with energy transition analyst Dario Traum about the proposed spending, what it means to be 'green', and the questions that need to get answered before the money can be spent.This episode is based on a report titled How Green is the EU's Trillion-Euro Recovery Plan? BNEF clients can access this series on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A higher carbon price and cheaper gas have made coal-fired power less competitive in Europe. Reduced demand from the pandemic have made it almost impossible for coal to keep up. This week, Switched On speaks with energy transition analyst Katherine Poseidon, and power analyst Andreas Gandolfo about how several countries have gotten away from coal entirely since the pandemic started -- a trend that is likely to continue even after things get back to normal.This episode is based on a series of reports titled the EU Power Weekly. BNEF clients can access this series on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear a lot about growth in the electric car market, but what about electric two- and three-wheelers? In 2040 about half of the 1.25 billion mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles out on the road will be electric, and most of these will be in Asia. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF mobility analysts Nick Albanese and Allen Abraham about the future of two- and three-wheeled transport.This episode is based on a report titled How Fast Will Two-Wheelers Electrify? BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lithium is used the world over for electronics and, increasingly, electric cars. There is a supply and security risk in that most of this lithium comes from just a few countries, and those are not where the phones and cars get made. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF metals analyst Sharon Mustri about growing demand for unconventional lithium. Alternative lithium resources that put the source of the mineral closer to the factory.This episode is based on a report titled Unconventional Lithium: The Road to Supply Security. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies can do everything they can to reduce their carbon footprint, and most often it is still not enough to cover all their emissions. After everything they can do themselves, they can buy carbon offsets -- investments in projects that reduce CO2, like tree-planting or cook stoves. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF sustainability analyst Kyle Harrison. about growing demand for these offsets as more companies set plans to reach net-zero emissions, and challenges as this market grows.This episode is based on a report titled Voluntary Carbon Offsets: a Shortcut for Heavy Emitters. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carbon capture, utilization and storage -- taking CO2 out of the air and putting it underground or into products. The sector has had a few false starts, but appears it could be having a revival. In this episode, Switched On speaks with Julia Attwood, head of advanced materials research for BloombergNEF, and advanced materials analyst Ryan Anderson about the current state of play in CCUS. They will also introduce promising new applications that could give a boost to the sector and make a dent in global emissions.This episode is based on a report titled CCUS: Applications in Oil & Gas, Power and Industry. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar on cars has been around for a long time. But until recently, it has either been pure gimmick or used to power small auxiliaries -- not the drive train. In this episode, Switched On speaks with Hugh Bromley, head of consumer research at BloombergNEF, about solar cars. He will tell us about how they are starting to power the wheels, even if just a bit.This episode is based on a report titled Solar-Powered Cars: Trickle or Charged? BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF head of digital industry research, Claire Curry, and digital industry analyst Kirti Vasta. Claire and Kirti tell us about digital strategies in the time of Covid-19. Some companies are all-in on their digital strategies. Others have pedaled back, and are retrenched in what they know best. A few are even giving away software, on the hopes that new users they hook today, will pay up once economic conditions improve.This episode is based on a report titled Technology Radar April 2020: Covid-19 Impact. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Users can also subscribe to this report and ongoing Covid coverage at bnef.com/series.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.