

Energy Evolution
S&P Global Commodity Insights
Interviews, analysis and reporting from S&P Global Commodity Insights on energy and commodities' transition to a cleaner future. Hosts Taylor Kuykendall and Eklavya Gupte speak with policymakers, industry professionals and SPGCI in-house experts worldwide on topics related to decarbonization, climate, emerging fuels and energy sources, and the outlook for commodity markets from oil to power to metals. The Energy Evolution podcast has merged with the Platts Future Energy podcast as of January 2025.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 20min
The AI-driven gas turbine renaissance
In this insightful conversation, Javier Cavada, President and CEO for EMEA at Mitsubishi Power, delves into the gas turbine industry's remarkable comeback driven by the surge in AI demand. He highlights the challenges of supply chains and the impact of tech giants building gas-fired plants for data centers. Cavada discusses the growing importance of hydrogen-ready turbines and the need for flexibility in fuel sources. He also offers advice for developing nations struggling with turbine shortages, emphasizing the urgency of planning for future energy needs.

Nov 4, 2025 • 30min
India's race to 500 GW of renewable power by 2030
In this engaging discussion, Ruchira Singh, an energy transition editor, interviews Praveer Sinha, CEO of Tata Power, about India's ambitious goal of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. They tackle the pressing challenges of land acquisition and transmission bottlenecks. Sinha shares how Tata Power is innovating through integrated solutions like solar, wind, and battery storage to deliver reliable power. The conversation also covers the essential policy changes needed to accelerate growth and the shift toward a cleaner energy mix in India's future.

Oct 28, 2025 • 25min
Explaining Germany's energy transition 'reality check'
Andreas Franke, an expert in electricity demand forecasting at S&P Global, and Henning Gloystein, a specialist in energy policy at Eurasia Group, tackle Germany's intricate energy challenges. They delve into the stark reality check on electricity demand forecasts and its implications for renewable energy targets. The discussion uncovers how high energy costs impact industry competitiveness and questions the feasibility of Germany's ambitious 2045 climate goals amid a shift towards gas reliance. They also warn that similar reassessments might be necessary across Europe.

14 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 26min
Transatlantic divide: US and EU chart different energy transition paths
Laurent Ruseckas, an expert in LNG markets and geopolitical energy dynamics, and Coralie Laurencin, a specialist in EU gas and carbon policy, delve into the contrasting energy strategies of the US and Europe. They discuss how Trump's policies are reigniting fossil fuel ambitions while Europe grapples with economic pressures and regulatory challenges. The duo also explores implementation obstacles for EU methane regulations, the potential impacts of falling gas prices, and the vital role of U.S. LNG in reshaping transatlantic relations.

Oct 14, 2025 • 16min
How will the EU's new carbon market affect energy costs and inflation?
In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte examines the rising concerns among EU member states about the upcoming Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2), set to launch in 2027. Worries are growing that ETS2 -- encompassing road transport, buildings, and small businesses -- could lead to substantial increases in energy prices, highlighting the complex interplay between ambitious climate objectives and economic realities. Eklavya also interviews Jason Ying, Commodity Desk Strategist at BNP Paribas, who provides insights into how this new carbon market may influence inflation rates and residential gas prices across the EU. Links: EU Emission Allowance Nearest-December EADMP00 Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Month Ahead GTFTM01

Oct 7, 2025 • 16min
What's driving the rush for I-RECs?
While 2025's energy headlines have focused on trade wars and geopolitical turmoil, the market for International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) has seen a dramatic surge in demand, signaling a fundamental shift in corporate sustainability strategies. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte sits down with Vittoria Morini, global I-RECs lead at S&P Global, and Fatemeh Zahedi, senior price reporter, to discuss some of the big trends behind the recent expansion of this voluntary market. The conversation also explores seasonal price dynamics, the growing appetite in emerging economies, and how supply chain issues and 24/7 carbon-free energy matching could define the future of clean energy procurement. Links: I-REC Turkey Wind Current Year ATKYE00 I-REC Brazil Hydro Current Year ACERH00

Sep 30, 2025 • 21min
Traders on alert: What lies ahead for European gas this winter?
Winter is coming, and Europe's gas market is bracing for impact. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte sits down with Matt Hoisch, senior gas and LNG news reporter, and Roudy Dirani, managing editor for European natural gas pricing, to explore what could be a volatile few months as Europe faces its first winter without pipeline Russian gas supplies. With EU storage levels slightly below recent historical averages, the discussion examines key factors driving supply-demand fundamentals, including geopolitical tensions, new LNG capacity additions, and evolving trade relationships. Links: Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Month Ahead GTFTM01 Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Day Ahead GTFTX00 LNG Japan/Korea DES Spot Cargo AAOVQ00 INFOGRAPHIC: LNG and gas markets navigate a world in transition

Sep 23, 2025 • 16min
Path to net-zero gets bumpy for US, European utilities
In this week's episode of Energy Evolution, hosts Taylor Kuykendall and Eklavya Gupte discuss a new series of articles from the S&P Global Commodity Insights newsroom examining how some of the world's largest companies are faring on their path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The hosts interview Commodity Insights senior news reporters Karin Rives and Alex Blackburne about how US and European utilities are adapting their net-zero strategies amid evolving political and economic realities. Rives sheds light on how some US utilities are increasingly backtracking on their green pledges and adjusting their messaging to align with the Trump administration's "American energy dominance" agenda. Meanwhile, Blackburne discusses how European utilities are maintaining their emissions targets even as they scale back investment plans due to macroeconomic headwinds.

Sep 16, 2025 • 22min
US coal production is back on the rise
In this episode of the Energy Evolution podcast, Eklavya Gupte speaks with co-host Taylor Kuykendall, a senior metals and mining reporter at S&P Global Commodity Insights, about the current state of the US coal industry. Although the sector has experienced a significant decline in its share of electricity generation over the past several decades, recent data indicate a resurgence in production compared to last year. This uptick in coal production coincides with the Trump administration's rollout of several policies and initiatives that favor the coal industry, igniting optimism among coal miners regarding the potential to meet rising electricity demand. However, Taylor cautions that the industry faces several challenges under the current administration, including ongoing trade tensions with key partners. He also highlights long-term forecasts indicating that while coal may see short-term gains, demand could contract again in the coming years due to competitive natural gas prices and the continued expansion of renewable energy sources. Links: CAPP rail (CSX) OTC CAKM001 PRB 8,800 OTC CTAM001 Low Vol HCC AAWWR00 FOB Baltimore CUATB04

Sep 9, 2025 • 20min
FuelEU Maritime: A new trading opportunity in shipping
In this episode of Energy Evolution, we explore how the EU's FuelEU Maritime regulation is pushing the shipping sector to decarbonize, creating new market dynamics in the world of marine fuels. Under FuelEU Maritime, which took effect from Jan. 1, 2025, ships calling at European ports have a mandate to cut greenhouse gas intensity by 2% this year from 2020 baselines, escalating to 80% by 2050. Host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Chris To, lead specialist in alternative fuels pricing at S&P Global Commodity Insights, about how the maritime industry is adapting to these regulatory changes. To also explains how the policy is spurring innovative compliance trading strategies, including the banking and pooling of surplus credits between compliant and noncompliant vessels.


