

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

Oct 27, 2023 • 22min
Power of AI: How artificial intelligence is changing the energy and mining sectors
Energy Evolution and Capitol Crude join forces to co-host today's episode, all about artificial intelligence being deployed in the energy and mining sectors. This week's guests are some of the journalists from the S&P Global Commodity Insights newsroom who worked together to write an expansive series of articles on the impact of AI. The pieces look at predictions around how much electricity demand AI will generate, the ways AI is improving productivity, resource discovery and trading, and more. In addition to the co-hosts and regular contributors to Energy Evolution, the podcast features Commodity Insights reporters Jared Anderson and Kip Keen. Capitol Crude is available on your platform of choice, including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/capitol-crude-the-us-energy-policy-podcast/id1165562661 Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the energy and mining sectors. In addition, Camellia Moors and Camilla Naschert, reporters who write about mining and power issues, are correspondents for Energy Evolution and regularly contribute to the show. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes! A selection of stories from the Power of AI series: Wild predictions of electricity demand from AI put industry on edge https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/power-of-ai-wild-predictions-of-electricity-demand-from-ai-put-industry-on-edge-77859037 Surging datacenter load has Dominion bracing for AI's added demand https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/power-of-ai-surging-datacenter-load-has-dominion-bracing-for-ai-s-added-demand-77792886 AI's big promises start to deliver for miners adopting new tech https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/power-of-ai-ai-s-big-promises-start-to-deliver-for-miners-adopting-new-tech-77649571 Methane satellites proliferate, relying on AI to handle data deluge https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/power-of-ai-methane-satellites-proliferate-relying-on-ai-to-handle-data-deluge-77766461 While automation steams ahead, commodity traders eye AI cautiously https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/power-of-ai-while-automation-steams-ahead-commodity-traders-eye-ai-cautiously-77685642

Oct 20, 2023 • 35min
The hockey Hall-of-Famer installing geothermal systems in New York
Former New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter has a long list of achievements on the ice, from winning a Stanley Cup to an Olympic silver medal. But in this episode of Energy Evolution, he joins to discuss his post-hockey career and current role as president of Brightcore Energy, which provides energy efficiency retrofits for the commercial sector, including innovative geothermal heating and cooling systems for buildings in dense, urban environments. Richter also shares thoughts on lessons from hockey he brings to cleantech, and the impact of climate change on winter sports. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the energy and mining sectors. In addition, Camellia Moors and Camilla Naschert, reporters who write about mining and power issues, are correspondents for Energy Evolution and regularly contribute to the show. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!

Oct 13, 2023 • 15min
Why there are so few women at the top of energy companies and why it matters
Abbie Bennett and Camilla Naschert discuss gender diversity in energy companies, revealing less than 20% of leadership positions are held by women. They explore barriers to career progression and ways to improve gender diversity. Guest Meade Harris shares stories from women energy executives. Co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall provide insights on the importance of male executives as mentors for women in the industry.

Oct 6, 2023 • 25min
National Grid Ventures' US Northeast President on the future of US offshore wind and more
In this episode of the Energy Evolution podcast by S&P Global Commodity Insights, co-host Dan Testa interviews Will Hazelip, president of National Grid Ventures, U.S. Northeast, about the company's involvement in offshore wind along the U.S. Atlantic Coast, renewable projects in the Midwest, and electric transmission projects in Europe. Hazelip emphasizes the need for offshore wind to meet decarbonization goals in the U.S. Northeast and in Europe, and discusses the challenges faced by offshore wind developers due to macroeconomic factors such as rising interest rates, inflation, and struggling supply chains. The episode also touches on National Grid Ventures' business in subsea electricity interconnectors between Britain and its neighbors, and opportunities for competitive electric transmission lines in the U.S. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the energy and mining sectors. In addition, Camellia Moors and Camilla Naschert, reporters who write about mining and power issues, are correspondents for Energy Evolution and regularly contribute to the show. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!

Oct 3, 2023 • 18min
Emerging battery technologies: Will sodium-ion batteries be a low-cost game changer?
In this series of podcasts, we explore and compare different battery chemistries against the dominant lithium-ion battery sector. Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a strong competitor to lithium-ion batteries, particularly in the energy storage sector. Some have even hailed it as a game-changer in the entry-level or low-cost EV segment, and that it could threaten the long-standing dominance of lithium-ion batteries in the EV sector. In this episode, battery metals experts Euan Sadden, Leah Chen and Henrique Ribeiro explore the technical differences between sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, the pros and cons of sodium-ion batteries, and whether it ultimately plays a competitive or complementary role to lithium-ion batteries. Further reading Lithium price rally opens door for sodium-ion batteries Lithium demand destruction looms as project delays, cost pressures mount Related price assessments BATHY04 - Lithium Hydroxide DDP China Yuan/mt BATCA04 - Lithium Carbonate DDP China Yuan/mt BATLH04 - Lithium Hydroxide CIF North Asia $/mt BATLC04 - Lithium Carbonate CIF North Asia $/mt

Sep 29, 2023 • 30min
Improving nickel sustainability for electric vehicle batteries
On this episode of Energy Evolution, our guests discuss sustainability and reporting standards for nickel mining, an industry key to supporting electric vehicle battery production. Today’s guests include Alessandra Carreon, a member of the Michigan Public Service Commission; Ro Dhawan, CEO of the International Council on Mining and Metals; and Chris Showalter, CEO of Lifezone Metals. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the energy and mining sectors. In addition, Camellia Moors and Camilla Naschert, reporters who write about mining and power issues, are correspondents for Energy Evolution and regularly contribute to the show. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!

Sep 27, 2023 • 16min
How compressed air can make it easier to close coal, natural gas plants
In this episode of Energy Evolution, co-host Taylor Kuykendall interviews Curtis VanWalleghem, CEO of Hydrostor. VanWalleghem talks about his company's compressed air technology and the importance of using long-duration energy storage in the transition to clean energy. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the energy and mining sectors. In addition, Camellia Moors and Camilla Naschert, reporters who write about mining and power issues, are correspondents for Energy Evolution and regularly contribute to the show. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!

Sep 26, 2023 • 19min
American steelmakers lead in clean production amid global decarbonization efforts
Against the backdrop of Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a self-imposed deadline for a US Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum, American steelmakers are stepping up investments in clean energy and working to ensure efforts to produce lower-emissions steel are recognized on the global stage. So how will policymakers view their initiatives, and will end-users be willing to pay more for material with a reduced-CO2 profile? S&P Global Commodity Insights' Christopher Davis, regional pricing director for metals in the Americas, talks with head of Americas metals news Justine Coyne and low-carbon electricity analyst Danylo Babkov about these topics and more. Related prices: Platts European HR Carbon-Accounted Steel Premium Eur/mt (EHRSA00) Platts Northwest Europe HRC Carbon-Accounted Steel Price Eur/mt (EHRSC00) Platts Ni-Co black mass DDP US $/mt (NBNED00) Related podcasts: How is Europe’s steel industry rising to the challenge of energy transition Decarbonization efforts in India: how ready is the steel industry? How will the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism affect global trade and carbon pricing?

Sep 22, 2023 • 27min
How does the Biden administration plan to fix permitting?
In this episode of Energy Evolution, co-host Taylor Kuykendall interviews Eric Beightel, the executive director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. The council was established in 2015 to improve the transparency and predictability of the federal environment review and authorization process for certain critical infrastructure projects. Beightel discusses the challenges of permitting reform and the need for more resources, staff, and funding for agencies charged with the permitting process. He also emphasized the importance of early stakeholder engagement and community outreach to reduce the risk of litigation and improve the efficiency of the permitting process. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the energy and mining sectors. In addition, Camellia Moors and Camilla Naschert, reporters who write about mining and power issues, are correspondents for Energy Evolution and regularly contribute to the show. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!

Sep 19, 2023 • 25min
Carbon credits seek to regain credibility amid growing scrutiny
Voluntary carbon markets are facing a critical moment in their short history. Questions about the integrity and effectiveness of many carbon projects have led to a sharp fall in prices and liquidity. However, a series of quality and transparency initiatives are being adopted to restore confidence in offsets. S&P Global Commodity Insights' experts Eklavya Gupte, Dana Agrotti and Silvia Favasuli discuss the road to recovery for the VCM as it seeks to rebuild credibility and trust. Related price assessments: Platts Household Devices Current Year CNHDD00 Platts Nature-based Avoidance Current Year ANBAA00 Platts Natural Carbon Capture Current Year ANCCA00 Hear more on the latest developments in the carbon markets by attending the Global Carbon Markets Conference taking place on November 6-9, 2023 in Paris. And you can watch our latest videos explaining what determines the price of a carbon credit and the pricing structure in the VCM.


