Energy Evolution

“Green steel” is becoming an increasingly desirable product around the world as more end users establish decarbonization goals and legislation like the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) goes into effect. But with no single definition, steel market participants are having to come up with their own standards as they pursue lower-carbon steelmaking.    In this episode, Laura Varriale, managing editor of the ferrous metals team, EMEA, at S&P Global Commodity Insights and Guido Kerkhoff, management board chairman and CEO of the European unit of German steel service company Klöckner & Co., talk about the state of the European and US green steel markets, challenges and advancements, and how steel trading might be affected by CBAM and the decarbonization drive.   Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. Veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall co-host the show, which routinely features regular correspondents Camilla Naschert and Camellia Moors. 

Direct air capture is becoming a serious contender in the fight against climate change, attracting massive investments and attention. Experts highlight the hefty price tag of nearly $1,000 per ton of captured CO2 and discuss innovative approaches using limestone to lower costs. The pivotal role of low-carbon electricity is revealed, as renewable sources are essential for efficiency. Recent advancements include the first U.S. commercial plant, showcasing the urgent need for balanced investment in both emerging technologies and traditional renewables.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall and S&P Global Commodity Insights climate and energy reporter Karin Rives discuss the increasing involvement of state lawmakers in electric utility regulations and their impact on the power industry and ratepayers. Guests on today's show are Lillian Federico, a research director with Commodity Insights, California state Senator Josh Becker and Paul Alvarez with the consulting firm Wired Group. They highlight how the energy transition and concerns over climate change have prompted lawmakers to shape energy policy, disrupting the traditional relationship between regulators, politicians and ratepayer advocates. The episode explores various cases where legislators have pushed for utility investments, resulting in unintended consequences and financial burdens for ratepayers. It also examines the challenges of regulatory lag and the uncertainty created by swings in policy.  Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. Veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall co-host the show, which routinely features regular correspondents Camilla Naschert and Camellia Moors. 

In this episode of the Energy Evolution podcast, host Taylor Kuykendall interviews William "Bill" Daley, who was White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama and Commerce Secretary during the administration of President Bill Clinton. Daley joined Taylor to discuss the role of climate technologies in driving economic growth and job creation. Daley explained the work of Crux Climate, a sustainable finance technology company, and how they facilitate the transferability of energy credits. He also emphasized the need for government support and investment in advanced manufacturing and new energy sources. Daley also highlighted the opportunities for economic development in various sectors, including solar, wind, batteries, hydrogen and nuclear energy. Daley also addressed the role of large organizations in the climate technology space and the importance of a balanced approach to energy sources.  Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall is joined by Tom Dichristopher, senior reporter at S&P Global Commodity Insights, to discuss the movement to ban new gas hookups and require all-electric construction for new buildings. In 2023, a court struck down a gas ban in Berkeley, California, which was the first of its kind in the nation. The decision came as part of a legal settlement with the California Restaurant Association, and Berkeley will no longer enforce the ban while it goes through the process of repealing it. The court opinion that led to the settlement is expected to set a precedent for other cities and counties in California and West Coast policymakers to reconsider their own gas bans and building electrification policies. Despite the repeal in Berkeley, many cities in California have implemented their own versions of gas bans, and there is still momentum to transition buildings away from natural gas in several states. Local areas are exploring options to strengthen building codes and encourage electrification without violating federal energy laws.  Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

In this discussion, Bryan Birsic, CEO of Motor, shares his insights on the electric vehicle landscape. He delves into the challenges new buyers face, such as navigating tax credits and charging station accessibility. Birsic emphasizes the crucial role of utility partnerships in fostering EV adoption. He also addresses the financial benefits for utilities and the exciting advancements in EV technology, including pricing reductions and improved infrastructure, that promise to make electric vehicles more accessible for all.

Also known as 'forever chemicals', PFAS materials can be found in frying pans and rain coats, but also in hydrogen electrolyzers and batteries. After a group of countries proposed a ban on PFAS chemicals in the EU in 2023, legislators are expected to restrict their use. On this episode, correspondent Camilla Naschert hears from scientists Christina Jönsson (Research Institutes of Sweden) and Karsten Pinkwart (Fraunhofer Institut) about how this ban could work and what the energy sector now needs to consider in preparation.  Gerardo Familiar of chemicals giant and PFAS maker Chemours argues that the compounds are crucial for the energy transition and that a blanket ban has to be avoided. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

A first wave of subsidy auctions for green hydrogen production in Europe has revealed early price signals and could kick-start the market after a long period of policy and investment delays. The recent European Hydrogen Bank auction results were much lower than expected, but will renewable hydrogen be much cheaper than previously thought, or will consumers have to pay a large premium to secure offtake? Senior energy transition reporter James Burgess discusses these topics and more with senior hydrogen analyst Matthew Hodgkinson, hydrogen analyst Anastasia Pantazopoulou, and pricing specialist Vipul Garg. Links:Green premium remains for renewable hydrogen after EU's 1.5-GW auction result Platts launches new European Renewable PPA Derived Hydrogen prices Interactive: Platts Ammonia price chart Special report: Atlas of Energy Transition™ Our subscriber platform Platts Connect (formerly Platts Dimensions Pro)

In this episode of Energy Evolution, the teams is joined by two special guests: Jigar Shah, the director of the Loan Programs Office of the US Department of Energy, and Jonathan Evans, the President and CEO of Lithium Americas. The US Department of Energy has shown interest in the metals and mining space, particularly in critical mineral mining and extraction projects. Additionally, the DOE's Loan Programs Office has committed to providing a $2.26 billion loan to Lithium Nevada Corp. for the construction of a lithium carbonate processing plant at Thacker Pass in Nevada. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall. 

Hydrogen fuel is gaining traction as a promising solution for decarbonizing the transport sector, particularly in challenging areas like aviation where electrification is limited. US government subsidies for low-carbon hydrogen production and the establishment of the Department of Energy’s seven hydrogen hubs are expected to drive low-carbon hydrogen production at scale. However, the aviation industry awaits regulatory guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration to provide clarity on the potential of hydrogen fuel in decarbonizing commercial flights.  Low-carbon commodities reporter Santiago Canel speaks with with Arnaud Namer, Chief Operating Officer at Universal Hydrogen, and Commodity Insights energy transition news reporter Daniel Weeks to explore the role of hydrogen in aviation and its potential for decarbonization. Links: Platts Hydrogen Daily (subscriber content) Feature: Logistical woes and high pump prices stall California H2 market development S&P Global Commodity Insights Weekly ET News Highlights