Energy Unplugged by Aurora

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Ben Guest, Managing Director and Head of Gresham House Energy Transition, as well as Fund Manager of the Gresham House Energy Storage Fund. He joins Caroline Still, Principal in our Oxford Advisory team, to discuss the role of storage and flexibility in enabling the UK’s energy transition. Ben has over two decades of experience in the energy sector and leads the UK’s largest utility-scale battery storage fund. He has overseen the deployment of over 800 MW of operational battery projects, with a pipeline of more than 2 GW under development. Main topics include: Why storage is central to decarbonisation and balancing renewable intermittency The role of batteries in addressing grid bottlenecks and deferring costly reinforcements Long-duration storage, Dunkelflaute, and how policy must evolve to incentivise optimal system performance

Karin Burns, CEO of San Diego Community Power, brings her unique blend of finance and sustainability expertise to the discussion about community choice aggregation in California. She explains how CCAs are reshaping the power market, balancing decarbonization with affordability. Karin dives into the impacts of federal policy changes and surging demand from AI and data centers. She also advocates for regional market strategies to enhance reliability and lower costs, emphasizing the role of local governance in the energy transition.

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group. She joins Richard Howard, Aurora’s Global Research Director, to discuss the role of business and government in accelerating the transition to net zero. Helen has led Climate Group since 2017, overseeing initiatives such as RE100, EV100, SteelZero, and the Under2 Coalition, which mobilise companies and governments worldwide to commit to ambitious climate goals. With over two decades of experience in climate and humanitarian work, she brings unique insights into how cross-sector coalitions can drive global action. Main topics include: How business and government coalitions are driving faster emissions reductions The challenges of scaling renewables and integrating them into power systems The growing importance of 24/7 carbon-free energy and what to expect from Climate Week NYC

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Philip Hirschhorn, Ministerial Appointee to the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review Expert Panel, and Tim Nelson, Chair of the independent review of Australia’s NEM. They join Hugo Batten, Aurora’s Managing Director for APAC, and Hana Ramli, Principal in our Australian Advisory team, to discuss the draft recommendations of the Wholesale Market Settings Review and their implications for Australia’s energy transition. Philip has over two decades of experience advising the energy sector, including 25 years at Boston Consulting Group where he led the Australian Energy practice. He now serves on the Expert Panel shaping reforms to Australia’s derivatives market and contract design. Tim brings extensive leadership experience across Australia’s energy institutions, including Iberdrola, the AEMC, AGL, and government roles, and is currently chairing the independent review of the NEM. Main topics include: The scope and goals of the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review and the challenges it seeks to address Key draft recommendations on the spot market, derivatives, and investment signals Implications for batteries, coal exits, and state-level renewable targets in Australia’s energy mix Lessons from overseas markets and what it will take to implement reforms successfully To delve deeper into the investment landscape in Australia, reach out to our Aurora experts at auroraer.com/global-presence/australia.

Heather Reams, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, lends her expertise in navigating the complex interplay of clean energy and conservative politics. She discusses the shifting Republican stance towards renewable energy and how bipartisan support is crucial for progress. The conversation dives into the consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act on investments and the need for streamlined project approvals. Reams also sheds light on the rising energy demands driven by AI and advanced manufacturing, pointing out unique opportunities for cooperation.

Christoph Bellin, a senior energy executive with over two decades in the European energy market, discusses Alpiq's ambitious plans for flexible energy assets. He explains the crucial distinctions between battery storage and pumped hydro, pondering whether they can coexist or if they’re rivals in a decarbonized grid. Bellin shares insights about the evolution of Europe’s energy landscape, the impact of climate change on hydropower, and the vital role of cultural transformation within energy companies to adapt to new market realities.

In this engaging discussion, Elyette Roux, Executive Vice President at Nexans, shares her insights on the challenges facing grid infrastructure amid the energy transition. She highlights how global supply chains, material shortages, and workforce capacity impact project timelines. Roux delves into strategies for faster deployment, emphasizing advanced manufacturing and cross-industry collaborations. The conversation also explores the transformative role of digitalization and AI in enhancing grid resilience and integrating renewables, all while advocating for modernization in electrical infrastructure.

Ben Wilson, President of National Grid Ventures, brings a wealth of experience from overseeing low-carbon energy sectors in the UK, Europe, and the US. He discusses the critical role of interconnectors and hybrid offshore grids for a cohesive European energy landscape. The conversation dives into how electrification and AI are reshaping electricity demand, alongside the promising role of hydrogen in cutting emissions. Wilson also navigates political hurdles in renewable energy planning and emphasizes the need for innovative regulatory approaches to foster efficiency and competition.

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Robert Brook, SVP and Managing Director of the Americas at Neara. He joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, to discuss the evolving state of grid infrastructure in the US and the technologies poised to transform it. Robert brings over 30 years of experience across the energy and information technology sectors. A recognised expert in infrastructure, asset management and risk mitigation, he has held leadership roles at PG&E, Esri, and Hecatic Labs. At Neara, he now works at the forefront of digital grid modelling and utility planning. Main topics include the following: The growing challenges posed by aging grid infrastructure and increasing electricity demand The role of grid-enhancing technologies, such as dynamic line ratings, in maximizing existing system capacity Climate resilience, wildfire mitigation, and the shift toward localised generation and smarter grid operations

Join Malavika Gode, a Senior Associate in Aurora's UK Advisory team, as she delves into the surge of data centers driven by AI. Discover how this growth is reshaping power demand and energy infrastructure globally. The conversation touches on the staggering energy needs of these facilities, with comparisons to vast households. Key insights include the complexities of renewable energy sourcing and the crucial strategies required for sustainable growth. Collaborating among stakeholders emerges as vital for optimizing future development in this booming sector.