Allan Marks, a leading project finance lawyer with over 30 years in the energy sector and a lecturer at UC Berkeley, joins the discussion alongside Oliver Kerr and George Prassas. They delve into the U.S.'s essential shift towards domestic manufacturing for energy production and its effects on the transition from fossil fuels. The conversation covers the regulatory landscape's complexities, the implications of the upcoming election on energy policy, and the crucial role of tax incentives in boosting renewable investments. They even touch on how AI is reshaping the legal industry.

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Steffen Schülzchen, Founder & CEO, Entrix, discussing the current state and outlook of batteries in the German electricity market. Joining him are Thaddäus Kreisig, Project Leader from our Berlin Advisory team, and Eva Zimmermann, Associate in our European Research team.Entrix offers an AI-based trading and optimisation solution that helps owners of flexible energy assets to maximise the value of their investments. Before founding Entrix, Steffen was a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company's energy practice.Key topics covered in this episode include:Why are batteries important for the energy transition in Germany and how does battery trading work in the country?How will the various battery revenue streams develop in the future?How is revenue stacking and continuous intraday trading in Germany different from other EU markets, and what are the most interesting future markets?Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, discussing the Alberta energy and power landscape with our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr.Danielle Smith, who was sworn in as the 19th Premier of Alberta in 2022, previously served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood and the leader of the Official Opposition. Before returning to politics, she built a successful career in media and business, most recently as President of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Danielle holds degrees in both Economics and English from the University of Calgary.Main topics include the following:Finding the right balance between decarbonisation, consumer affordability, and system reliabilityThe roles of markets and government in addressing system reliability challengesThe future of renewables in Alberta, with a focus on solar and wind energySupport the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Katan Hirachand, Chief Executive & Chief Country Officer of Société Générale India. Katan will be discussing project finance in India with our Managing Director responsible for our activities in the region, Dan Monzani.Katan oversees Société Générale’s Global Banking and Investor Solutions activities in India. With over two decades of global experience, he has held positions such as Co-head of Advisory and Project Finance for EMEA, and was responsible for the largest-ever project financing in Africa at USD 15.5 billion. Before joining Société Générale, Katan worked in commercial roles with BG Group in Brazil, Tunisia, Iran, and the UK.Main topics include the following:Why do state lenders have a prominent role in India, and what opportunities exist for private lenders?How are projects being influenced by the emergence of commercial and industrial PPAs and the design of round-the-clock renewable electricity auctions?What is the potential of the green hydrogen market in India?Support the show

Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of Form Energy, previously oversaw Tesla's stationary energy storage program. He dives into the world of iron-air batteries and their potential to revolutionize long-duration energy storage. The conversation highlights the unique benefits of iron and air compared to lithium-ion batteries, and explores the challenges of scaling clean tech manufacturing. Jaramillo also discusses market dynamics and the critical need for diverse energy solutions to achieve a carbon-free grid.

Andrew Waranch, President & CEO of Spearmint Energy, brings over 25 years of expertise in the electricity power markets. He dives into the dynamic U.S. battery storage landscape, predicting substantial growth by 2030. The conversation highlights the importance of risk management, innovative offtake structures, and how AI is reshaping energy solutions. Andrew also discusses the complexities of the battery supply chain, fluctuations in lithium prices, and the future of battery technology amid evolving energy policies.

Thinking of applying to our Australian Graduate Program? Listen in! In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Mechtersheimer and Michael Veld, Graduate Analysts in the 2024 cohort, to hear about their first-hand experience at Aurora. You'll hear about everything from the application process to the day-to-day responsibilities and projects.To learn more visit auroraer.com/grads! Support the show

Buddy Rizer, the architect of 'Data Center Alley', discusses data centre demand and its impact on power systems. Topics include future growth, power prices, feasibility of 100% green power, and challenges in forecasting data center demand and growth. Learn about the origins of Data Center Alley, the impacts on Loudoun County's power system, and collaboration within the data center industry.

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Agnes Maria da Costa, Director at the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL). She joins our Managing Director for Iberia & LATAM, Ana Barillas, to discuss policies for the Brazilian electricity market, including capacity reserve auctions. Agnes has been a Director at ANEEL since December 2022. Before this role, she spent almost eighteen years at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, where she held positions such as advisor, special advisor, program director, deputy head, and head of the Special Advisory Board on Economic Affairs. Throughout her career, Agnes has played a significant role in shaping energy policy in Brazil. In this episode, we cover the following main topics:What are the electricity market policies where Brazil has been a global leader?What is the future of electricity sector regulation in Brazil?How do capacity auctions work in Brazil, and why is more flexible and adaptable regulation needed?Support the show

On our 200th episode of Energy Unplugged, which also marks our first India-focused episode, we are delighted to welcome a very special guest: Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. He takes a deep dive into the Indian market with Dan Monzani, Managing Director at Aurora, who oversees our activities in India.Mr. Bery is an eminent economist, academic, writer, and policy leader who has spent the better part of the last three decades at the World Bank, eventually becoming their Lead Economist. Between 2012 and 2016, he served as Shell’s Chief Economist. In India, he has been a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and the Reserve Bank of India’s Technical Advisory Committee on Monetary Policy.NITI Aayog is both India’s Ministry of Planning and its apex public policy think tank, bringing together senior Union Ministers and all the Chief Ministers of the states. Mr. Bery currently serves as NITI Aayog’s Vice Chairman, reporting directly to the Prime Minister, who acts ex officio as its Chair.Main topics include the following:The development of India’s energy infrastructure in the context of the country’s economic growth.The Indian Energy Transition and its ambitious target of deploying 50GW of renewables per annum, including the roles of PPAs and green hydrogen.The Government’s vision in promoting liquid, open, competitive markets, and the importance of foreign direct investment.Aurora opened an office in Delhi earlier this year and will be launching its coverage of the Indian power market from July 2024.  If you would like to contact the team and find out more about our work, please email contact.delhi@auroraer.com.Support the show