Energy Unplugged by Aurora

Our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Henrik Tordrup, Partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).  CIP is one of the leading clean energy investors globally, having recently raised a EUR 7 billion renewable energy investment fund. Henrik is a veteran of Europe’s offshore wind boom of the past decade and has deep expertise on the emerging energy transition in the US.  John and Henrik discuss: •Henrik’s journey and his motivation to focus on the US markets •CIP’s current strategy and the main risks as a renewable investor •Current US policy and the recent federal election impact on decarbonisation  •Texas’ big freeze in February and lessons for policy makers Support the show

Our Research Director, Richard Howard speaks to Henry de Zoete, Co-founder of the energy switching service provider - Look After My Bills.  Henry has a career background working as Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Education prior to his success with Look After My Bills – which secured the best deal in the history of the UK Dragons’ Den business pitch competition. The company is now owned by industry giant Go Compare.  Henry and Richard discuss: •Henry’s career and experience working for then Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove •His inspiration and motivation for establishing Look After My Bills •Raising funds in Silicon Valley and securing the investment from UK television’s notoriously tough Dragons panel •Transferring the ownership of his business to Go Compare and what’s next Support the show

Our Head of Iberia, Ana Barillas is joined by Dulce Mendonça, Director and Fund Manager at InfraRed Capital Partners.  Dulce joined InfraRed in 2013 and is currently focusing on business development and origination of infrastructure investments in Europe. After attaining an M.Sc in Business Administration from ISCTE Business School in Lisbon, she began her career in investment banking before moving to infrastructure investment around 16 years ago.  Ana and Dulce discuss: •InfraRed’s approach to the risk-reward trade-off of investment •The energy transition and scale of investment challenges  •The Iberian market and whether there is a solar bubble in the peninsula  •Sustainable investment and green hydrogen incentives Support the show

Our Head of Commissioned Projects in Central Europe, Hanns Koenig is joined by Dr. Brigitte Knopf, Secretary General of the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change).  Brigitte is one of Germany’s leading experts on climate change and has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Council of Experts on Climate Change by the German Federal Government. The Council has recently published its first report assessing Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.  Hanns and Brigitte discuss: •MCC’s leading role in the climate change debate  •The Council of Experts on Climate Change’s report findings and lessons learned •The European Green Deal and Germany’s decarbonisation targets •COVID-19 impact and emissions reduction during lockdown Support the show

In this episode our CEO John Feddersen speaks to Greg Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy supplier businesses, and award-winning for its status as a provider of 100% sustainable energy.  Octopus Energy Group recently announced the acquisition of its sister company, Octopus Renewables, bringing the retail and the generation side of energy together under one roof. Greg is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK with a long career leading multiple software ventures among other businesses, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.  John and Greg discuss: •The importance of policy in the current UK energy supply market •Understanding the customer experience and meeting customer’s needs  •Weathering the debris of the Texas storms and cost-pass-through tariffs •The role of prices in power generation and investment Support the show

Our Research Director Richard Howard is joined by Dr. Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power Plc to discuss one of the biggest players to emerge in new energy policies: green hydrogen.  Graham joined ITM Power 12 years ago, previous to which he worked with National Power, and spent 11 years in the power industry developing energy storage and generation technologies. ITM Power is a leading manufacturer of hydrogen electrolysers. From early engagement on some of the UK’s earliest hydrogen mobility projects, it is currently working with the nationally significant HyDeploy energy trial – a crucial factor contributing towards the UK’s Net Zero targets.  Richard and Graham discuss: •Green hydrogen’s role on the road to attaining Net Zero •Typical buyers and business models for electrolysers •Government support requirement for reaching the 40 GW target Support the show

This week on Energy Unplugged we have a special episode on modelling energy markets and the broader complexities of modelling for future scenarios.  Our Head of Digital Solutions Mateusz Wronski chats with Jonathan Black, our Head of Modelling. Jonathan’s role is to set the vision and strategy for our market models and their developments. Besides managing our international team of modellers he has extensive experience in modelling for a breadth of physical systems, with a background as a Research Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory and a PhD in Applied Mathematics.  Mateusz and Jonathan discuss: •Credibility of modelling outside academia •Our motivation for building our own models •Modelling role in decarbonisation of the energy sector Support the show

Our Nordics Lead Alexander Esser speaks with Lisa McDermott - Executive Director Renewable Project Financing at ABN AMRO Bank.  Lisa started her career as a lawyer at Clifford Chance, specialising in tax, M&A and fund structuring. Since 2004 she has held a number of senior origination, structuring and management roles within various structured finance disciplines. ABN AMRO is one of the earliest project financiers for offshore wind and one of the most active debt providers for renewables and sustainable business in Europe.  Alex and Lisa discuss: •ABN AMRO’s role in financing the energy transition •Changing environment for project finance of renewables •Financeability of electrolysers for green hydrogen production Support the show

Our Managing Director in Australia - Hugo Batten is delighted to be joined by Professor Tim Nelson - Executive General Manager, Energy Markets at Infigen.  Tim is an Associate Professor at Griffith University and writes prolifically on Australia’s energy transition. Recently purchased by Iberdrola, Infigen is an Australian wind, gas and battery player, and also a retailer.  Hugo and Tim discuss: •Gentailers and strategic options available to them •Carbon pricing vs industrial policy •Nodal pricing •Perceptions of risk in the NEM •Biden election and other global event impacts on Australia’s energy politics Support the show

Our CEO John Feddersen is joined by Jonathan Maxwell, CEO and founder of Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL).  Jonathan has over 25 years’ experience in international finance, infrastructure and private equity. Since its 2007 establishment, SDCL has launched energy efficiency project investment funds in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and New York.  John and Jonathan discuss: •Jonathan’s motivation for starting a sustainable investment business •The importance of energy security and resilience •ESG investment and achieving high ESG performance Support the show