Energy Unplugged by Aurora

On this Energy Unplugged episode, we are pleased to welcome Johanna Schiele, Policy Officer at the EU Commission, DG CLIMA, discussing the results of the European Hydrogen Bank auction with Hanns Koenig, our Managing Director for Central Europe, and Emma Woodward, our European Hydrogen Market Lead. As a Policy Officer at the EU Commission, DG CLIMA, Johanna works on designing and implementing EU-wide auctions and new funding instruments at the EU Innovation Fund. Prior to joining the Commission, Johanna worked in the power sector and as a researcher on auctions and clean tech funding. She holds a BA from Oxford University and an MPA from Harvard University. Main topics include the following: What is the design of the European Hydrogen Bank’s auctions, and how does it compare to other support auctions across Europe? What are the outcomes of the European Hydrogen Bank auction, and how do they compare to other European auctions’ results? What are the main challenges for bidders when placing their bids in various auctions, and how can they be mitigated? Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, discussing the deployment of renewables in the UK with our Global Research Director, Richard Howard. As the CEO of ScottishPower, Keith oversees all of the company's activities in the UK. Over the past twelve months, he has been a member of the No10 Business Council, the UK Government’s Investment Trade Advisory Group, and has been a COP26 Business Leader. Before joining ScottishPower, Keith held positions at major financial institutions, including The Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life, and worked as a management consultant with Ernst & Young. Key topics discussed in this episode include: Challenges around grid connections and curtailment in GB Locational pricing: is it helpful to provide this kind of incentive? The UK’s ambitious wind targets: are they deliverable? Support the show

Support the show

Experts from Aurora discuss grid modeling in APAC, focusing on locational price signals, market responses to policy changes, and transitioning to renewable energy zones. They explore investment efficiency, policy impacts, and navigating grid modeling challenges in the region.

On this Energy Unplugged episode, we are pleased to welcome David Watson, CEO and Co-Founder of Ohme, discussing the future role of electric vehicles (EVs) and smart charging with Salman Khan, Principal at our Oxford Advisory team. David created Ohme with the aim of making it the world’s most trusted smart charging platform. Today, Ohme is the UK’s fastest growing smart charging company and the official charging provider for the Volkswagen Group in the UK and Ireland, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Polestar in the UK. Prior to co-founding Ohme, David also co-founded Temporis Capital. Main topics include the following:  • Market signals required for the successful deployment of smart chargers • Smart charging to serve the grid—GB energy market opportunities • Smart charging to serve the end-user—Retail Electricity Markets Support the show

On this Energy Unplugged episode we welcome Charlotte Johnson, Global Director of Markets, Kraken discussing flexible assets, their markets and, more specifically, batteries with Evangelos Gazis, our Head of Southeastern Europe. Being part of the Octopus Energy Group, Kraken is a cloud-based technology platform that uses machine learning and AI to control and optimize distributed energy resources such as batteries, EVs and heat pumps in response to real-time fluctuations in demand and supply from intermittent renewable generation. Charlotte is passionate about accelerating the journey to net zero and regularly publishes engaging thought leadership material to a wide range of industry stakeholders. Main topics include the following: Flexible energy assets: what are they and why do we need them? Market design and regulation for storage and batteries, and examples of successful policy support The role of software and AI in achieving an optimal dispatch Support the show

Anna von Bremen, Partner at Osborne Clarke, discusses battery co-location for renewables, green vs. grey power impact on business models, regulatory treatment of grid curtailment, and subsidies for renewable assets in Germany. The podcast delves into revenue optimization, challenges in subsidy legislation, technical requirements for renewable assets, and the complexities of home storage under German renewable energy laws.

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we welcome Ruth Herbert, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), discussing Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) with Caroline Still, Project Leader at our Advisory team in Oxford. Ruth has served as the CEO of the CCSA since 2021, following a two-decade career in the public sector. Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Low Carbon Contracts Company, where she served as Director of Strategy & Development, overseeing the implementation of Contracts for Difference (CfD) and Capacity Market initiatives. Additionally, from 2008 to 2010, Ruth led the UK's negotiations of the EU Directive on CO2 storage and its international Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) policy. Main topics include the following: The role of CCUS in various key sectors, including power and hydrogen  CCS-related policy gaps and funding in the power and industrial sectors in the UK Globally, what are the hot spots for CCUS development and why? Support the show

On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we welcome Jeremy Bentham, Former Head of Shell Scenarios and Co-Chair at the World Energy Council, discussing the role of forecasts in the energy transition with our Head of Research for European Hydrogen and Global Energy Markets, Anise Ganbold. With over 40 years of profound experience in the energy industry, Jeremy Bentham holds notable positions including senior advisory roles in various international organisations and serves as a non-executive company director. He has also been a commissioner on the Energy Transitions Commission and the inaugural Chair of the European Commission’s Advisory Council on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. Currently, Jeremy is a Senior Fellow with the Mission Possible Partnership and has recently launched his free fortnightly "Dodo Club Newsletter". Main topics include the following: • The combination of forecasting, with educational and influencing activities • The Two Degrees view • Tips to set successful strategies Support the show

On this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Doyle, Executive Director, MUFG, discussing hydrogen project financing with our European Hydrogen Market Lead, Emma Woodward. Andrew brings with him over 20 years of project finance experience, having joined MUFG in 2011. His expertise spans a wide range of projects, from large thermal power and renewables ventures across the UK and Europe, and Middle East as well as offshore transmission projects. Additionally, Andrew serves as a member of the Hydrogen Advisory Council and was seconded to the former UK Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2009. Main topics include the following: • Financing for both hydrogen production projects and transport & storage projects • The impact of supply chain constraints and higher cost environments on hydrogen projects • What are the countries at the forefront of hydrogen policy and why? Support the show