Redefining Energy - TECH

In a captivating episode of "Redefining Energy Tech," host Michael Barnard welcomed Kevin Antcliff, the head of product at X Wing, to discuss the transformative trends in the aviation industry. Kevin, who has an impressive background with a 13-year tenure at NASA, shared his journey from a childhood fascination with aerospace to leading product vision at X Wing, a startup focusing on autonomous aviation.At NASA, Kevin was deeply involved in projects related to urban air mobility and autonomy mapping, experiences that fortified his belief in the future of unmanned flight. The conversation delved into the aviation industry's current challenges, including the significant pilot shortages, the high operational and crew expenses, turnover rates, and the restrictive regulatory environment. An important part of their discussion highlighted the advantages of electric aircraft, such as lower certification and maintenance costs and operational savings, which stand in stark contrast to traditional planes.Furthermore, they explored the concept of regional air mobility (RAM), emphasizing its potential to utilize existing airport infrastructure to enhance connectivity. This segment brought to light the historical backdrop of the abundance of airports in the US following World War II and the impact of liability concerns on aircraft manufacturing until recent regulatory changes encouraged new entrants into the small plane production market.The episode painted a picture of an aviation industry at a pivotal point, moving towards increased autonomy and electrification, driven by the need for cost efficiency, safety improvements, and the leveraging of RAM to improve regional connectivity.Kevin's insights from his NASA days, particularly his work on mapping the autonomy landscape and drafting a white paper on RAM, provided valuable context to understand the ongoing shifts in the industry. 

In this insightful second episode, Roberta Cenni, the head of biofuels at the Maersk McKinney Mueller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, delves into the potential of biofuels as a sustainable energy source for the shipping industry.With biodiesel currently being the only commercially available biofuel derived from fats, oils, and greases, she discusses its limitations due to supply constraints and explores the possibilities of other biofuels like biomethane and biomethanol, which could be produced from waste materials through processes such as gasification and pyrolysis.Cenni elaborates on the technical aspects of converting biomass into valuable fuels, highlighting methods like gasification that converts biomass into synthesis gas for methanol or synthetic diesel production, and pyrolysis, a less energy-intensive process for breaking down solid substances. She also touches on hydrocracking and hydro treating processes that use hydrogen to upgrade biocrude or clean feedstocks of impurities.Additionally, the conversation covers the potential of ammonia as an alternative fuel, despite its toxicity risks, emphasizing the importance of safety in its maritime use. The episode not only provides a deep dive into the science behind biofuel production but also stresses the significance of using waste biomass sustainably.Cenni's discussion underscores the need for responsible sourcing practices to prevent negative impacts on biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of biofuel production for the shipping industry. Through a comprehensive exploration of biofuels, from their current state to future potentials and challenges, this episode sheds light on the critical role of innovative energy solutions in achieving zero carbon shipping.

In the latest episode of "Redefining Energy Tech," hosted by Michael Barnard, we had the pleasure of welcoming Roberta Cenni, head of biofuels at the Maersk McKinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.With a rich background in chemical engineering and a passion for sustainability, Roberta shared her journey and the pivotal decision to join the center. This pioneering organization, established by Maersk as a non-profit, spearheads the mission to decarbonize the shipping industry through collaboration across sectors to innovate in alternative fuels and low-carbon solutions.Our conversation delved into the promising role of biofuels, particularly focusing on biomethane and methanol, in the quest for decarbonizing maritime shipping. The challenge of methane emissions from anaerobic digesters was a critical point of discussion, highlighting the need for further research and technological advancement in capturing these emissions effectively. We also explored the landscape of LNG-powered ships and the emerging interest in ammonia as a potential fuel option, underscoring the complexity and evolving nature of port infrastructure and bunkering requirements for these alternative fuels.The dialogue was enriched by Roberta's insights into the economic viability and technological pathways for producing bio-methanol as a viable shipping fuel, alongside the ongoing developments in port infrastructure to accommodate the bunkering needs of such alternative fuels. Roberta outlined her action items, emphasizing the importance of continued research into the decarbonization potential of biomethane and methanol, including their production methodologies and the adaptation of port infrastructures to support their use.These steps are crucial for navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead in achieving a zero-carbon future for maritime shipping.

Michael Barnard welcomes back Mark Wilson, CEO of Intelligent Land Investments of Scotland for the second half of their discussion. They embark on a detailed discussion about the intricacies of pumped hydro facilities, including engineering, design considerations, and the role of pumped hydro in the evolving landscape of renewable energy.Mark Wilson sheds light on the design aspects of pumped hydro facilities, particularly focusing on the size and length of tunnels, and emphasizes a broad brush approach over detailed design specifications. He also touches upon their foray into battery projects, acknowledging a learning curve in this area. Michael Barnard raises the critical issue of risk management in large infrastructure projects, underlining the importance of meticulous planning and design.The conversation pivots to the technicalities of turbine selection for pumped hydro facilities. Mark explains their preference for fixed turbines over variable ones, citing cost-effectiveness and alignment with their project goals. This leads to an intriguing discussion on the recent growth of battery storage, an area that has surpassed Mark's initial expectations when they began focusing on pump storage projects. They explore Scotland's position in the battery market, considering its first-mover advantage and future prospects around 2030-2035.Delving into the broader scope of energy storage, Michael and Mark discuss the UK's potential as an exporter of 100% renewable energy to Europe, underscoring the significance of energy security. They categorize different types of grid storage and debate the feasibility and necessity of extensive seasonal storage. The conversation also covers the practical aspects of developing projects like Red John, encompassing land rights, planning permissions, and the importance of local partnerships and workforce arrangements.Mark reflects on his company's journey, emphasizing the importance of ethics, relationship-building, and resilience in the face of industry challenges. He candidly discusses the stress and pressures associated with developing pumped hydro projects and the regulatory and funding challenges they face.Comparing the UK and US contexts, Mark advocates for pump storage as a key solution for achieving net-zero emissions and urges companies to push for policy changes that support project development.

Welcome to the latest episode of "Redefining Energy Tech," where host Michael Barnard delves into the evolving world of renewable energy technology. In this engaging session, Michael introduces his esteemed guest, Mark Wilson, CEO and founder of Intelligent Land and Investments (ILI) of Scotland.Mark shares his remarkable journey, beginning with securing land for eco-friendly housing projects, leading up to his current ventures into renewable energy projects such as onshore wind and pump storage. The highlight of the discussion is ILI's advanced project, Red John, poised to significantly bolster the power grid. Mark elucidates the intricacies of pump storage technology and its application in Red John, setting a precedent in the renewable energy sector.The conversation also touches upon other global pumped hydro facilities, including China's ambitious plans, underscoring the worldwide impact of such initiatives. Mark points out the long-term commitment of these projects, indicated by the 125-year leases on their Scottish sites.Mark and Michael delve into the challenges and triumphs of integrating new technologies in the renewable energy space. Emphasizing the comprehensive approach required for successful project execution, Mark shares his team's expertise in site selection and development. They address and debunk common myths about the scarcity of suitable locations for pumped hydro storage, demonstrating the feasibility of these projects globally.The environmental considerations of closed-loop systems and their design intricacies based on mathematical calculations are also discussed. Further into the conversation, they explore the strategic approaches to energy storage, contrasting river-based systems with closed-loop methods. Mark voices his concerns about the environmental impact of river-based systems and advocates for the efficiency and lower impact of closed-loop systems.The episode also sheds light on the rigorous approval processes for such projects, referencing an incident involving a dam breach and the consequent enhancement of safety measures in dam construction. The UK and Scottish governments' role in fostering a conducive environment for renewable energy projects surfaces as a key topic.The UK's cap and floor mechanism, designed to ensure safe investment in strategic assets like pumped hydro facilities, is discussed, highlighting the nation's commitment to achieving net zero emissions. This segment underscores the optimism surrounding the future of energy storage in the UK, positioning it as a potential global leader in renewable energy technology.

In this episode of "Redefining Energy Tech," host Michael Barnard continues and concludes his conversation with Cornelis Plet, DNV's VP for Power Systems Advisory in North America. They delve into high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, focusing on the contrast between Line Commutated Converters (LCC) and Voltage Source Converters (VSC). Cornelis explains LCC's suitability for stable grid connections and VSC's advantages in control and reduced harmonics, also noting the prominence of MMC-VSC technology in modern HVDC systems.The discussion then shifts to HVDC's role in efficiently connecting asynchronous AC grids, highlighting China's significant advancements in this field. Cornelis and Michael examine China's HVDC infrastructure, acknowledging its global leadership with the longest operational lines and ultra-high voltage projects. They also touch upon challenges related to China's HVDC systems' reliability and its aspirations to export this technology amidst cybersecurity and political concerns.Additionally, the podcast explores the varied governance frameworks in HVDC project development across different regions. They compare China's streamlined approach to the more complex scenarios in Europe and North America, where diverse stakeholders and policies often slow down progress.The episode concludes with reflections on the future of HVDC technology, emphasizing its critical role in the energy transition and the need for clear communication in the sector. This discussion offers valuable insights into the evolving world of energy transmission and the emerging technologies shaping our sustainable future.

In this episode of the podcast, host Michael Barnard welcomes Cornelis Plet, Vice President for Power Systems Advisory at DNV North America. Cornelis, nicknamed 'Case', shares his journey from the Netherlands to studying electrical engineering in Germany and London, and his involvement in offshore wind projects with Shell.He further discusses his Ph.D. in inverter-controlled resources in distribution grids and his role in HVDC transmission projects at DNV, particularly the Promotion project aimed at developing an HVDC network in the North Sea.The podcast then delves into DNV's expansion from classifying seagoing vessels to diverse sectors including energy systems, where they provide independent engineering services and technical advice for renewable and storage plants.Cornelis and Michael discuss the competitive landscape of the industry, highlighting DNV's position against firms like Black & Veatch, WSP, and Lloyd's Register. A significant part of the conversation focuses on the advantages of HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) over HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) for long-distance energy transmission.They explore the technical challenges and cost implications of HVDC technology, including the development of DC circuit breakers and the integration challenges between different vendors' systems.

In this insightful second part of the episode, Michael Barnard welcomes listeners to a conversation focused on the cutting-edge topic of decarbonizing shipping ports. His guest, Sahar Rashidbeigi, holds a pivotal role at A.P. Moller Maersk, spearheading the decarbonization efforts for their APM Terminals division.Sahar shares her experiences and the complexities faced in adopting new, more sustainable technologies in the shipping industry. The conversation delves into the high costs and challenges associated with decarbonization efforts, underlining the industry's fragmented nature and the lack of standardization.The dialogue further explores the ongoing debate between battery electric solutions and hydrogen as alternative energy sources for ports. Sahar emphasizes the need for a factual, cost-based debate, acknowledging that while hydrogen isn't opposed ideologically, its cost-effectiveness and feasibility for large-scale rollout must be considered.The operational challenges associated with battery electric vehicles, such as charging time and downtime during continuous operations, are also discussed. Sahar and Michael touch upon the role of carbon border adjustment mechanisms, the incentives for shifting to cleaner technologies, and the need for standardization in the industry. They also discuss the critical role port authorities play in promoting the adoption of zero-emission technology. Highlighting her work at APM Terminals, Sahar emphasizes the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including shipping lines and OEMs, for standardization and modernization efforts.The focus is on making decarbonization more approachable by tackling the more straightforward parts first, rather than waiting for a comprehensive solution. The episode concludes with a discussion on the spillover effects of emissions reduction in the shipping industry into other sectors, showcasing the broader implications of these efforts.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of decarbonizing large-scale industrial operations and the future of sustainable shipping and logistics.

In this insightful podcast episode, host Michael Barnard talks with his guest, Sahar Rashidbeigi, a dynamic professional working for APM Terminals, a division of A.P. Moller Maersk, a leading global shipping and ports management firm.Sahar Rashidbeigi's Career Journey The episode unfolds with Sahar sharing her diverse and inspiring career journey. Beginning as a civil engineer in Iran, Sahar's path led her to offshore projects in Vietnam and Thailand with Schlumberger. Seeking a change, she pursued an MBA and transitioned into the energy sector, joining McKinsey as a consultant. Her focus on energy transition and decarbonization projects took a significant turn when she worked with a Dutch government-backed investment fund, eventually leading her to her current role at Maersk.A Glimpse into APM Terminals and Maersk Sahar provides an overview of Maersk, highlighting its status as an integrated logistics company that not only owns and operates container vessels but also encompasses trucking and warehouse operations. She delves into the specifics of APM Terminals, Maersk's port operating arm, emphasizing their global presence and the importance of switching from trucking to rail transportation for efficiency and sustainability.The World of Container Terminals The discussion pivots to the functioning of APM Terminals, particularly their role in operating transshipment terminals where various modes of transport converge. Sahar touches on the handling of container cargo and the operational intricacies in regions like Europe. She also sheds light on the global impact of container terminals, quantifying their role in global trade and GDP. Decarbonization Efforts in Shipping A significant part of the conversation revolves around Maersk's commitment to decarbonization. Sahar elaborates on the company's strides in this direction, such as investing in methanol-run ships and methanol production projects, underscoring Maersk's pioneering role in reducing emissions within the shipping industry.Container Handling and Technological Innovation The episode explores the standardization and innovation in container handling, discussing various types of equipment like cranes and ground vehicles. Sahar emphasizes the need for electrification in this domain and introduces a report titled "Reaching a tipping point in Battery-Electric Container Handling Equipment," highlighting the debates and complexities surrounding this topic.

In the second half of the discussion with Dr. Joseph Romm, hosted by Michael Barnard, the conversation focuses on sustainability and the critical examination of various climate solutions.They delve into the challenges and potential pitfalls of relying on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), emphasizing its inefficiency and the unrealistic land requirements for scaling it up. They point out that solely planting trees won't suffice to address climate change or achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, highlighting the need for a holistic and long-term strategy.Dr. Romm and Barnard discuss the limitations of carbon capture and storage systems, underscoring the significant energy input, infrastructural needs, safety concerns, and the limited impact they can have on global warming solutions. They also critically evaluate direct air capture technology, pointing out the massive energy requirements due to low atmospheric CO2 concentrations.The dialogue then shifts to the inefficiency of direct air capture as a method for CO2 emission reduction, advocating for a comprehensive approach to emission reduction, which includes transitioning to electric ground transport and decarbonizing the grid. The potential of heat pumps and the sequestration of carbon through mushrooms are also mentioned as part of the broader solution.Dr. Romm, a senior research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media, concludes the discussion by urging a focus on proven solutions to climate change and debunking the viability of certain methods like BECCS. He encourages looking into his published papers, available now, via the University of Pennsylvania for a more in-depth understanding. Link to Joe Romm publications: https://web.sas.upenn.edu/pcssm/publications/