

Energy Evolution
S&P Global Commodity Insights
Interviews, analysis and reporting from S&P Global Commodity Insights on energy and commodities' transition to a cleaner future. Hosts Taylor Kuykendall and Eklavya Gupte speak with policymakers, industry professionals and SPGCI in-house experts worldwide on topics related to decarbonization, climate, emerging fuels and energy sources, and the outlook for commodity markets from oil to power to metals. The Energy Evolution podcast has merged with the Platts Future Energy podcast as of January 2025.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 21, 2024 • 32min
US government stepping into battery metals where private capital is hesitant
In this episode of Energy Evolution, the teams is joined by two special guests: Jigar Shah, the director of the Loan Programs Office of the US Department of Energy, and Jonathan Evans, the President and CEO of Lithium Americas. The US Department of Energy has shown interest in the metals and mining space, particularly in critical mineral mining and extraction projects. Additionally, the DOE's Loan Programs Office has committed to providing a $2.26 billion loan to Lithium Nevada Corp. for the construction of a lithium carbonate processing plant at Thacker Pass in Nevada. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

Jun 18, 2024 • 27min
Unlocking sustainable flight with hydrogen
Hydrogen fuel is gaining traction as a promising solution for decarbonizing the transport sector, particularly in challenging areas like aviation where electrification is limited. US government subsidies for low-carbon hydrogen production and the establishment of the Department of Energy's seven hydrogen hubs are expected to drive low-carbon hydrogen production at scale. However, the aviation industry awaits regulatory guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration to provide clarity on the potential of hydrogen fuel in decarbonizing commercial flights. Low-carbon commodities reporter Santiago Canel speaks with with Arnaud Namer, Chief Operating Officer at Universal Hydrogen, and Commodity Insights energy transition news reporter Daniel Weeks to explore the role of hydrogen in aviation and its potential for decarbonization. Links: Platts Hydrogen Daily (subscriber content) Feature: Logistical woes and high pump prices stall California H2 market development S&P Global Commodity Insights Weekly ET News Highlights

Jun 14, 2024 • 17min
Europe has voted – What does the rightward shift mean for energy?
Right-wing parties have made gains in the EU parliamentary elections this past week, but a coalition of centrists remains likely. Correspondent Camilla Naschert tells host Taylor Kuykendall what the result means for energy policymaking in the 27-member bloc. The main message: Net zero is still on, but the pace of climate lawmaking may slow in coming years. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

Jun 7, 2024 • 14min
Increasing electric vehicle range with new semiconductor technology
In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall interviews Dan Brdar, the CEO of Ideal Power. Ideal Power is developing a bidirectional semiconductor power switch with a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, renewable energy and datacenters. The technology enhances energy efficiency and is starting to gain traction in the industry. Ideal Power is partnering with Stellantis, an automotive giant, to develop a custom power module for use in next-generation electric vehicle platforms. Brdar says his company's technology can increase the range of electric vehicles by 7% to 10%, addressing the issue of range anxiety that is holding back adoption of new EVs. He also talks about the cost of electric vehicles and the need for a charging infrastructure as challenges for wider EV adoption. Energy Evolution is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest innovations, trends, and challenges in the energy sector. We bring you expert interviews, insightful discussions, and thought-provoking analysis to help you stay informed and engaged in the rapidly evolving world of energy. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

May 31, 2024 • 18min
Microreactors promise nuclear power anywhere, deliverable by truck
Today's episode of Energy Evolution, your podcast for all things energy transition, focuses on small micronuclear reactors and their role in the energy transition. Our guest, Jay Yu, is the founder of Nano Nuclear Energy. Their products include microreactors, which produce one to 20 megawatts of thermal energy that can be used directly as heat or converted to electricity. They are compact, modular, and can be deployed in various locations, including remote areas. They offer a reliable and sustainable source of energy, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to something like a diesel generator. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall. Energy Evolution is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest innovations, trends, and challenges in the energy sector. We bring you expert interviews, insightful discussions, and thought-provoking analysis to help you stay informed and engaged in the rapidly evolving world of energy.

May 24, 2024 • 24min
Bridging the gap between conventional energy resources and newer technologies
In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall sits down with Emily Easley, CEO of Novus Energy Advisors. Emily, who hails from the Texas oil and gas fields, now works in the world of renewable energy. During their conversation, Taylor and Emily delve into the topic of bridging the gap between conventional fuels and new energy technologies. They explore the lessons that can be learned from both sides of the energy spectrum and how these insights can be applied to drive innovation and sustainability. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

May 17, 2024 • 27min
Venture capital arm of mining giant Vale hunting for sustainable mining tech
In this episode of Energy Evolution, Taylor Kuykendall interviews Bruno Arcadier, head of Vale Ventures, the venture capital arm of international mining giant Vale. Vale Ventures aims to invest in cutting-edge technologies that will revolutionize the mining industry and make it more sustainable. The mining sector plays a critical role in the energy transition because metals like copper, nickel and cobalt are essential components in renewable energy technologies. The challenges in promoting the energy transition in mining include decarbonizing the supply chain, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing waste management. Vale Ventures focuses on four verticals: decarbonization, circular mining, sustainable mining of the future, and energy transition metals. Arcadier said the company takes a portfolio approach to mitigate risks associated with early-stage investments. He also said that Vale Ventures not only provides capital but also offers access to expertise, R&D centers, partnerships and a global network of experts.

May 10, 2024 • 31min
Maintaining reliability in the face of an increasingly complex US power grid
As utilities grapple with how best to expand the US electric grid to improve reliability and support technologies like electric vehicles, they're turning to a host of technologies like grid storage and AI that can help with planning and managing new demands. On this week's episode, co-host Taylor Kuykendall and correspondent Camellia Moors speak with guests Anthony Allard, executive vice president and head of North America at Hitachi Energy, Josh Brumberger, CEO of Utilidata, Robert Piconi, chairman and CEO of Energy Vault, and Paul Doherty, principal communications representative at PG&E. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.

May 8, 2024 • 17min
Why sulfur markets face an upside risk from the energy transition
Sulfur is a crucial input for the fertilizer market. But, this byproduct of the oil and gas industry is also increasingly in-demand for processing key metals needed for the energy transition, such as copper and nickel. In this episode of the Platts Future Energy podcast, sulfur and sulfuric acid market reporter Matt Hoisch is joined by sulfur and sulfuric acid Analyst, Yuya Pan, and senior copper analyst, Ruilin Wang, for a deep dive into how a transition to greener energy sources is expected to impact sulfur supply and demand. Related coverage: Platts launches CFR Southeast Africa sulphur assessment and Middle East-Southeast Africa sulphur freight assessment Our fertilizer services and coverage All our non-ferrous coverage (subscriber link)

May 3, 2024 • 34min
Space-based solar: Vast promises and major challenges
Capturing solar energy in space promises 24/7 renewable energy at a competitive cost. But to get space solar to scale, scientists and engineers need to tackle questions around technology management in space, social acceptance of power beaming and ground infrastructure, as well as financing hurdles. On this week's episode of Energy Evolution, reporter Camilla Naschert discusses all of this with Sanjay Vijendran, who leads the European Space Agency's space solar program, and Martin Soltau, founder and co-CEO of UK startup Space Solar. Subscribe to Energy Evolution to stay current on the energy transition and its implications. The show is co-hosted by veteran journalists Dan Testa and Taylor Kuykendall.


