Plugged In: the energy news podcast

In October, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol - the world’s most widely used carbon accounting framework - launched two public consultations, inviting input from professionals across the industry to share their thoughts on proposed changes to the current guidance for scope 2 carbon emissions and market-based accounting.  But what are the changes? How do they affect big businesses on a global level? Could reformulating the methodology for temporal and locational reporting have far-reaching consequences for de the GO market? In this episode, Richard sits down with experts in Amsterdam to discuss the proposed updates to the GHG Protocol, and what these changes mean for renewable energy markets and corporate sustainability reporting.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Alina Trabattoni - Italy Reporter, Montel NewsGuests: Killian Daly - Executive Director, EnergyTagCarolyn Addy - Head of Commercial, RenewablEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Anyone who has visited Norway in recent years will be struck at the advance the country has made with electric vehicles and its charging infrastructure.Should this be rolled out across Europe, EVs could consume just over 100 TWh by 2030. What will be the impact on  grids, heavy goods transport and supply chains?Listen to a discussion on the challenges faced in the electrification of transport, especially the impact that the electrification of heavy goods vehicles will have on grids. What solutions does Europe need to deploy in order to cope with the rollout of high-speed EV charging stations?Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Gert Ove Mollestad - Norway Editor, Montel NewsGuests:Wenche Teigland - CEO, FountShan Tomouk - BESS and Energy Research Lead, Benchmark Minerals IntelligenceEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

European gas storage levels are lower compared to the same time last year, but many market participants are fairly confident that there will be enough of the fossil fuel for the months ahead. However, the weather remains the uncertain factor with some experts estimating that gas prices could jump more than 30% if Europe is hit with very cold temperatures this winter.What’s the outlook for prices as demand remains low, Europe becomes increasingly reliant on US LNG amid an unstable geopolitical situation?In this episode, Richard sits down with the London Stock Exchange Group to discuss several potential seasonal scenarios and the key market drivers for the months ahead. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Laurence Walker - Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest: Wayne Bryan - Research Principal, London Stock Exchange GroupEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Amani Joas, Managing Director at FlexPower, delves into the complexities of the PPA market, highlighting the surprising rebound of short-term standardised agreements amid a broader decline. She discusses how market sophistication post-energy crisis and improved trading capabilities are pivotal for success. Amani also explains how entities are shifting focus from premium green labels to cost-effective options. With insights on automation in PPA structuring and the rising influence of batteries and data centers, Amani paints a dynamic picture of renewable trading's future.

Christina Rentell, Research Lead at Aurora Energy Research, and Daniel Garasa Sagardoy, Energy Engineer and Solar Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, dive into the aftermath of Spain's major blackout. They discuss the shift to a 'safe mode' for grid operation, the challenges posed by solar intermittency, and the role of distributed assets. The conversation also touches on the politicization of the incident, the need for localized voltage services, and the outlook for batteries in achieving grid stability. Insightful and thought-provoking, this discussion sheds light on future energy resilience.

Jerome Le Page is the Chair of the Electricity Committee at Energy Traders Europe, while Jean-Paul Harreman is the Director at Montel Analytics. They discuss the recent rollout of 15-minute day-ahead auctions and its impact on market volatility. Le Page shares insights on trader sentiment and legislative contexts, while Harreman explores zigzag pricing patterns linked to cross-border capacity calculations. Both emphasize the potential for this new granularity to attract flexibility providers and enhance market integration of renewables.

Last week, the UK Prime Minister was the latest leader in Europe to announce his commitment to nuclear energy production by announcing plans to build "a fleet" of small modular reactors (SMRs). The UK's announcement followed similar plans elsewhere in Europe over the last year.Why are we seeing the focus shift from larger nuclear plants to small modular reactors?In this episode, Richard speaks to Rolls Royce to understand the tech behind SMRs, the role they can play in reduce dependance on fossil fuels, and why they could prove to be an economically viable option for Europe's rollout of nuclear energy. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Chris Eales - France Editor, Montel NewsGuest: Sophie Macfarlane-Smith - Head of Customer Engagement, Rolls Royce SMREditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Earlier this week, Europe’s benchmark carbon price climbed by over 1 EUR to reach a seven-month high. Could it continue to rise? As companies across the EU rush to meet the EU ETS deadline on the 30th September, investment funds’ increase their net long exposure in EU carbon allowances and lower supply could drive the price of EUAs higher. In this episode, Richard speaks to Veyt's Carbon Analyst about why the industry expects a tight carbon market next year, and what impact the reduced allowance thresholds and the introduction of CBAM will have on prices. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Cem Bektas - Carbon Reporter, Montel NewsGuests: Ingvild Sørhus - Manager of EU Carbon Analysis, VeytEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Paul Voss, Director General at European Aluminium, and Axel Eggert, Director General of EUROFER, tackle the urgent issues facing the EU's heavy industry. They discuss the critical impact of a $750 billion US-EU trade deal and the shock of 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. As they highlight the challenges posed by Chinese overcapacity and rising energy prices, Voss and Eggert advocate for urgent policy reforms to enhance competitiveness. Their candid insights reflect the precarious future of these vital industries within Europe.

Kia Marie Jerichau, Vice President at Energinet, Matthew Creese, Head of Market Operations for Wind and Solar at Aneo, and Priyanka Shinde, Nordic Market Expert at Montel Analytics, dive into the chaos of the Nordic energy markets post-March 2025 price crash. They discuss volatile balancing markets and the struggle of small producers navigating complex systems. The challenges of algorithmic trading, rapid market changes, and the need for better regulation and adaptability are key themes. A real eye-opener for anyone interested in renewable energy dynamics!