Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Algorithmic trading has rapidly developed in Europe’s short-term power markets with about 85% of transactions now performed by robots. Listen to a discussion on how machines react to challenging market conditions and why it is important to keep them in check via human oversight. We also touch on the issues of data transparency and how some of Europe’s short-term markets may be prone to insider trading.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Amani Joas, Managing Director, CF Flex Power

A temporary EU ban on Icelandic GOs stirred the guarantees of origin market, raising questions about the credibility of the system amid double counting concerns. Listen to a discussion about why the EU renewables watchdog, the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB), rattled the GO market and what the utility on the island did to lift the suspension.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Tinna Traustadóttir, Executive Vice President Sales and Customer Service, Landsvirkjun

In the final episode before the summer break, we look at policy developments in Brussels and Berlin. As the energy crisis appears to be easing, we discuss the main policy issues of the past six months from the European Commission and Germany. Why is a spat brewing over plans to issue contracts for difference to existing nuclear plants and why is there opposition to Poland’s proposal to subsidise its coal plants? In addition, has Germany managed to secure gas supply ahead of the winter?Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Siobhan Hall, Correspondent Brussels, Montel;                   Nathan Witkop, Correspondent Germany, Montel.

This week’s episode discusses the hydrological situation in the Nordic and Alpine regions. Reservoir levels in Norway, Sweden and Finland are lower than average, but do not currently pose concerns for winter supply. Listen to a discussion with Mr Hydrology about power exports from Norway, and the outlook for river flows and temperatures in central Europe. Will cooling issues plague France’s nuclear fleet again this summer?Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Eylert Ellefsen, Analyst, Energy Quantified

Finland's Olkiluoto 3 reactor – Europe's largest power plant – came online in April boosting capacity in the country by 1.6 GW. In addition, record wind power additions mean the country is currently oversupplied with power, for the first time in decades. But consumption has not kept pace, meaning the country needs a rise in demand to avoid sustained low, and even negative prices. Listen to a discussion on the transformation in Finland's power system.  Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel  Guests: Marko Nieminen, Senior Expert, Fingrid; Riku Merikoski, Senior Power Analyst, Axpo; Heidi Paalatie, Director of Operations, Finnish Wind Power Association.

European electricity prices have spiked from more than EUR 1,000/MWh last year to below EUR 100/MWh this year. Hourly prices recently plunged below zero – as low as EUR -400/MWh in some countries – during periods of robust intermittent renewable supply and low demand. Listen to a discussion why negative prices could be the new normal for the next two to three years, what the consequences will be, and how policymakers should react.Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Sigbjørn Seland, Chief Analyst, Storm Geo; Ana Barillas, Head of Iberia, Aurora Energy Research; Jean-Paul Harreman, Director, EnAppSys BV 

Without energy storage the energy transition will flounder. As Europe exits coal and gradually reduces gas use, the continent will require back-up green power to keep the lights on. Listen to a discussion on batteries, big and small, and what incentives are needed to boost the expansion of storage to help balance the transmission grid. Will batteries be a crucial element in a centralised or distributed energy system, or a combination of both? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Matt Harper, CCO Invinity Energy Systems; Mike Longson, Commercial Associate, Gore Street Capital.

Increased renewables generation and lower gas prices will add pressure to European carbon prices in the months ahead but in the medium to long term the market is expected to tighten amid very ambitious climate targets. Listen to a discussion on the main factors driving prices and why we are unlikely to return to EUR 100/t. In addition, who are the “carbon bogeymen” and will policymakers blame them in case of a sharp rise in prices? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Florian Rothenberg, Senior Analyst EU Power and Carbon Markets, ICIS; Paula VanLaningham, Director, Carbon Research, LSEG.

Germany’s plans to cap electricity prices for industry at EUR 60/MWh until 2030 is creating controversy and is even unwelcome by some large industrial firms. Why is there such opposition to a stable and secure power price for almost seven years? Listen to a discussion on the outlook for companies operating in Europe’s industrial heartland. Will gas demand in the EU’s biggest economy return to pre-crisis levels? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Tobias Federico, Managing Director, Energy Brainpool Stefanie Müller, Stefanie Mueller, Director Power Trading & Portfoliomanagement, BASF

In a follow-up to the episode on 5 May, we hear why Denmark's energy consumers are up in arms over the profits made by the country’s trading houses. Details over bonuses – promised, then withdrawn – have only added to the uproar. Listen to a discussion on profits, bonuses and allegations of market abuse from the perspective of energy consumers. Is there, or should there be, a more equitable way of sharing the vast proceeds of these Danish firms?Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Mogens Pilgaard Sørensen, MPS Solutions