Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Power purchase agreements (PPAs) continue to grow across Europe as renewables subsidies get phased out and companies look to reduce their carbon footprint.Listen to a discussion on the outlook for PPAs, and how in the Nordics firms are increasingly using them as hedging instruments, often signing “baseload” deals. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Kathrine Bakke of Afry, Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel.

Gas is quickly becoming a global commodity, but the fuel has also become a pawn in a game of geopolitics between large gas producing countries. This week’s pod looks at the politics of gas as well as its fundamental drivers and competition, and the need to decarbonise the sector. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Karen Sund of Sund Energy. 

Ahead of the EC publication of its Climate Law next week, this week’s pod discusses the implications for Europe’s energy sector. Listen to a discussion on carbon border taxes, sector coupling,ETS reform and decarbonising gas. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Catherine Banet, Associate Professor in Energy Law,University of Oslo. 

The rapid growth of renewables over the coming years will increase the need for PPAs and related products. This week we discuss what the changes mean for an energy exchange – is the difference between peak and baseload still relevant? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Peter Reitz, CEO European Energy Exchange. 

Europe is set to fully decarbonise its energy system by 2050, with a huge impact on the way electricity is produced and consumed. This week’s pod takes a peek into the brave new energy world,and discusses flexibility, aggregation and the future of trading. Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Matthias Dilthey, General Manager DACH, Sonnen, Jan Aengenvoort, Head of Communications and Market Research, Next Kraftwerke, Richard Sarti, Director Marketing and Sales, Nodes. 

Global gas markets look set to remain historically weak with oversupply forecast to linger this year and into next. Europe in particular will get “messy”, according to Trevor Sikorski of Energy Aspects. Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Trevor Sikorski, Head of Natural Gas, Oil and Carbon Research, Energy Aspects. 

Oversupply in the global gas market could persist until 2025, and the saturation spells bad news for coal plants everywhere. This week’s pod discusses the current dynamics in the LNG market and why, despite low prices, producers and exporters of gas show no sign of holding back. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Kjell Eikland, Managing Director, Eikland Energy. 

In this week’s pod, energy expert Claudia Kemfert says Germany’s coal exit plans are a massive disappointment. Listen to a discussion on how the proposals will not end coal generation quickly enough and will come at a far too high cost, both for taxpayers and the climate. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Claudia Kemfert, Head of Department Energy, Transportation, Environment, DIW Berlin, Nora Kamprath Buli, Editor Germany, Montel. 

European carbon prices will strengthen as the 27-nation bloc tightens its climate ambitions over the next 18 months. However, prepare for market volatility in the short term amid Brexit, low gas prices and uncertainty over Germany’s coal exit. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Tom Lord, Head of Trading and Risk Management, Redshaw Advisors, Alessandro Vitelli, Carbon Reporter. 

Hydro levels in the Nordic region are at levels never seen before at this time of year, while southern parts of Europe have also been very wet. Listen to Mr Hydrology, aka Eylert Ellefsen, talk about the unusually high precipitation and the impact on wholesale power prices from Trondheim to Tarragona.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Eylert Ellefsen, senior analyst, EQ.