Plugged In: the energy news podcast

It's clear for many that Europe needs to ramp up battery energy storage capacity over the next decade to help decarbonise the economy. But where does this leave battery developers and manufacturers who must navigate the complex markets and battle against negative pricing?In this episode, Richard speaks to Neoen’s MD of Sweden about the largest battery in the Nordic region that will start operating early next year. In addition, we hear from Rystad Energy’s battery expert about the market conditions and the competitive threat from China that we have already seen start to impact local European manufacturers.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Laetitia Prot – Managing Director Sweden, Neoen               Lars Lysdal – Advisory Partner and battery expert, Rystad Energy 

This week marked a historic milestone for the UK as it shut down the last remaining coal-fired power station in Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire. Once the backbone of the country’s energy supply, coal has been an essential part of the energy mix for over a century.In this bonus episode, Richard speaks to Matthew Scrimshaw, CCO of Montel, who shares his memories of growing up in his childhood home which overlooked the iconic power plant. Matthew recounts stories of his grandfather going to work in another nearby coal unit, and being mesmerised as a boy by the Ratcliffe-on-Soar station.Matthew, Richard, and Montel’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Laurence, reflect on coal’s role in the industrial revolution, the integral position it held in the politics of the 1970s and 80s, and how the dirty fuel will be remembered in British history.    Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Laurence Walker – Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News; Matthew Scrimshaw – Chief Commercial Officer, Montel

In September, the growing uncertainty surrounding the hydrogen economy brought new projects from producers like Shell and Equinor to a halt. Is this the start of a wave of hydrogen project cancellations that we are about to see in Europe? Has H2 passed peak hype?Richard speaks to Montel’s Environmental Markets Reporter and the Hydrogen Science Coalition about why we are seeing hydrogen projects collapse now, and what is next to come.  Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: David Cebon – Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge University and founding member of the Hydrogen Science Coalition; Rachael Burnett – Environmental Markets Reporter, Montel News

Europe’s gas supplies are plentiful. Some in the industry are relaxed ahead of the coming winter, but with the rising military escalation in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and the global market apprehensively awaiting November’s US Election, this positive sentiment might be about to change. In this week’s episode, we speak to hedge fund Svelland Capital about the impending challenges to the gas market. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Nadia Martin Wiggen – Director, Svelland Capital; Andres Cala – Senior LNG Correspondent, Montel

This week, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled her team of new commissioners and set out their priorities for the next five years.Amongst her new team are some key, experienced players for energy and climate, whose home countries are already avid supporters of the EU’s plans to decarbonise its economy.Does this new, energy-charged Commission combined with Draghi’s report recommendations mean that we are going to see some drastic change in the next five years?In this week’s episode, we hear initial reactions to the announcement from our own Brussel’s Correspondent and Eurelectric’s Policy Director.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Siobhan Hall – Brussel’s Correspondent, Montel News; Cillian O’Donoghue – Policy Director, Eurelectric

Harmonisation and international standardisation; those were the words that were often heard this week when analysts, traders, and energy producers came together to discuss the challenges facing the guarantees of origin market at the GO Conference in Reykjavík this week. The GO market is a driver for investment in renewable energy production pipeline, but how does it need to change to bring in more firms, especially energy intensive industry, and help boost demand across Europe?In this episode, Richard speaks to industry experts from the conference in Reykjavík and our reporter Enza Tedesco goes on a tour of one of Iceland’s new power plants.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Lars Ragnar Solberg – Principal Consultant, AFRYHalldór K. Sigurðarson – Business Director, LandsvirkjunMerve Güngör – Policy and Networking Manager, RECS  

The global power system is changing. Carbon emissions are declining. The green transition is in full flow. This is good news for the planet, but what do the next few years on this journey to 2030 look like for carbon prices?In this episode, we talk about the impact of impending EU regulations that businesses are bracing themselves for. With supply due to decrease faster than demand, and the squeeze on industries who will no longer benefit from the EU’s free emissions allowance, we ask the question: who is going to feel the brunt of decarbonisation?Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Alexandra Härmatis - Senior Corporate Carbon Trader, Vertis Environmental Finance

A Montel News investigation has aired claims of insider trading in Germany’s power market. Signals received by some to help balance the grid are allegedly being used to front-run prices for same-day delivery. We’ve spoken to traders who claim this is an open secret worth millions of euros. Listen to a discussion with the reporter who broke the story.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Nathan Witkop, Editor Clean Energy Desk, Montel

The guarantees of origin (GO) market is complex and opaque. Listen to a discussion that unpicks the complexity, simplifies the jargon and lays bare the controversies in the market. With big tech looking to source more and more green energy, how can the market – projected to be worth EUR 4bn by 2030 – increase its credibility and boost liquidity? And why has Norway ruled out an exit from the GO market?Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Daniel Arnesson, Manager, Renewable Power Analysis, Veyt

Germany plans to massively increase imports of hydrogen and its derivative products such as ammonia and methanol over the next five years but are the targets unrealistic and how green is the fuel? Listen to a discussion on what “hydrogen ready” could mean for infrastructure such as pipelines and power plants, the immense costs involved and the timescale for the decarbonisation of industry. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Henning Gloystein, Director, Eurasia Group.