Plugged In: the energy news podcast

The global gas market faces turmoil and increased price volatility should Donald Trump return to the white house. Listen to a discussion why a Trump victory in November will be “like dropping a hand grenade on the energy markets”, the implications of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure and Putin’s shadow fleet of LNG vessels. And will Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Tobias Federico, Director, Montel Analytics; Wayne Bryan, Director European Gas Research, LSEG.

EU regulatory agency Acer is taking on new tasks and challenges. Listen to a discussion on the complexities of supervising increasingly automated and interconnected markets, the expansion of the Remit framework, the regulatory body’s new investigatory powers and how it handles huge amounts of data.  In addition, what plans does Acer have to improve its brand recognition in parts of Europe where its role has been misunderstood?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Christian Zinglersen, Director, Acer

The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is intended to address the issue of carbon leakage - preventing companies moving to jurisdictions with less stringent emissions rules - and to keep industrial sectors in the EU competitive by charging a carbon levy at its borders. But the inclusion of electricity could trigger several unintended consequences. Listen to a discussion on how the law could significantly affect electricity flows between non-EU and EU countries and impact investment in renewable energy. Could the border tax actually hinder moves to decarbonise Europe?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Phil Hewitt, Director Montel Analytics; Jean-Paul Harreman, Director Montel Analytics.

After record low nuclear output in 2022, France has again become a powerhouse of atomic generation. So much so, that it is again Europe’s largest electricity exporter. Wholesale market prices in the country have tumbled amid ample supply, weak demand and high renewables, primarily solar, generation. Listen to a discussion on the outlook ahead of the summer, and the potential for surprises amid probes into possible corrosion at some reactors.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel News; Tasmin Chowdhary, Market Analyst, Volue. 

Europe may have weathered the worst of the storms of the covid pandemic and the energy crisis, but the continent’s gas market remains fragile. In this episode, we talk to the CEO of gas transit operator Snam and one of Italy’s most respected energy experts about the role gas will play for the country as it looks to wean itself off Russian gas. Italy looks set to become more dependent on the vagaries of global markets as it commits to an LNG future. And what is the outlook for gas demand among Italy’s industry?   Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Stefano Venier, CEO of Snam, Massimo Nicolazzi, University of Turin.

The pan-EU balancing mechanism Picasso has caused price turbulence after its introduction in some markets, notably Italy. The country has since exited the platform and other countries have delayed implementation to the mandatory system. Listen to a discussion on the problems experienced by Italy and proposals put forward to change the platform and to increase data transparency.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Simon Remppis, Engineer at TransnetBW; Alina Trabattoni, Italy Correspondent, Montel News. 

Lion Hirth, a Professor of Energy Policy at the Hertie School in Berlin and Director at Neon Energy, shares insights on the evolving energy markets. He discusses the EU's proposals for forward markets and the benefits of virtual hubs to enhance liquidity. The conversation highlights the Nordic model's limitations and the potential of splitting the German power zone to attract green investment. Additionally, Hirth delves into the shifts in hedging strategies among utilities amidst increasing market volatility and examines the implications of long-term transmission rights.

Norway installed the least amount of renewables in the Nordic region last year. Ahead of the country’s first ever offshore wind auction, we talk to former energy minister Åslaug Haga about the outlook for new green energy in terms of meeting growing demand. Listen to a discussion on the ways in which country should speed up capacity build and why it is important to avoid the “ketchup effect”.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Åslaug Haga, Director, Renewables Norway.

European power purchase agreements are expected to have a strong year, potentially reaching 20 GW with Germany possibly surpassing Spain in PPA growth. The podcast explores economic challenges impacting PPAs, the evolution of corporate PPAs across various sectors, factors affecting PPA signings in the solar industry, the role of battery storage in PPAs, and navigating market dynamics in renewable energy.

Over the past decade, Germany has experienced serious energy shocks – many of which were of its own making. For instance, the over-reliance on Russian gas and exiting coal and nuclear power at the same time. However, it has also provided solutions on a remarkable scale. Listen to a discussion  - recorded live at the E-World trade fair in Germany - on how the country dealt with its energy crisis, and the positive progress made since 2022. But how can it speed up investments into the grid as well as into renewables?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Tobias Federico, Managing Director, Energy Brainpool, a Montel Group company;Hanns Koenig, Managing Director, Central Europe, Aurora Energy Research; Henning Gloystein, Director for Energy, Climate and Resources, Eurasia Group